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 Lord Reclining Swivel Armchair with Castors by Alfredo Häberli
By Alfredo Häberli 1, Zanotta
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Zanotta Lord Reclining Swivel Armchair with Castors by Alfredo Häberli Reclining swivel armchair on castors. Five-spoke base in polished alumi...
Upholstery
Zanotta Lord Reclining Swivel Armchair with Feet by Alfredo Häberli
By Alfredo Häberli 1, Zanotta
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Zanotta Lord Reclining Swivel Armchair with Feet by Alfredo Häberli Reclining swivel armchair on feet. Five-spoke base in polished aluminum alloy with ...
Upholstery
$1,850 / item
H 44 in W 20 in D 18 in
SHAKER Swivel Bar Chair by AMBROZIA, Cowhide, Leather, Black Metal & Walnut
By AMBROZIA
Located in Drummondville, QC
The Shaker swivel bar chair is made to order from our unique Ambrozia black textured steel tubing frame. This contemporary / modern swivel armchair i...
Steel
$2,600 / item
H 41 in W 20 in D 18 in
SHAKER Swivel Counter Chair by AMBROZIA, Shearling, Leather, Brass & Walnut
By AMBROZIA
Located in Drummondville, QC
The Shaker swivel Counter chair is made to order. This contemporary / modern swivel armchair is available in a large variety of genuine leathers,...
Steel
Swivel Bamboo Chair by Henry Olko
By Henry Olko
Located in New York, NY
High Style Mid Century swivel bamboo chair designed by Henry Olko. This example is in very fine, original, clean and ready to use condition. Olko pieces are becoming harder and harde...
Bamboo, Cane
Leather Swivel Chairs on Brass Bases
By Milo Baughman
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of swivel chairs. These were reupholstered in pleated leather in the 1980s. The leather has a Nice broken in feel to it. Both in good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age...
Brass
$2,632Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 36.23 in W 31.5 in D 30.71 in
Göte Möbel Swivel Reclining Armchair with Footrest, Sweden, 1970s
By Göte Möbler Nässjö
Located in Bochum, NRW
A stunning example of 1970s Scandinavian craftsmanship, this Göte Möbel swivel armchair and matching footrest set embodies timeless design and ergonomic luxury. Crafted in Sweden fro...
Leather, Bentwood
Mid Century Sculptural High Back Swivel Chair
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Rare mid century highback swivel chair. A beautiful one off, statement chair. Modernized in new soft boucle style fabric that looks stunning atop the 4 wooden, legs swivel base. Ch...
Fabric
$4,900 / item
H 30 in W 31.5 in D 22 in
Custom Winged Swivel Chair in Pink Cut Velvet with Cobalt Faux Fur Back
By The Tailored Home, Jhon Ortiz
Located in Greenwich, CT
This custom swivel chair features a curved, winged back that wraps around the seat for a comfortable and supportive sit. Shown in pink cut velvet with a contrasting cobalt faux fur b...
Velvet, Faux Fur, Wood, Maple
$1,745 / item
H 31 in W 24 in D 24 in
Emeco Navy Swivel Armchair in Brushed Aluminum with Bar Back by Us Navy
By Emeco
Located in Hanover, PA
First built for use on submarines in 1944, the Navy Chair has been in continuous Production ever since. With the famous 77 step Process, our craftsmen take soft, recycled aluminum, h...
Aluminum
Mid Century Swivel Chair by I. V. Chair Company Brooklyn NY
Located in New York, NY
Stylish and well-made swivel office, desk chair by I.V. chair company Brooklyn NY (109 Jewel St). Interesting example of Brooklyn modern after Fritz Hansen etc. This chair shows cosm...
$3,300 / set
H 31.5 in W 18.5 in D 21 in
Set of Three Vintage Swiveling Chairs by Eames for Herman Miller
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of 3 Vintage Swiveling chairs by Eames for Herman Miller. One black, one gray and one dark yellow.
Steel
$1,435 / set
H 32.29 in W 25.2 in D 22.05 in
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Italian Swivel Armchairs, 1960s
Located in Puglia, Puglia
This pair of armchairs, typical Italian design of the 1960s, is upholstered in eco-leather and the swivel base is in aluminum.
Aluminum
$5,000 / set
H 29.5 in W 32 in D 38 in
2 Midcentury Green Channel Back Swivel Armchairs Milo Baughman Attributed, Pair
By Milo Baughman
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Pair of Mid-Century Modern shell shape back swivel armchairs in the style of Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin. These beautiful armchairs both rest on a covered matching upholstered pl...
Fabric, Foam, Wood
Sold
H 41.25 in W 18.5 in D 18.5 in
Original 'Birillo' Barstools Set by Joe Colombo for Zanotta, c. 1971, Signed
By ICF New York, Zanotta, Joe Colombo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A rare collectors set of five (5) 'Birillo' bar-height barstools designed in 1971 by Joe Colombo for Zanotta, Italy, retailed by ICF New York. Signed underneath with Zanotta embossed logo and design information on each chair and ICF New York retailer labels on some of the chairs. These examples are original early year productions and ideal for collectors and modern art and design investors. These examples feature red vintage patent leatherette upholstery and white fiberglass bases. It's very hard to find a single Birillo stool let alone find a matched set of five bar-height barstools. If you are looking for a large set of modern bar height barstools, don't hesitate because once these are gone it will be a difficult opportunity to replicate. This early Post-Modern quintessential design is often misspelled 'Brillo' and even sometimes 'Brillio' but as seen documented in the 1978 Zanotta catalogue, the correct spelling is 'Birillo'. This set of five Joe Colombo Birillo...
Steel, Chrome
Sold
H 41.5 in W 17 in D 18.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Set of Five Birillo Bar Stools Joe Colombo for Zanotta
By Zanotta, Joe Colombo
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is a set of five, incredible bar stools, Birillo model, designed by Joe Colombo for the Italian company Zanotta, in the early 1970s. Pivotable black leather se...
Chrome