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 Ardea CM Armchair in Green Regola Upholstery with Canaletto Walnut
By Zanotta, Carlo Mollino
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
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
$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
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
$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
$3,916 / set
H 38.19 in W 32.29 in D 33.86 in
Pair of French Great Quality Black Leather 19th Century Armchairs
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
A large and very comfortable pair of Napoleon III antique French library armchairs. Quality black leather and studded on the front & back edges,...
Brass
$2,452
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
Louis XV Style French Bergère Armchair in Black Leather with Brass Stud Detailing An elegant French Louis XV style bergère armchair, beautifully reimagined in rich black leather and...
Brass
$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 Stamford, CT
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
$15,000 / set
H 36 in W 24 in D 28 in
19th Century Pair of French Louis XV Bergère Armchairs in Green Wood
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of French Louis XV-style (19th Century) green painted and gilt rope carved trimmed bergere Armchairs with Ikat-style blue cut velvet and beige satin upholstery. (PRICED AS Pair)
Wood
$4,690 / item
H 29.14 in W 28.35 in D 31.5 in
Fig Armchair – Contemporary Brass Frame with Warm Brown Upholstery by Misaya
By Masaya
Located in Geneve, CH
Fig Armchair – Contemporary Brass Frame with Warm Brown Upholstery by Misaya Dimensions: W72 x D80 x H74 cm Materials: Brass Also Available: Different colors (Gold, Polished Brass. ...
Brass
$8,500 / item
H 38 in W 26 in D 24 in
Contemporary Bergère Armchair or Desk Chair with Round Back and Upholstery
By Meredith Hart Furniture
Located in Durham, NC
Contemporary with a nod to tradition, this chair is sturdy and Classic. The arms stop before the front of the chair making it comfortable enough to be part of a living room yet also ...
Poplar, Paint
$3,418
H 43.31 in W 20.87 in D 27.56 in
Mid-Century Modern Green Velvet Armchair Set, Italian Design, 1970
Located in Roma, Lazio
Futuristic "Tulip" design for an out of the ordinary armchair. She dressed in bright green velvet with geometric designs. Aesthetically it presents an elegance and a design that is o...
Velvet, Resin, Plastic
$4,520Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 44.5 in W 25.5 in D 30.5 in
Pair of Louis XIV Style Bergere Chairs Carved Walnut Wood Armchairs France
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of Louis XIV Bergere Armchairs in Hand-carved Walnut Wood, late 19th century, French, 3 acanthus leaves on each scrolled arm and legs, very elegant cross stretcher. In original ...
Fabric, 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