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.
Huge "Tasca" Porcelain Vase by Lino Sabattini for Rosenthal, Italy, 1980s
By Rosenthal, Lino Sabattini
Located in Milan, IT
Huge "Tasca" porcelain vase by Lino Sabattini for Rosenthal. Matte finish and still contemporary shape.
Porcelain
$195
H 5 in W 4.5 in D 3.5 in
Rosenthal Studio Line by Uta Feyl, White Curved Geometric Porcelain Bisque Vase
By Uta Feyl, Rosenthal
Located in New York, NY
Rosenthal Studio line white porcelain bisque vase by Uta Feyl, circa 1980s. Stunning curved geometric shape. Measurements: H 5" W 4.5" D 3.5"
Ceramic, Porcelain
$420Sale Price|20% Off
H 8.27 in W 1.58 in D 1.58 in
Lino Sabattini Silverware "Cardinale" Vase for Christofle, France, 1956
By Lino Sabattini, Christofle
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
A France Mid-Century Modern design vase model “Cardinale” in silvered metal designed by Italian artist Lino Sabattini for Christofle France in 1956,...
Silver Plate, Metal
Aladdin Porcelain Plate by Bjørn Wiinblad for Rosenthal
By Bjorn Wiinblad, Rosenthal
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Aladin and the magical lamp is the first Aladin plate in a series of 12 plates produced by Rosenthal and designed by Bjorn Wiinblad. In his 12 Aladin plates, Bjørn Wiinblad virtuously depicts the tale of Aladin from the well known fairy tale The Thousand and One Nights...
Porcelain
Nineteen Inch Tall Rosenthal Columnar Form Porcelain Vase Germany
By Rosenthal
Located in Chicago, IL
This Rosenthal porcelain vase is classically elegant with a faceted columnar form and a satiny white glaze. The slender form and substantial height will allow for tall and dramatic f...
Porcelain
Aladdin Porcelain Plate by Bjørn Wiinblad for Rosenthal
By Bjorn Wiinblad, Rosenthal
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
The Genie of the Lamp appears before Aladin's Mother is number 7 in a series of 12 Aladin plates produced by Rosenthal, designed by Bjørn Wiinblad. In his 12 Aladin plates, Bjorn Wiinblad virtuously depicts the tale of Aladin from the well known fairy tale The Thousand and One Nights...
Porcelain
Rosenthal Porcelain Flower Cylinder Vase by Wolf Bauer, Germany
By Rosenthal
Located in Barntrup, DE
A hand-painted Rosenthal porcelain vase designed by Wolf Bauer, the Studio-Linie line, Germany, 1970s-1980s. The white porcelain vase is in a cylindrical form and is adorned with br...
Porcelain
$200
H 1.97 in Dm 5.12 in
Bjørn Wiinblad for Rosenthal, "Lotus" Porcelain Service, Pierced Bowl, 1980s
Located in København, Copenhagen
Bjørn Wiinblad for Rosenthal. "Lotus" porcelain service. Pierced bowl decorated with pink lotus leaves, 1980s. Measures: 13 x 5 cm. In very good condition. Stamped.
Porcelain
Pair of Uta Feyl Porcelain Vases for Rosenthal
By Uta Feyl, Rosenthal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pure white matte porcelain, organically shaped vases by Uta Feyl for Rosenthal, signed. Priced as a pair.
Porcelain
Rosenthal Lidded Vase in Cream-Colored Porcelain with Hand-Painted Flowers
Located in København, Copenhagen
Rosenthal lidded vase in cream-colored porcelain with hand-painted flowers and gold leaf decoration. Mid-20th century. Measures: 25 x 16.5 cm. In ...
Porcelain
$10,800 / set
H 1 in W 9 in D 2 in
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
German White Matte Porcelain Vase by Rosenthal Studio Line
By Rosenthal
Located in New York, NY
A German white matte porcelain vase by Rosenthal Studio-Line Collection, circa late-20th century, Germany. Oval in shape with organic modern design on around - front, side and back. Maker's mark on bottom...
Ceramic, Porcelain
$932 / set
H 2.76 in Dm 4.34 in
Modern Vintage Duo Set of Espresso Cups Piero Fornasetti for Rosenthal 1980s
By Rosenthal, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Vienna, AT
Modern vintage duo set of Espresso cups from porcelain designed by Piero Fornasetti for Rosenthal 1980s. Stunning duo set of espresso cups ...
Porcelain
Lino Sabattini 'Tasca' Vase for Rosenthal
By Rosenthal, Lino Sabattini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant white glazed porcelain vase by Lino Sabattini for Rosenthal, marked.
Porcelain
Lino Sabattini Vase for Rosenthal
By Rosenthal, Lino Sabattini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Wonderful Lino Sabattini white glazed porcelain vase for Rosenthal Studio-Line.
Porcelain
Lino Sabattini "Penguin" Vases for Rosenthal
By Lino Sabattini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Lino Sabattini matte porcelain vases [with gloss interior], ::PRICED PER VASE:: $550.00 One black Medium size and one white Medium size available
Porcelain
Lino Sabattini Vase for Rosenthal
By Lino Sabattini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Lino Sabattini porcelain vase for Rosenthal studio-line
Porcelain