Iconic First Edition Memphis Milano Carlton Bookcase By Ettore Sottsass
View Similar Items
Iconic First Edition Memphis Milano Carlton Bookcase By Ettore Sottsass
About the Item
- Creator:Ettore Sottsass (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 78.15 in (198.5 cm)Width: 74.81 in (190 cm)Depth: 15.75 in (40 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:1980-1989
- Date of Manufacture:1981
- Condition:Repaired: One very small corner to the rear base of the piece has had a touch up and a very small replacement of formica. Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Portlaoise, IE
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU8496235884882
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.
- Incredible Three Leaf 'Rababaro' lamp by Carlo Giorgi for Bottega Gada MilanoBy Carlo GiorgiLocated in Portlaoise, IEThis remarkable floor lamp was created by designer sculptor Carlo Giorgi for Atelier Bottega Gadda in Milan circa 1970. A stunning piece it does not conform to one specific category,...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Hollywood Regency Floor Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- Amazing Danish Highboard By Borge SeindalLocated in Portlaoise, IEDating from the 1960’s this stunning piece created in the 1960’s by Borge Seindal for P. Westergaard Mobelfabrik is constructed from the most striking rosewood. It has sliding doors ...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Sideboards
MaterialsHardwood
- Superb Mid Century Danish Sideboard By Johannes AndersonBy Johannes AndersenLocated in Portlaoise, IEStunning model 15 mid century Danish sideboard by Johannes Anderson for Uldum Mobler designed and created in the 1950’s. This superb piece is presented in excellent vintage conditio...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Sideboards
MaterialsTeak
- Exceptional Scandinavian Rio Rosewood Sideboard By Fredrik A KayserBy Fredrik A. KayserLocated in Portlaoise, IEWhat can only be described as a Scandinavian masterpiece, sideboards simply don’t come any better. The beauty of this piece lies in its simplicity of design with beautiful clean line...Category
Mid-20th Century Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Sideboards
MaterialsRosewood
- Stunning Three Seater Danish Sofa By Grete JalkBy Grete JalkLocated in Portlaoise, IEA stunningly beautiful sofa designed by the legendary Grete Jalk for Poul Jeppesen Mobelfabrik. Exceedingly rare in rosewood this piece has remarkable grain pattern and is presented ...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Hardwood
- Classic Danish Rocking Chair by Arne Vodder for SibastBy Arne VodderLocated in Portlaoise, IEA stunning piece of Danish design, this rocking chair designed by the legendary Arne Vodder for the Sibast furniture company is madre from solid rosewood and we have had the seat new...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Rosewood
- Carlton Memphis Milano Bookcase or Room Divider by Ettore Sottsass, 1981By Ettore SottsassLocated in Chicago, ILMemphis Milano Carlton bookcase by Ettore Sottsass. Post-Modern, sculptural, multicolor "Carlton" room divider or bookcase, designed by Sottstass ...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Bookcases
MaterialsWood, Laminate
- Carlton Wood Miniature Bookcase by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano CollectionBy Memphis Group, Memphis Milano, Ettore SottsassLocated in La Morra, CuneoHere you are shown an authentic and perfect reproduction of the Carlton bookcase, originally designed in 1981 by Ettore Sottsass. The vivid colors and...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
MaterialsWood, Plastic
- 'Carlton' Room Divider and Bookcase by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano, ItalyBy Memphis Milano, Ettore SottsassLocated in London, GBProbably the most iconic of all Ettore Sottsass' designs, the colourful Carlton is half room divider, half bookcase and full size sculptural marvel. Des...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Post-Modern Bookcases
MaterialsLaminate, Wood
$15,768 Sale Price / item20% Off - Ettore Sottsass - "Carlton" BookcaseBy Ettore SottsassLocated in PAU, FRBookcase named "Carlton" design by Ettore Sottsass in 1981. Produced by Memphis Milano, Italie. Height : 198 cm Width : 190 cm Depth : 40 cmCategory
Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Bookcases
MaterialsWood
- Suvretta Plastic Bookcase, by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano CollectionBy Memphis Group, Memphis Milano, Ettore SottsassLocated in La Morra, CuneoThe Suvretta bookcase in plastic laminate was originally designed in 1981, by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano. Ettore Sottsass was born in Innsbruck in 1917. In 1939 he graduated...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
MaterialsPlastic
- Casablanca Wood Cabinet, by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano CollectionBy Memphis Group, Memphis Milano, Ettore SottsassLocated in La Morra, CuneoCasablanca cabinet designed in 1981 for Memphis by Ettore Sottsass, in wood and plastic laminated colors. This is an unlimited edition with a number...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Cabinets
MaterialsWood, Plastic