Desk Chair "Synthesis 45" Designed by Ettore Sottsass for Olivetti 1980s
View Similar Items
Desk Chair "Synthesis 45" Designed by Ettore Sottsass for Olivetti 1980s
About the Item
- Creator:Ettore Sottsass (Designer),Olivetti (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 34.26 in (87 cm)Width: 19.69 in (50 cm)Depth: 16.93 in (43 cm)
- Style:Modern (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:1980-1989
- Date of Manufacture:1980
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Antwerpen, BE
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU5872228881942
Ettore Sottsass
An architect, industrial designer, philosopher and provocateur, Ettore Sottsass led a revolution in the aesthetics and technology of modern design in the late 20th century.
Sottsass was the oldest member of the Memphis Group — a design collective, formed in Milan in 1980, whose irreverent, spirited members included Alessandro Mendini, Michele de Lucchi, Michael Graves and Shiro Kuramata. All had grown disillusioned by the staid, black-and-brown “corporatized” modernism that had become endemic in the 1970s. Memphis (the name stemmed from the title of a Bob Dylan song) countered with bold, brash, colorful, yet quirkily minimal designs for furniture, glassware, ceramics and metalwork. They mocked high-status by building furniture with inexpensive materials such as plastic laminates, decorated to resemble exotic finishes such as animal skins. Their work was both functional and — as intended — shocking. Even as it preceded the Memphis Group's formal launch, Sottsass's iconic Ultrafragola mirror — in its conspicuously curved plastic shell and radical pops of pink neon — embodies many of the collective's postmodern ideals.
Sottsass's most-recognized designs appeared in the first Memphis collection, issued in 1981 — notably the multihued, angular Carlton room divider and Casablanca bookcase. As pieces on 1stDibs demonstrate, however, Sottsass is at his most imaginative and expressive in smaller, secondary furnishings such as lamps and chandeliers, and in table pieces and glassware that have playful and sculptural qualities.
It was as an artist that Ettore Sottsass was celebrated in his life, in exhibitions at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, in 2006, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art a year later. Even then Sottsass’s work prompted critical debate. And for a man whose greatest pleasure was in astonishing, delighting and ruffling feathers, perhaps there was no greater accolade. That the work remains so revolutionary and bold — that it breaks with convention so sharply it will never be considered mainstream — is a testament to his genius.
- Set of Four Modern Red Lacquered Metal Folding Chairs 1980sLocated in Antwerpen, AntwerpSet of four red metal folding chairs dating from the 80s. A decorative set to spice up your kitchen, dining room or even terrace. Very playful set,...Category
Vintage 1980s European Modern Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Swing Lounge Chair by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti, 1980sBy Giovanni Offredi, SaporitiLocated in Antwerpen, AntwerpItalian designer Giovanni Offredi began designing in 1963. His designs represented the contrast between dynamic simplicity and the refined and finished form. This Swing lounge...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Set of 6 SL58 Dining Chairs by Léon Stynen, 1950sBy Léon StynenLocated in Antwerpen, AntwerpThe SL58 chair was designed by Belgian architect Léon Stynen in 1958. It was made in collaboration with Stynen his assistant; architect Paul de Meyer. The ...Category
Vintage 1950s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Pair of Maarten van Severen .03 Vitra Chairs in Wine-RedBy Maarten van SeverenLocated in Antwerpen, AntwerpMaarten Van Severen studied architecture at the Art Academy in Ghent. As a designer he was devoted to the examination of basic furniture types: chair, table, chaise lounge, shelving,...Category
20th Century Belgian Modern Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Mid-Century Modern Desk by Desk Ennio Fazioli & Ufficio Tecnico for Mim, ItalyBy Ennio Fazioli, MIM RomaLocated in Antwerpen, AntwerpMid-Century Modern desk by Desk Ennio Fazioli & Ufficio Tecnico for MIM, Italy 1960s. This desk is made of dark warm colored wood and has chrome detailed...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Modern Desks
MaterialsMetal
- white modern Matteo Thun Fantasia Teapot, Memphis style 1980sBy Matteo ThunLocated in Antwerpen, AntwerpMatteo Thun was one of the co-founders of the Memphis group in 1981. He worked together with many different companies such as Bieffeplast, Swatch and Tiffany. This porcelain coffee / tea pot he designed for Arzberg, Germany in the 1980s. Thun describes it as - New balances. Familiar objects for the coffee with geometric shapes and unusual proportions. - The design was part of the Milan furniture fair in 1989. An exhibition underlining the consumer need of emotion, form and function. For this fair the sugarbowl of this collection has been built in an oversize scale. The tea pot stands...Category
Vintage 1980s European Modern Tea Sets
MaterialsCeramic, Porcelain
- Synthesis Chairs by Ettore Sottsass's Design for OlivettiBy Ettore SottsassLocated in Alessandria, PiemonteRare set of seven Synthesis Chairs by Ettore Sottsass for Olivetti, marked under the seat, produced from 1970-1979.Category
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsIron
- Set of 4 "Synthesis" by Ettore Sottsass for Olivetti, 1970sBy Ettore Sottsass, OlivettiLocated in Conversano, ITRare set composed by 4 "Synthesis" Chairs designed by Ettore Sottsass for Olivetti. The chairs are in very good conditions, despite their ages. Every chairs has a textile co...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsPlastic
- Ettore Sottsass, "Synthesis 45" Dactylo Chair, 1968By Ettore SottsassLocated in Saint-Ouen, FREttore Sottsass, "Synthesis 45" dactylo chair, 1968.Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Sedia Da Collezione Desk Chair Olivetti Synthesis Design Ettore Sottsass 1975By Ettore SottsassLocated in taranto, ITSedia da collezione "desk chair", produzione Olivetti synthesis , design Ettore Sottsass, italia, 1975. Realizzata su struttura in metallo di colore marrone, seduta e schienale in...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Postmodern Ettore Sottsass Pink Dining Chairs for Leitner, 1980sBy Ettore SottsassLocated in Antwerp, BEPostmodern; Ettore Sottsass; Pink; Burgundy; Lacquer; Burl Veneer; dining chairs; Leitner; 1980s; Memphis Group; Leitner; Postmodern dining chairs with an expressive burl veneer ...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsBurl, Lacquer
- Midcentury Armchairs by Ettore Sottsass for Olivetti, 1970sBy Olivetti, Ettore SottsassLocated in HEVERLEE, BEBeautiful space age armchairs designed by Ettore Sottsass for Olivetti. Newly upholstered with the original color brown fabric. Simp...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFabric, Plastic