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.
Ettore Sottsass Cantone Corner Shelves, Italy, 1981
By Ettore Sottsass, Zanotta
Located in Dronten, NL
Striking “Cantone” corner cabinet designed by Ettore Sottsass, an iconic example of the Italian postmodern master’s sculptural and architectural approach to furniture. This piece emb...
Silver
Italian Postmodern Sculptural Wall Shelf by Ettore Sottsass for Zanotta 1980
By Ettore Sottsass, Zanotta
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Alfiere étagère by Ettore Sottsass for Zanotta, 1980 This rare Italian postmodern sculptural wall shelf was designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1980 for Zanotta. Known as the Alfiere éta...
Marble, Chrome
Zanotta Joy Rotating 7 Shelf Unit in Black Medium Density Fiberboard
By Zanotta, Achille Castiglioni
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Zanotta Joy Rotating 7 Shelf Unit in Black Medium Density Fiberboard by Achille Castiglioni Uprights and shelves in medium density fiberboard, finished wi...
Steel
Zanotta Joy Rotating 5 Shelf Unit in Burgundy Medium Density Fiberboard
By Zanotta, Achille Castiglioni
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Zanotta Joy Rotating 5 Shelf Unit in Burgundy Medium Density Fiberboard by Achille Castiglioni Uprights and shelves in medium density fiberboard, finish...
Steel
Customizable Zanotta Z24 Books Shelf by Muller Van Severen
By Zanotta
Located in New York, NY
ookcase. Frame in polished painted steel, colour talc, caramel, orange, amaranth, algae. Shelves in MDF veneered in natural varnished oak. The high version bookcases, if placed side ...
Oak
$238
H 42.33 in W 19.1 in D 13.55 in
Vintage 4 Tier Freestanding Corner Whatnot Shelves Bookcase Display Stand
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Here we have for sale this vintage 4 tier freestanding corner Whatnot bookcase, shelves, display stand. Perfect for the corner of any room to stand book...
Bamboo, Pine
$3,800
H 82.5 in W 110.5 in D 19 in
Mid Century Danish Modern Freestanding Shelf Unit in Teak c. 1950's
By William Watting, Poul Cadovius
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional Mid Century Danish Modern freestanding shelf unit attributed to William Watting for Fristo, made in Denmark circa 1950's. The shelf unit features 14 rectangular shelves w...
Teak
$7,529 / item
H 48.82 in Dm 15.75 in
Mini MYDNA 4 Tier, Standing Shelf, Shelving Unit in Red by Joel Escalona
By Joel Escalona
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
MYDNA is a chic and contemporary storage system inspired by the DNA concept: both by its sophisticated double helix shape, and by the metaphorical statement that everything you place...
Plywood
Italian Tassel Wall Shelf
Located in New York, NY
Italian tassel wall shelf with three shelves. Painted finish on shelves, iron frame.
Iron
$3,780 / item
H 9 in W 36 in D 10 in
Contemporary Minimal Sculptural Metal Copper Corner Shelves, USA, in Stock
By Felicia Ferrone
Located in Chicago, IL
This contemporary sculptural single copper metal minimal corner shelf is perfect for any space be it a living room, office, or bathroom. In stock: These Minimalist copper shelves,...
Copper
Mortaise Wall Shelf-700 by Clemence Birot
Located in Geneve, CH
Mortaise wall shelf-400 by Clemence Birot Dimensions: 75 x 25 x 6,5 cm Materials: cork, metal. Clemence Birot started her career in Copenhagen, Denmark, and discovered a design prac...
Metal
e15 Customizable Arie Shelf by Arik Levy
By e15, Arik Levy
Located in New York, NY
With its striking concept, shelf Arie is an ideal storage solution. A multitude of seamless combinations are possible without apparent visual repetitions. In- and outside corners can...
Wood
Rattan Corner Wall Shelves Attributed to Audoux-Minet
By Adrien Audoux and Frida Minnet
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice and interesting corner wall shelves is made of rattan. This is a French work attributed to Adrien Audoux and Frida Minet (Adoux-Minet). This is a French work. Circa 1950
Rattan
$900
H 36 in W 73 in D 12 in
Vintage Rattan Shelf Display Unit with Built in Planter Room Divider Circa 1950s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vintage rattan shelving unit with a built in planter. Herringbone decoration on this very versable cabinet. Can be used in the kitchen to display ...
Rattan, Formica, Plywood
Memphis Milano Freemont Cabinet by Ettore Sottsass, Italy
By Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Milano
Located in Toronto, ON
Resting on a base with five cylindrical legs, Freemont by Ettore Sottsass appears to grow strongly from the bottom to the top. With its fractured shapes, it branches out into the spa...
Gold Leaf
$1,800
H 35.5 in W 33 in D 10.5 in
Postmodern American Studio Craft Sculptural Wood Display Console Shelf 1990s
Located in Troy, MI
American studio craft sculptural shelf or console table circa 1990s Unique Memphis inspired step design executed in ash and walnut with dovetail joinery and lower wave stretcher So...
Wood
$11,249Sale Price|25% Off
H 88.59 in W 125.99 in D 16.54 in
Red Burgundy Lacquered Modular Shelf / Wall Unit by Willy Rizzo, Italy ca. 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Geneva, CH
Vintage red burgundy lacquered laminated wood with chrome trims modular shelf by Willy Rizzo made in Italy ca. 1972. Very good condition Dimensions as shown on the pictures : W 320 ...
Metal
Ettore Sottsass Cantone Corner Shelving / Tables, See Photos!
By Ettore Sottsass, Zanotta
Located in Kansas City, MO
Corner shelf / bookcase / tables designed by Ettore Sottsass for Zanotta, Italy, 1981. The shelves retain the original "Bacterio" laminate designed by Sottsass in 1978. The legs are ...
Silver Plate, Brass
