Italian designer Marco Zanuso helped cement his country’s place as a world leader in furniture design that used new materials in revolutionary ways.
Zanuso was part of a generation of furniture designers who encouraged a sharp departure from the traditionalism and classicalism that reigned over the design industry before the war. These designers, who are associated with what we now call mid-century modernism, experimented with new technologies and materials to deliver on the world’s newfound need for streamlined products that represented the future.
After graduating from the Polytechnic University of Milan in 1939 with a degree in architecture, Zanuso served in the Navy during World War II. Soon after the war, he opened his own design firm in Milan in 1945. He later became an editor at well-regarded design magazines Domus and Casabella.
Zanuso used this editorial platform to both promote new Italian designs as well as his own pieces, some of which he made using unconventional materials like foam and latex. For instance, his famous Lady armchair from 1951 is a composition of foam rubber and Nastro Cord, a recently invented textile band of rubberized fabric that eliminated the need for metal springs. It was one of several pieces he designed for Italian manufacturer Arflex, along with the 1949 Antropus chair and the 1951 Sleep-o-matic sofa.
Zanuso often collaborated with other like-minded creatives. From 1955 until 1957, he was Olivetti’s architect, designing factories across Brazil, and for nearly two decades, he collaborated with German designer Richard Sapper. The pair’s most famous product is the 4999 children’s chair, manufactured in the 1960s by Kartell in Italy. The stackable chair was the first to be manufactured entirely of injection-molded plastic.
Zanuso and Sapper also partnered on the 1962 Brionvega Doney 14, the first European-made portable transistor TV; its sleek, compact and curvy form deeply influenced the design of television sets that followed, which were far more sculptural in form than the rigid boxes that characterized early models.
From the 1970s onward, Zanuso taught architecture and industrial design at the Polytechnic University of Milan. He still exercised his creative talents, planning the headquarters for computer companies and renovating Italian theaters.
Each of Zanuso’s elegant works were demonstrative of a forward-looking sensibility. His projects saw an integration of novel industrial materials that not only helped emphasize the beauty of good design but also played a role in rendering these well-made products accessible to everyday consumers.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of vintage Marco Zanuso furniture, including armchairs, sofas, table lamps and other items.
"Marcuso" Square Chrome Coffee Table by Marco Zanuso for Zanotta, Italy 1970s
By Zanotta, Marco Zanuso
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful Mid-Century “Marcuso” square coffee in chrome plated metal completed by a thick square shaped glass. This stylish table designed by Marco Zanuso and produced by Zanotta in ...
Crystal, Chrome
$1,471Sale Price|50% Off
Tavolino Da Caffè Marco Zanuso Per Zanotta 1970-1980
By Marco Zanuso
Located in Manzano, IT
Tavolino da caffè Marco Zanuso per Zanotta1970-1980 Tavolino con doppio piano in vetro temperato fumè. Gambe in ferro cromate. PERIODO DEL DESIGN 1970-1980 ANNO DI PRODUZIONE 1970...
Metal, Chrome
Marco Zanuso – Circular Glass Dining Table, circa 1970
By Marco Zanuso
Located in Saint ouen, FR
Marco Zanuso – Circular Glass Dining Table, circa 1970 Elegant Italian modernist dining table attributed to renowned designer Marco Zanuso. Designed around 1970, the table reflects ...
Glass
Marcuso coffee table by Marco Zanuso for Zanotta, 1970s
By Marco Zanuso, Zanotta
Located in Correggio, IT
1970s coffee table model Marcuso by Marco Zanuso for Zanotta. The legs are made of chrome-plated steel and bear the manufacturer's mark. The visually striking, 1.5 cm thick top is ma...
Stainless Steel
Marcuso Coffee Table by Marco Zanuso for Zanotta, Glass Top, Italy
By Marco Zanuso, Zanotta
Located in London, England
Conçues par Marco Zanuso entre 1969 et 1970, les tables Marcuso sont aujourd'hui des icônes du design, rééditées par la célèbre marque Zanotta. Leur esthétique raffinée se caractéris...
Stainless Steel
Coffee Center Table by Marco Zanuso for Zanotta Chrome and Smoked Glass
By Zanotta, Marco Zanuso
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Midcentury table 'Marcuso' by Marco Zanuso for Zanotta steel chrome and large tempered thickness smoked cristal. Excellent condition. Measures cm: H 33, W 103, D 56 About This...
Crystal, Steel
Midcentury coffee table by Marco Zanuso for Techniform, Italy 1960s
By Marco Zanuso
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Midcentury coffee table by Marco Zanuso for Techniform. Stunning square coffee or bar table, wood structure, central top and storage compartment. Perfect vintage condition Italy 1960s
Wood
Marco Zanuso ‘Springtime’ Coffee Table for Arflex, Italy 1960s
By Marco Zanuso
Located in Oirlo, LI
Discover the timeless elegance of Italian design with this original coffee table designed by Marco Zanuso for Arflex, part of the iconic Springtime collection from the 1960s. This ex...
Walnut
Postmodern Italian Marcuso Coffee Glass Table by Marco Zanuso for Zanotta
By Zanotta, Marco Zanuso
Located in Hamburg, DE
Heavy glass coffee table from the Italian manufacturer Zanotta based on a design by Marco Zanuso from the late 1960s. A classic of Italian design. The design impresses with its simp...
Stainless Steel
$823Sale Price|50% Off
Table by Marco Zanuso for Zanotta, Italy, 1960s
By Marco Zanuso
Located in Manzano, IT
avolo by Marco Zanuso for Zanotta, Italy, 1960s Coffee table "Zanuso," one of the BEST examples of industrial design, consists of two crystal shelves and 18/8 stainless steel legs. T...
Crystal, Steel
$4,672Sale Price / item|20% Off
Zanotta Marcuso Table in Plate Glass Top with Stainless Steel Legs Frame
By Zanotta, Marco Zanuso
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Zanotta Small Marcuso Table in Plate Glass Top with Stainless Steel Legs Frame by Marco Zanuso 5/8” thick plate glass top, either clear or covered in ...
Glass
Extending table by Marco Zanuso mod. Eton, Italy 1972
By Marco Zanuso, Arflex
Located in Firenze, FI
Extendable table with lacquered wood frame and recessed glass top. Produced by the company Arflex , designed by Marco Zanuso mod. Eton. Bibliography Published in "Repertoire of Itali...
Crystal
Marco Zanuso, Table mod. TL58, prod. Poggi, 1974
By Marco Zanuso, Poggi
Located in Rivoli, IT
Walnut wood table model TL 58 designed by Marco Zanuso for Poggi Italy in 1974. Bibl.: Giuliana Gramigna Repertorio del Design Italiano1950-2000 Allemandi 2011 pag. 224 Some marks ...
Wood
Marco Zanuso, Coffee Table, Wood, Glass, Italy, 1960s
By Marco Zanuso
Located in High Point, NC
A wood and glass coffee table, model Square, designed by Marco Zanuso and produced by Arflex, Italy, c. 1960s. Water marks to one edge of tabletop. Minor scratches on glass; wear c...
Glass, Wood
$3,722Sale Price / item|20% Off
Zanotta Large Marcuso Table in Plate Glass Top with Stainless Steel Legs Frame
By Zanotta, Marco Zanuso
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Zanotta Large Marcuso Table in Plate Glass Top with Stainless Steel Legs Frame by Marco Zanuso 5/8” thick plate glass top, either clear or covered in ...
Glass
$1,176Sale Price|50% Off
Marco Zanuso Coffee Table - 1970s Design - Chrome and Smoked Glass
By Marco Zanuso
Located in Manzano, IT
Gorgeous coffee table attributed to renowned designer Marco Zanuso, an iconic piece that perfectly embodies the rationalist and industrial elegance of Italian design. The table feat...
Chrome
TV Holder / Low Center Table by Marco Zanuso for Bilumen, 1970s – Italy
By Marco Zanuso, Bilumen
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Designed in the 1970s by Marco Zanuso for Bilumen, this sculptural TV holder or low center table is a striking example of Italian modernist thinking applied to emerging domestic tech...
Plastic
$1,996Sale Price|34% Off
Living room table by Marco Zanuso for Zanotta
By Marco Zanuso, Zanotta
Located in Lugo, IT
Living room table by Marco Zanuso for Zanotta. The height to the glass. Custom shipping costs, please contact Good condition. Thanks
Steel
Marco Zanuso for Zanotta, Table, 1970s
By Marco Zanuso
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Marco Zanuso, by. Zanotta, edited by. Dining table. Round top in white marble, resting on a five-column base, the columns screwing to the top and ending in a decorative circle of...
Marble
$4,752Sale Price / item|20% Off
Zanotta Marcuso Table in Plate Glass Top & Stainless Steel Legs by Marco Zanuso
By Zanotta, Marco Zanuso
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Zanotta Marcuso Table in Plate Glass Top & Stainless Steel Legs by Marco Zanuso 5/8” thick plate glass top, either clear or covered in acrylic finish ce...
Cement
$1,883Sale Price|21% Off
Crystal and steel table by Marco Zanuso for Zanotta, Italy, 1960s
By Marco Zanuso
Located in modena, Emilia-Romagna
Coffee Table "Marcuso" Designed by Marco Zanuso, winner of five Compasso d'Oro awards between 1956 and 1985. His designs can be admired in many world-renowned museums, such as MoMA ...
Crystal, Steel
$1,647Sale Price|22% Off
Black Lacquer Wood, Steel, and Glass Dining Table by Marco Zanuso for Zanotta
By Zanotta, Marco Zanuso
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Vintage steel table with glass top edged in black lacquered wood Italy 1970. Packaging with bubble wrap and cardboard boxes is included. If the woo...
Crystal, Steel
$1,412Sale Price|20% Off
Glass Dining Table by Marco Zanuso for Zanotta, Italy, 1960
By Marco Zanuso
Located in Torino, IT
Glass Dining Table by Marco Zanuso for Zanotta, Italy, 1960 Additional information: Country of Manufacture – Italy Design Period – 1960 Production Period – 1960 Style – Midcentury /...
Glass
Achille Castiglioni for Zanotta "Servomuto" coffee table, Italy 1970s
By Zanotta, Achille Castiglioni
Located in Naples, IT
Servomuto coffee table from the Servi collection by Achille Castiglioni for Zanotta, 1974. Servomute, light and easy to move, it is the worthy heir to Franco Albini's essential, eleg...
Steel
Italian Design Coffee Table, 1970s
By Zanotta, Marco Zanuso
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
This is a beautiful and sophisticated piece of 20th-century furniture. 1970s Italian design is distinctive and evident in this rectangular coffee table. Made with minimalist cylindr...
Metal, Chrome
$4,500
H 17.72 in W 39.38 in D 39.38 in
Large Midcentury Vintage Square Bicolor Brass and Chrome Coffee Table, 1970s
By Karl Springer, Vereinigte Werkstätten München
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Large bicolor or bicolour square centre coffee table with a smoked glass table top "floating" on a curved polished brass frame supported on large, oversized mirrored chrome legs on s...
Metal, Brass, Chrome
Marco Zanuso ‘Springtime’ Coffee Table for Arflex, Italy 1960s
By Marco Zanuso
Located in Oirlo, LI
Discover the timeless elegance of Italian design with this original coffee table designed by Marco Zanuso for Arflex, part of the iconic Springtime collection from the 1960s. This ex...
Walnut
$1,883
H 13.78 in W 25.6 in D 25.6 in
Mid-Century Modern Italian Coffee Table by Alberto Rosselli for Saporiti. 1970s
Located in Prato, IT
Mid-Century Modern Italian coffee or sofa table with chrome base and smoked glass top. The base is enriched with 8 chrome studs in relief. 1970s.
Chrome
Brass Chrome Smoked Glass Willy Rizzo Square Coffee Table
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Sharp looking Mid-Century Modern coffee table by Willy Rizzo.
Brass, Chrome
$4,472
H 16.93 in W 31.7 in D 31.7 in
Midcentury coffee table by Marco Zanuso for Techniform, Italy 1960s
By Marco Zanuso
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Midcentury coffee table by Marco Zanuso for Techniform. Stunning square coffee or bar table, wood structure, central top and storage compartment. Perfect vintage condition Italy 1960s
Wood
Memphis Side Coffee Table Servomuto Castiglioni Zanotta, Italy 80s
By Achille Castiglioni, Zanotta
Located in Saarbruecken, DE
Mid-century side coffee table "Servomuto" designed by A. Castiglioni for Zanotta, Italy 1974. Signed. Artist customized with new finish.
Metal
$1,356
H 14.97 in W 27.56 in D 29.53 in
Gae Aulenti Laminate and Purple Metal Italian Coffee Table for Zanotta, 1970s
By Zanotta, Gae Aulenti
Located in Roma, IT
Amazing midcentury laminate and purple enamel metal coffee table. This fantastic piece was designed in Italy by Gae Aulenti for Zanotta during the 1970s. This stunning straight-lined table with a clean enamelled metal frame with a light purple laminate formica top is in a stunning vintage condition. A wonderful item is perfect to complete a mid-century minimal living room...
Crystal, Metal
English William IV Circular Mahogany Veneer Center / Dining Table
Located in Queens, NY
English William IV (19th Century) mahogany veneer dining / center table with a circular top resting on a turned pedestal base with three scroll carved legs. Some top surface wear, l...
Mahogany
Italian Design Square Coffee Table, 1970s
By Marco Zanuso, Zanotta
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
This is a beautiful and sophisticated piece of furniture from the 20th century. The Italian design of the 70s is distinctive and evident in this square coffee table. Made of minimal...
Metal, Chrome
Metal Spider Web Table, 1980s USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Incredibly unique welded metal table in the design of a massive spider web.Great attention to detail with bends of each metal bar lining up perfectly around the whole table. Base is ...
Metal
Marco Zanuso “Marcuso” Coffee Table with Smoked Glass Top, 1970s
By Zanotta, Marco Zanuso
Located in Dronten, NL
An elegant expression of Italian modernism, this “Marcuso” coffee table by Marco Zanuso is a masterclass in material harmony and minimalist design...
Stainless Steel
Tavolo Marcuso di Marco Zanuso per Zanotta
By Zanotta, Marco Zanuso
Located in Ghedi, IT
Iconico tavolo Marcuso, disegnato da Marco Zanuso per Zanotta nel 1969, in ottime condizioni vintage. Piano in cristallo trasparente (spessore 15 mm) con angoli smussati, poggia su q...
Glass
Table 'Marcuso' Production Zanotta Anni '80s '90s
By Zanotta, Marco Zanuso
Located in Milano, IT
Dining table with square-shaped crystal glass top with rounded corners, chrome-plated metal legs.
Crystal, Metal
Sold
H 28.15 in W 94.49 in D 29.93 in
Mid-Century Modern Dining Set by Marco Zanuzo for Poggi, Italy, 1970s
By Marco Zanuso
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Dining Set by Marco Zanuzo for Poggi, Italy, 1970s Chairs : 39x43x90 cm Sh 44cm
Leather, Wood
Sold
H 28.75 in W 57.09 in D 57.09 in
'Eta Beta' table by Marco Zanuso for Zanotta 70s-80s with glass top
By Zanotta, Marco Zanuso
Located in Milano, IT
Dining table model 'Eta Beta' with glass top and four pairs of metal legs; furniture designed in 1978 by Marco Zanuso for Zanotta. Good conditions.
Metal
Sold
H 14.18 in W 27.56 in D 13.78 in
side table / magazine rack , portatelevisore Marco zanuso for bulimen
By Marco Zanuso
Located in PARIS, FR
Coffee table produced in the 1960s by Bilumen based on a design by Marco Zanuso. ABS structure. Two magazine compartments, to store magazines or records. Chromed metal and rubber whe...
Metal
Midcentury Italian table mod. TL 58 by Marco Zanuso for Poggi
By Poggi, Marco Zanuso
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Midcentury table model TL 58 designed by Marco Zanuso for Poggi Italy, 1970 Bibl.: Giuliana Gramigna Repertorio del Design Italiano1950-2000 Allemandi 2011 pag. 224
Wood
'Marcuso 2532' Marco Zanuso for Zanotta 1970s round crystal table
By Zanotta, Marco Zanuso
Located in Milano, IT
Vintage dining table designed by Marco Zanuso and produced by Zanotta from the late 1960s. Round base and three steel legs, round crystal top. The maker's mark is present.
Crystal, Steel
Round Table by Marco Zanuso for Zanotta, 1970s
By Marco Zanuso
Located in PARIS, FR
Round table "Marcuso" by Marco Zanuso edited by Zanotta. Glass top on 3 chromed metal legs bound on the same round base. Very good condition. LP937.
Metal
Marcuso table by Marzo Zanuso for Zanotta
By Marco Zanuso
Located in Milano, Lombardia
A modern table produced by Zanotta and designed by Marco Zanuso. Made of glass and steel, this object has just the classic modern design with the rounded corners and preise, rigorous...
Steel
Marco Zanuso for Poggi Dining Table in Walnut
By Marco Zanuso, Poggi
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Marco Zanuso for Poggi, 'TL58' dining table, walnut, Italy, 1974 This dining table is manufactured by Poggi in the 1974. It features crossed, double legs that give the table an ar...
Walnut
Sold
H 27.56 in W 39.38 in D 39.38 in
Marco Zanuso Italian Mid-century Dining Table Marcuso Model for Zanotta, 1969
By Marco Zanuso, Zanotta
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Italian midcentury dining table model Marcuso designed by Marco Zanuso and produced by Zanotto since 1969 with thick glass top and stainless steel legs. Zanotta trademark engraved o...
Crystal, Steel, Stainless Steel