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. He was a wild man of the Radical Design movement that swept Italy in the late 1960s and ’70s, rejecting rationalism and modernism in favor of ever-more outrageous imaginings in lighting and furniture such as mirrors, lamps, chairs and tables.
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.
The Memphis Group 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 created innovative furnishings for the likes of Artemide, Knoll, Zanotta and Poltronova, where he reigned as artistic director for nearly two decades beginning in 1958. His 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 inspired and expressive in smaller, secondary furnishings such as lamps and chandeliers, and in table pieces and glassware that have playful and sculptural qualities.
Sottsass left the Memphis Group in 1985 in order to concentrate on the growth of Sottsass Associati, a design and architecture consultancy he cofounded in 1980.
It was as an artist that 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.
Find Ettore Sottsass lighting, decorative objects and furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
The Mandarin armchair by Ettore Sottsass for Knoll, 1986
By Ettore Sottsass, Knoll
Located in Athens, Attiki
The Mandarin chair by Ettore Sottsass for Knoll, 1986. The Mandarin Chair was a particular favorite for corporate interiors, restaurants and libraries. Its flowing, sculptural arm in...
Metal
Ettore Sottsass Pausania Table Lamp, Bakelite & Stainless steel, Italy, 1982
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Encino, CA
Ettore Sottsass (1917) Edition Artemide. One table lamp Model PAUSANIA 1982 Measurements: H 16"1/2 x W 18"3/4 x D 4"1/4 This lamps shows some marks of old repairs but works perfectl...
Stainless Steel
Mid-Century Wall Mirror By Ettore Sottsass, Santambrogio e De Berti, 1950s
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Wall Mirror By Ettore Sottsass, Santambrogio e De Berti, 1950s
Brass
$823Sale Price|20% Off
Postmodern Ettore Sottsass Model 592 "Fischietto" Vase For Habitat, 2000
By Habitat International, Ettore Sottsass
Located in London, GB
For sale a rare & iconic Post-Modern “FISCHIETTO” ("Whistle" in Italian) vase designed by Ettore Sottsass, produced by Habitat in 2000 and made of earthenware, glazed in light &a...
Ceramic, Earthenware
Venini Puzzle Vase in Coral & Gray Glass by Ettore Sottsass
By Venini, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini Puzzle glass in coral/Gray by Ettore Sottsass. Numbered edition for year. Hand-blown glass. Color: Coral/Gray Technique: Opal Dimensions: Ø 27 cm, H 40 cm Year of Manuf...
Blown Glass
XXsec. Vase from the series YANTRA 17 Ettore Sottsass 1969
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Lastra a Signa, FI
In 1969 Ettore Sottsass He titles the series Yantra in reference to the Indian religious tradition that each yantra is unique, thus associated with a particular power or ritual. Cer...
Ceramic
"Hsing" Vase Designed by Ettore Sottsass
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in New York, NY
"Hsing" vase designed by Ettore Sottsass for Alessio Sarri, Sesto Fiorentino. Green glazed ceramic.
Ceramic
Ettore Sottsass Montenegro Carrara Marble & Granite Console for Ultima Edizione
By Ettore Sottsass, Ultima Edizione
Located in Almelo, NL
Ettore Sottsass Montenegro Carrara Marble & Granite Console for Ultima Edizione 1980s The Montenegro console table, created by Ettore Sottsass in...
Granite, Carrara Marble
$10,150 / item
Venini Kiritam Table Lamp by Ettore Sottsass
By Venini, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini Kiritam table lamp by Ettore Sottsass. Numbered Edition for year Marble Base Color: Milk-White/Aquamarine Measurements: Ø 15.35"" H 18.89"" 1 x max E27 10W LED + 3 x ma...
Glass
Ettore Sottsass Chest of Drawers, Model CS 108, for Poltronova, Wood & Marble, 1964
By Ettore Sottsass, Poltronova
Located in Torino, Piemonte
Ettore Sottsass grew up in Turin, and graduated in architecture from the Turin Polytechnic in 1939. In 1947, he founded his own studio in Milan. In 1956, Sottsass moved to New York w...
Marble
Ettore Sottsass Contemporary Modern Pair of Mod, "Demistella" Italian Consoles
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Madrid, ES
Pair of demilune shape Console tables mod. "Demistella" designed by Ettore Sottsass. Composed of solid wood and three different marble pieces. Italy 1990s. Ettore Sottsass is one of...
Marble
Ettore Sottsass Cometa table lamp for Design Centre, 1970s
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Padova, IT
Ettore Sottsass Cometa table lamp from the series "Mobili Grigi" for Design centre/Poltronova, 1970s. Painted aluminum base, chromed brackets, ...
Aluminum
Square table model "Mettsass" by Ettore Sottsass red glass, 20th century design
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Barcelona, ES
One of Sottsass first designs for BD, the "Mettsass" has lost none of the personality with which Sottsass designed it for BD some 40 years ago, in 1972. The structure is made of flat...
Glass
Ettore Sottsass Vintage Brass Four Wall Hooks or Coat Hooks circa 1985 Italy
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Vienna, AT
Ettore Sottsass vintage wall mounted hooks coat hooks from brass Valli & Valli circa 1985 Italy. A wonderful poetic set of four ( 4 ) coat hooks from...
Brass
$1,120Sale Price|20% Off
1960s blue umbrella stand by Ettore Sottsass for Poltronova
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Milano, IT
Vintage umbrella stand made of blue-painted wood designed by Ettore Sottsass for Poltronova in 1961.
Wood
$1,925Sale Price|25% Off
Ettore Sottsass Shiva Capsule Limited Edition Blue Vase 158/999
By Ettore Sottsass, BD Barcelona Design
Located in Barcelona, ES
Blue Shiva ceramic vase designed by Ettore Sottsass, circa 1973, edited by BD in Barcelona. This piece has been produced as a limited edition with a total of only 999 units. This is...
Ceramic
Rare Ettore Sottsass Plant Holder for Poltronova, Italy, 1962
By Ettore Sottsass, Poltronova
Located in Milan, IT
Ettore Sottsass Plant holder for Poltronova, Italy, 1962 Rare extra-large Ettore Sottsass plant holder.
Wood
Venini Bhusanam Table Lamp in Aquamarine by Ettore Sottsass
By Venini, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini Bhusanam table lamp in Aquamarine by Ettore Sottsass. Numbered Edition for year Year of Manufacture: 1994 - 2017 Metal: Blue Painted Color: Aquamarine Measurements: Ø 1...
Glass
"Hsing" Vase Designed by Ettore Sottsass
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in New York, NY
"Hsing" vase designed by Ettore Sottsass for Alessio Sarri, Sesto Fiorentino. Red glazed ceramic. Marked: E. Sottsass, A. SARRI.
Ceramic
$10,941Sale Price|25% Off
Twenty-Seven Woods for a Chinese Artificial Flower Vase L by Ettore Sottsass
By Design Gallery Milano, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Barcelona, ES
Twenty-seven woods for a Chinese artificial flower vase L by Ettore Sottsass, Edited by Design Gallery Milano, 1995. Limited edition of 12 signed and numbered pieces, number 3/12. ...
Glass, Wood
Set of 2 Ettore Sottsass Mandarin Chairs by Knoll - Black + Red Post Modern
By Ettore Sottsass, Knoll
Located in Decatur, GA
Set of two (2) Knoll International "Mandarin" chairs by Ettore Sottsass. Exemplifying Sottsass’s bold postmodern sensibility, these sculptural chairs feature vivid red enameled arms ...
Metal
$1,980Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of Four Armchairs by Ettore Sottsass for Knoll Memphis Era
By Ettore Sottsass, Knoll
Located in San Diego, CA
Nice set of four Mandarin chairs designed by Sottsass for Knoll, in red fabric on foam black enameled tubular legs and silver pipping arms, simple and elegant by this master architect.
Metal
1990s Ettore Sottsass for Knoll Eastside Two Seat Loveseat Sofa in Fabric
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an Eastside Two Seat Sofa, originally designed by Italian designer Ettore Sottsass in 1983. These examples were produced by Knoll and date to the 1990s. Their design features...
Aluminum
Ettore Sottsass, Shiva Flower Vase, Pink, Glazed Ceramic, Spanish, XXth
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Barcelona, ES
The Shiva vase is sculpture and vase. It is a symbol of Ettore Sottsass and an icon. Sottsass designed the Shiva Vase when travelling to Barcelona for love in 1973. He encountered m...
Ceramic
$297 / item
Shiva Flower Vase by Ettore Sottsass
By Ettore Sottsass, BD Barcelona Design
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Shiva flower vase by Ettore Sottsass was designed in 1973 following the inspiration garnered from his love for Catalan women w...
Ceramic
Ettore Sottsass for Rinnovel Sculptural Umbrella Stand, Italy 1950s
By Rinnovel, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Naples, IT
Very rare and famous umbrella stand from the 1950s designed by Ettore Sottsass for the famous Italian firm Rinnovel Italia. The timeless design is very attractive, the frame is made ...
Aluminum, Brass
Set of 8 Ettore Sottsass Mandarin Chairs by Knoll - Black + Red Post Modern
By Ettore Sottsass, Knoll
Located in Decatur, GA
Set of Eight (8) Knoll International "Mandarin" chairs by Ettore Sottsass. Exemplifying Sottsass’s bold postmodern sensibility, these sculptural chairs feature vivid red enameled arm...
Metal
"Sol" Fruit Bowl in Glass by Ettore Sottsass, 1982
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Skokie, IL
Ettore Sottsass "Sol" fruit bowl for Compagnia Vetraria Muranese for Memphis Italy, 1982 Additional Information: Materials: Glass Dimensions: 10 1/4" H × 12 1/2" W × 11 3/4" D ...
Glass
Ettore Sottsass "Ashoka" Table Lamp, Postmodern Design, 1981
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Tinton Falls, NJ
ASHOKA by Ettore Sottsass, which takes its name from the emperor of the Maurya Empire, resembles an unstable stack of playful geometric forms. Though it seems “de-structured,” the la...
Metal
Ettore Sottsass Custom Burl, Oak Coffee Table from Max Palevsky Residence, 1984
By Ettore Sottsass, Sottsass Associati
Located in Kansas City, MO
This one of a kind custom coffee table designed by Ettore Sottsass is from the Max Palevsky Residence, Malibu, CA. Beautiful burl wood top with oak frame and polished aluminum feet. ...
Chrome, Aluminum
Ettore Sottsass, Square Coffee Table, Poltronova, Italy 1950s
By Poltronova, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
Ettore Sottsass Square Living Room Table manufactured circa 1959 by Poltronova, Italy teak with patinated metal legs, on adjustable brass feet 77cm wide, 77cm deep, 38cm high Litera...
Metal, Brass
Ettore Sottsass Y29 Vase in Black Enameled Ceramic Yantra Series Poltronova 70s
By Ettore Sottsass, Poltronova
Located in Cascina, Pisa
This ceramic piece is part of the Yantra series by Ettore Sottsass, a collection of thirty-nine forms including containers, ashtrays, vases and bowls, created between 1969 and 1973 a...
Ceramic
Beverly Sideboard by Ettore Sottsass, 1981 Postmodern Design
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Tinton Falls, NJ
Ettore Sottsass considered the Beverly sideboard a pivotal piece for the first MEMPHIS collection. The diagonal upright support fabricated of birds-eye maple was meant to infer the p...
Chrome
Shiva Flower Vase by Ettore Sottsass, Pink, Glazed Ceramic, Spanish, XXth
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Barcelona, ES
Sottsass designed the Shiva Vase when travelling to Barcelona for love in 1973. He encountered many cultures, religious symbolism, and inspiration on his travels. The smooth, curving...
Ceramic
Vintage Marble Table by Ettore Sottsass for Poltronova, Italy 1960s.
By Ettore Sottsass, Poltronova
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage Marble Table by E. Sottsass for Poltronova, Italy 1960s. Vintage table realized in 1965 by Ettore Sottsass for Poltronova. Top and base in ''Rosso di Verona'' marble and b...
Marble, Metal
$3,800 / set
Ettore Sottsass Table Lamps for Bitossi
By Ettore Sottsass, Bitossi
Located in San Francisco, CA
Ettore Sottsass design ceramic table lamps for Bitossi, Italy. Originally designed for an Amersterdam department store De Bijenkorf, produced circa 1958. The ovoid lamp form and str...
Ceramic
Ettore Sottsass Santambrogio E De Berti Oak Wood Mirror, Italy, 1959
By Santambrogio & De Berti, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Catania, IT
Rare mirror in oak wood frame of Ettore Sottsass manufactured by Santambrogio e De Berti, 1959s. Together with the original label. Excellent ...
Oak
Ettore Sottsass, Shiva Vase, Bright Blue, Glazed Ceramic, Spain, Contemporary
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Barcelona, ES
The Shiva vase was designed by Ettore Sottsass when he was travelling to Barcelona for love in 1971. It captures the essence and cultural vision of the bold and provocative Radical D...
Ceramic
Pair of Blue Dorane Table Lamps by Ettore Sottsass for Stilnovo, 1970s
By Stilnovo, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Rotterdam, NL
Pair of blue Dorane table lamps designed in 1977 by Ettore Sottsass and manufactured by Stilnovo. The base of these lamps is made of black lacquered metal, and the shade is made of ...
Metal
Ettore Sottsass Set of two Rocchettone Round Side Table by Poltronova 1960s
By Poltronova, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Cascina, Pisa
Rocchettone side table realized in lacquered walnut wood with bright orange decorations (under the table top and on the base), it was designed by Ettore Sottsass and manufactured by ...
Plastic, Wood, Walnut
Gli Specchi Di Dioniso 4 Wall Mirror by Ettore Sottsass for Glas Italia IN STOCK
By Glas Italia, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Dioniso4 Gli Specchi di Dioniso wall mirror is from a collection of 6 wall mirrors in different shapes and sizes characterizes by polychromatic frames composed of elements in laminat...
Mirror
Ceramic vase Memphis, “HSING” by Ettore Sottsass blue star, Milan, late 1980s.
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Milan, IT
Memphis Milano painted ceramic vase, “HSING”by Ettore Sottsass, blue star-shaped color. Alessio Sarri ceramiche. Memphis Group, an Italian design and architecture collective founded ...
Ceramic
$6,240Sale Price|20% Off
Set of Eight Mandarin Dining Chairs Designed by Ettore Sottsass for Knoll
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Pasadena, TX
Knoll Ettore Sottsass Jr. (ITALY, 1917-2007) An architect, industrial designer, philosopher and provocateur, Ettore Sottsass led a revolution in the aesthetics and technology of m...
Metal
Ettore Sottsass Vase Ceramic 1958 Italy
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Milano, IT
Ettore Sottsass.
Ceramic
Four Ettore Sottsass Mandarin Chairs for Knoll in Red & Black, 1986 Italy
By Knoll, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Grand Cayman, KY
Icon of the Memphis Milano Movement. A set of four Ettore Sottsass Mandarin chairs for Knoll. Black Alcantara upholstery. Arms in red lacquer. A 1986 design by Ettore Sottsass for K...
Metal, Steel
Ettore Sottsass, Shiva Flower Vase, Pink, Glazed Ceramic, Spanish, 20th
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Barcelona, ES
The Shiva vase is sculpture and vase. It is a symbol of Ettore Sottsass and an icon. Sottsass designed the Shiva Vase when travelling to Barcelona for love in 1973. He encountered m...
Ceramic
1950s Italian Decorative Object "MELA" by Ettore Sottsass
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mela" apple bowl was designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1953 for Rinnovel. Sottsass wasn't originally italian, he was born on 1917 in Innsbruck, (Austria), but...
Chrome
Italian Postmodern Sculptural Wall Shelf by Ettore Sottsass for Zanotta 1980
By Ettore Sottsass, Zanotta
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Alfiere étagère by Ettore Sottsass for Zanotta, 1980 This rare Italian postmodern sculptural wall shelf was designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1980 for Zanotta. Known as the Alfiere éta...
Marble, Chrome
Don Table Lamp by Ettore Sottsass for Stilnovo, 1970s
By Ettore Sottsass, Stilnovo
Located in Rotterdam, NL
Don table lamp designed in 1977 by Ettore Sottsass and manufactured by Stilnovo. The lamp consists of a relative heavy emerald green cubic base, a white ...
Metal
Ettore Sottsass for Alchimia “Capodanno” No. 71 Table Lamp, 1979
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Weesp, NL
Step into a landmark moment in postmodern design with this Capodanno table lamp—an object that marks Ettore Sottsass’s decisive break from the austere functionalism of his Rationalis...
Brass
Ettore Sottsass Mandarin Dining Set in Carrara Marble, Red & Black, 1986 Italy
By Ettore Sottsass, Knoll
Located in Grand Cayman, KY
Icon of the Memphis Milano Movement. A set of four Ettore Sottsass Mandarin chairs for Knoll. Black Alcantara upholstery. Arms in red lacquer. Additionally, a Carrara marble round pe...
Metal, Steel
Alioth Glass Vase, by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano Collection
By Memphis Group, Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Alioth Glass Vase was designed by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis in 1983. The Venetian glass vase features blue fusions and black threads. Signed on the base. Ettore Sottsass was b...
Glass
1990s Ettore Sottsass for Knoll Eastside Three Seat Sofa in Fabric 2x Available
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an Eastside Three Seat Sofa, originally designed by Italian designer Ettore Sottsass in 1983. These examples were produced by Knoll and date to the 1990s. Their design featur...
Aluminum
Italian brown metal sideboard Synthesis 45 by Ettore Sottsass for Olivetti 1970s
By Ettore Sottsass, Olivetti
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian brown metal sideboard Synthesis 45 by Ettore Sottsass for Olivetti, 1970s Sideboard from the Synthesis 45 series in laminate and metal. The rectangular light brown laminate t...
Metal
Essetre Bookcase Three Shelves White Resin Fiberglass Serie Mobili Grigi 1970
By Poltronova, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Milano, IT
A beautiful Essetre bookcase, featuring a three-tier structure in white resin reinforced with fiberglass, part of the iconic Serie Mobili Grigi. Produced by Poltronova in Italy durin...
Resin, Fiberglass
$8,311Sale Price|25% Off
Ettore Sottsass Twenty-Seven Woods for a Chinese Artificial Flower Vase G
By Design Gallery Milano, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Barcelona, ES
Twenty-seven woods for a Chinese Artificial flower vase G by Ettore Sottsass, edited by Design Gallery Milano, 1995. Limited edition of 12 signed and numered pieces, number 3 / 12. ...
Brass
Ettore Sottsass & Michele De Lucchi Table from the 'Icarus' System for Olivetti
By Olivetti, Ettore Sottsass, Michele de Lucchi
Located in Firenze, IT
A significant and rare desk (or dining table) from the 'Icarus' office system, designed by Ettore Sottsass and Michele De Lucchi for Olivetti Synthesis in 1982. The Icarus series rep...
Steel
$1,520Sale Price|20% Off
Ettore Sottsass for Poltronova Wooden Umbrella Stand
By Poltronova, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Wooden umbrella stand by the famous Ettore Sottsass Ettore Sottsass (1917–2007) was an Italian architect and designer, best known for founding the Memphis Group in the 1980s, which...
Wool
Set by Ettore Sottsass for atelier Alessi Italy production in years '78
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Biella, IT
Ettore Sottsass design for atelier Alessi and released in 1978, the “5074” condiment set has become a true icon of late 20th Century Modern Design. the set of five pieces is in sta...
Crystal, Stainless Steel
Vide poche or ashtray by Ettore Sottsass for Venini, 1990s
By Venini, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Hand made murano glass ashtray or vide poche by designe Ettore Sottsass for Venini. The piece is signed underneath and we believe it to be limited to 97 pieces. 1990s - italy Good...
Murano Glass