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 Silver Plated Brass Jug "Kanye"by Lino Sabattini, Italy, 1978 - 1981
By Lino Sabattini
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy by Lino Sabattini, 1978 - 1981 This jug is made in silver plated brass. This is a vintage item, therefore it might show slight traces of use such as its original patina...
Silver, Brass
Lino Sabattini Italy Vase "Persepoli" Limited Edition 8/237
By Lino Sabattini
Located in Toledo, OH
Lio Sabattini "Persepoli" limited edition vase 8/237 Italy.
Metal
"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
$395
H 8.47 in W 2.09 in D 1.19 in
Silver Plated 'Giselle' Soliflor Vase Candlestick by Lino Sabattini. Italy 1970s
By Christofle, Sabattini Argenteria, Ettore Sottsass, Lino Sabattini, Danese Milano
Located in Malmö, SE
Silver plated Mid-Century 'Giselle' soliflor vase or candlestick. Designed by Lino Sabattini and produced by Sabattini in Italy, 1970s. Good original condition, but with some scratc...
Stainless Steel
$1,200
H 9.85 in W 13.39 in D 5.52 in
Huge "Tasca" Porcelain Vase by Lino Sabattini for Rosenthal, Italy, 1980s
By Lino Sabattini, Rosenthal
Located in Milan, IT
Huge "Tasca" porcelain vase by Lino Sabattini for Rosenthal. Matte finish and still contemporary shape.
Porcelain
Lino Sabattini Silver plated "Persepolis" Vase
By Lino Sabattini
Located in Chicago, IL
Lino Sabattini Silver plated "Persepolis" Vase made in Italy,1960 Stamped lower right side: Lino Sabattini etched signature Persepolis B/237 COLLEZIONE SABATTINI BREGNANO ITALY D...
Metal
Postmodern Tusca Vase by Lino Sabattini for Rosenthal, 1980s
By Lino Sabattini
Located in Uppsala, Uppsala
This is the smallest model of the Tusca vase series, designed by Lino Sabattini and produced by Rosenthal in the 1980s. The white porcelain vase features a silver coloured motif and ...
Porcelain
Candara Bowl by Lino Sabattini, Silver Plate, Italy, 1970
By Sabattini Argenteria, Lino Sabattini
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
$740
H 7.88 in W 10.24 in D 4.34 in
1990s Minimalist White Porcelain Tasca Vase by Lino Sabattini for Rosenthal
By Lino Sabattini, Rosenthal
Located in Aci Castello, IT
A sophisticated and striking Minimalist White Porcelain Tasca Vase designed by the celebrated Italian designer Lino Sabattini for Rosenthal Studio-Linie, Germany. This sculptural pie...
Porcelain
$4,500
H 4 in W 21 in D 8 in
Lino Sabattini Cormorana Silver Plate Sculptural Modernist Vase or Candlestick
By Lino Sabattini
Located in North Miami, FL
A piece of Italian sculpture and art for the table in this elongated sculptural form of a vase or candlestick. Signed Sabbattini Italy, the arched sides give it even more length in v...
Silver Plate
Lino Sabattini Glass and Silver Plated Solifleur Vases, Set of Two
By Lino Sabattini
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Beautiful set of two vases "Solifleur" Made in Italy by Lino Sabattini of highest craftsmanship. Both Vases are signed ( see pictures) The lower parts are made of shiny transparent ...
Metal, Silver Plate
Vase by Lino Sabattini, 1955
By Lino Sabattini, Christofle
Located in Berlin, DE
This simple “Vaso 1” vase with two openings was designed by Lino Sabattini for Christofle, Paris. It is made of silver-plated brass.
Brass
$1,709 / set
H 14.57 in Dm 1.97 in
"Cardinali" Lino Sabattini by Christofle Design Midcentury 1950s Silver Vases
By Lino Sabattini
Located in Brescia, IT
"Cardinali" Vases design Lino Sabattini Christofle Gallia 1950s Silver metal Very good condiction Measures: H 37 cm H 21 cm.
Metal
Espansione Libero Verde, Lino Sabattini
By Lino Sabattini, Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in Uccle, BE
Vase consisting of a base in the form of a large saucer in silvered metal in which a very clear green glass expansion has been blown. The blown...
Glass
$1,549
H 11.25 in W 8.5 in D 10 in
Hammered Silver Plated Urn Pitcher by Italian Designer Egidio Casagrande
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hammered Italian silver urn pitcher signed Egidio Casagrande - Pitcher perfect, architecturally stunning as a stand alone art piece, or an elegant ad...
Silver
Sold
H 13 in W 5.91 in D 3.15 in L 13 in
A 1970s Lino Sabattini Minimalist Silver Plated and Glass Jug Vase
By Sabattini Argenteria, Lino Sabattini
Located in Aci Castello, IT
This sleek 1970s jug vase is a quintessential example of the minimalist elegance that defined Lino Sabattini’s tenure as a master of Italian metalwork. The design features a tall, sl...
Silver Plate
Pair of Silver Plate Italian Sabattini Water Pitchers
By Lino Sabattini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning pair of silver plate water pitchers by Italian Designer Lino Sabattini - perfect for the bar, the pitchers are insulated and ready for hot or cold beverages... lovely in the...
Silver Plate
Silver Plated Thermal Carafe by Sabattini
By Lino Sabattini
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Sleek and elegant silver plated thermal carafe with removable lid by Sabattini. Bottom is stamped "Sabattini Made in Italy" with maker's mark. The lid h...
Silver Plate
Silver Plate & Glass Pitcher by Lino Sabattini
By Lino Sabattini
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A stylish glass and silver plate pitcher by Lino Sabattini with a swiveling cover at the top of the pitcher. Marked with the Sabattini name and logo on the underside of the handle (s...
Silver Plate