Lino Sabattini was the preeminent figure in modern Italian silver and metalware design. His expansive and diverse body of work is marked by its strength and boldness, whether in dynamic forms that suggest the thrust and power of Italian Futurist art and design or light and curvaceous biomorphic serveware and decorative objects.
Sabattini was largely self-taught as a designer. Born in the northern Italian town of Correggio, he learned metalsmithing techniques while working in the studio of a maker of brass tableware. He also served as an apprentice of sorts to the expatriate German ceramist Roland Hettner, who taught Sabattini about fluidity of form and showed him how shapes derive from the behavior of materials.
At age 30, Sabattini opened a studio in Milan, and his work quickly came to the attention of Gio Ponti, who decided to publish it in Domus, the Italian design legend's influential design and architecture magazine. Ponti also arranged for Sabattini’s creations to be included in a 1956 exhibition of contemporary Italian design in Paris. The principals of Christofle, the revered French silverware maker, were so impressed that they hired the young designer as the firm’s artistic director, a post he held until 1963. Sabattini, who would also go on to design ceramic wares for Rosenthal, returned home to open Argenteria Sabattini in Bregnano, a company still in business today.
A designer with a questing curiosity and ever-evolving aesthetic sensibility, Sabattini couldn’t be pinned down to one particular style. His best-known work, the Como coffee and tea service of 1956, has an elegant, attenuated and energetic form; his Stairs coffee and tea service (1971), meanwhile, is a clever group of simple columnar shapes in stepped heights, which nest together in a compact arrangement. Other Sabattini pieces have dramatic angles, or sweeping, wing-like flourishes, or consist of perforated ovoids somehow reminiscent of sculptures by Brancusi. In any style, Sabattini produced objects of singular fascination.
Find a range of vintage Lino Sabattini vases and other decorative objects on 1stDibs.
Postmodern Sheffield Plated Metal Fruit Basket by Lino Sabattini, Marked, Italy
By Lino Sabattini
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1970s. This fruit basket is made in Sheffield plated metal. It is a vintage piece, therefore it might show slight traces of use, but it can be considered as in very g...
Sheffield Plate
Mid-Century Modernist 'Candara' Centerpiece Bowl signed Sabattini
By Lino Sabattini
Located in New York, NY
This striking mid-century modernist 'Candara' centerpiece bowl, circa 1970, is signed by the renowned Italian designer Sabattini. It stands as a testament to the era's commitment to ...
Silver Plate
Lino Sabattini (1926-2016) Modernist Silverplate Fruit Bowl
By Lino Sabattini
Located in Oakland, CA
Rocking silver plate fruit bowl by Italian Industrial Designer Lino Sabattini (1926-2016). The circular bowl has continuous rounded handles that run end to end along the bottom of th...
Silver Plate
Bowl 'Candara' by Lino Sabattini, Italy, 1970
By Lino Sabattini, Sabattini Argenteria
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
A bowl with the name Candara with a simplistic and iconic design by renowned italian designer Lino Sabattini from circa 1970. The condition is good albeit with some wear (see picture...
Silver Plate
Lino Sabattini, oblong dish
By Lino Sabattini
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Oblong dish in silver plated metal by Lino Sabattini for Christofle, Italy circa 1957
Metal, Silver Plate
A 1960s Iconic Lino Sabattini for Christofle Minimalist Silver Plated Bowl
By Lino Sabattini, Christofle
Located in Aci Castello, IT
An high quality silver plated oval bowl designed by Lino Sabattini, it has been made in France by Christofle world famous manufacturer in the Sixties. It's in very good conditions an...
Silver Plate
Lino Sabattini bowl from the 1960s produced by Christofle
By Lino Sabattini
Located in Vigevano, PV
Lino Sabattini bowl from the 1960s produced by Christofle
Silver Plate
1960s by Lino Sabattini Italian Design Silver Metal Pair of Bowls
By Lino Sabattini
Located in Brescia, IT
Couple of bowls. Excellent condition.
Silver Plate
Mid-Century Modernist 'Candara' Centerpiece Bowl signed Sabattini
By Lino Sabattini
Located in New York, NY
This striking mid-century modernist 'Candara' centerpiece bowl, circa 1970, is signed by the renowned Italian designer Sabattini. It stands as a testament to the era's commitment to ...
Silver Plate
Lino Sabattini Silverplated Bowls 1996
By Lino Sabattini
Located in Čelinac, BA
Silverplated Bowls by Lino Sabattini 1996.
Silver Plate
Pair of Bowls Silver Metal by Lino Sabattini, Italy 1970s
By Lino Sabattini
Located in Rome, IT
Pair of bowls, one composed of 7 bowls and the other of 4 bowls, by Sabattini. Made in Italy in the 1970s. Dimensions: - First 7: diameter 19.5 cm, height 3 cm. - Other 4: widt...
Metal
Lino Sabattini, oblong dish
By Lino Sabattini
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Oblong dish in silver plated metal by Lino Sabattini for Christofle, Italy circa 1957
Metal, Silver Plate
Lino Sabbatini Rare Set of Graduated Round Silvered Bowls, Italy, 1970s
By Lino Sabattini
Located in New York, NY
Lino Sabbatini ( 1925-2016 ) A rare set of three graduated round silvered bowls with decorated rim. Signed Italy, 1970's Dimensions: Large: 12.5 Ø, medi...
Metal
Postmodern Lino Sabattini Silver-Plated Brass Shell Vide-Poche, Italy
By Lino Sabattini
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1970s. This is a great silver plated brass vide-poche in the shape of a shell. Its simple design was created by Lino Sabattini. This is a vintage piece, therefore it ...
Silver Plate, Brass
Wim Fiege Mid-Century Modernist Studio Pottery Bowl, 1950s
Located in Meer, VAN
Wim Fiege Mid Century Modernist Studio Pottery Bowl, The Netherlands, 1950s. This is a wonderful ‘Engobe’ pottery bowl made by Dutch artist Wim Fiege (1914-1978). He used engobe slu...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Silver Plated Metal 1960s Bowl & Box by Christofle
By Christofle
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Set of 2 silver plated metal decorative objects: a "leave" bowl and an "apple" box from the '60s. Pretty good condition: the bowl show light defect on one side as showed in the pictu...
Silver Plate, Brass
$394Sale Price|20% Off
H 10.63 in Dm 1.97 in
Moritz vase, design Lino SABATTINI in silvered metal and glass. Italy, 90s
By Sabattini Argenteria, Lino Sabattini
Located in Torino, IT
Moritz vase, design Lino SABATTINI for Sabattini Silverware, in silver metal and glass base. ORIGIN Italy PERIOD 1990s DESIGNER Lino SABATTINI (1925-2016) was born in Correggio (R...
Metal, Silver Plate
"Germoglio" Lino Sabattini Italian Design 1970s Silver Vase
By Lino Sabattini
Located in Brescia, IT
"Germoglio" Vases design Lino Sabattini 1979 Silver metal Excellent condiction.
Metal
Lino Sabattini 'Cardinale' Bud Vase Design for Christofle
By Lino Sabattini
Located in Sharon, CT
The largest (14.5") version of this classic silver plated brass vase designed by Lino Sabattini for Christofle. Fully signed on bottom.
Silver Plate
Large French Mid Century Ceramic Bowl or Centerpiece, Signed
By Apt
Located in Miami, FL
Large French Mid Century Ceramic Bowl or Centerpiece, Signed Stunning ceramic or mixed earths piece was made by combining clay slips of light and dark bro...
Earthenware
Modernist Chrome Fruit Bowl by Lino Sabattini
By Lino Sabattini
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice modernist chrome fruit bowl by Lino Sabattini, circa 1970s. The design features a long clean look with round swirls on each end. The pie...
Chrome
$1,684
H 1.19 in Dm 17.33 in
Lino Sabattini, Large silver-plated centerpiece / tray, Sabattini Italy 1970s
By Sabattini Argenteria, Lino Sabattini
Located in Firenze, IT
Large silver-plated centerpiece / tray by Lino Sabattini Sabattini Italy 1970s H 3 cm / 44 cm diam. Marked on the base. Conditions: excellent, no defects
Silver Plate
Mid-Century Modern Italian Art Glass Pedestal Bowl or Centerpiece
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This large Mid-Century Modern art glass footed compote is unsigned but presumed to have been made in Italy in circa 1969. The bowl is done in multicolored swirls of red, brown, blue,...
Art Glass
1960s Lino Sabattini Silver Bowl
By Lino Sabattini
Located in Florence, Tuscany
An iconic Lino Sabattini designer bowl in silver. Sabattino was the Italian silversmith and designer known for his modernist designs which stand the test of time today.
Metal, Silver
1980s Lino Sabattini Style Minimalist Silver Plated and Glass Bowl
By Lino Sabattini
Located in Aci Castello, IT
1980s Lino Sabattini-style minimalist silver-plated and glass round bowl is an excellent example of sleek, modernist design, reflecting both functional and artistic aesthetics. The b...
Silver Plate
Large Mid-Century Burl Wood Free Form Bowl/Centerpiece
Located in Fort Washington, MD
Stunning large hand-carved free form burl wood centerpiece/bowl. This piece it’s not only big and gorgeous it’s art made in a form of q bowl. It would be a statement piece in any roo...
Wood
Lino Sabattini, leaf shaped dish
By Lino Sabattini
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Leaf shaped dish in silver plated silver by Lino Sabattini for Christofle, Gallia production, Italy circa 1970
Metal, Silver Plate
Lino Sabattini Silver Plate Italian Design Vase Sabattini Argenteria
By Lino Sabattini
Located in Chicago, IL
Lino Sabattini Stele model silver plate vase Sabattini Argenteria. Circa 1963 Trademark on the back Sabattini Made in Italy. Bibliography: Filippo Alison...
Silver Plate
Italian Mid Century Silver Plated Large Round Rare Tray by Lino Sabattini
By Sabattini Argenteria, Lino Sabattini
Located in San Diego, CA
This stunning large round tray by Lino Sabattini, a silver tray. designed by Lino Sabattini early production very hard to find the tray is polished but shows wear due to age beautifu...
Silver Plate
Sold
H 2.76 in W 9.85 in D 8.27 in
Postmodern Lino Sabattini Silver-Plated Brass and Glass Shell Vide-Poche, Italy
By Lino Sabattini
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1970s. This is a great silver plated brass and etched glass vide-poche in the shape of a shell. Its simple design was created by Lino Sabattini. This is a vintage ...
Silver Plate, Brass
1980s Modernist Lino Sabattini Silver Plated Bowl
By Lino Sabattini, Sabattini Argenteria
Located in Aci Castello, IT
A silver plated bowl depicting a fruit designed by Lino Sabbattini and manufactured by Sabattini Argenteria. It's marked on the bottom.
Silver Plate
20th Century Mackintosh Bowl Mod. Willow Reproduced by Sabattini
By Lino Sabattini, Charles Rennie Mackintosh
Located in Turin, Turin
The original design of this gorgeous Bowl is by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Scottish architect, designer and painter. He was an exponent of the so-called Glasgow movement, at least th...
Metal
Sold
H 3.23 in W 19.49 in D 12.8 in
Silver Plated "Baja" Centerpiece Bowl by Lino Sabattini, Italy 1970s
By Lino Sabattini
Located in Utrecht, NL
This “Baja” centrepiece bowl was designed in 1976 by the pre-eminent figure of modern Italian silver and metalware design, Lino Sabattini. The designer’s expansive and diverse body of work is marked by its strength and boldness, whether in dynamic forms that suggest the thrust and power of Italian Futurist art...
Silver Plate
Lino Sabattini for Sabattini Argenteria "Cesto" Bowl, Italy 1960s
By Sabattini Argenteria, Lino Sabattini
Located in Naples, IT
An elegant silver-plated spiral basket/centrepiece made in Italy in the 1960s by Sabattini Argenteria. This piece is in original patina and is easily cleaned. It is an iconic moderni...
Silver Plate
Sold
H 3.94 in W 13.39 in D 8.27 in
1970s Iconic Modernist Silver Plated Italian Basket Design by Lino Sabattini
By Lino Sabattini
Located in Aci Castello, IT
A stylish silver plated spiral bowl made in Italy in the Seventies by Sabattini argenteria. this piece it's in original patina, it can be easily cleaned. It's an iconic modernist pie...
Silver Plate
Sold
H 3.5 in W 13.25 in D 7.5 in
Lino Sabattini Cesto Silver Plate Italian Design Sculptural Sabattini Argenteria
By Lino Sabattini
Located in Chicago, IL
Lino Sabattini Cesto model silver plate bowl or bread basket for Sabattini Argenteria. A single rope of silver plate undulates in a continuous circle creating the form. Excellent...
Silver Plate
Lino Sabattini Made in Italy Bowl in Silver Metal, 1960s
By Lino Sabattini
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Italian Mid-Century Modern design bowl in silver metal designed by Lino Sabattini, engraved Sabattini made in Italy under the base, 1960s Please note that the item is original of ...
Metal, Silver Plate
Sold
H 1.97 in W 14.57 in D 4.73 in
Lino Sabattini for Christofle Mid-Century Silver Plated Fruit Bowl, circa 1970
By Christofle, Lino Sabattini
Located in Aci Castello, IT
A stylish silver plated bowl designed by Lino Sabattini, it's made in France in the Seventies by Christofle, good conditions overall.
Silver Plate