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.
Early Gae Aulenti for Zanotta 'Locus Solus' Tubular Armchair in Steel
By Gae Aulenti, Zanotta
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gae Aulenti for Zanotta, 'Locus Solus' armchair, chromed tubular steel, blue leatherette, Italy, 1964 This Locus Solus armchair, designed by Gae Aulenti and produced by Zanotta, is ...
Steel
$3,250Sale Price / set|22% Off
Set of 4 Zanotta Burgundy Leather Dining Chairs, Italy, 1980s, Signed
By Zanotta, Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A handsome and well-crafted set of four dining chairs by Zanotta, Italy circa 1980s, in rich burgundy leather. Often compared stylistically to Mario Bellini’s iconic 'Cab' chairs for...
Leather
Pair of Chrome Dining Armchairs by David Palterer for Zanotta, Italy, 1987
By Zanotta, David Palterer
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Artistic and stylish pair of side / dining chairs by David Palterer for Zanotta, Italy. The chairs are made in chromed tubular frame that features a floating backrest. The wood is ma...
Chrome
Achille Castiglioni for Zanotta Set of Twelve 'Castiglia' Dining Chairs
By Zanotta, Achille Castiglioni
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Archille Castiglioni for Zanotta, set of twelve dining chairs, model Castiglia, chromed aluminum, faux leather, Italy, design 1968 These iconic 'Castiglia' chairs were designed by t...
Aluminum, Chrome
$1,440Sale Price / set|20% Off
Roberto Barbieri Lea Leather Dining Arm Chairs for Zanotta, Set of Three
By Zanotta
Located in Miami, FL
Set of three stone colored leather Lea dining arm chairs with leather wrapped seat and legs designed by Roberto Barbieri for Zanotta.
Steel
Irma Design Chairs by Achille Castiglioni for Zanotta, 1970s, Set of four
By Zanotta, Achille Castiglioni
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Vintage design dining chairs designed by Achille Castiglioni for Zanotta model Irma. Black lacquered metal structures with leather seats and backs.
Metal
Pair of Blue Castiglietta Dining Chairs by Castiglioni for Zanotta, Italy 1960s
By Achille Castiglioni, Zanotta
Located in Roma, IT
Lovely pair of stackable Castiglietta Chairs in blue fabric. These iconic chairs were designed by Achille Castglioni and produced by Zanotta in Ita...
Steel, Chrome
Set of 8 “Irma” Dining Chairs by Achille Castiglioni for Zanotta, Italy 1970s
By Zanotta, Achille Castiglioni
Located in Hellouw, NL
The "Irma" chair, designed by the renowned Italian designer Achille Castiglioni in the 1970s and produced by the esteemed Italian furniture company Zanotta, stands as a timeless test...
Steel
Metal, Black Leather Castiglia Chairs by A. Castiglioni for Zanotta, Set of 4
By Zanotta, Achille Castiglioni
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Set of 4 stackable armchairs in chromed tubular metal, seat and back in black leather and spring structure for a comfortable seat. Model "2062 Castiglia" designed by A. Castiglioni a...
Metal, Steel, Chrome
Italian black plastic aluminum chairs 2090 Tonietta Enzo Mari Zanotta 1980s
By Enzo Mari, Zanotta
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern black plastic and aluminum chairs 2090 Tonietta by Enzo Mari for Zanotta, 1980s Set of six chairs model Tonietta, also known as 2090, with a half-moon backrest and a r...
Metal, Aluminum
Pair of Vintage Mid-Century 'Santina' Dining Chairs by Carlo Santi for Zanotta
By Zanotta
Located in Zagreb, HR
Pair of vintage ‘Santina’ dining chairs designed by Carlo Santi for Zanotta in the 1970s. The seats, which are reupholstered in turquoise fabric, sit on a chromed steel frame with tr...
Steel, Chrome
$1,674 / set
H 26.19 in W 21.66 in D 23.63 in
Metal, Black Leather Castiglia Chairs by A. Castiglioni for Zanotta, Set of 4
By Zanotta, Achille Castiglioni
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Set of 4 stackable armchairs in chromed tubular metal, seat and back in black leather and spring structure for a comfortable seat. Model "2062 Castiglia" designed by A. Castiglioni a...
Metal, Steel, Chrome
$3,900Sale Price / set|50% Off
H 31 in Dm 21 in
Set of Four Bertha Schaefer Dining Chairs Italian Mid Century
By Bertha Schaefer, M. Singer & Sons
Located in New York, NY
A set of sculptural light/medium walnut chairs by Bertha Schaefer for Singer and Son. Reupholstered in a golden cream/off white cotton/linen blend. Original Tag. Chairs were made in ...
Walnut, Cotton
Set of Six John Hutton for Holly Hunt Leather Dining Chairs
By John Hutton, HOLLY HUNT
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Sublime set of six bespoke leather dining armchairs designed by John Hutton for Holly Hunt. The chairs feature a hardwood frame with a gracefully curved round back having a square cr...
Leather, Hardwood
$22,000 / set
H 26.19 in W 22.05 in D 22.05 in
Gae Aulenti “Locus Solus” Dining Chairs for Poltronova, 1964, Set of 10
By Poltronova, Gae Aulenti
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gae Aulenti “Locus Solus” dining chairs for Poltronova, metal, Italy, 1964, set of ten Designed in 1964 by Gae Aulenti, the “Locus Solus” dining chairs are a vivid expression of Ita...
Metal
$5,083 / set
H 35.44 in W 15.75 in D 18.9 in
Set of 8 “Irma” Dining Chairs by Achille Castiglioni for Zanotta, Italy 1970s
By Zanotta, Achille Castiglioni
Located in Hellouw, NL
The "Irma" chair, designed by the renowned Italian designer Achille Castiglioni in the 1970s and produced by the esteemed Italian furniture company Zanotta, stands as a timeless test...
Steel
$7,177 / set
H 35.04 in W 24.81 in D 19.69 in
Tito Agnoli x Calligaris Italian Postmodern Leather Dining Chairs, 1980s, Italy
By Matteo Grassi, Calligaris, Tito Agnoli
Located in Biebergemund, Hessen
A set of six Postmodern sculptural dining chairs designed by Tito Agnoli and handmade by Calligaris in Italy, 1980s. They feature a...
Leather
$1,423
H 19.89 in W 17.13 in D 18.9 in
Mezzadro Tractor Stools by Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni for Zanotta, 1970s
By Zanotta, Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Mezzadro Tractor Stools by Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni for Zanotta, 1970s Italian design - Seating - Vintage Measures : 43,5x48cm H:50,5cm Materials : Steel - metal - wood M...
Metal, Steel
"Locus Solus" daybed by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, 1960s
By Gae Aulenti, Poltronova
Located in bruxelles, BE
Daybed, meridian with cushion in yellow fabric with white stitching and metal structure by Gae Aulenti. Model: Locus Solus. Wear due to time and age FOR SHIPPING, REQUEST US FOR RE...
Metal
$4,495 / set
H 34.5 in W 17.5 in D 21 in
B5 for Marcel Breuer Set of 4 Chrome Leather Bauhaus Dining Chairs for Tecta
By Marcel Breuer
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a set of four gorgeous B5 dining chairs, designed by Marcel Breuer. These vintage examples are in fabulouscondition withcognac uph...
Chrome
$32,000 / set
H 31 in W 18 in D 23 in
Pierre Paulin Set of Twelve Dining Chairs for Meubles TV, France 1960's
By Pierre Paulin
Located in New York, NY
Set of twelve dining chairs by Pierre Paulin for Meuble TV, classic mid-century design, and great comfort. Only one chair is upholstered, ask us about COM services.
Metal
$3,900 / set
H 33.75 in W 22 in D 24 in
Modern Italian Alberto Meda for Alias Bigframe Mesh Dining Armchairs, Set of 6
By Alias, Alberto Meda
Located in Secaucus, NJ
This clean and elegance Bigframe chairs are stylish and functional, sturdy and very comfortable. The lightweight design and stacking feature make it suitable for most diverse situations and needs. Great for home dining room or office conference table...
Aluminum, Chrome
Pair of Mid Century Dining Armchairs Attributed to Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in New York, NY
Well designed and crafted pair of Mid-Century Modern armchairs attributed to Harvey Probber. Both have curved and caned back rests, tied spring upholstered vinyl upholstered seats an...
Upholstery, Cane, Wood
Gae Aulenti for Zanotta 'Locus Solus' Tubular Armchairs
By Gae Aulenti, Zanotta
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gae Aulenti for Zanotta, set of twelve 'Locus Solus' armchairs, chromed tubular steel, blue leatherette, Italy, 1964 Set of twelve 'Locus Solus' armchairs. These armchairs, design...
Steel
Sold
H 38.59 in W 15.75 in D 18.9 in
Irma Design Chairs by Achille Castiglioni for Zanotta, 1970s, Set of 4
By Zanotta, Achille Castiglioni
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Vintage design dining chairs designed by Achille Castiglioni for Zanotta model Irma. Black lacquered metal frames with leather seats and backrests. In good condition with normal a...
Metal
Zanotta Carmen Black Dining Chairs by Enzo Mari, Set of Two
By Zanotta
Located in Rochester, England
The Zanotta Carmen Black Dining Chairs by Enzo Mari represent a masterful blend of sleek design and exceptional comfort. This set of two chairs is a testament to Mari's innovative ap...
Metal
Sold
H 31.5 in W 16.93 in D 23.63 in
Italian modern Black wood and metal Chairs Lariana by Terragni for Zanotta, 1980
By Zanotta, Giuseppe Terragni
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Black chair and metal Chairs Lariana by Giuseppe Terragni for Zanotta, 1980s Set of 4 chairs mod. Lariana with a curved rectangular backrest and shaped seat in black p...
Metal
Sedie "Irma" di Achille Castiglioni per Zanotta
By Achille Castiglioni, Zanotta
Located in Conversano, IT
Iconico set di 4 sedie IRMA disegnate da Achille Castiglioni negli anni '70 e prodotte dalla rinomata azienda italiana Zanotta. Le sedie sono caratterizzate da una struttura in accia...
Iron
Sold
H 36.75 in W 15.25 in D 16.5 in
Pair of Postmodern Metal Dining Chairs in Taupe Suede by Zanotta, Italy 1980s
By Zanotta
Located in Chicago, IL
A pair of Italian post modern dining chairs produced by Zanotta in the 1980s. These chairs feature sculptural black aluminum frames with cir...
Metal
Mid Century Red Leather Dining Chairs, Zanotta, Italy 80s, Pair
By Zanotta
Located in Lucija, SI
Vintage Dining Chairs were designed and produced by Italian brand Zanotta in '80s. Chairs are labeled. "Zanotta Italy" The chairs are made of a black plastic frame and beautiful red...
Leather, Plastic
Sold
H 35.83 in W 15.75 in D 18.9 in
Irma Design Chairs by Achille Castiglioni for Zanotta, 1970s, Set of 10
By Zanotta, Achille Castiglioni
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Vintage design dining chairs designed by Achille Castiglioni for Zanotta model Irma. Red lacquered metal frames with leather seats and backrests. In good condition with normal age...
Metal
Sold
H 26.38 in W 22.45 in D 21.46 in
Italian Midcentury Metal Sky Chairs Locus Solus by Gae Aulenti Zanotta, 1980s
By Zanotta, Gae Aulenti
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian midcentury metal and black sky chairs Locus Solus by Gae Aulenti for Zanotta, 1980s Pair of chairs from the Locus Solus series, in metal and black sk...
Metal
Mirandolina Chairs by Pietro Arosio for Zanotta
By Pietro Arosio, Zanotta
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Mirandolina chairs No 2068 by Pietro Arosio for Zanotta circa 1993. The seat is formed from one piece of curved aluminium. Four set chairs.
Aluminum
Sold
H 37.41 in W 15.75 in D 19.69 in
Postmodern Design Leather Dining Chair Set by Zanotta, Italy 1985
By Zanotta
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage original Postmodern Design set of 8 Dining Chairs in marine green leather by Zanotta, made in Italy circa 1985. This turqoise marine green leather dining chair...
Aluminum
Sold
H 45.28 in W 27.17 in D 25.6 in
Rare set of 8 'Regina' chairs by Paolo Deganello for Zanotta, Italy 1991
By Paolo Deganello, Zanotta
Located in Sittard, LI
Rare and monumental set of 8 'Regina' dining chairs designed by Paolo Deganello for Zanotta, Italy 1991. The chairs feature a lacquered metal structure covered in saddle leather. Ov...
Metal