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.
1990s Set of Two Minimalist Silverware Designed by Lino Sabattini
By Sabattini Argenteria, Lino Sabattini
Located in Aci Castello, IT
This elegant pair of minimalist serving utensils is a quintessential example of late 20th-century Italian design, crafted by the renowned silversmith Lino Sabattini during the 1990s....
Silver Plate
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
Lino Sabattini for Christofle Bottle Holder in Silvered Metal
By Christofle, Lino Sabattini
Located in Meer, VAN
Lino Sabattini for Christofle Bottle Holder in Silvered Metal Lino Sabattini (1925-2016) for Christofle Bottle Holder in Silver Plated Metal,...
Metal, Silver Plate
Lino Sabattini, Set of 6 flatware, Christofle, 1957
By Christofle, Lino Sabattini
Located in Rivoli, IT
Set of 6 pieces of cutlery designed by Lino Sabbatini and manufactured by Christofle, France, 1957 Set consisting of - 2 knives -2 forks -2 tablespoons Manufacturer's Brand
Steel
"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
Lino Sabattini rare cruet , oil/vinegar container set , attb to Christofle
By Christofle, Lino Sabattini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great set designed by LINO SABATTINI in stainless steel and glass, with acrylic stopper .Glass marked as well.
Stainless Steel
Lino Sabatinni For Christofle / Gallia, Paris - Ice Bucket, c.1960
By Christofle, Lino Sabattini
Located in Bath, GB
A fabulous ice minimalist / modernist silver plated ice bucket, I believe in the Windsor pattern, designed c.1960 by the world famous Lino Sabatinni, the preeminent figure in modern...
Silver Plate
$157Sale Price|55% Off
H 11.5 in W 8 in D 4 in
1890s Antique French Salins Creamware Cruet Set Oil and Vinegar Set- 3 Pieces
By Salins
Located in Waxahachie, TX
Antique French Salins Creamware Cruet Set Oil and Vinegar Set Circa 1890, Beautiful. Unusual to find an original a set, in this condition and complete. This is truly a lovely piece ...
Crystal
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
Set of Sterling Silverware by Gorham, Etruscan Style, 1913
By Gorham
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Set of sterling silverware by Gorham, Etruscan style, 1913. Consisting of: 6 dinner forks (7 in.) 7 teaspoons (5 5/8 in.) 8 pie forks (6 1/4 in.) 12 round soup spoons...
Silver
$1,674
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
$2,994 / set
H 1 in W 1 in D 1 in
Dax by Christofle France Silver Plated Flatware Set Service, 42 Pieces
By Christofle
Located in Big Bend, WI
Modern clean lines make this pattern forever timeless. Dinner size Dax by Christofle France silver plated flatware set, 42 pieces. This s...
Sterling Silver
$2,271 / set
H 9.45 in W 0.79 in D 0.79 in
84-Piece Set Silver-plated Tableware - Christofle - Art Deco
By Christofle
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A beautiful set of silver plated tableware, complete for 12 persons, made by the French brand Christofle. The set dates from circa 1930 and is nicely designed in Art Deco style. The...
Silver Plate
Lino Sabattini for Christofle, Modernist Teapot, 1960s
Located in København, Copenhagen
Lino Sabattini (1925-2016) for Christofle. Modernist teapot in silver plated metal, circa 1960. In very good condition. Stamped: Christofle Italy / ...
$346
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
$777
H 2.37 in W 13.39 in D 5.12 in
Silver-Plated Metal 1960s Fish kettle by Lino Sabattini for Christofle
By Lino Sabattini, Christofle
Located in Varese, Lombardia
This beautiful and rare item is made from Silver-Plated metal and composed by 2 parts: the upper perforated plate and the lower bowl. Very good condition: silver oxidation can be pol...
Silver Plate
$6,576
H 13.78 in W 17.33 in D 15.36 in
171-Piece Cutlery Set - Christofle - Silver Plated - Rubans Croisés - Complete
By Christofle
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A beautiful silver-plated cutlery set, made by the French brand Christofle. The cutlery serves 12 people and comes in its original oak chest. The chest has a beautiful interior, neat...
Silver Plate
$2,800 / set
H 2.37 in W 1.97 in D 1.19 in
Set of 4 Christofle 'Gallia' silver plated Figural Salt and Pepper Shakers
By Gallia, Christofle
Located in Long Island City, NY
Christofle 'Collection Gallia' - design by artist Eugène Volynkine (often attributed to Edouard Marcel Sandoz). A set of four French Art Deco silvered figural salt & pepper shakers. ...
Silver Plate
Lino Sabattini oil and vinegar set, Italy, 1970s
By Lino Sabattini
Located in Rivoli, IT
Detail set for oil and vinegar marked Sabattini Never used, stock
Steel
Lino Sabattini Glass Carafe Jug, 1970s
By Lino Sabattini, Sabattini Argenteria
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Italian glass carafe jug with silvered metal handle designed by Lino Sabattini and manufactured by Argenterie Sabattini, Italy 1970s Please note that the item is original of the p...
Metal
Sold
H 3.94 in W 8.08 in D 8.08 in
Lino Sabattini Silver Plate and Crystal Caviar Bowl Dish Server, Italy 1980s
By Lino Sabattini, Sabattini Argenteria
Located in Atlanta, GA
This lovely silver plate and crystal caviar serving bowl, dish, or chiller was designed by Lino Sabattini in the 1980s. The minimalist mode...
Crystal, Metal, Silver Plate
Mid-Century Lino Sabattini Pleated Breadstick Holder Italy, 1960s
By Lino Sabattini, Sabattini Argenteria
Located in Palermo, IT
This is a special made Pleat Breadstick holder made by Lino Sabattini for Sabattini Argenterie in 60s. It's an unique Italian design made from a meta...
Metal
Italian Lino Sabattini Metal Silver Glass Carafe Jug 1970's
By Lino Sabattini, Sabattini Argenteria
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Italian glass, plexi and silvered metal jug carafe designed by Lino Sabattini with adhesive label ‘Collezione Sabattini’ under the base, 1970s. Please note that the items is origi...
Metal, Silver, Silver Plate
Sold
H 2.96 in W 9.06 in D 9.06 in
"Estro" Bowl and Spoon Sauceboat Italian Silvered Metal by Lino Sabattini, 1973
By Lino Sabattini
Located in Uccle, BE
A rare large sauceboat designed and manufactured by Lino Sabattini in 1973 This item can be used as a vide poches or a bonbonnière it's like a sculpture Silvered metal You can pl...
Metal
Lino Sabattini Made in Italy Ice Bucket in Silver Metal, 1960s
By Lino Sabattini
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Italian Mid-Century Modern design ice bucket with removable pliers in silver metal designed by Lino Sabattini, engraved Sabattini Made in Italy brand, 1960s Please note that the i...
Metal, Silver Plate
Sold
H 4.73 in W 18.51 in D 11.82 in
Pair of Silver Plated Trays by Lino Sabattini for Argenteria Sabattini
By Lino Sabattini, Sabattini Argenteria
Located in Milan, IT
Set of two different glass and silver plated trays by Lino Sabattini for Sabattini Argenteria. Size refers to the bigger piece.
Silver Plate
Sold
H 5.12 in W 9.06 in D 7.09 in
Lino Sabattini Italian Silver Plated Cruet for Sabattini Argenteria, circa 1970
By Lino Sabattini, Sabattini Argenteria
Located in Aci Castello, IT
Silver plated cruet designed by Lino Sabattini, glasses are in perfect conditions, item has been replated. Marked on the bottom Sabattini, made in I...
Silver Plate
Lino Sabattini Liqueur Set By Christofle France
By Lino Sabattini
Located in Den Haag, NL
Lino Sabattini liqueur set by Christofle France