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
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
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
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
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
$1,656
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
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
$2,189 / 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
$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
$769
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
$343
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
$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
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 / ...
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
Stainless Steel Plate or Bowl by Lino Sabattini Italy
By Lino Sabattini, Zani & Zani 1
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
Victorian Silver Plated Tea and Coffee Service Set
Located in Prato, Tuscany
We kindly suggest you read the whole description, because with it we try to give you detailed technical and historical information to guarantee the authenticity of our objects. Class...
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