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.
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
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
$4,206
H 13 in W 40.56 in D 22.05 in
Coffee Center Table by Marco Zanuso for Zanotta Chrome and Smoked Glass
By Marco Zanuso, Zanotta
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
$1,534
H 12.6 in W 31.5 in D 31.5 in
"Marcuso" Square Chrome Coffee Table by Marco Zanuso for Zanotta, Italy 1970s
By Marco Zanuso, Zanotta
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
$19,700
H 11.75 in W 51.75 in D 30.25 in
Italian Midcentury Ash & Glass Grid Motif Coffee Table Marco Zanuso, Attributed
By Poggi, Marco Zanuso
Located in New York, NY
Elegant, timeless Italian Mid-Century Modern cocktail table made of interlaced ash hard wood in a grid motif with inset glass top attributed to Marco Zanuso for Pogi.
Glass, Ash
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
$1,136Sale Price|20% Off
H 14.18 in W 31.89 in D 31.89 in
MARCUSO model Modernist Design Coffee Table, Italy 1970's
By Zanotta, Marco Zanuso
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Modernist Italian Design "MARCUSO" model Coffee Table in the manner of Marco Zanuso for Zanotta. Made in Italy, 1970's / 80's period. Thick glass top with chrome cylindrical ...
Metal, Chrome
$2,273
H 15.75 in W 25.6 in D 35.44 in
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
$1,591Sale Price|20% Off
H 16.15 in W 40.56 in D 25.6 in
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
$4,653 / item
H 72 in W 140 in D 140 in
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
$3,456Sale Price|20% Off
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 19...
Wood
$5,841 / item
H 28.3 in W 39 in D 39 in
Zanotta Marcuso Table in Plate Glass Top with Stainless Steel Legs Frame
By Marco Zanuso, Zanotta
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
$1,591
H 12.6 in W 26.58 in D 26.58 in
Square Glass and Chrome Coffee Table by Zanuso for Zanotta, Italy, 1960s
By Marco Zanuso, Zanotta
Located in Roma, IT
Marco Zanuso square coffee table for Zanotta. Italy, 1960s. Chrome-plated glass top. Measures: 67.5 x 67.5 x 32 cm in height.
Fiberglass
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
$1,671
H 12.6 in W 47.25 in D 21.66 in
Vintage 1970s coffee table designed by Marco Zanuso for Zanotta
By Marco Zanuso, Zanotta
Located in Torino, Piemonte
Coffee table with cylindrical chrome-plated metal legs and a smoked glass top, designed by Marco Zanuso for Zanotta, 1970s. CONDITION: In good condition, with signs of wear due to a...
Metal
$3,524
H 15.36 in W 64.97 in D 23.63 in
Postmodern Artifici Table designed by Paolo Deganello for Cassina 1985
By Cassina, Paolo Deganello
Located in Offenburg, Baden Wurthemberg
Artifici coffee table, designed by Paolo Deganello for Cassina, 1985. Two Table top of superimposed glass plates, with exchangeable graphic inlets from textile, legs in natural wood...
Cast Stone
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
Italian Magazine Rack by Marco Zanuso in Wood and Brass, 1950s
By Marco Zanuso
Located in Milano, IT
Wood and brass magazine rack by Marco Zanuso, 1950s. The magazine rack has a dual function through its support surface, in fact it can also serve as a small table placed next to a so...
Brass
"Marcuso" Coffee Table by Marco Zanuso for Zanotta
By Marco Zanuso
Located in Dronten, NL
Glass coffee table designed by Marco Zanuso with glass top and detachable stainless steel legs.
Stainless Steel
Sold
H 14 in W 51 in D 25 in
'Marcuso' Table in Smoked Glass & Chrome by Marco Zanuso for Zanotta, circa 1965
By Zanotta, Marco Zanuso
Located in Brooklyn, NY
'Marcuso' coffee table with original smoked glass top supported by four chrome-plated steel screws on legs. This piece was designed by noted Italian architect Marco Zanuso, circa 196...
Steel, Chrome