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 Sabattini Argenteria, Lino Sabattini
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
Lino Sabattini for Christofle Tea and coffee service mod Ceylan.
By Lino Sabattini, Christofle
Located in Brussels, BE
Rare and superb silver-plated dinner service by Christofle, circa 1960. "Ceylan" pattern, designed by Lino Sabattini for Christofle in 1960. Complete set of five pieces. Silver-plate...
Silver Plate
A 1989 Minimalist Silver Plated Fenice Milk Jug Designed by Lino Sabattini
By Sabattini Argenteria, Lino Sabattini
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
$15,000 / set
H 17.72 in W 28.35 in D 19.69 in
Silver Plate Tea and Coffee Set, Bamboo Model by Christofle, France, circa 1890
By Christofle
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Silver-plate tea and coffee set, bamboo model by Christofle, France, circa 1890. 1 tray, 1 samovar, 1 teapot, 1 coffeepot, 1 sugar bowl and 1 milk jug. All pieces are signed.
Silver Plate
$1,629
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
Vintage Victorian Silver Plated Footed Coffee Pot Tea Kettle
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Victorian Silver Plated Footed Coffee Pot Tea Kettle. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 11.5" H x 10" W x 5" D.
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 / ...
German Porcelain Tea / Coffee Service For Ten
Located in Tarry Town, NY
German porcelain tea / coffee service for ten people. Each piece is in great condition. Maker's mark undersigned "Crown Heinrich Germany". All together 30 pieces. Measures: Include tall covered coffee / tea pot 9.7" x 8". Medium tea / coffee pot 9" x 7". Small coffee / tea pot 5.8" x 7". Ten coffee / tea cups 4.3" x 2.5". Ten coffee / tea saucers...
Porcelain
Vintage International Silver Co Silver Plated Victorian Teapot Coffee Pot
By International Silver
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage International Silver Co Silver Plated Victorian Teapot Coffee Pot. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 10" H x 8" W x 4.5" D.
Silver Plate
Chinese Export Silver Tea and Coffee Service
By Yu Chang
Located in New Orleans, LA
This stunning and complete seven-piece Chinese export silver tea and coffee service was crafted by Yu Chang of Shanghai and Hong Kong, a firm re...
Sterling Silver
$337
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
$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
$2,153 / set
H 9.06 in W 3.55 in D 3.55 in
1960s Lino Sabattini for Christofle Silver and Teak Cocktail Set
By Christofle, Lino Sabattini
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
$410Sale 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 Christofle, Lino Sabattini
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
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