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.
Vintage Tray and Bucket Ice Lino Sabattini Italy 1970, 2 Pieces
By Lino Sabattini
Located in Biella, IT
Lino Sabattini Italy design years ’60’70 tray and bucket ice in silverplate. All signed.
Metal
Vintage Small Wooden Florentine Gilt Tray, Italy 1950s
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Amazing Smal Italian Florentine tray. Manufactured in Florence, Italy. Hand-painted in gold and brown shades. Wooden tray is in a good condit...
Wood
$920
H 0.99 in W 19.3 in D 11.42 in
Mid-century Lucite and Brass Serving Tray by Guzzini, Italy, 1970s
Located in Palermo, IT
Mid-century Lucite and brass serving tray by Guzzini, Italy, 1970s Intact and in good condition. Width 49 cm Depth 29 cm Height 2.5 cm
Brass
Antique Ebony Tray Table with Glass Top- 3 Pieces
Located in Malibu, CA
19th century ebonized paper mâché tray which fits into the elegant wood tray table. The paper mache tray has gilt edges & mother of pearl inlay. There is an custom glass top, all...
Glass, Hardwood
$736Sale Price|20% Off
H 0.79 in W 23.04 in D 14.49 in
Hollywood Regency Italian Tray in Brass Faux Bamboo and Fumè Glass, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
A splendid midcentury golden serving tray, in brass faux bamboo and fumè glass. This vintage tray is made in Italy, and datable between the 1960s and the 1970s; a functional serving ...
Brass
$757
H 2.76 in W 13.39 in D 13.39 in
Alberto Sordi Octagonal Floral Lucite and Brass Serving Tray, Italy, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Charming and unique octagonal serving tray in a combination of lucite and brass. This incredibly stylish piece was designed by Alberto Sordi and produced in Italy during the 1970s. T...
Brass
$303
H 0.79 in W 18.12 in D 18.12 in
Decorative golden steel tray Mid-Century Modern Production Italy 1970/80
Located in Palermo, IT
Round decorative tray, made of steel with a gold finish. The tray features a vintage design. It is decorated with three illustrations of skeleton keys. One of the keys has a small ta...
Steel
$1,456
H 9.45 in W 24.02 in D 13.98 in
Red Plastic Space Age Vintage Tray Bed Table Luigi Massoni Guzzini, 1970s, Italy
By Guzzini, Luigi Massoni
Located in Vienna, AT
Space Age red vintage tray or breakfast table Model pepito from plastic designed by Luigi Massoni Grafico Studio Zeto for Guzzini 1970s Italy. Perfect to use as foldable breakfast bed table or tray or as computer table...
Plastic
$448Sale Price|57% Off
H 1.58 in W 15.36 in D 8.86 in
Tray Solid Brass Hammered Italian Design with Handles, 1970 Gold Italian Design
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Tray solid brass hammered Italian design with handles 1970 gold Italian design. Signed.
Brass
$480
H 0.78 in W 11.81 in D 15.35 in
1970s Astonishing Tray By Albatros in Murano Glass. Made in Italy
Located in Milano, IT
An exceptional and striking Murano glass art tray designed and handmade by Albatros - Venezia in Italy during the 1970s. This Mid-Century modern piece perfectly captures the playful ...
Murano Glass
Aldo Tura Large Goatskin and Brass Round Gallery Tray, Italy, circa 1970
By Aldo Tura
Located in Minneapolis, MN
This is a striking vintage round gallery tray by renowned Italian designer Aldo Tura, showcasing the luxurious materials and refined craftsmanship for which his work is celebrated. Made in Italy during the 1970s, the tray features Tura's signature lacquered parchment (goatskin) over a wood foundation, accented with a polished brass gallery rail supported by elegant turned brass stanchions...
Brass
$369
H 1.18 in W 17.32 in D 13 in
Italian Serving Tray in Bamboo, Rattan, Wicker, Vintage 1970s Design
Located in Milano, IT
1970s Astonishing italian serving tray in bamboo, rattan and wicker. Made in Italy It's in excellent condition. Dimension: 17,32 x 13 x 1,18 inches cm 44 x cm 33 x cm 3 H
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
$641
H 0.6 in W 14.97 in D 13.39 in
Italian Vintage Serving Square Tray in Faux Tortoiseshell Lucite & Brass, 70s
By Romeo Rega, Willy Rizzo
Located in Roma, IT
Square tray made in Italy undoubtedly dating back to the 70s. Made with a 3 mm thick quadrangular faux tortoise lucite panel enclosed in a solid brass frame with removable handles. T...
Brass