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.
Postmodern 'Loto' Cast Iron Side Table by Hans von Klier
By Hans Von Klier, Zanotta
Located in London, GB
Produced by Zanotta, Milan, 1990s. Cast iron base, anti-scratch embossed paint, anthracite color; conical element in replex, anthracite-colored recycled plastic with support rod ...
Aluminum, Iron
Contemporary Boton Three Side Table in Conacaste Solid Wood by Labrica
By Ricardo Velasquez, Labrica
Located in Oakland Park, FL
Inspired by old brass buttons and cuff links, this series includes three different table tops each with a distinct base. The series continues to grow and each piece can be modified t...
Wood
$3,800 / set
H 17.52 in W 17.52 in D 17.52 in
Pair of Midcentury Side Tables in Rosewood Designed by Aksel Kjærsgaard, 1960s
By Aksel Kjersgaard
Located in Lejre, DK
Pair of side tables rosewood. Designed by Aksel Kjærsgaard in 1960s, Denmark. Great original condition.
Rosewood
$1,000
H 22.25 in W 23 in D 16 in
Vintage Boho Wicker Rattan Elephant Side Table Style of Mario Lopez Torres 1970s
By Mario Torres
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
1970s Vintage Boho Figurative Animalia Wicker Rattan elephant side tray table in the style of Mario Lopez Torres. This Animalia vintage 1960s-19...
Bamboo, Wicker, Wood
$696 / item
H 17.75 in Dm 15.75 in
Contemporary Boton Three Side Table, Conacaste Wood with Black Stain by Labrica
By Ricardo Velasquez, Labrica
Located in Oakland Park, FL
Inspired by old brass buttons and cuff links, this series includes three different table tops each with a distinct base. The series continues to grow and each piece can be modified t...
Wood
$10,032
H 22.05 in W 25.6 in D 17.72 in
Peter Hvidt Side / Tray Table Model No 1775 by Fritz Hansen in Denmark
By Peter Hvidt
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare side / tray table model no 1775 designed by Peter Hvidt. Produced by Fritz Hansen in Denmark.
Walnut
$7,966
H 28.55 in W 78.75 in D 19.49 in
Console Table by Hans von Klier for Gruppo Skipper Italy, 1970s
By Hans Von Klier
Located in Brussels, BE
Console Table by Hans von Klier for Gruppo Skipper Italy, 1970s
Metal
Teak Side Table Designed by Jens Harald Quistgaard, Denmark, 1950s
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Stockholm, SE
Side table designed by Jens Harald Quistgaard, Denmark, 1950s. Teak. Exquisite woodwork and a beautifully shaped, removable tray surface that can function as a bowl characterise th...
Teak
Executive Desk by Hans von Klier for Skipper, Italy 1973
By Hans Von Klier, Skipper
Located in Renens, CH
This high-end desk is the largest version of the “Il Ponte” series designed by Hans Von Klier for the Italian company Skipper in the 1970s. The desk is distinguished by the use of m...
Chrome
$3,800 / set
H 17.52 in W 17.52 in D 17.52 in
Pair of Midcentury Side Tables in Rosewood Designed by Aksel Kjærsgaard, 1960s
By Aksel Kjersgaard
Located in Lejre, DK
Pair of side tables rosewood. Designed by Aksel Kjærsgaard in 1960s, Denmark. Great original condition.
Rosewood
Side Table On Wheels Made In Teak Of Danish Design From 1960s
Located in Lejre, DK
This teak side table from the 1960s exudes the quintessential charm of Danish design. Its simple yet elegant silhouette makes it a versatile addition to any space, offering both sty...
Teak
$2,800Sale Price|20% Off
H 12.63 in W 28 in D 28 in
1960s Danish UFO Side Table Catch All Aluminum + Rosewood Fruit Bowl Vintage
By Soren Willadsen Mobelfabrik, Kristian Solmer Vedel
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Interesting design, very good condition. Minimal wear to the bowl, but has a few scratches, and it is missing one of the four rubber nubs, but you only two to line up the bowl into t...
Aluminum
Side Table Designed by Jens Harald Quistgaard, Denmark, 1950s
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Stockholm, SE
Side table designed by Jens Harald Quistgaard, Denmark. 1950s. Teak. Exquisite woodwork and a beautifully shaped, removable tray surface that can function as a bowl characterise th...
Teak
Sold
H 27.56 in Dm 21.66 in
Italian Steel Folding Tables Cumano by Achille Castiglioni for Zanotta, 1978
By Achille Castiglioni, Zanotta
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian steel folding tables Cumano by Achille Castiglioni for Zanotta, 1978 The space-saving Cumano folding table was designed by Achille Castigl...
Steel
Sold
H 27.56 in Dm 21.66 in
Italian Steel Folding Table Cumano by Achille Castiglioni for Zanotta, 1978
By Achille Castiglioni, Zanotta
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian steel folding table Cumano by Achille Castiglioni for Zanotta, 1978 The space-saving Cumano folding table was designed by Achille Castiglio...
Steel