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Vintage coffee table by Ettore Sottsass for Santambrogio and De Berti

About the Item

Step into the world of timeless elegance with this exquisite modernist coffee table, a true masterpiece designed by none other than the legendary Ettore Sottsass during the vibrant 1960s. Crafted with precision by Santambrogio & De Berti, this table is not just a piece of furniture; it's a work of art that encapsulates the very essence of modern design. As your eyes trace its lines, you'll be captivated by the well-defined, geometric shape that is the hallmark of Sottsass's brilliance. A perfect square in form, this coffee table transcends the ordinary, inviting you into a world where aesthetics and functionality harmonize seamlessly. Beneath the smoked glass top, a hidden gem awaits your discovery: a wooden chessboard meticulously crafted from small slats, forming intricate square geometric patterns. It's as if a game of strategy and creativity lies just beneath the surface, waiting for your imagination to take flight. But it's the table's parallelepiped wooden feet that truly define its character and continuity. They anchor the design, lending stability and a sense of purpose to the piece. These feet are not just structural elements; they are artistic statements, enhancing the table's overall allure. This coffee table is not confined by time or place. Its clean, geometric lines make it a perfect fit for modern settings, where it stands as a symbol of contemporary sophistication. Yet, its warm wooden tones also make it at home in environments where wood exudes its unique sense of comfort and coziness. Bringing this coffee table into your space isn't just a furnishing choice; it's an opportunity to own a piece of design history. Ettore Sottsass's name is synonymous with innovation and influence in Italian design, and this table is a testament to his enduring legacy. When you make this coffee table your own, you're not just acquiring furniture; you're welcoming an icon of modernity and craftsmanship into your home. It's a conversation starter, a symbol of your appreciation for the artistry of design, and a tangible connection to the genius of a great designer who has left an indelible mark on the world of Italian design.

Creator:

Ettore Sottsass (Designer),Santambrogio & De Berti (Manufacturer)

Dimensions:

Height: 13.39 in (34 cm)Width: 31.3 in (79.5 cm)Depth: 31.3 in (79.5 cm)

Style:

Modern (Of the Period)

Materials and Techniques:

Glass,Wood

Place of Origin:

Italy

Period:

1960-1969

Date of Manufacture:

1960

Condition:

Wear consistent with age and use. In good condition, slight scratches due to its age.

Seller Location:

Milano, IT

Reference Number:

1stDibs: LU4911236316492

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Shop All Ettore Sottsass

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.