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.
"Grand Italia" Black Leather Daybed by De Pas, D'urbino, Lomazzi, Italy, 1979
By Gionathan de Pas & Donato D’Urbino & Paolo Lomazzi, Zanotta
Located in New York, NY
A rare and iconic example of late 20th-century Italian design, this “Grand Italia” daybed was designed by the celebrated trio De Pas, D’Urbino, and Lomazz...
Steel
$4,840Sale Price / item|20% Off
Zanotta William Day Bed in Green Fabric with Steel Frame by Damian Williamson
By Damian Williamson, Zanotta
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Zanotta William Day Bed in Green Fabric with Steel Frame by Damian Williamson Aluminum alloy feet, either polished or with natural or black nickel-satin...
Fabric
Superstudio “Quaderna” Daybed for Zanotta, 1970
By Zanotta, Superstudio
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Superstudio “Quaderna” Daybed for Zanotta, black leather, Itay, 1970 The creative Italian collective Superstudio conceived the "Quaderna" series for Zanotta in 1970, bringing a disr...
Leather, Wood
$6,371Sale Price / item|20% Off
Zanotta Alfa Day Bed in White Leather with Steel Frame by Emaf Progetti
By Zanotta, Emaf Progetti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Zanotta Alfa Day Bed in White Leather with Steel Frame by Emaf Progetti The day bed is also available with a length of 83 7/16”. Its price must be calc...
Leather
$12,597Sale Price|20% Off
H 37.41 in W 43.31 in D 68.9 in
Leather 'Joe' Chair Designed by De Pas, D'Urbino, Lomazzi for Poltronova, Italy
By Gionathan de Pas & Donato D’Urbino & Paolo Lomazzi
Located in London, GB
This super sized, super cool, leather 'Joe' chair has now become a design classic. Designed by Jonathan De Pas, Donato D'Urbino and Paolo Lomazzi in 1970, this contemporary re-editio...
Metal
Custom Made Gueridon Day Bed with Client's Own Fabric - COM
By Guéridon Design
Located in Stratford, CT
Following the success of its ottoman, GUERIDON is launching a full line of fully customizable and fully compatible stools, bar stools, benches, and day beds. All designs share the sa...
Fabric, Wood
1970's Vintage Wicker Daybed
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Beautiful Woven Wicker Rattan Day Bed. The woven wicker bed features an open fretwork design on each side. The bed will require a new cushion and upholstery. Please contact us for c...
Wicker
Daybed by Edoardo Gellner, Italy 1970
By Edoardo Gellner
Located in Boom, Vlaams Gewest
This elegant daybed was designed by Italian architect and designer Edoardo Gellner around 1970 and perfectly reflects the refined modernist spirit of t...
Leather, Textile, Wood
Jacques Hauville French Daybed for Bema
By Jacques Hauville
Located in Houston, TX
Daybed of strong refined modern design. Solid oak wood frame with integrated curved end rails that act as subtle armrests. It has a minimal architectural silhouette with exposed angl...
Fabric, Wood
$9,185
H 27.56 in W 82.68 in D 45.28 in
Italian Modern Caramel Leather Piumino Sofa by De Pas, D'urbino & Lomazzi, 1970s
By Gionathan de Pas & Donato D’Urbino & Paolo Lomazzi
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern caramel leather three seating Piumino sofa by De Pas, D'Urbino and Lomazzi, 1970s. Piumino model sofa with internal structure in foamed foa...
Leather
Leather and Brass studded Day bed
Located in Faversham, GB
An exceptional fully reclinable brass studded daybed in a rich brown cognac leather. The daybed has two extendable arms, with four adjustable gradients for each arm. The daybed can ...
Brass
$2,141Sale Price|64% Off
H 24.81 in W 94.49 in D 36.62 in
Art Deco Black Wood and Leather Day Bed Sofa
Located in IT
Art Deco black wood and leather daybed sofa. Art Deco daybed sofa, from France, from 1930s Art Deco period. Black wood frame and leather upholstery. Conservative restoration of woode...
Leather, Wood
Mid-Century 3-Seat Sofa or Daybed, Jitona, 1970's
By Jitona
Located in Praha, CZ
Made in Czechoslovakia Made of fabric, wood, leatherette Daybed :Height- 87 :Depth-136 Original condition.
Fabric, Faux Leather, Wood
$6,750
H 16 in W 79 in D 39 in
1970s Barcelona daybed In The Style of Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe for Knoll
By Knoll
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning and iconic Barcelona daybed. Not signed but in the Style of Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe for Knoll. Very high quality. Black leather...
Chrome
Day Bed In Wicker, 1970s
Located in Roma, RM
Day Bed In Wicker, 1970s Product Details Dimensions: 200 W x 68 H x 93 D cm The mattress/cushion is not included, the price refers to the daybed without the cushion. If you are inte...
Metal
"Day-Night" Daybed by Enzo Mari for Driade, Italy, 1970s
By Driade, Enzo Mari
Located in Milan, IT
Rare "Day-Night" sofa bed by Enzo Mari for Driade. Brown lacquered steel frame hosts a revolving backrest and a single bed covered mattress. First "convertible" piece of furniture d...
Steel
Sold
H 17.72 in W 74.81 in D 35.83 in
Zanotta "Grand Italia" Black Leather Daybed by De Pas, D'Urbino & Lomazzi
By Gionathan de Pas & Donato D’Urbino & Paolo Lomazzi, Zanotta
Located in Dronten, NL
Vintage very rare "Grand Italia" black leather and enameled steel daybed designed by De Pas, D'Urbino, Lomazzi for Zanotta, Italy, circa 1979. This iconic daybed consists of black en...
Steel
Sold
H 19.69 in W 76.78 in D 37.01 in
Daybed Grand Italia by De Pas, D'Urbino, Lomazzi for Zanotta, 1980s
By Gionathan de Pas & Donato D’Urbino & Paolo Lomazzi, Zanotta
Located in Renens, CH
Introducing the "Grand Italia" daybed, a remarkable piece designed by De Pas, D'Urbino, Lomazzi for Zanotta, Italy during the late 1970s. This iconic daybed showcases a combination...
Steel
Rare Midcentury Zanotta Convertible Sofa, Italy 1970s
By Zanotta
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Rare Mid century convertible sofa daybed by Zanotta, Italy 1970s. The sofa has a beautiful original velvet upholstery and chromed frame de...
Chrome
Sold
H 27.56 in W 76.78 in L 27.56 in
Mid-Century Modern Italian "Onda" Sofa by Paolo Lomazzi for Zanotta, 1980s
By Zanotta, Gionathan de Pas & Donato D’Urbino & Paolo Lomazzi
Located in Prato, IT
Mid-Century Modern Italian "Onda" Sofa by Paolo Lomazzi for Zanotta, 1980s The Onda was designed in 1985 by Gionathan de Pas, Donato D'Urbino and Paolo Lomazzi for Zanotta of Italy....
Stainless Steel
Sold
H 30 in W 94.5 in D 36 in
Zanotta 240 Sofa, Black Leather, De Pas, D'urbino, Lomazzi, 1982 FINAL CLEARANCE
By Gionathan de Pas, Zanotta
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Design studio De pas, D'Urbino, Lomazzi 1982 Steel frame, elastic strips, polyurethane, goose down, upholstery Made in Italy by Zanotta Milano 240: 94.5" W, 36.2" D, 30.7" H, seat 14...
Leather