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Zanotta Decorative Objects

Italian

Entrepreneur Aurelio Zanotta founded Zanotta in 1954 in Nova Milanese, Italy. Originally called Zanotta Poltrona, it specialized in traditional furniture. By the early 1960s, however, Zanotta had established a reputation for edgy mid-century modern design. Today’s vintage furniture collectors know the brand well for its innovative and wholly sculptural chairs, coffee tables and more.

One of Zanotta’s earliest successes was the Mezzadro stool — better known as the Tractor stool — designed by Pier Giacomo Castiglioni and his brother Achille in the late 1950s. In 1965, Zanotta was among the first furniture companies to work with expanded polyurethane foam and frameless construction, such as for the Throw-Away sofas and armchairs designed by Willie Landels. Another popular design was the Blow chair — designed by Jonathan De Pas, Donato D’Urbino, Paolo Lomazzi and Carla Scolari — viewed by many as a physical expression of late '60s carefree culture.

In 1969, amid the provocative movement we now call Italian Radical Design, Zanotta’s Sacco chair garnered major attention. The boundary-pushing beanbag chair was the brainchild of designers Piero Gatti, Cesare Paolini and Franco Teodoro who presented it to Aurelio Zanotta as a transparent vinyl sack loosely filled with small polystyrene balls. He suggested its signature brightly colored leather.

The Sacco chair won the 1970 ADI Design Museum’s Compasso d’Oro award. In 1972, the Museum of Modern Art in New York included it in the landmark exhibition “Italy: The New Domestic Landscape” curated by designer Emilio Ambasz. In 2020, it received a Compasso d’Oro ADI Lifetime Achievement Award for 50 years of enduring popularity. It is now in museum collections around the world including the Triennale Design Museum of Milan, the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, and London’s Victoria & Albert Museum.

After Aurelio Zanotta died in 1991, the company remained in his family and has been run by his three children since 2002. Zanotta continues to set the bar high for furniture design with trend-setting pieces.

On 1stDibs, find a collection of vintage Zanotta seating, tables and other furniture.

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Creator: Zanotta
Achille Castiglioni for Zanotta Portapiante Smontabile "Albero," Italy 1980s
Achille Castiglioni for Zanotta Portapiante Smontabile "Albero," Italy 1980s

Achille Castiglioni for Zanotta Portapiante Smontabile "Albero," Italy 1980s

By Achille Castiglioni, Zanotta

Located in Naples, IT

Albero by Zanotta is an iconic pot holder designed by Achille Castiglioni in 1983. A sculptural, light and dynamic object designed to display indoor plants in a functional yet aesthe...

Category

1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Zanotta Decorative Objects

Materials

Steel

Alessandro Mendini's Cuculia Bowl for Zanotta, 1985
Alessandro Mendini's Cuculia Bowl for Zanotta, 1985

Alessandro Mendini's Cuculia Bowl for Zanotta, 1985

By Zanotta, Alessandro Mendini

Located in Dallas, TX

The Cuculia centerpiece bowl, designed in 1985 by renowned architect and designer Alessandro Mendini, is an extraordinary example of Italian design that continues to inspire. Made of...

Category

20th Century Italian Modern Zanotta Decorative Objects

Materials

Plastic

Dealbata Porcelain Vase by Alessandro Mendini for Zanotta, '1987'
Dealbata Porcelain Vase by Alessandro Mendini for Zanotta, '1987'

Dealbata Porcelain Vase by Alessandro Mendini for Zanotta, '1987'

By Zanotta, Alessandro Mendini

Located in Brooklyn, NY

An amazing postmodern white porcelain vase designed by Alessandro Mendini (born 1931) for Zanotta's "Edizioni" collection and produced in limited numbers. Released as one of three va...

Category

Late 20th Century Italian Post-Modern Zanotta Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Zanotta Cavour CM Executive Kit in Canaletto Walnut by Carlo Mollino
Zanotta Cavour CM Executive Kit in Canaletto Walnut by Carlo Mollino

Zanotta Cavour CM Executive Kit in Canaletto Walnut by Carlo Mollino

By Zanotta, Carlo Mollino

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Zanotta Cavour CM Executive Kit in Canaletto Walnut by Carlo Mollino Legs in solid natural or black varnished oak, or in solid Canaletto walnut; wax-...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Zanotta Decorative Objects

Materials

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Zanotta Servofumo Ashtray Stand by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
Zanotta Servofumo Ashtray Stand by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni

Zanotta Servofumo Ashtray Stand by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni

By Zanotta

Located in New York, NY

Ashtray stand. Base in polypropylene, container in aluminium and steel support frame, painted in the shade black for outdoors.

Category

2010s Italian Zanotta Decorative Objects

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

Alessandro Mendini's Cuculia Bowl for Zanotta, 1985
Alessandro Mendini's Cuculia Bowl for Zanotta, 1985

Alessandro Mendini's Cuculia Bowl for Zanotta, 1985

By Alessandro Mendini, Zanotta

Located in Dallas, TX

The Cuculia centerpiece bowl, designed in 1985 by renowned architect and designer Alessandro Mendini, is an extraordinary example of Italian design that continues to inspire. Made of...

Category

20th Century Italian Modern Zanotta Decorative Objects

Materials

Plastic

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Previously Available Items
Vintage Albero Demountable Flowerpot Stand by Achille Castiglioni for Zanotta
Vintage Albero Demountable Flowerpot Stand by Achille Castiglioni for Zanotta

Vintage Albero Demountable Flowerpot Stand by Achille Castiglioni for Zanotta

By Achille Castiglioni, Zanotta

Located in Munich, DE

Early edition. Demountable planter or flowerpot stand 'Albero' in shape of a tree. Designed by Achille Castiglioni 1983 for Zanotta, Italy. Marked: Zan...

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Zanotta Albero White Demountable Flowerpot Stand by Achille Castiglioni
Zanotta Albero White Demountable Flowerpot Stand by Achille Castiglioni

Zanotta Albero White Demountable Flowerpot Stand by Achille Castiglioni

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Located in New York, NY

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2010s Italian Zanotta Decorative Objects

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Zanotta Servomuto Small Table Black and White
Zanotta Servomuto Small Table Black and White

Zanotta Servomuto Small Table Black and White

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Located in New York, NY

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Zanotta Albero White Demountable Flowerpot Stand
Zanotta Albero White Demountable Flowerpot Stand

Zanotta Albero White Demountable Flowerpot Stand

Sold

H 59.85 in W 20.48 in D 24.81 in

Zanotta Albero White Demountable Flowerpot Stand

By Achille Castiglioni, Zanotta

Located in New York, NY

Demountable flowerpot stand Painted steel frame in white, Pot-holder dishes in black polyamide. Black polypropylene feet. It was 1983 when Achille C...

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"Spiffero" Screen Sculpture by Bruno Munari c.1988
"Spiffero" Screen Sculpture by Bruno Munari c.1988

"Spiffero" Screen Sculpture by Bruno Munari c.1988

By Bruno Munari, Zanotta

Located in London, GB

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Zanotta decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.

Zanotta decorative objects 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 Zanotta decorative objects, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 2 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 1 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original decorative objects by Zanotta were created in the mid-century modern style in italy during the late 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider decorative objects by Schiavon, Vivai del Sud, and B Ceramiche. Prices for Zanotta decorative objects can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,355 and can go as high as $2,800, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $1,425.