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 Zanotta, Alessandro Mendini, Zabro
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
$5,313Sale 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
Sideboard by Gauthier Poinsignon
By Atelier Gauthier Poinsignon
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Located in NY
Rosewood
Baxter Credenza by Autonomous Furniture
By Autonomous Furniture, Kirk Van Ludwig
Located in Victoria, BC
The Baxter Credenza has a low and lean profile, showcasing four cabinet doors and open upper storage. The credenza uses solid black walnut constructed with, an uncommonly practiced, entirely solid wood carcass, cabinet doors, and interior shelves. Black steel door...
Metal, Steel
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
Small Howard Credenza by Volk
By VOLK 3
Located in Brooklyn, NY
As shown: Solid walnut with sliding doors in walnut veneer. Inset wenge door pulls. Oil and wax finish. Dimensions: 27" H x 40" W x 18" D. Custom sizing and configurations avail...
Walnut, Wenge
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
Geller Credenza by Madheke
Located in Gurugram, IN
Inspired by the timeless sophistication of 1940s Art Deco design, the Geller Credenza merges classic elegance with modern craftsmanship. Rich walnut and leather panels are accented ...
Stone, Brass
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
Comète Bar by Emilie Lemardeley
By Emilie Lemardeley
Located in Clamart, FR
Massive brass and black stone Unique piece created in 2016.
Brass
Keyhole Credenza by Brown Saltman Likely Designed by Paul Laszlo
By Brown Saltman, Paul Laszlo
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
Unavailable|$7,444
H 29.53 in W 72.45 in D 20.48 in
Italian sideboard by Vittorio Dassi, produced by Mobili Moderni Dassi, 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi, Dassi Mobili Moderni
Located in Milano, IT
Italian sideboard by Vittorio Dassi, manufactured by Mobili Moderni Dassi, 1950s. The structure is made of wood with curved sides, two contoured outer doors, and two central drawers...
Brass
$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 Zanotta, Alessandro Mendini
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
$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 Alessandro Mendini, Zanotta
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
$23,993Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 34.65 in W 47.25 in D 21.26 in
Zanotta Edizioni Cetonia Chest of Drawers in Wood by Alessandro Mendini
By Alessandro Mendini, Zanotta
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Zanotta Edizioni Cetonia Chest of Drawers in Wood by Alessandro Mendini Signed original. Lacquered wood frame with hand-painted polychrome decoration. Handles in natural anodised ...
Wood
$4,782Sale Price|20% Off
H 40.16 in W 40.95 in D 21.26 in
Alessandro Mendini Limited Edition Cabinet Diadainconsupertrafra Zerodisegno
By Zerodisegno, Alessandro Mendini
Located in Cascina, Pisa
Storage cabinet with a structure in lacquered wood covered in metal and plastic laminate from Diadainconsupertrafra series. Designed by Alessandro Mendini for Zerodisegno, Italy, 20...
Metal