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.
Servofumo by A. Castiglioni for Zanotta
By Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Zanotta
Located in Vlimmeren, BE
The “Servofumo” was designed by A. an P.G. Castiglioni for Zanotta, Italy, in 1961. This ashtray has a base in polypropylene, a steel support frame and an aluminium sand container. C...
Aluminum, Steel
Andrea Branzi for Zanotta Glass & Nickel Centerpiece '1999'
By Zanotta, Andrea Branzi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designed in 1999 for Zanotta, Andrea Branzi’s Izzika is the perfect sculptural centerpiece. A frame of nickel holds in place woven glass rods, some of which are straight and some are...
Nickel
Zanotta Servofumo High Ashtray in Steel by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
By Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Zanotta
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Zanotta Servofumo High Ashtray in Steel by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni Base in black painted polypropylene. Steel support rod and alumini...
Steel
Zanotta Servofumo Low Ashtray in Steel by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
By Zanotta, Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Zanotta Servofumo Low Ashtray in Steel by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni Base in black painted polypropylene. Steel support rod and aluminiu...
Steel
$535
H 1.58 in W 14.97 in D 14.97 in
Triangular Glass Centerpiece by Angelo Mangiarotti for Cristallerie Colle, 1990s
By Angelo Mangiarotti
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1990s. This is a glass plate / centerpiece designed by Angelo Mangiarotti for Cristallerie Colle. It is a vintage piece, therefore it might show slight traces of use, ...
Glass
Figural Painted Murano Glass Centerpiece
By Salviati
Located in Hanover, MA
Beautifully and ornately hand painted and hand blown Venetian art glass compote centerpiece by Salviati of Murano (label in tact)
Murano Glass
Pair of Floor Ashtray by Ico Parisi for Stildomus
By Ico Parisi
Located in Brussels, BE
Pair of floor ashtray by Ico Parisi for Stildomus.
Wood
Tiger Ceramic Ashtray Handpainted and Handmade in Italy
By Bertrando Di Renzo
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
An unsual ashtray with a 70s touch Tiger ashtray handpainted and handmad ein italy Ceramic.
Ceramic
Leopard Ceramic Ashtray Handpainted and Handmade in Italy
By Bertrando Di Renzo
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
An unsual ashtray with a 70s touch Tiger ashtray handpainted and handmad ein italy Ceramic.
Ceramic
Onyx Ashtray and Lighter - Ashtray Beautiful organic design
Located in Lugo, IT
Ashtray and lighter in onyx. Ashtray Beautiful organic design. defects Lighter not working Thanks
Onyx
Postmodern molded glass bowl / centerpiece, RSVP Italy 1980s
Located in Firenze, IT
Striking Postmodern glass bowl RSVP Italy circa 1980s. This sculptural artisan crafted geometric form vessel is designed of interlocking and overlapping angular cut-glass sections....
Glass
Jugendstil Centerpiece with Original Glass
Located in Wien, Au
Jugendstil centerpiece with original glass. Polished and stove enamelled.
Brass
Ashtray Sena Cristal Steel and Green Glass, Italy, 1970s
By Sena Cristal
Located in Rome, IT
Beautiful green glass ashtray embedded in a metal base by Sena Cristal. Made in Italy in the 1970s. The original label is still attached o...
Metal, Steel
$1,900
H 6 in W 10.25 in D 4.5 in
Ercole Barovier Murano Glass and Gold Centerpiece for Artistica Barovier
By Ercole Barovier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very nice and elegant early Murano glass bowl, by Ercole Barovier.
Art Glass
Hedgehog by Walter Bosse for Hertha Baller around 1950s
By Walter Bosse, Herta Baller
Located in Wien, Au
Hedgehog by Walter Bosse for Hertha Baller around 1950s Original condition
Brass
Tapio Wirkkala for Venini Murano glass centerpiece/bowl "Coreano" 90
By Venini, Tapio Wirkkala
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great simple design bowl by the well known artis/ designer Tapio Wirkkala. made for Venini , dated 90, signed
Murano Glass
$3,418
H 4.34 in W 11.42 in D 8.67 in
Flavio Poli Large Bowl Centerpiece Murano Glass for Seguso, 1960
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Flavio Poli
Located in Paris, IDF
Beautiful Flavio Poli bowl centerpiece for Seguso Vetri D'Arte made in the 1960s from the Sommerso collection. This large bowl has eye-catching sunset colors, with pink glass submerg...
Glass
$5,291
H 9.85 in W 28.35 in D 7.09 in
Andrea Branzi ‘Golden Gate’ centerpiece for DG Milano - Italy, 2004
By Andrea Branzi
Located in London, GB
Decorative vase or centerpiece for flowers and leaves, with separate 4 fine blown glass vases designed by Andrea Branzi. In good vintage condition. Signed and numbered [Branzi 7/20]
Blown Glass
Art Deco Blue Glass Centerpiece Bowl by Rudolf Schrötter, 1970s
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Poland, 1970s This is a thick and heavy blue glass bowl. It is a vintage piece, therefore it might show slight traces of use, but overall it can be considered as in excellent...
Glass
Achille Castiglioni Zanotta Servino Wine Bottle Cooler, Ice Bucket, Italy, 1987
By Zanotta, Achille Castiglioni
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful, minimalist, and quite rare postmodern floor-standing champagne, wine, and drinks cooler / ice bucket / bottle holder designed in 1987 by Achille Castiglioni and produced...
Metal
Sold
H 40.95 in Dm 12.21 in
Mid-Century Floor Standing Ashtray signed by Castiglioni for Zanotta, Italy 1957
By Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Zanotta
Located in Roma, IT
An iconic piece of Italian design, this elegant freestanding ashtray was designed by the Castiglioni brothers for Zanotta in 1957. A perfect example of functionality and material exp...
Metal, Steel
Sold
H 42.13 in Dm 12.6 in
Modern Floor Ashtrays Servofumo by Achille Pier Giacomo Castiglioni Zanotta 1980
By Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Zanotta
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Floor ashtrays Servofumo by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni for Zanotta, 1980s Pair of floor ashtrays mod. Servofumo from the Servi series, with round black pain...
Metal
Italian Black Steel Servofumo Ashtray by Castiglioni for Zanotta, 1961
By Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Zanotta
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian black steel Servofumo ashtray by Castiglioni for Zanotta, 1961 First of a singular "endless project", the Servofumo is part of the large family of objects called "servants",...
Steel
Ceramic Base with Laminate Top Side Table by Ettore Sottsass for Zanotta
By Ettore Sottsass, Zanotta
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A wonderful side table designed by Ettore Sottsass for Zanotta, circa 1990s. Consist of a ceramic base with a colorful laminate and wood top. Made in Italy. Excellent condition.
Ceramic, Wood