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.
Stainless Steel Plate or Bowl by Lino Sabattini Italy
By Zani & Zani 1, Lino Sabattini
Located in Miami, FL
Italian stainless-steel plate or bowl by Lino Sabattini for Zani & Zani, 1978. Marked underneath: Zani & Zani, acciai per la casa - Italy 18/10. A...
Stainless Steel
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
Silver "Baja" Centerpiece Bowl by Lino Sabattini
By Lino Sabattini
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This oblong silver plated centerpiece bowl is known as the "Baja" by Lino Sabattini. It is stamped "SABATTINNI" on the edge of the bowl and signed "LINO SABATTINO" with "BAJA B/239 C...
Silver Plate
Rare Lino Sabattini Sculptura Flatware Set For Rosenthal 60 Pieces 70's
By Rosenthal, Lino Sabattini
Located in North Miami, FL
This sculptural and extremely RARE set of 60 pieces of stainless steel signed Sabattini for Rosenthal flatware is so amazing. It is signed Rosenthal...
Stainless Steel
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
$1,217Sale Price|20% Off
H 3.15 in W 12.6 in D 12.41 in
Vallauris Glazed Ceramic Leaf Flower Platter or Centerpiece Bowl
By Vallauris
Located in Barcelona, ES
Mid-Century Modern multicolor glazed ceramic flower centerpiece bowl. Manufactured by Vallauris, France, 1950-1960. Eye-catching and colorful flower...
Majolica, Pottery, Ceramic
$1,645
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
$1,057 / 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
$2,173 / set
H 9.06 in W 3.55 in D 3.55 in
1960s Lino Sabattini for Christofle Silver and Teak Cocktail Set
By Lino Sabattini, Christofle
Located in Florence, Tuscany
A very rare and beautiful 1960s cocktail set with modernist jug and six aperitivo cups designed by Lino Sabattini for Christofle. Each piece is stamped Christofle Gallia ITALY on the...
Silver
$340
H 3.55 in Dm 5.12 in
Lino Sabattini for Christofle Fleuron Silver Plated Apple-Shaped Butter Box, 70s
By Lino Sabattini, Christofle
Located in Roma, IT
A box that recalls a work by René Magritte, an apple and a bowler hat come together in this silver plated box from the 1970s produced by Fleuron Christofle. A butter dish or a caviar...
Silver Plate
$564
H 2.76 in W 4.73 in D 4.73 in
1970s Minimalist Silver Plated Caviar Serving Bowl by Lino Sabattini
By Sabattini Argenteria, Lino Sabattini
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
$799
H 4.53 in W 11.23 in D 11.23 in
Lino Sabattini Sculptural Modernist Silverplate Centerpiece Bowl, Italy, 1970s
By Lino Sabattini
Located in Bilzen, BE
A refined and sculptural silverplate centerpiece by renowned Italian designer Lino Sabattini. This elegant bowl features a broad, gently curved form supported by a dynamic, sweeping...
Silver Plate
$975Sale Price|25% Off
H 8.5 in Dm 5 in
Vintage Kontrollstelle for Rosenthal Germany Coffee / Dessert Set 54 Pieces
By Rosenthal
Located in Pasadena, TX
Vintage coffee set designed by Kontrollstelle for Rosenthal Germany. The porcelain set comes in a bone white and taupe colorway. A complete serving...
Porcelain
French Louis XVI Style Centerpiece in Silvered Bronze, 19th Century
Located in Montreal, Quebec
An elegant French 19th century Louis XVI style silvered bronze centerpiece with metal removable insert. The centerpiece is raised on columned feet and adorned in the neoclassical, Lo...
Bronze
Lino Sabattini stainless steel six coasters .
By Lino Sabattini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Nice collection of six Sabattini coasters in stainless steel. All marked with the standard Sabattini hallmark .
Stainless Steel
$3,525 / set
H 0.4 in W 2.05 in D 0.2 in
"Orly" Cutlery Set 89 Pieces, Lino Sabattini Christofle 1957, Silver Plated
By Christofle, Lino Sabattini
Located in NANTES, FR
"Orly" cutlery set 124 pieces, Lino Sabattini Christofle 1957, Silver Plated" Magnificent cutlery set, Orly model, creation by Lino Sabattini for Christofle, with 89 pieces for twel...
Silver Plate
Sold
H 15.36 in W 7.88 in D 7.88 in
1970s Silver Lino Sabattini for Cristofle Triple Wine Bottle Holder
By Lino Sabattini
Located in Florence, Tuscany
A 1960s stamped silver Lino Sabattini for Cristofle Triple Wine Bottle Holder. The holder carries three bottles and has an elegant handle. Sabattini was the renowned Italian silver a...
Silver, Silver Plate
Sold
H 2.17 in W 9.45 in D 4.93 in
Vintage allure: Lino Sabattini's Christofle Leaf Dish. 1970s Gallia Collection
By Lino Sabattini, Christofle
Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT
Beautiful silver plate Leaf dish designed by by the renowned modernist Italian designer Lino Sabattini for world-famous silversmith Christofle France in the 1970s. This rare silver ...
Silver Plate
Lino Sabattini Fenice Coffee Pot
By Lino Sabattini
Located in Oakland, CA
Silver plated coffee pot by Italian designer Lino Sabatini for his "Fenice" line during the 1980s. A Modernist design by one of Italy's noted designers in objects for the home, with ...
Silver Plate
1970s Lino Sabbatini Punch Bowl with Plate and Ladle
By Lino Sabattini
Located in Florence, Tuscany
1970s Glass and silver plated modernist punch bowl by Lino Sabattini. This piece consists of a large glass punch bowl with silver ladle, lid and large silver serving plate. Sabattini...
Silver, Silver Plate
Sold
H 8.67 in W 6.3 in D 3.15 in
Mid-Century Modern Silver Plated Coffee Pot made by Christofle, Lino Sabattini
By Lino Sabattini, Christofle
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Lovely silver plated coffee pot made by the French brand Christofle. It is a design from Lino Sabattini, from the series Mercury. The coffee po...
Silver Plate
Silver Plated "Stairs" Coffee/Tea Set by Lino Sabattini
By Lino Sabattini
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This stunning 5 piece Lino Sabattini "Stairs" coffee/tea set is silver plated and sits atop a mirrored silver tray. Comprised of a coffee pot, a tea pot, a cream pitcher and a sugar ...
Silver Plate
'Cesto' Fruit/Bread Bowl by Lino Sabattini
By Lino Sabattini
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Italian for basket, this "Cesto" Sabattini piece is made of a single piece of heavy gage silver plated metal wire. The single piece is coiled in the shape of an oval bowl. Functional...
Silver Plate
Mid-Century Modern Silver Plated Tray by Lino Sabatini
By Lino Sabattini
Located in London, GB
Stylish mid century silver plated tray designed by the famous Lino Sabatini. The tray is a useful size for serving drinks and has sturdy handles and stur...
Silver Plate
Sold
H 1.5 in W 15 in D 8.5 in
Lino Sabattini 2-Tone Sculptural Serving Piece Tray or Barware Italian, Vintage
By Lino Sabattini
Located in North Miami, FL
This hallmarked Italian Lino Sabattini sculptural 2-tier and 2-tone serving piece and tray is unique. It is from the 1980s. It was polished. This could be great barware and also be u...
Brass, Stainless Steel
Zani & Zani Bowl Stainless Steel design Lino Sabatini, 1978
By Zani & Zani 1, Lino Sabattini
Located in Munster, NRW
Italian stainless steel plate or bowl by Lino Sabattini for Zani & Zani, 1978. Marked underneath: Zani & Zani, acciai per la casa, Italy 18/10.
Stainless Steel
Large Silver Plate Bowl by Lino Sabattini
By Lino Sabattini
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Sleek and substantial silver plated serving bowl by Sabattini. The bowl has a 5/8 of an inch rim and the bottom is stamped Sabattini / Made in Italy with maker's mark.
Silver
Lino Sabattini for Christofle Gallia France Silver Plate Pie Server
By Lino Sabattini
Located in Chicago, IL
Lino Sabattini for Christofle Gallia France silver plate pie server c 1970. Very very good condition with very few scratches which are only on the bottom.
Silver Plate