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.
Achille Castiglioni for Zanotta Portapiante Smontabile "Albero," Italy 1980s
By Zanotta, Achille Castiglioni
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...
Steel
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...
Porcelain
Colored Murano Glass Vase, Italy, 1980s
Located in Palermo, IT
Colored Murano glass vase, Italy, 1980s Purchased in one of the most prestigious retailers of fine objects in Venice. Intact. Excellent condition.
Glass
$2,919
H 25.6 in Dm 9.85 in
Ceramic Vase Model A ABC Collection by Alessandro Mendini for Superego Editions
By Superego Editions, Alessandro Mendini
Located in Milan, Italy
Model A ceramic vase, Abc Collection, designed by Alessandro Mendini and produced by Superego Editions, 99 pieces limited edition. Signed and numbered. Biography Alessandro Mendini ...
Ceramic
Italian Murano Glass Vase Simira Model by Alessandro Mendini for Venini.
By Venini, Alessandro Mendini
Located in Milan, Italy
Vase model Simira filigree glass and solid glass base molded to the wheel, circa 1987- 1988. Signed. Biography Alessandro Mendini was born in Milan in 1931. After a long experience...
Glass
21st Century Alessandro Mendini Gemello Murano Vase Topaz
By Alessandro Mendini, Purho Murano
Located in Brembate di Sopra (BG), IT
21st Century Alessandro Mendini, GEMELLO transparent vase, Murano glass. Purho continues to search for products with complementary shapes with the pair of Gemello and Gemella vases ...
Murano Glass
Blue Murano Glass large Vase, Italy 1980s
By Cenedese
Located in Dallas, TX
Very large blue translucent Mid Century Modern Murano glass vase. Attributed to Simone Cenedese, Murano, Italy, 1980s. The blue Murano glass is thick and heavy. The Murano glass is f...
Murano Glass
$750
H 8.86 in W 6.5 in D 3.55 in
Ritratto Blue Wall Hanging Flower Vase Alessandro Mendini Postmodern
By Alessandro Mendini, Marutomi
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
"Ritratto" flower vase for the wall designed by Alessandro Mendini for Marutomi. Designed in the late 90s and start production in 2000. No longer production. New old stock in box. W...
Plastic
$800 / item
H 40.56 in Dm 12.21 in
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.
Aluminum, Steel
$700
H 8.86 in W 6.5 in D 3.55 in
Ritratto Green Wall Hanging Flower Vase Alessandro Mendini Postmodern
By Alessandro Mendini, Marutomi
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
"Ritratto" flower vase for the wall designed by Alessandro Mendini for Marutomi. Designed in the late 90s and start production in 2000. No longer production. New old stock in box. W...
Plastic
Kjell Engman for Kosta Boda Pitcher Jug , 1980s
By Kjell Engman
Located in Delft, NL
Kjell Engman for Kosta Boda Pitcher Jug , 1980s Dimension: 35 cm Height , 20 cm Width , 10,5cm Depth Condition: Good Material: Glass Color: Blue , ...
Art Glass
Idalion vintage flower vase Venini Alessandro Mendini Postmodern
By Venini, Alessandro Mendini
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
"idalion" flower vase designed by Alessandro Mendini for Venini. Vintage blue color. Made in 1995. "Venini 95 A.mendini" Carving on bottom. No chips, no cracks. good condition.
Blown Glass
Ceramic Vase 4 Mani Collection by Alessandro Mendini for Superego Editions
By Superego Editions, Alessandro Mendini
Located in Milan, Italy
Ceramic vase Colletto 1 model designed by Alessandro Mendini and decorated by Linde Burkhardt part of 4 Mani Collection made of 6 models. It's a limited edition of 99 pieces. Carried...
Ceramic
Vintage blue gold italian murano glass vase, 1980s
Located in Nicolosi, IT
Vintage Blue and Gold Italian Murano Glass Vase, 1980s Elevate your interior with this exquisite vintage Murano glass vase, handcrafted in Italy during the 1980s. A true work of art,...
Murano Glass
Sold
H 61.03 in W 20.48 in D 24.81 in
Vintage Albero Demountable Flowerpot Stand by Achille Castiglioni for Zanotta
By Zanotta, Achille Castiglioni
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...
Steel
Sold
H 59.85 in W 20.48 in D 24.81 in
Zanotta Albero White Demountable Flowerpot Stand by Achille Castiglioni
By Zanotta, Achille Castiglioni
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 Cast...
Steel
Zanotta Albero White Demountable Flowerpot Stand
By Zanotta, Achille Castiglioni
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...
Steel