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.
Silver-Plated Metal "unipersonale"ashtray from Lino Sabattini, 1972, set of 3
By Sabattini Argenteria, Lino Sabattini
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Set of 3 silver plated metal unipersonale ashtray by Lino sabattini, 1972. Manifacture's mark on the base.
Metal, Silver
$1,648
H 1.19 in Dm 17.33 in
Lino Sabattini, Large silver-plated centerpiece / tray, Sabattini Italy 1970s
By Lino Sabattini, Sabattini Argenteria
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
$1,059 / set
H 2.76 in Dm 5.52 in
1980s Lino Sabattini Minimalist Set of Twelve Ice Cream Cup and Plates
By Lino Sabattini, Sabattini Argenteria
Located in Aci Castello, IT
Rare 1980s Lino Sabattini Minimalist Set of Twelve Silver-Plated Ice Cream Cups and Plates - Made in Italy Discover the understated elegance of Italian modernist design with this rem...
Silver Plate
Flower Ashtray, Brass and Silver-Plated Metal, France 1970s
Located in ROUEN, Normandie
Flower Ashtray, Brass and Silver-Plated Metal, France 1970s This French vintage ashtray was designed in the 1970s and meant to be used during dinners and lunches, as a centerpiece f...
Metal, Silver, Brass
$565
H 2.76 in W 4.73 in D 4.73 in
1970s Minimalist Silver Plated Caviar Serving Bowl by Lino Sabattini
By Lino Sabattini, Sabattini Argenteria
Located in Aci Castello, IT
Exquisite 1970s Minimalist Silver-Plated Caviar Serving Bowl by Lino Sabattini Presenting a remarkable piece of modernist design: a sophisticated silver-plated caviar serving bowl, m...
Silver Plate
$1,412
H 2.37 in W 18.51 in D 12.6 in
1990s Modern Lino Sabattini Clear Glass and Silver Plated Bar Tray
By Sabattini Argenteria, Lino Sabattini
Located in Aci Castello, IT
This 1990s Modernist serving tray by Lino Sabattini embodies the designer's minimalist and refined aesthetic, with sleek lines and high-quality materials. This tray features a base c...
Silver Plate
$1,177
H 1.19 in W 14.97 in D 14.97 in
Lino Sabattini Large Round Silver-Plated Centerpiece/Tray, 1970s Italy
By Sabattini Argenteria, Lino Sabattini
Located in Brescia, Brescia
Indulge in the grandeur of the 1970s design era with this remarkable and substantial Lino Sabattini Large Round Silver-Plated Centerpiece Tray. Crafted in Italy by the revered artisa...
Silver Plate
$1,887 / set
H 1.25 in W 5.25 in D 6.25 in
Rare Set Six Oyster / Seafood Dishes by Lino Sabattini c.1970
By Lino Sabattini, Sabattini Argenteria
Located in Bath, GB
A very rare opportunity to purchase a set six boxed seafood / oyster / scallop dishes, each contained in their original packaging and boxes; they look to have been unused. Dating to c.1970, they are made of silver plate and each marked on the underside "Sabattini Italy" and each retains their original frosted glass liner. A magnificent set, each measuring 6 1/4" x 5 1/4 x 1 1/4". 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...
Silver Plate
$529
H 1.58 in W 10.24 in D 4.93 in
1980s Minimalist Lino Sabattini Silver Plated and Ceramic Small Appetizer Tray
By Sabattini Argenteria, Lino Sabattini
Located in Aci Castello, IT
This 1980s minimalist appetizer tray is designed by Lino Sabattini and manufactured by Sabattini Argenteria. Lino Sabattini is an influential Italian designer known for his modernist...
Silver Plate
$2,250
H 7.88 in Dm 11.82 in
"Kon Kao" Silver Plated Centerpiece by Lino Sabattini for Sabattini, Italy, 2000
By Lino Sabattini, Sabattini Argenteria
Located in Milan, IT
"Kon Kao" bowl by Lino Sabattini. This silver plated and enameled piece shows timeless attitude. Also available another piece from the same collection, see image 3.
Silver Plate
$800
H 8.08 in Dm 7.68 in
Silver Plated Glacette by Lino Sabattini for Sabattini Argenteria, Italy, 1970s
By Lino Sabattini, Sabattini Argenteria
Located in Milan, IT
Wine cooler by Lino Sabattini for Sabattini Argenteria. Large silver plated piece ready to host up to a magnum sized bottle.
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
$529
H 1.58 in W 10.24 in D 5.12 in
1990s Modernist Lino Sabattini Silver Plated and Dark Grey Glass Butter Tray
By Lino Sabattini, Sabattini Argenteria
Located in Aci Castello, IT
This 1990s Modernist butter tray by Lino Sabattini embodies the designer's minimalist and refined aesthetic, with sleek lines and high-quality materials. This tray features a base cr...
Silver Plate