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.
Italian modern magnetic table lamp by Theodore Waddell for Zanotta, 1971
By Theodore Waddell, Zanotta
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern magnetic table lamp by Theodore Waddell for Zanotta, 1971 Table lamp with magnetic ignition. The central base is a structure with a rectangular base with a convex top ...
Metal
Model 8½ table lamp with optic fibres by Jürgen Fischer for Zanotta, 1960s
By Fischer J., Zanotta
Located in Rotterdam, NL
Model 8½ table lamp with optic fibres, designed by Jürgen Fischer for Zanotta in 1969. As described by Fulvio and Napoleone Ferrari in their book on Italian lighting: "Table lamp ra...
Metal
"Paracar" Totemic White Floor Lamp by Zanotta, Italy, 1970s
By Zanotta
Located in Milan, IT
Opaline plexiglass round shade and plastic body. Top and base can be enlightened separately with a beautiful floor switch Literature: Casa Vogue magazine #4 May 1970 page 93
Plastic
Mid Century Magnetic Eyeball Table Lamp
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
A fun lamp suitable for small spaces or to put an accent light on an object. The chrome ball is attached with a magnet making it possible to direct the light ...
Aluminum, Chrome
Italian Designer, Floor Lamp, Brass, Italy, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A brass floor lamp designed by an Italian Designer, Italy, 1970s. Brass is unpolished and has retained beautiful patina. Each socket takes one light-bulb on standard medium base, n...
Brass
Rocket Table Lamp, 1960s
Located in Praha, CZ
- Metal base - Shade from paper - Original good condition - One small crack on the top of the shade - Warm and gentle light - 25W, E14 bulb.
Metal
Mid-century Multicolored Fiber Optic Swivel Lamp, 1960s
Located in Palermo, IT
Mid-century multicolored fiber optic swivel lamp, 1960s Golden aluminum support. Good condition.
Aluminum
$2,989
H 19.69 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 in
Italian Modern Brumbury Table Lamp by Luigi Massoni for Guzzini, Italy 70s
By Luigi Massoni, Guzzini
Located in Lucija, SI
Rare table lamp model Brumbury was designed by Luigi Massoni in the late 60s for Guzzini. It was produced by Meblo, Yugoslavia, as part of a Guzzini collection, an Italian lighting m...
Metal, Chrome
Model 4/3 Table Lamp by Louis Poulsen, Circa 1960s
By Louis Poulsen
Located in Gloucester, GB
Model 4/3 table lamp by Louis Poulsen Circa 1960s - Chromed steel base and stem - On/Off switch on the base - Stepped steel shade - Takes E27 fitting bulbs - Designed by Poul ...
Steel
$1,494
H 14.18 in Dm 24.02 in
Italian Modern Table Lamp Lucerna by Luigi Massoni for Meblo Guzzini, Italy 70s
By Guzzini, Luigi Massoni
Located in Lucija, SI
Design: Luigi Massoni for Harvey Guzzini, Italy 1966 Manufacturer: Meblo from Nova Gorica, Slovenia in the former Yugoslavia. This is a model Lucerna It consists of a chrome metal ba...
Metal, Steel, Chrome
Model 4/3 Table Lamp By Louis Poulsen Circa 1960s
By Louis Poulsen
Located in Gloucester, GB
Model 4/3 Table Lamp By Louis Poulsen Circa 1960s - Chromed steel base and stem - On/Off switch on the base - Stepped steel shade - Takes E27 fitting bulbs - Designed by Poul Hennin...
Steel
$5,021
H 14.97 in W 23.63 in D 23.63 in
Magnolia Table Lamp by Sergio Mazza for Quattrifoglio, Italy 1971
By Quattrifolio, Sergio Mazza
Located in Roma, IT
Iconic table lamp realized by Sergio Mazza for Quattrifoglio in 1971. Incamiciato lattimo glass and chromed metal. Excellent condition. Ref. G. Gramigna, Repertorio del design ita...
Metal
Marco Zanuso Model 275 Table Lamp for Oluce, Italy, 1960s
By Oluce, Marco Zanuso
Located in Milan, IT
Marco Zanuso model 275 table lamp for Oluce.
Metal
Metal Table Lamp Model 6840 by Christian Dell for Kaiser Leuchten, 1960s
By Kaiser Leuchten
Located in Hagenbach, DE
Metal table lamp model 6840 by Christian Dell for Kaiser Leuchten, 1960s Exceptional Bauhaus design. Very high quality. Black base and red head of the lamp made of metal. Wit...
Metal
$3,586 / set
H 16.15 in W 4.93 in D 5.91 in
Table lamps by Einar Johansen for Søholm Stentøj, model 1078, Denmark, 1960s
By Einar Johansen, Søholm Stentøj
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
A beautiful pair of table lamps designed by Einar Johansen for Søholm Stentøj on the island of Bornholm during the 1960s. Model 1078 is one of his larger and more sculptural designs,...
Stoneware
Theodore Waddel TABLE LAMP, 1971
By Zanotta, Theodore Waddell
Located in Baranzate, IT
Low-voltage (6 volts) table lamp. The central base is a rectangular base structure with a convex top and is made of black plastic. Metal rods branch off from the sides of the base wh...
Metal
Table Lamp with Optic Fibre by Jürgen Fischer for Zanotta, 1969
By Zanotta, Fischer J.
Located in Rotterdam, NL
Model 8,5 table lamp with optic fibres designed by Jürgen Fischer for Zanotta in 1969. As described by Fulvio and Napoleone Ferrari in their book "Light – Lamps 1968-1973: new Italian design" - Picture No. 90: "Table lamp radiating diffused light. Twenty thousand optic fibres form the light diffusion hemisphere giving the effect of a starry dome. The light element is contained in the base. Manufactured in chrome metal and optic fibres." Rare piece. Another well-known model by Zanotta is the 7+ lamp designed by Theodore Waddell and Dante Bandini.
Metal
Sold
H 4.73 in W 4.73 in D 4.73 in
Table Lamp from the "Quaderna" Series by Superstudio, Zanotta, 1970
By Superstudio, Zanotta
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Extraordinarily rare table lamp from the "Quaderna" series designed by Superstudio for Zanotta in 1970. White laminated wood cubic base.
Laminate