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.
A 1989 Minimalist Silver Plated Fenice Coffee Pot Designed by Lino Sabattini
By Lino Sabattini, Sabattini Argenteria
Located in Aci Castello, IT
This is a striking and collectible 1989 Minimalist Silver Plated Coffee Pot, a renowned piece designed by the esteemed Italian silversmith Lino Sabattini. The pot is marked "FENICE 1...
Silver Plate
A 1989 Minimalist Silver Plated Fenice Milk Jug Designed by Lino Sabattini
By Lino Sabattini, Sabattini Argenteria
Located in Aci Castello, IT
This is a striking and collectible 1989 Minimalist Silver Plated Milk Jug, a renowned piece designed by the esteemed Italian silversmith Lino Sabattini. The Milk Jug is marked Sabatt...
Silver Plate
Tea Set " Fenice" by Lino Sabattini , Silver Plated, Signed, Italy
By Lino Sabattini
Located in Brussels, BE
Tea Set " Fenice" by Lino Sabattini , Silver Plated, Signed, Italy ( Teapot and Water jug)
Silver
WMF Silver Plate Coffee Pot Sucrier and Milk Jug, c1925
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
WMF Silver Plate Coffee Pot Sucrier and Milk Jug, c1925 Additional information: Date : c1925 Period : Victoria or Edward VII (Emperor Wilhelm II) Marks : GUST.L.HAUER - FRANKFURT A....
Silver
$1,637
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
$110 / set
H 2.25 in W 7.25 in D 3.5 in
Antique "Unity" AI Silver Plated Edwardian Sugar Bowl & Creamer Milk Jug England
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique "Unity" AI Silver Plated Edwardian Sugar Bowl & Creamer Milk Jug, Made in England - 2 Pc Set. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: Twin Handle Sugar Bowl: 2.25" H x 7....
Silver Plate
$1,169Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 11.03 in W 19.69 in D 18.51 in
Beautiful ART DECO coffee set tea set signed RameLPa silver plated
Located in Bingen am Rhein, RP
Coffee/tea set - 1920s This coffee set from the 1920s is in the typical style of the streamline modern. It includes a coffee pot, teapot, sugar bowl, creamer and a handled tray. Th...
Metal, 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 / ...
$350
H 8 in W 10 in D 6 in
Antique "The Windermere Hotel" London Silver Plated Coffee Tea Pot by Gorham
By Gorham
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique "The Windermere Hotel" London Silver Plated Coffee Tea Pot by Gorham. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 8" H x 10" W x 6" D.
Silver Plate
$275 / set
H 11 in W 10 in D 5 in
Vintage Victorian Silver Plated Coffee Pot & Tea Pot by National 3000 & 3001
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Victorian Style Silver Plated Coffee Pot & Tea Pot by National (3000 & 3001) - 2 Pieces. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: Coffee Pot: 11" H x 10" W x 5" D. Tea Pot: 9.5"...
Silver Plate
$1,169
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
$672 / set
H 4.34 in W 6.89 in D 4.34 in
American Aesthetic Movement Silver Plated Tea Set By Meriden B Company
By Meriden Britannia Company
Located in Norwich, GB
American Aesthetic Movement silver plated tea set by Meriden B Company. Circa 1880. This joyful set comprises a small tea pot, milk jug with gilt in...
Silver Plate
Silver Plated and Rosewood Tea Set by Aurea, 1960s.
Located in New York, NY
Silver Plated, Rosewood Tray: H 4.5 cm x W 36.5 cm x D 30 cm H 1,77 in. x W 14,37 in. x D 11,81 in. Piece 1: H 15 cm x W 7.5 cm x D 14 cm H 5,90 in. x W 2,95 in. x D 5,51 in. Piece...
Silver Plate
$841
H 5.12 in W 3.94 in D 3.15 in
Victorian Antique Sterling Silver Cream Jug or Milk Jug, London 1856
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1856 by George John Richards, this very attractive, Victorian, Antique Sterling Silver Cream Jug, stands on three scroll feet, and features a gilt interior, a...
Sterling Silver
Antique Four-Piece Silver Plated Tea Set by Christofle
Located in Tarzana, CA
An Antique 4-Piece Silver Plated Tea Set by Christofle Period: Post 1900 Origin: France Large Pitcher Height: 8" Width: 9" Medium...
Modernist Coffee / Tea Set by Lino Sabattini, Christofle
By Lino Sabattini, Christofle
Located in Buffalo, NY
Silver-plated metal coffee and tea set consisting of four elements (coffee pot, teapot, creamer, ) and a tray. Designed by Lino Sabattini cor Christofle ....Varnished caned handles. ...
Silver Plate
Vintage Sabattini Brass Coffee Set - Italy 1950s
By Lino Sabattini
Located in Roma, IT
Sabattini Coffee Set is an original decorative object realized in the 1950s. Original brass. Produced by Sabattini. Made in Italy. The set includes: a coffee pot and a te...
Brass
Lino Sabattini Silver Plate Service
By Lino Sabattini
Located in Brussels, BE
A modernist coffee service three in one. The service, comprising three in one, a coffee pot, creamer and covered sugar bowl. Stamped Lino Sabattini, it's in perfect condition.
Silver Plate