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.
Meligete by Mendini forZanotta
By Zabro, Zanotta, Alessandro Mendini
Located in Milano, IT
The Meligete cabinet by Alessandro Mendini, produced by Zanotta within the prestigious Zabro collection and as part of the Nuova Alchimia furniture line, is distinguished by its refi...
Mirror, Wood
$9,000Sale Price|40% Off
H 33 in W 81 in D 20 in
Exquisite Credenza by Edmond J. Spence made by Industria Mueblera Mexico
By Industria Mueblera Mexico, Edmond J. Spence
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This is an extraordinary credenza cabinet or sideboard designed by Swedish designer Edmond J. Spence. This Beautiful piece showcases Spence's exceptional talent and reflects his uniq...
Iron
$5,462Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 33.47 in W 70.87 in D 17.72 in
Italian Brass Sideboard Inspired by the Moon, Handcrafted by Justfurnituress
Located in Guazzora, IT
About the Item
Handcrafted in Italy by Justfurnituress, this extraordinary brass sideboard draws inspiration from the lunar surface...
Brass
Dean Credenza by VOLK
By VOLK 3
Located in Brooklyn, NY
As shown: Solid ash with ash veneer. Sliding doors with hand-painted linen panels. Oil and wax finish. Dimensions: 30" H x 60" W x 20" D. Custom sizing available. Offered in a ...
Linen, Ash
The "Calamobio" chest of drawers by Alessandro Mendini
By Alessandro Mendini
Located in Frederiksberg C, DK
Chest of drawers "Calamobio" by the Italian designer Alessandro Mendini. Produced by Zanotta, Nova Milanese, 1988. The chest of drawers is made from a structure in natural beech wit...
Aluminum
Sideboard by Gauthier Poinsignon
By Atelier Gauthier Poinsignon
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Located in NY
Rosewood
Howard Credenza by Volk
By VOLK 3
Located in Brooklyn, NY
As shown: White lacquer case, solid oak stand and drawer fronts and white oak veneer sliding doors. Inset ammonia-fumed white oak door pulls. Fabric ...
Wood, Oak
Keyhole Credenza by Brown Saltman Likely Designed by Paul Laszlo
By Paul Laszlo, Brown Saltman
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A beautiful credenza attributed to Brown Saltman and likely designed by Paul Laszlo. The cabinet has wonderful keyhole openings that add a nice touch to the overall appearance. There...
Wood
$21,970Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 32.29 in W 44.1 in D 17.33 in
Zanotta Edizioni Calamobio Chest of Drawers in Wood by Alessandro Mendini
By Zanotta, Alessandro Mendini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Zanotta Edizioni Calamobio Chest of Drawers in Wood by Alessandro Mendini Nine originals numbered and signed. Frame and feet in wood, polychrome inlay. Handles in red anodised alu...
Wood
Rosewood Credenza by Maurice Villency
By Maurice Villency
Located in San Francisco, CA
Vintage four door credenza features a beautiful grain, rosewood body and a shiny lacquered finish . There are 2 interior sliding drawers and 2 shelves.
Rosewood, Lacquer
$61,864Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 63.78 in W 43.31 in D 20.87 in
Zanotta Edizioni Mikiolone Bar Cabinet in Lacquered Wood by Alessandro Mendini
By Alessandro Mendini, Zanotta
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Zanotta Edizioni Mikiolone Bar Cabinet in Lacquered Wood by Alessandro Mendini Nine originals, numbered and signed. Wooden frame lacquered in various colours. Legs in turned wood ...
Wood
$14,581 / item
H 36 in W 42 in D 20 in
Rockhound by LAYLO site-specific casegoods inspired by the impulse to collect
By Laylo Studio
Located in Chicago, IL
Deposited by prehistoric seas and teeming with fossilized organisms, Indiana limestone has been extracted for iconic edifices and Chicago’s ‘greystones’ over the last century, defini...
Brass, Bronze, Steel, Stainless Steel
$41,019 / item
H 64.97 in W 57.88 in D 17.72 in
Cristallo Cupboard by Alessandro Mendini for BD Barcelona
By BD Barcelona Design, Alessandro Mendini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Cristallo cupboard designed by Alessandro Mendini for BD Barcelona is part of the 2019 collection. The character of Mendini's design is marked by wh...
Sycamore