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 Poker Card Table in Double Top White Plastic Laminate and Green Leather
By Zanotta, Joe Colombo
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Zanotta Poker Card Table in Double Top White Plastic Laminate and Green Baize Leather by Joe Colombo Double top in 9/16” thick , white layered plasti...
Plastic
Mahogany Card Table of a Beautiful Color and Patina Circa 1785
Located in Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire
An elegant Sheraton mahogany card table with rosewood cross banding and boxwood and ebony inlays and stringing; lovely figured timber, colour and patina circa 1785.
Mahogany
Mid Century Dinette Card Table Set by Cavalier
By Cavalier
Located in New York, NY
Chic architectural design game table and four chairs manufactured by Cavalier. Constructed of wood and tubular iron rods, the set folds down for easy storage and transportation. Soli...
Metal
$1,083Sale Price|20% Off
H 14.97 in W 27.56 in D 29.53 in
Gae Aulenti Laminate and Purple Metal Italian Coffee Table for Zanotta, 1970s
By Zanotta, Gae Aulenti
Located in Roma, IT
Amazing midcentury laminate and purple enamel metal coffee table. This fantastic piece was designed in Italy by Gae Aulenti for Zanotta during the 1970s. This stunning straight-lined table with a clean enamelled metal frame with a light purple laminate formica top is in a stunning vintage condition. A wonderful item is perfect to complete a mid-century minimal living room...
Crystal, Metal
$1,438Sale Price|30% Off
H 28.75 in W 55.52 in D 39.77 in
Antique Regency Mahogany Loo Breakfast Centre Table Tilt Top
Located in Wisbech, England
Antique fine quality Regency 1825 mahogany tilt top loo, centre or breakfast table. Solid, heavy and with no loose joints. Beautiful gun barrel pedestal base. No loose joints o...
Wood
Antique French Demilune Card Table with Leather Top, Circa 1890
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Antique French demilune card table or console with embossed leather top. Opens to a 35 inch round game table.
Leather
Queen Anne Period Walnut Games Card Table
Located in Lymington, GB
An early-18th century Queen Anne-period carved walnut games, or card, table. Circa 1710. Veneered in well-figured walnut with herringbone feather bandings. The bold fold-over outset...
Walnut
$4,785
H 30 in W 30.75 in D 30.75 in
Carved Wood, Marquetry Inlaid, Tooled Leather Top Card Game Table w/ Drawers
Located in Jensen Beach, FL
Handmade game table featuring charming inlay work and a tooled leather top. Two drawers on opposing sides.
Leather, Wood
$4,056
H 29.53 in W 33.47 in D 16.34 in
Antique circa 1860 Thomas Chippendale Cluster Column Leg Fold over Card Table
By Thomas Chippendale
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer this lovely circa 1860 Victorian fold over card table with Thomas Chippendale Cluster Column legs A good looking well m...
Hardwood
$3,040Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 28 in Dm 26.5 in
Pr Tilt Top Tables from the Sir Humphrey Wakefield Collection for Baker C 1980's
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in New York, NY
Spectacular pair of tilt top tea tables both marked Baker Sir Humphrey Wakefield Collection. These tables are in very good, clean ready to use condition, from the top end series for ...
Mahogany
$7,200
H 27 in W 51 in D 45 in
Ebonised Bamboo Brass Inlay Mahogany Top Hexagon Card Game Poker Table MINT!
By McGuire, Ficks Reed
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Ebonised bamboo brass inlay mahogany top hexagon card game poker table mint!
Brass
$25,436
H 23.04 in W 39.38 in D 29.14 in
19th Century Walnut Serpentine Card Table Firmly Attributed to Gillows
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in London, GB
A walnut serpentine card table firmly attributed to Gillows Constructed using finely figured Circassian walnut, dressed with gilt bronze mounts; rising from slender kingwood banded ...
Ormolu, Bronze
Zanotta Poker Game Table by Joe Colombo
By Joe Colombo
Located in New York, NY
Card table. Double top in 14 mm thick, white layered plastic laminate. Corner mounted swing-away ashtrays. Removable, leather trimmed green baize. Removable, Ø 100 mm, 18/8 stainless...
Steel
Sold
H 27.17 in W 26.38 in D 26.38 in
Italian Modern Steel and Plastic Bistrò Table by Joe Colombo for Zanotta, 1970s
By Zanotta, Joe Colombo
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern chromed steel and black plastic Bistrò table by Joe Colombo for Zanotta in 1970s. Small table, Bistró model, with central leg in steel, square piano with rounded corn...
Steel
Joe Colombo for Zanotta Italian Poker Card or Game Table, 1960s
By Zanotta, Joe Colombo
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Italian card or game table model Poker designed by Joe Colombo for Zanotta in 1968, tops in white layered plastic laminate and stainless steel ...
Steel