Lino Sabattini was the preeminent figure in modern Italian silver and metalware design. His expansive and diverse body of work is marked by its strength and boldness, whether in dynamic forms that suggest the thrust and power of Italian Futurist art and design or light and curvaceous biomorphic serveware and decorative objects.
Sabattini was largely self-taught as a designer. Born in the northern Italian town of Correggio, he learned metalsmithing techniques while working in the studio of a maker of brass tableware. He also served as an apprentice of sorts to the expatriate German ceramist Roland Hettner, who taught Sabattini about fluidity of form and showed him how shapes derive from the behavior of materials.
At age 30, Sabattini opened a studio in Milan, and his work quickly came to the attention of Gio Ponti, who decided to publish it in Domus, the Italian design legend's influential design and architecture magazine. Ponti also arranged for Sabattini’s creations to be included in a 1956 exhibition of contemporary Italian design in Paris. The principals of Christofle, the revered French silverware maker, were so impressed that they hired the young designer as the firm’s artistic director, a post he held until 1963. Sabattini, who would also go on to design ceramic wares for Rosenthal, returned home to open Argenteria Sabattini in Bregnano, a company still in business today.
A designer with a questing curiosity and ever-evolving aesthetic sensibility, Sabattini couldn’t be pinned down to one particular style. His best-known work, the Como coffee and tea service of 1956, has an elegant, attenuated and energetic form; his Stairs coffee and tea service (1971), meanwhile, is a clever group of simple columnar shapes in stepped heights, which nest together in a compact arrangement. Other Sabattini pieces have dramatic angles, or sweeping, wing-like flourishes, or consist of perforated ovoids somehow reminiscent of sculptures by Brancusi. In any style, Sabattini produced objects of singular fascination.
Find a range of vintage Lino Sabattini vases and other decorative objects on 1stDibs.
Candara Bowl by Lino Sabattini, Silver Plate, Italy, 1970
By Lino Sabattini, Sabattini Argenteria
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
A bowl with the name Candara with a simplistic and iconic design by renowned italian designer Lino Sabattini from circa 1970. The condition is good albeit with some wear (see picture...
Silver Plate
"Kon Kao" Silver Plated Centerpiece by Lino Sabattini for Sabattini, Italy, 2000
By Sabattini Argenteria, Lino Sabattini
Located in Milan, IT
"Kon Kao" bowl by Lino Sabattini. This silver plated and enameled piece shows timeless attitude. Also available another piece from the same collection, see image 3.
Silver Plate
$600Sale Price|20% Off
Modernist Chrome Fruit Bowl by Lino Sabattini
By Lino Sabattini
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice modernist chrome fruit bowl by Lino Sabattini, circa 1970s. The design features a long clean look with round swirls on each end. The pie...
Chrome
1970s Minimalist Silver Plated Caviar Serving Bowl by Lino Sabattini
By Lino Sabattini, Sabattini Argenteria
Located in Aci Castello, IT
Exquisite 1970s Minimalist Silver-Plated Caviar Serving Bowl by Lino Sabattini Presenting a remarkable piece of modernist design: a sophisticated silver-plated caviar serving bowl, m...
Silver Plate
Lino Sabbatini Rare Set of Graduated Round Silvered Bowls, Italy, 1970s
By Lino Sabattini
Located in New York, NY
Lino Sabbatini ( 1925-2016 ) A rare set of three graduated round silvered bowls with decorated rim. Signed Italy, 1970's Dimensions: Large: 12.5 Ø, medi...
Metal
Lino Sabattini, Silver Plated Sauce Boat 1960's
By Sabattini Argenteria, Lino Sabattini
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
A rare and very elegant modernist salsero, ready to decorate any event or dinner. Designed by renowned Italian designer Lino Sabattini when he launched 'Argenteria Sabattini' in the ...
Silver
$1,400
H 2.37 in W 18.51 in D 12.6 in
1990s Modern Lino Sabattini Clear Glass and Silver Plated Bar Tray
By Lino Sabattini, Sabattini Argenteria
Located in Aci Castello, IT
This 1990s Modernist serving tray by Lino Sabattini embodies the designer's minimalist and refined aesthetic, with sleek lines and high-quality materials. This tray features a base c...
Silver Plate
Tiberius II Medium Ceramic Fruit Bowl by Jaime Hayon
By Jaime Hayon
Located in Milan, IT
Tiberius II is a medium ceramic fruit bowl with a gunmetal stand, and it is available in two color versions: anthracite or white. The product is part of the collection New Roman, by ...
Metal
Pink Marble Fruit Bowl
Located in Eindhoven, NB
Introducing our exquisite pink marble fruit BOWL, a fusion of elegance and functionality. Crafted from luxurious natural pink marble, this stunning bowl is a testament to timeless be...
Marble
Travertine Fruit Bowl, Centerpiece
Located in Eindhoven, NB
Introducing our exquisite beige travertine fruit BOWL, a fusion of elegance and functionality. Crafted from luxurious natural beige travertine, this stunning bowl is a testament to t...
Marble
Black Marble Fruit Bowl
Located in Eindhoven, NB
Introducing our exquisite black marble fruit BOWL, a fusion of elegance and functionality. Crafted from luxurious natural black marble, this stunning bowl is a testament to timeless ...
Marble
Silver Travertine Fruit Bowl, Centerpiece
Located in Eindhoven, NB
Introducing our exquisite silver travertine fruit BOWL, a fusion of elegance and functionality. Crafted from luxurious natural silver travertine, this stunning bowl is a testament to...
Travertine
$1,633
H 1.19 in Dm 17.33 in
Lino Sabattini, Large silver-plated centerpiece / tray, Sabattini Italy 1970s
By Lino Sabattini, Sabattini Argenteria
Located in Firenze, IT
Large silver-plated centerpiece / tray by Lino Sabattini Sabattini Italy 1970s H 3 cm / 44 cm diam. Marked on the base. Conditions: excellent, no defects
Silver Plate
Rosso Levanto Marble Fruit Bowl
By Kiwano Concept
Located in Eindhoven, NB
Introducing our exquisite Rosso Levanto Marble BOWL, a fusion of elegance and functionality. Crafted from luxurious Rosso Levanto marble, this stunning bowl is a testament to timeles...
Stone, Marble
Tiberius I Metal Fruit Bowl by Jaime Hayon
By Jaime Hayon
Located in Milan, IT
Tiberius I is a large fruit bowl available in two versions: copper bowl with a silver pleated stand, or silver pleated bowl with metallic gunmetal stand. ...
Metal, Silver Plate, Copper
$338
H 3.55 in Dm 5.12 in
Lino Sabattini for Christofle Fleuron Silver Plated Apple-Shaped Butter Box, 70s
By Lino Sabattini, Christofle
Located in Roma, IT
A box that recalls a work by René Magritte, an apple and a bowler hat come together in this silver plated box from the 1970s produced by Fleuron Christofle. A butter dish or a caviar...
Silver Plate
White/Lilac Marble Fruit Bowl
Located in Eindhoven, NB
Introducing our exquisite white Lilac fruit BOWL, a fusion of elegance and functionality. Crafted from luxurious natural white Lilac marble, this stunning bowl is a testament to time...
Marble
Silver Plated Large Bowl with Irregular Contour, Italy
Located in Torino, IT
Silver plated bowl with irregular contour, Italian design made in Italy.
A 1980s Lino Sabattini Minimalist Silver Plated and Glass Caviar Bowl
By Sabattini Argenteria, Lino Sabattini
Located in Aci Castello, IT
This 1980s Lino Sabattini caviar bowls represents the height of modernist elegance. With its minimalist design, luxurious materials, and impeccable craftsmanship, it embodies both fu...
Silver Plate
Sold
H 1.58 in W 14.57 in D 4.73 in
A 1960s Iconic Lino Sabattini for Christofle Minimalist Silver Plated Bowl
By Lino Sabattini, Christofle
Located in Aci Castello, IT
An high quality silver plated oval bowl designed by Lino Sabattini, it has been made in France by Christofle world famous manufacturer in the Sixties. It's in very good conditions an...
Silver Plate
Two 1980s Lino Sabattini Minimalist Silver Plated and Glass Caviar Bowl
By Sabattini Argenteria, Lino Sabattini
Located in Aci Castello, IT
This set of 1980s Lino Sabattini caviar bowls represents the height of modernist elegance. With their minimalist design, luxurious materials, and impeccable craftsmanship, they embod...
Silver Plate
Sold
H 4.32 in W 7.88 in D 7.88 in
Sabattini Crystal and Silver Plate Caviar Bowl Dish Serving Chiller, circa 1980
By Lino Sabattini, Sabattini Argenteria
Located in Atlanta, GA
Lino Sabattini designed this exquisite modernist silver plate and crystal caviar serving bowl, dish, or chiller. The rare piece was crafted in Italy for the Sabattini Argenteria trad...
Crystal, Silver Plate, Metal
Lino Sabattini Serving Bowl & Tongs, circa 1970
By Lino Sabattini
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Lino Sabattini silver plated serving bowl & tongs, circa 1970. This set retains the original boxes. Dimensions on the individual bowl are 12 3/8'' wide by 10 3/8'' deep by 4 7/8''...
Silver Plate
Sold
H 5.12 in Dm 12.6 in
Postmodern Lino Sabattini Silver-Plated and White Ceramic Serving Bowl, Italy
By Lino Sabattini
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1970s. This is a great silver plated metal and lacquered ceramic serving bowl. Its simple design was created by Lino Sabattini in Italy, circa 1970s. This is a vintag...
Metal, Silver Plate
Lino Sabattini Made in Italy Bowl in Silver Metal, 1960s
By Lino Sabattini
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Italian Mid-Century Modern design bowl in silver metal designed by Lino Sabattini, engraved Sabattini made in Italy under the base, 1960s Please note that the item is original of ...
Metal, Silver Plate
Zani & Zani Bowl Stainless Steel design Lino Sabatini, 1978
By Zani & Zani 1, Lino Sabattini
Located in Munster, NRW
Italian stainless steel plate or bowl by Lino Sabattini for Zani & Zani, 1978. Marked underneath: Zani & Zani, acciai per la casa, Italy 18/10.
Stainless Steel
Sold
H 6.88 in W 13.5 in D 13.25 in
Lino Sabattini Signed Sculptural Silver Plate Centrepiece Bowl, Italy 1970s
By Lino Sabattini
Located in New York, NY
As with all of Sabattini's work this bowl possesses a modernist elegance. It also is an impressive size which makes it an ideal centrepiece.
Brass
Sold
H 3.5 in W 7.75 in D 10.5 in
Mid Century modernist gravyboat designed by Lino Sabattini for Christofle France
By Christofle, Lino Sabattini
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful design on this rare gravy boat designed by Lino Sabattini for Christofle , in silver plate finish with solid walnut handle, great design stamped on the side edge, can be us...
Silver Plate
Low Silver Plate Bowl by Lino Sabattini
By Lino Sabattini
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A low, stylish silver plate bowl by Lino Sabattini with the rim punctuated by elliptical shapes.
Silver Plate
Sold
H 4.5 in W 20.5 in D 8.5 in
Stunning Italian Signed Lino Sabattini Silver-PlateMonumental Centerpiece Bowl
By Lino Sabattini
Located in North Miami, FL
Sculptural and italian great form ... all signed and all silver-plate polished... Modernist... artful... great as a centerpiece or for elegant serving. Lino Sabattini at some of his...
Silver Plate