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 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
"Grand Italia" Black Leather Daybed by De Pas, D'urbino, Lomazzi, Italy, 1979
By Zanotta, Gionathan de Pas & Donato D’Urbino & Paolo Lomazzi
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
Superstudio “Quaderna” Daybed for Zanotta, 1970
By Superstudio, Zanotta
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
Zanotta Alfa Day Bed in White Leather with Steel Frame by Emaf Progetti
By Emaf Progetti, Zanotta
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
$2,059Sale 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
Custom made Gueridon Day Bed, COM fabric, Made in USA.
By Guéridon Design
Located in Stratford, CT
INTRODUCTION Gueridon handmade day beds are made to order to your liking and specifications. 100% made in USA. Following the success of its ottomans, GUERIDON launched a full line ...
Fabric, Wood
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
French Mid-Century Modern Sofa / Day Bed by A R P & Blue Fabric
By A. R. P.
Located in New York, NY
An early French Architectural Mid-Century Modernist sofa / daybed by A.R.P. Atelier de Recherche Plastique and with a fabric color. The sofa / divan presents a pure 1960 architectura...
Steel
Tobia Scarpa "Vanessa" Daybed for Gavina, Italy / C.1959
Located in Montréal, QC
Tobia Scarpa "Vanessa" Daybed for Gavina, Italy / C.1960 Original black frame, strong. Fabric freshly redone in Light Camel Brown 100% Angora by Holly Hunt Sizing approx : Width 8...
Metal
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
A Surrealist Day Bed In The Manner Of Syrie Maugham
Located in Kent, Dover
An unusual English 'Surrealist' day bed in the manner of Syrie Maugham. In a painted finish resembling ivory, and upholstered in a pale chartreuse silk.
Beech
Hans Wegner GE6 Daybed Sofa for GETAMA
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Low sofa with lifting backrest to open to a daybed. Designed by Hans Wegner with simple mid-century lines and construction. Please confirm location.
Fabric
$12,572Sale 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
"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
1960s Cleopatra Daybed by Cordemeijer for Royal Auping
By Auping, A.R. Cordemeijer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Cleopatra narrow daybed by A.R. Cordemeijer for Royal Auping features a bone white painted enameled metal frame with gently rounded corners and four splayed painted wood legs in ...
Metal
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 Zanotta, Gionathan de Pas & Donato D’Urbino & Paolo Lomazzi
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 Zanotta, Gionathan de Pas & Donato D’Urbino & Paolo Lomazzi
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
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 Zanotta, Gionathan de Pas
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