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.
$12,038Sale Price / item|20% Off
Zanotta Edizioni Alchera Chest in Elm-Wood Frame by Joe Tilson
By Joe Tilson, Zanotta
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Zanotta Edizioni Alchera Chest in Elm-Wood Frame by Joe Tilson Signed original. Elm-wood frame. Maple panels with polychrome inlays. Inside with drop-front drawer. Born from th...
Elm
Wunderbrust, Chest of Wonders Leather and Wood Chest-Ottoman
By Matteo Cibic, DOC
Located in Roma, IT
For Operæ – Independent design festival eighth edition, Secondome under the artistic direction of Claudia Pignatale, presents “WUNDERBRUST” a project by Matteo Cibic, crafted by DOC....
Leather, Wood
$2,025
H 22.45 in W 39.38 in D 20.48 in
1850s Antique Country Traveling Trunk Chest in Solid Pine Wood Restored
Located in Vigonza, Padua
1850s antique country traveling trunk chest in solid pine wood restored and polished to wax Measures cm: H 57 x W 100 x D 52.
Fir
Farmhouse Antique Wood Trunk Blanket Chest
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Antique Wood Trunk Farmhouse Rustic storage blanket chest Fabulous hardware 19 h x 59.13 w x 20.25 interior 55.5 x 16.25x 16.75 Original unrestored...
Brass
Rustic 19th-Century Chest-Bench in Solid Chestnut Wood
Located in Pont-Saint-Martin, IT
An authentic 19th-century rustic chest-bench handcrafted in solid chestnut wood, featuring a sturdy and practical construction typical of traditional rural and Alpine furniture of th...
Chestnut
$4,532
H 21.7 in W 43.3 in D 17.5 in
Stunning Antique Gothic Revival Hand Carved Elm Wood Blanket Chest / Trunk 1750
Located in Lisse, NL
Great looking and patina antique Gothic trunk, made of solid elmwood. This impressive looking and practical size chest shows a number of deep and...
Wrought Iron
Massive Antique Indian Carved Wood Dowry Chest
Located in Bridgeport, CT
The entire chest with framed square panels in three rows on the top, and four on the front, sides, and back. The front panels have added X form decorative pieces and all frames have ...
Iron
Antique Korean Wood and Brass Bandaji Chest
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Bring a sense of history and refined craftsmanship into your home with this antique Korean bandaji chest, a beautifully constructed example of traditional Korean furniture. Designed ...
Brass
Carved Chinese Camphor Wood Chest
Located in Swadlincote, GB
A very good carved oriental camphor wood chest with brass locking hinge, standing on carved cabriole feet, excellent overall condition. 24" high 44" wide 20" depth You are welcome ...
Other
Antique Camphor Wood Chest, Jiangsu Province, C 1900
Located in Kastrup, DK
Camphor wood chest with round metal fittings. Jiangsu Province ca. year 1900. The chest is almost the same size as item no. 104780, so can be used as an almost identical pair.
Metal
$1,461Sale Price|30% Off
H 23.23 in W 47.25 in D 19.1 in
Georgian 18th Century Elm Coffer, Chest, Blanket Box, Trunk with a Hinged Lid
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this early 19th century elm blanket box. This antique country chest, blanket box has a nice patina, the condit...
Elm
Oriental Carved Camphor Wood Chest This Beautiful Carved Chest
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Oriental Carved Camphor Wood Chest This Beautiful Carved Chest is made from Camphor Wood, for those of you who do not know camphor wood it is a hard wood which lends itself very wel...
Fruitwood
$3,895
H 27.76 in W 42.13 in D 25.79 in
Large Antique Chinese hand-Painted And Lacquered Elm Trunk Blanket Chest
Located in London, GB
Antique Chinese Hand-painted and Lacquered Elm Blanket Chest Early 20th Century, Late Qing dynasty. A superb example, beautifully preserved. in very good condition with wear commens...
Iron