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 Champagne Bucket / Wine Cooler c.1960's
By Lino Sabattini, Sabattini Argenteria
Located in Bath, GB
A rare and highly prized silver plated modernist wine cooler or ice bucket ready to chill the finest bottle. Designed by the well renowned Italian designer, Lino Sabattini when he...
Silver Plate
Silver Plated Glacette by Lino Sabattini for Sabattini Argenteria, Italy, 1970s
By Lino Sabattini, Sabattini Argenteria
Located in Milan, IT
Wine cooler by Lino Sabattini for Sabattini Argenteria. Large silver plated piece ready to host up to a magnum sized bottle.
Silver Plate
$2,226 / set
H 7.29 in W 9.45 in D 6.7 in
1960s Minimalist Wine Cooler and Ice Bucket by Lino Sabattini for Christofle
By Lino Sabattini, Christofle
Located in Aci Castello, IT
This iconic set features a matching mid-century modernist silver-plated wine cooler and ice bucket designed by the italian Lino Sabattini for the prestigious French luxury house Chri...
Silver Plate
$1,406
H 2.37 in W 18.51 in D 12.6 in
1990s Modern Lino Sabattini Clear Glass and Silver Plated Bar Tray
By Sabattini Argenteria, Lino Sabattini
Located in Aci Castello, IT
This 1990s Modernist serving tray by Lino Sabattini embodies the designer's minimalist and refined aesthetic, with sleek lines and high-quality materials. This tray features a base c...
Silver Plate
$1,640
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
Spanish Ball Footed Ice Bucket Champagne / Wine Cooler
By Valenti
Located in Barcelona, ES
Eye-catching Midcentury Ball Shaped Ice Bucket with Bronce Details. This sexy stainless steel and brass wine chiller features a ball standing on ba...
Metal, Brass, Steel, Stainless Steel
$1,650Sale Price|25% Off
H 8.08 in Dm 10.04 in
Christofle Art Deco / Modern Design Champagne, Wine Cooler, France, 1970s
By Christofle
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Christofle Art Deco design champagne, wine cooler, France, 1980s. Very chic! We have specialized in the sale of Art Deco and Art Nouveau and Vintage styles since 1995. If you have ...
Metal
20° Century Italian Sterling Silver Decorative Glacette Wine cooler
By Mario Poli
Located in VALENZA, IT
Extravagant and very particular sterling silver wine cooler “ Glacette” depicting a man reminiscent of the style of "Botero" paintings. The lower part is cilindrical with the "man’s"...
Sterling Silver
$738
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
$1,450
H 25.5 in Dm 11.5 in
Newly Professionally Polished Hollywood Regency Wine Champagne Bucket on Stand
Located in Saint Louis, MO
The cherry on the sundae in any upscale living or dining room is an eye-catching champagne or wine bucket, ready to refresh your glass with perfectly chilled wine, champagne or bever...
Brass
Mid-Century Italian Silver-Plated "Apple" Ice Bucket by Argenteria Teghini
By Ettore Sottsass, Teghini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Italian Modern "apple-form" ice bucket with silver plate exterior and ivory-hued plastic interior designed by Argenteria Teghini (ca. late 1960s/early 1970s, Florence, It...
Silver Plate
Candara Bowl by Lino Sabattini, Silver Plate, Italy, 1970
By Sabattini Argenteria, Lino Sabattini
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
A bowl with the name Candara with a simplistic and iconic design by renowned italian designer Lino Sabattini from circa 1970. The condition is good albeit with some wear (see picture...
Silver Plate
1990s Modern Silver Plated and Glass Shell Plate by Lino Sabattini
By Sabattini Argenteria, Lino Sabattini
Located in Aci Castello, IT
This elegant 1990s modern silver-plated and glass shell plate is a sophisticated creation by the renowned Italian designer Lino Sabattini. Masterfully blending organic form with mini...
Silver Plate
Vintage Martele Champagne / Wine Cooler Bucket. Italy 1960´s
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Vintage Martelé (Hammered Metal) Champagne / Wine Cooler Bucket. Italy 1960´s. Excellent conditions. Fits well with large bottles (the one on the pictures is a normal size bottle, n...
Brass
Sold
H 7.49 in W 9.45 in D 6.7 in
1960s Modernist Silver Plated Wine Cooler By Lino Sabattini for Christofle
By Lino Sabattini, Christofle
Located in Aci Castello, IT
The Silver Plated Wine Cooler designed by Lino Sabattini is a timeless and elegant piece that encapsulates the spirit of mid-century modern design. Crafted by the prestigious French ...
Silver Plate
Sold
H 7.5 in W 9.5 in D 6.75 in
Lino Sabatinni for Christofle, Paris, Windsor Champagne Bucket / Wine Cooler
By Christofle, Lino Sabattini
Located in Bath, GB
A magnificent, stylish and Modernist silver plated Champagne bucket designed by the world famous Lino Sabatinni, the preeminent figure in modern Italian silver and metalware design. ...
Silver Plate
1959 Lino Sabattini for Christofle French Wine Cooler
By Lino Sabattini, Christofle
Located in Aci Castello, IT
An iconic silver plated wine cooler made in France by Christofle, designed by Lino Sabattini. It's in good vintage conditions, marked on the bottom.
Silver Plate
Sold
H 7.5 in W 9.5 in D 6.75 in
Lino Sabatinni For Christofle, Paris - Champagne Bucket / Wine Cooler
By Christofle, Lino Sabattini
Located in Bath, GB
A magnificent, stylish and Modernist silver plated Champagne bucket designed by the world famous Lino Sabatinni, the preeminent figure in modern Italian silver and metalware design. ...
Silver Plate