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.
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
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
$1,603
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
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 / ...
$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
French porcelain Coffee / Tea Service for 10 People
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Nice coffee or tea service from the first half of the 20th century for 10 people. Beautiful porcelain quality, white with fine gold edging and gold patterns on each piece. High Porce...
Porcelain
$721
H 5.52 in W 7.09 in D 4.73 in
1970s Minimalist Silver Plated Ice Bucket by Lino Sabattini for Christofle
By Lino Sabattini, Christofle
Located in Aci Castello, IT
This vintage 1970s minimalist ice bucket is a striking example of Mid-Century Modern design, crafted by the renowned Italian designer Lino Sabattini for the prestigious French silver...
Silver Plate
$2,863 / set
H 7.49 in W 8.86 in D 5.12 in
5-Piece Tea and Coffee Set by M. Dufrene for Christofle (Gallia)
By Gallia
Located in NANTES, FR
Tea and coffee set designed by Maurice Dufrene for Galia/Christople Set consisting of a tray, a coffee pot, a teapot, a milk jug, and a sugar bowl. Black wooden handles. Gallia hall...
Silver Plate
$1,950
H 9.5 in W 4 in D 8 in
A Mid-Century 5-Piece Christofle Electroplated Silver Tea and Coffee Service Set
By Christofle
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Charming Mid-Century Five-Piece Christofle Electroplated Silver Tea and Coffee Set. The elegant set comprising of a coffee pot, a hot water pot, a sugar-bowl and a milk jug. Stampe...
Silver Plate
Mid-Century Modern Italian Silver Plated Tea and Coffee Set
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This four piece silver plated tea or coffee set was made in Italy in approximately 1970 in the Mid-Century Modern style. The set was produced by Marango and each piece is clearly mar...
Brass
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
$1,660 / 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
1985 Massimo Iosa Ghini Tea and Coffee Service for Naj-Oleari
By Massimo Iosa Ghini
Located in Paris, FR
Ceramic tea and coffee service designed by Massimo Iosa Ghini for Naj-Oleari in 1985. The set includes four cups, three saucers, teapot, sugar pot and milk pot, with mint-green exter...
Ceramic
Antique Birks Regency Plate Silver Plated Tea Pot Set - 3 Pc Set
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Birks Regency Plate Silver Plated Tea Pot Set - 3 Pc Set. Listing includes (1) Tea Pot with wooden handle, (1) Sugar Bowl, (1) Creamer. Very nice ...
Silver Plate
Sold
H 9.85 in W 9.06 in D 2.76 in
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
Sold
H 5.52 in W 5.12 in D 2.76 in
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
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