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 Labrica, Ricardo Velasquez
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
$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
$10,080
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
Cast Bronze Rain Drum with Elaborate Detail, Light Finish
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This cast iron bronze drum is inspired by the rain drums of South East Asia, particular those found in Burma, Laos and some of the Eastern Islands of Indonesia. This drum features three engraved handles. There are elaborate engravings on its sides as well as its top side. These engravings feature banded rings, on the top side the banded rings are entered by a star motif. The top of the drum measures 60cm in Diameter. A wonderful versatile piece that is a wonderful sculptural piece, that also functions as a side table. This cast bronze drum also features 2 pairs of frogs on opposing sides, frogs are often symbolised on rain drums as frogs come out of hibernation once the rainy season begins. Given this, these drums are sometimes called frog drums...
Bronze
Cast Bronze Rain Drum with Elaborate Detail Patina Finish
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This cast iron bronze drum is inspired by the rain drums of South East Asia, particular those found in Burma, Laos and some of the Eastern Islands of Indonesia. This drum features th...
Bronze
$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
$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
Danish Modern Tray Table in Oak by Hans Bølling
By Hans Bølling, Torben Orskov
Located in Lejre, DK
Tray table in patinated oak, foldable base and reversible black / red serving trays. Designed by Hans Bølling for Torben Ørskov. Great original condition.
Formica, Oak
Italian Desk by Hans Von Klier for Skipper, 1970s
By Skipper, Hans Von Klier
Located in bruxelles, BE
Leather, metal and wood desk with 3 drawers and a sideboard on wheels that can be moved wherever you like. Designed by Hans von Klier in the 70s. S...
Metal
$696 / item
H 17.75 in Dm 15.75 in
Contemporary Boton Two Side Table Conacaste Wood with Black Stain by Labrica
By Ricardo Velasquez, Labrica
Located in Oakland Park, FL
Inspired by old brass buttons and cufflinks, this series includes three different table tops each with a distinct base. The series continues to grow and each piece can be modified to...
Wood
Hardwood Side Table, Contemporary Brazilian Design
By Rahyja Afrange
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
The "SE7E" Reversible Tray table or side table in tropical Brazilian hardwood tray and base by Brazilian designer Rahyja Afrange. A versatile piece with ti...
Wood
Sold
H 27.56 in Dm 21.66 in
Italian Steel Folding Tables Cumano by Achille Castiglioni for Zanotta, 1978
By Zanotta, Achille Castiglioni
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 Zanotta, Achille Castiglioni
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