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 Scott Modular Sofa in Vale Grey Upholstery by Ludovica+Roberto Palomba
By Zanotta, Ludovica + Roberto Palomba 1
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Zanotta Scott Modular Sofa in Vale Grey Upholstery by Ludovica+Roberto Palomba The range of modular or monobloc sofas allows many corner or straight compositions. Additional I...
Aluminum
Zanotta Hiro Modular Sofa in Quadrifoglio Fabric with Aluminum Alloy Frame
By Zanotta, Damian Williamson
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Zanotta Hiro Modular Sofa in Quadrifoglio Fabric with Aluminum Alloy Frame by Damian Williamson Aluminum alloy feet, either polished or with natural or black nickel-satin finish. ...
Steel
$9,826 / item
Customizable Zanotta Za:Za Sofa by Studio Zaven
By Zanotta, Studio Zaven
Located in New York, NY
Different sizes and fabrics available - price listed for starting fabric. Monobloc sofas. Carrying frame in matt black or red RAL 3004 steel, complete of stif...
Fabric, Textile
Zanotta Scott Modular Sofa in Beige Upholstery by Ludovica+Roberto Palomba
By Zanotta, Ludovica + Roberto Palomba 1
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Zanotta Scott Modular Sofa in Beige Upholstery by Ludovica+Roberto Palomba The range of modular or monobloc sofas allows many corner or straight compositions. Additional Inform...
Aluminum
Zanotta Throw Away Three-Seater Sofa in Grey Upholstery by Willie Landel
By Willie Landels, Zanotta
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Zanotta Throw Away Three-Seater Sofa in Grey Upholstery by Willie Landel Expanded polyurethane frameless body. The version with the removable cov...
Fabric
Zanotta Club Sofa in Painted Steel Internal Structure and PVC Thread Weave
By Prospero Rasulo, Zanotta
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Zanotta Club Sofa in Painted Steel Internal Structure and PVC Thread Weave Painted steel internal structure. Weave in PVC thread with nylon internal reinforcement, in the shade of b...
Steel
Zanotta Scott Modular Sofa in Top Gray Fabric with Nickel Plated Black Feet
By Ludovica + Roberto Palomba 1, Zanotta
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Armchair, monobloc, modular sofas, pouf. Polished aluminum alloy or nickel-plated glossy black feet. Steel frame. Elastic strips suspension. Upholstery in graduated polyurethane/ Dac...
Upholstery
Zanotta Bruce Sectional Sofa in Grey Upholstery with Polished Aluminum Frame
By Zanotta, Ludovica + Roberto Palomba 1
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Zanotta Bruce Sectional Sofa in Grey Upholstery with Polished Aluminum Frame by Ludovica+Roberto Palomba The range of modular or monobloc sofas allows ...
Upholstery
Zanotta Pianoalto Modular Sofa in White Fabric by Ludovica & Roberto Palomba
By Zanotta, Ludovica + Roberto Palomba 1
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Zanotta Pianoalto Modular Sofa in White Fabric by Ludovica & Roberto Palomba The range of modular or monobloc sofas allows many corner or straight...
Fabric
Zanotta Flamingo Sectional Sofa in Grey Upholstery with Polished Aluminum Frame
By Damian Williamson, Zanotta
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Zanotta Flamingo Sectional Sofa in Grey Upholstery with Polished Aluminum Frame by Damian Williamson Polished or black painted aluminum alloy feet, or with natural or black nicke...
Upholstery
Zanotta Medium Bruce Sofa in Grey Upholstery with Black Painted Steel Frame
By Ludovica + Roberto Palomba 1, Zanotta
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Zanotta Medium Bruce Sofa in Grey Upholstery with Black Painted Steel Frame by Ludovica+Roberto Palomba Monobloc sofas and pouf. Polished aluminum alloy, or with natural or black...
Upholstery
Customizable Zanotta Milano+ Sofa by De Pas, D'Urbino, Lomazzi
By Gionathan de Pas & Donato D’Urbino & Paolo Lomazzi, Zanotta
Located in New York, NY
Monobloc, modular sofas and pouf. Aluminum alloy feet, with natural or black nickel-satin finish. Steel frame. Elastic strips suspension. Single seat cushion in graduated polyurethan...
Leather, Fabric, Textile
Zanotta Dove Sofa in Viburno Upholstery with Graphite Aluminium Frame
By Ludovica + Roberto Palomba 1, Zanotta
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Zanotta Dove Sofa in Viburno Upholstery with Graphite Aluminium Frame by Ludovica+Roberto Palomba Graphite painted aluminium alloy feet. Wooden seat fra...
Upholstery
Zanotta Milano+ Large Sofa in Red Upholstery with Natural Nickel-Satin Frame
By Gionathan de Pas & Donato D’Urbino & Paolo Lomazzi, Zanotta
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Zanotta Milano+ Large Sofa in Red Upholstery with Natural Nickel-Satin Frame by De Pas, D’Urbino, Lomazzi Aluminum alloy feet, with natural or black ...
Steel
Zanotta Throw Away Two-Seater Sofa in White Leather by Willie Landel
By Willie Landels, Zanotta
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Zanotta Throw Away Two-Seater Sofa in White Leather by Willie Landel Expanded polyurethane frameless body. The version with the removable cover p...
Leather
Zanotta William Modular Sofa in White Fabric & Steel Frame by Damian Williamson
By Zanotta, Damian Williamson
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Zanotta William Modular Sofa in White Fabric & Steel Frame by Damian Williamson These modular elements allow many corner or straight compositions. Aluminum alloy feet, either p...
Fabric
Zanotta Scott Modular Sofa in Teatro Gray Fabric with Nickel Plated Black Feet
By Ludovica + Roberto Palomba 1, Zanotta
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Armchair, monobloc, modular sofas, pouf. Polished aluminum alloy or nickel-plated glossy black feet. Steel frame. Elastic strips suspension. Upholstery in graduated polyurethane/ Dac...
Upholstery
Zanotta Small Bruce Sofa in Grey Upholstery with Black Painted Steel Frame
By Ludovica + Roberto Palomba 1, Zanotta
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Zanotta Small Bruce Sofa in Grey Upholstery with Black Painted Steel Frame by Ludovica+Roberto Palomba Monobloc sofas and pouf. Polished aluminum alloy, or with natural or black ni...
Upholstery
Zanotta Large Dove Sofa in Super Leather with Graphite Painted Aluminium Frame
By Zanotta, Ludovica + Roberto Palomba 1
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Zanotta Large Dove Sofa in Super Leather with Graphite Painted Aluminium Frame by Ludovica+Roberto Palomba Graphite painted aluminium alloy feet. Wooden...
Upholstery
Zanotta Hiro Sofa in Quadrifoglio Fabric and Aluminum Frame by Damian Williamson
By Zanotta, Damian Williamson
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Zanotta Hiro Sofa in Quadrifoglio Fabric and Aluminum Frame by Damian Williamson Aluminum alloy feet, either polished or with natural or black nickel-satin finish. Steel frame. El...
Steel
Zanotta Small Flamingo Sofa in Brown Upholstery with Black Aluminum Frame
By Zanotta, Damian Williamson
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Zanotta Small Flamingo Sofa in Brown Upholstery with Black Aluminum Frame by Damian Williamson Polished or black painted aluminum alloy feet, or with ...
Upholstery
Zanotta William Modular Sofa with Shelf in White Fabric by Damian Williamson
By Damian Williamson, Zanotta
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Zanotta William Modular Sofa with Shelf in White Fabric by Damian Williamson These modular elements allow many corner or straight compositions. ...
Fabric
Zanotta Large Dove Sofa in Brown Leather with Graphite Painted Aluminium Frame
By Zanotta, Ludovica + Roberto Palomba 1
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Zanotta Large Dove Sofa in Brown Leather with Graphite Painted Aluminium Frame by Ludovica+Roberto Palomba Graphite painted aluminium alloy feet. Wooden s...
Upholstery
Zanotta Servento Screen in Red Steel Post with Canvas by Achille Castiglioni
By Zanotta, Achille Castiglioni
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Zanotta Servento Screen in Red Steel Post with Canvas by Achille Castiglioni Base in black, white or red painted polypropylene. Steel support rod, painted in the shade black, whit...
Steel
Customizable Zanotta Flamingo Leather Sofa by Damian Williamson
By Damian Williamson, Zanotta
Located in New York, NY
Price listed for the starting leather and Nickel-satin finished feet. Armchair, monobloc and modular sofas. Polished or black painted aluminum alloy feet, or with natural or black ni...
Steel
Zanotta 1009 Club Sofa for Indoor or Outdoor by Prospero Rasulo
By Prospero Rasulo, Zanotta
Located in New York, NY
Armchair and sofa for outdoor and indoor use. Steel internal structure painted for outdoor use. Weave in PVC thread with nylon internal reinforcement, in the shade of brown. Upon request a small seat...
Nylon, PVC
"Straccio" by De Pass, D'Urbino, Lomazzi for Zanotta Three Seater Sofa Cognac
By Gionathan de Pas & Donato D’Urbino & Paolo Lomazzi, Zanotta
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
This stunning rare three seater Leather Sofa was designed 1968 by Design Team De Pas , Donato d’Urbino and Paolo Lomazzi. They created one of the most iconic objects in Italian Desig...
Leather
1999 Zanotta Alfa Grey Leather Sectional Modular Sofa by Emaf Progetti 2x Avail
By Emaf Progetti, Zanotta
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a single (two are available, but they are sold separately) "Alfa" sectional/modular sofa, designed by Emaf Progetti. The sofa is beautifully constructed and uphols...
Metal
Zanotta Milano+ Small Sofa in Red Upholstery with Natural Nickel-Satin Frame
By Zanotta, Gionathan de Pas & Donato D’Urbino & Paolo Lomazzi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Zanotta Milano+ Small Sofa in Red Upholstery with Natural Nickel-Satin Frame by De Pas, D’Urbino, Lomazzi Aluminum alloy feet, with natural or black ...
Steel
Zanotta “Alfa 1326” L- Shape Sofa & Ottoman in Yellow Linen & Black Leather
By Zanotta
Located in Barrowford, GB
This is a rare, pristine “Alfa 1326” L-Shape 4-Seat Sofa in a Mustard-Yellow woven-linen fabric & Ottoman in Black Leather from the world renown Italian furniture house of Zanotta. ...
Linen