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.
Zanotta silhouette Milo CM Mirror by Carlo Mollino
By Zanotta, Carlo Molino
Located in New York, NY
Mirror. Venus de Milo’s silhouette plate glass, with stainless steel pawl for hanging. Milo CM and Carlino CM, both designed for the Miller House, re...
Mirror
Sosia mirror by Alessandro Mendini for Zanotta
By Zanotta, Alessandro Mendini
Located in Ravenna, IT
Oval wall mirror designed by Alessandro Mendini for Zanotta in 1991. The mirror features a simple perimeter shape with a ground contour. The hooking element on the back also serves a...
Mirror
$5,008 / item
Zanotta Quaderna 476 Mirror by Superstudio
By Zanotta, Superstudio
Located in New York, NY
Mirror. 5mm thick plate glass. Honeycomb core frame coated with white Print laminate, digitally printed with black squares at 3 cm spacing. The Quaderna Mirror is inspired by the 'Me...
Mirror
Illuminated mirror by Ernest Igl for Hillebrand
By Ernest Igl, Hillebrand
Located in Hannover, DE
A wall mirror with indirect lighting from the German manufacturer Hillebrand Lighting. It was manufactured in the 1970s. The frame contains four E14 light bulbs (max. 40W). The mirro...
Sheet Metal
Natural Rattan Mirror with Organic Silhouette
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
The natural rattan mirror is a captivating wall accessory that seamlessly blends organic materials with meticulous artisan craftsmanship. This natural rattan mirror stands out becaus...
Rattan, Mirror
Specchio di Proust Mirror, by Alessandro Mendini for Glas Italia
By Alessandro Mendini
Located in Stamford, CT
A wismical multi colored mirror designed by Alessandro Mendini and produced by Glas Italia.
Glass
Murano Glass Mirror by Carlo Scarpa for Venini, Italy, 1930s
By Carlo Scarpa
Located in Brussels, BE
Murano Glass Mirror by Carlo Scarpa for Venini, Italy, 1930s
Glass
Midcentury Walnut Mirror by Strata for Unagusta
By Unagusta
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Midcentury walnut mirror by Strata for Unagusta, sleek modern mirror, with inset 31"x 49" clear mirror. Can be hung horizontally or vertically.
Mirror, Walnut
$1,453
H 1.58 in Dm 28.15 in
Round Wall Mirror in Purple Lucite Alessandro Albrizzi Style, Italy 1970s
By Alessandro Albrizzi, Guzzini
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury beautiful round wall mirror in purple lucite in the style of Alessandro Albrizzi. Made in Italy in the 1970s.
Metal
Illuminated mirror by Schöninger
By Hillebrand
Located in Hannover, DE
A wall mirror with indirect lighting from the German manufacturer Schöninger. It was manufactured in the 1970s. Inside the frame are two E14 light bulbs (max. 40W). The mirror frame ...
Sheet Metal
Soleil Mirrors by Phoenix
Located in New York, NY
A pair of Soleil mirrors with hammered detail brass and smoky rock crystal insert decorations,custom size upon request. Created by Phoenix Gallery.
Rock Crystal
Mirror by Aldo Londi for Bitossi
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Richmond, VA
Mid century round ceramic mirror designed by Aldo Londi for Bitossi. Made in Italy, circa 1960. Mirror is adorned with Londi's iconic stampwork in an unusual color combination of gre...
Ceramic
Vintage Modern Rosewood Large Mirror by Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin
By Milo Baughman, Thayer Coggin
Located in Topeka, KS
Fabulous vintage modern large mirror by Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin. Comprised of gorgeous rosewood veneer and mirror glass with beveled edges. Beautiful condition, keeping in mi...
Mirror, Rosewood
Illuminated mirror by Ernest Igl for Hillebrand
By Ernest Igl, Hillebrand
Located in Hannover, DE
A wall mirror with indirect lighting from the German manufacturer Hillebrand Lighting. It was manufactured in the 1970s. The frame contains four E14 light bulbs (max. 40W). The mirro...
Sheet Metal
Illuminated mirror by Hillebrand
By Hillebrand
Located in Hannover, DE
A wall mirror with indirect lighting from the German manufacturer Hillebrand Lighting. It was manufactured in the 1970s. Inside the frame are 6 x E14 light bulbs (max. 40W). The mirr...
Mirror, Acrylic
Zanotta Milo CM silhouette Mirror Homage to Carlo Mollino
By Zanotta
Located in New York, NY
NEW Mirror. Venus de Milo’s silhouette plate glass, with stainless steel pawl for hanging. The home is a shell Milo CM and Carlino CM, both designe...
Glass, Mirror