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.
$5,887Sale Price / item|20% Off
Zanotta Ardea CM Armchair in Red Tegola Upholstery with Black Varnished Oak
By Carlo Mollino, Zanotta
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Zanotta Ardea CM Armchair in Red Tegola Upholstery with Black Varnished Oak by Carlo Mollino Base in solid natural or black varnished oak, or in solid natura...
Oak
$6,344Sale Price / item|20% Off
Zanotta Ardea CM Armchair in Green Regola Upholstery with Canaletto Walnut
By Carlo Mollino, Zanotta
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Zanotta Ardea CM Armchair in Green Regola Upholstery with Canaletto Walnut by Carlo Mollino Base in solid natural or black varnished oak, or in solid natur...
Oak
$900Sale Price|60% Off
H 36 in W 27.25 in D 30.5 in
19th Century French Louis XV Bergere Arm Chair in a Fine Floral Upholstery
Located in Plainview, NY
An elegant 19th century French Louis XV bergere armchair featuring a high quality floral upholstery in the style of Schumacher betty chintz fabric in vivi...
Upholstery, Wood
$2,485
H 37.8 in W 31.5 in D 24.81 in
Louis XV French Bergere Armchair Finished with Black Leather & Brass Stud Detail
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A Black Leather Louis XV French Bergere Design Armchair Finished with Brass Stud Detailing, Ideal For The Study, Office or Library. Measure: Height to seat 47cm.
Brass
French Empire Period Mahogany Armchair with Swans' Heads
Located in Pembroke, MA
French Empire period mahogany fauteuil or armchair with saber legs and swans' heads on the arms. The chair is upholstered neoclassical-patterned cut mohair fabric.
Mohair, Mahogany
$3,500
H 39 in W 32.5 in D 31 in
19th Century Louis XV Style Armchair Bergere Petite and Gros Point Upholstery
Located in Manhasset, NY
A 19th century Louis XV style armchair or bergere. The fine petite and gros needlepoint upholstery seat and backrest depicting large floral baskets or urns in vibrant colors on a won...
Upholstery, Walnut
Pair 19th Century French Louis XVI Walnut Bergeres, Armchairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair 19th Century French Louis XVI walnut Bergeres ~ armchairs is a remarkable combination of master furniture makers with exceedingly talented sculptors! Fashioned from sumptuous Fr...
Walnut
$16,000 / set
H 35.5 in W 26.5 in D 20 in
Pair of Italian Walnut Bergere Upholstered Armchairs, Circa 1780
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of Italian Walnut Bergere armchairs with carved molded reeded edges, floral corner decorative finials, flanking scrolled arms, floral corner rosettes, and terminating on the ori...
Silk, Upholstery, Walnut
$3,900 / set
H 46.46 in W 23.82 in D 22.05 in
Louis XVI Style Spanish Pair of Carved Walnut Armchairs, 1900s
Located in Miami, FL
Louis XVI style pair of carved armchairs, Spain, 1900s. Good antique condition with some minor marks from used and age. Re-upholstered from ...
Walnut
$3,900 / set
H 45.67 in W 28.35 in D 25.6 in
Louis XVI Style Spanish Pair of High Back Carved Walnut Armchairs, 1900s
Located in Miami, FL
Louis XVI style pair of carved armchairs, Spain, 1900s. Good antique condition with some minor marks from used and age. Measure: height ...
Walnut
$1,800 / set
H 38.5 in W 25 in D 22 in
Pair of Antique French Carved Walnut Armchairs with Velvet Upholstery
Located in High Point, NC
An elegant pair of antique French carved walnut armchairs featuring original velvet upholstery and exquisite hand-carved detailing. Each chair showcases a beautifully shaped back wit...
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
Antique Armchair with upholstery on casters
Located in Pasadena, TX
This is. a nicely upholstered armchair. The front and the back is upholstered. The frame of the chair is made of walnut. The casters are brass and original to the chair. The back of ...
Fabric, Wood
French Provincial Armchair with Romo Linen Upholstery in Gray
By Karges Furniture
Located in Malibu, CA
This stunning chair features elegant curves hand painted in shades of gray. It has been reupholstered in a linen "damask" by Romo on the seat & back. This chair is incredibly co...
Brass
Louis XVI Armchair in Polychrome Wood, 18th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Superb Louis XVI armchair in polychrome wood from the end of the 18th century Very beautiful armchair covered with brown leather which has a superb patina In perfect condition and ...
Giltwood