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Memphis Milano Bookcases

Italian

To many people, postmodern design is synonymous with the Memphis Group. This Italian collaborative created the most radical and attention-getting designs of the period, upending most of the accepted standards of how furniture should look. Today, the Memphis Milano brand, which is managed by Alberto Bianchi Albrici, still produces designs created by the group between 1981 and 1988.

The Memphis story begins in 1980, when Ettore Sottsass, then a beacon of Italian postmodernism, tapped a coterie of younger designers to develop a collection for the Milan Furniture Fair the next year, determined that all the new furniture they were then seeing was boring. Their mission: Boldly reject the stark minimalism of the 1970s and shatter the rules of form and function. (Sottsass’s Ultrafragola mirror, designed in 1970, embodied many of what would become the collective’s postmodern ideals.)

The group decided to design, produce and market their own collection, one that wouldn’t be restricted by concerns like functionality and so-called good taste. Its debut, at Milan’s 1981 Salone del Mobile, drew thousands of viewers and caused a major stir in design circles.

So as a record of Bob Dylan’s “Stuck Inside of Mobile” played on repeat, they took their name from the song, devised their marketing strategy and plotted the postmodern look that would come to define the decade of excess — primary colors, blown-up proportions, playful nods to Art Deco and Pop art. A high-low mix of materials also helped define Memphis, as evidenced by Javier Mariscal’s pastel serving trays, which feature laminate veneer — a material previously used only in kitchens — as well as Shiro Kuramata’s Nara and Kyoto tables made from colored glass-infused terrazzo.

An image of Sottsass posing with his collaborators in a conversation pit shaped like a boxing ring appeared in magazines all over the world, and Karl Lagerfield furnished his Monte Carlo penthouse entirely in Memphis furniture. Meanwhile, members like Andrea Branzi, Aldo Cibic, Michele de Lucchi, Nathalie du Pasquier, Kuramata, Paola Navone, Peter Shire, George Sowden, Sottsass and his wife, journalist Barbara Radice, went on to enjoy fruitful careers.

Some people think of the Milan-based collective as the design equivalent to Patrick Nagel’s kitschy screenprints, but for others Memphis represents what made the early 1980s so great: freedom of expression, dizzying patterns and off-the-wall colors.

Eventually, the Reagan era gave way to cool 1990s minimalism, and Memphis fell out of fashion. Sottsass left the group in 1985, and by 1987, it had disbanded. Yet decades later, Memphis is back and can be traced to today’s most exciting designers.

“As someone who was born in the 1980s, Memphis at times feels like the grown-up, artsy version of the toys I used to play with,” says Shaun Kasperbauer, cofounder of the Brooklyn studio Souda. “It feels a little nostalgic, but at the same time it seems like an aesthetic that’s perfectly suited to an internet age — loud, colorful and utilizing forms that are graphic and often a little unexpected.”

Find a collection of Memphis Milano seating, tables, decorative objects and other furniture on 1stDibs.

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Creator: Memphis Milano
Carlton Wood Miniature Bookcase by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano Collection
By Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Milano, Memphis Group
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Here you are shown an authentic and perfect reproduction of the Carlton bookcase, originally designed in 1981 by Ettore Sottsass. The vivid colors and...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Memphis Milano Bookcases

Materials

Wood, Plastic

Suvretta Plastic Bookcase, by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano Collection
By Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Milano, Memphis Group
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Suvretta bookcase in plastic laminate was originally designed in 1981, by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano. Ettore Sottsass was born in Innsbruck in 1917. In 1939 he graduated...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Memphis Milano Bookcases

Materials

Plastic

Casablanca Wood Cabinet, by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano Collection
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Group
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Casablanca cabinet designed in 1981 for Memphis by Ettore Sottsass, in wood and plastic laminated colors. This is an unlimited edition with a number...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Memphis Milano Bookcases

Materials

Wood, Plastic

Gritti Bookcase, by Andrea Branzi for Memphis Milano Collection
By Memphis Milano, Memphis Group, Andrea Branzi
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Gritti bookcase in plastic laminate, wood, metal and glass. Designed in 1981, by Andrea Branzi. Andrea Branzi, architect and designer, born in Florence,...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Memphis Milano Bookcases

Materials

Metal

Carlton 30th Anniversary Bookcase by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Design
By Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Milano
Located in Ravenna, IT
Carlton is the most famous and iconic of all the objects designed for Memphis Milano. The piece was designed by Ettore Sottsass and first presented at the historic Memphis exhibition...
Category

2010s Italian Post-Modern Memphis Milano Bookcases

Materials

Laminate, Wood

Gritti Bookcase by Andrea Branzi for Memphis, Italy, 1981
By Andrea Branzi, Memphis Milano
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Gritti bookcase by Andrea Branzi for Memphis. Bookcase made of wood covered with decorative laminate and natural wood essence, decorative metal elements and glass tops. A perfect exa...
Category

1980s Italian Modern Vintage Memphis Milano Bookcases

Materials

Glass, Wood

'Carlton' Room Divider and Bookcase by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano, Italy
By Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Milano
Located in London, GB
Probably the most iconic of all Ettore Sottsass' designs, the colourful Carlton is half room divider, half bookcase and full size sculptural marvel. Des...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Post-Modern Memphis Milano Bookcases

Materials

Laminate, Wood

Memphis “Phoenix” Bookcase By Michele De Lucchi, Milan, 1983
By Memphis Milano, Michele de Lucchi
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
The extraordinary “Phoenix” Bookcase, designed by renowned Italian architect and designer Michele de Lucchi, and produced by the influential Memphis Group in Milan in 1983. Known for...
Category

1980s Vintage Memphis Milano Bookcases

Materials

Metal

Malabar Bookshop by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milan
By Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Milano
Located in Ravenna, IT
Malabar is a cabinet-bookcase designed by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano in 1982 and purchased in 2000. Production number 21. Sold with certificate of Authenticity. Featuring she...
Category

1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Memphis Milano Bookcases

Materials

Metal

Castilian Bookcase by Aldo Cibic for Memphis Milano Collection
By Memphis Milano, Aldo Cibic
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Castilian bookcase in plastic Laminate by Aldo Cibic for Memphis Milano collection Additional information: Bookcase in plastic laminate. ...
Category

2010s Memphis Milano Bookcases

Materials

Plastic

Lodge Bookcase in Wood by Martine Bedin for Memphis Milano Collection
By Martine Bedin, Memphis Milano
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Lodge bookcase with four drawers in wood by Martine Bedin for Memphis Milano collection Additional information: Bookcase with four drawers. Structure in in wood finished with pla...
Category

2010s Memphis Milano Bookcases

Materials

Plastic

Italian modern Glass, wood metal Bookcase Gritti by Andrea Branzi Memphis, 2000s
By Memphis Milano, Andrea Branzi
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Glass, wood and metal Bookcase Gritti by Andrea Branzi for Memphis, 2000s Floor bookcase mod. Gritti with a rectangular base, in wood, glass and metal. The peculiarity...
Category

Early 2000s Italian Modern Memphis Milano Bookcases

Materials

Metal

Memphis 'Cappello' Bookcase by Susana Solano, Italy, 1989
By Memphis Milano
Located in Antwerp, BE
Metal shelving piece by artist Susana Solano, a limited edition gem from the iconic Meta Memphis collection in Italy, circa 1989. This exquisite bookcase...
Category

1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Memphis Milano Bookcases

Materials

Iron

Italian modern blue wood bookcase by Aldo Cibic for Memphis, 1980s
By Aldo Cibic, Memphis Milano
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern blue wood bookcase by Aldo Cibic for Memphis, 1980s Iconic bookcase with rectangular shape entirely of wood covered in blue laminate. It is composed of a single column...
Category

1980s Italian Modern Vintage Memphis Milano Bookcases

Materials

Wood

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Previously Available Items
Gritti Bookcase by Andrea Branzi for Memphis, Italy, 1981
By Memphis Milano, Andrea Branzi
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Gritti bookcase by Andrea Branzi for Memphis. Bookcase made of wood covered with decorative laminate and natural wood essence, metal elements and glas...
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1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Memphis Milano Bookcases

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'Suvretta' Bookcase, Ettore Sottsass for the 1st Memphis Milano Collection, 1981
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Located in Zagreb, HR
Original 'Suvretta' bookcase made of the wooden corpus in plastic laminate designed by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano collection. The one offered here for sale was purchased in t...
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Late 20th Century Italian Post-Modern Memphis Milano Bookcases

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Carlton Room Divider Designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1981 for Memphis Milano
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Located in Berlin, DE
Carlton Room Divider Designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1981 for Memphis Milano The totemic Carlton room divider is a Memphis icon. The piece calls in...
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Late 20th Century Italian Post-Modern Memphis Milano Bookcases

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Memphis Milano bookcases for sale on 1stDibs.

Memphis Milano bookcases are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Memphis Milano bookcases, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 2 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 7 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original bookcases by Memphis Milano were created in the modern style in italy during the 21st century and contemporary. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider bookcases by Ettore Sottsass, Glas Italia, and LapiegaWD. Prices for Memphis Milano bookcases can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,003 and can go as high as $20,367, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $9,855.

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