Entrepreneur Aurelio Zanotta founded Zanotta in 1954 in Nova Milanese, Italy. Originally called Zanotta Poltrona, it specialized in traditional furniture. By the early 1960s, however, Zanotta had established a reputation for edgy mid-century modern design. Today’s vintage furniture collectors know the brand well for its innovative and wholly sculptural chairs, coffee tables and more.
One of Zanotta’s earliest successes was the Mezzadro stool — better known as the Tractor stool — designed by Pier Giacomo Castiglioni and his brother Achille in the late 1950s. In 1965, Zanotta was among the first furniture companies to work with expanded polyurethane foam and frameless construction, such as for the Throw-Away sofas and armchairs designed by Willie Landels. Another popular design was the Blow chair — designed by Jonathan De Pas, Donato D’Urbino, Paolo Lomazzi and Carla Scolari — viewed by many as a physical expression of late '60s carefree culture.
In 1969, amid the provocative movement we now call Italian Radical Design, Zanotta’s Sacco chair garnered major attention. The boundary-pushing beanbag chair was the brainchild of designers Piero Gatti, Cesare Paolini and Franco Teodoro who presented it to Aurelio Zanotta as a transparent vinyl sack loosely filled with small polystyrene balls. He suggested its signature brightly colored leather.
The Sacco chair won the 1970 ADI Design Museum’s Compasso d’Oro award. In 1972, the Museum of Modern Art in New York included it in the landmark exhibition “Italy: The New Domestic Landscape” curated by designer Emilio Ambasz. In 2020, it received a Compasso d’Oro ADI Lifetime Achievement Award for 50 years of enduring popularity. It is now in museum collections around the world including the Triennale Design Museum of Milan, the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, and London’s Victoria & Albert Museum.
After Aurelio Zanotta died in 1991, the company remained in his family and has been run by his three children since 2002. Zanotta continues to set the bar high for furniture design with trend-setting pieces.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of vintage Zanotta seating, tables and other furniture.
Willie Landels “Throw-Away” Two-Seat Sofa for Zanotta, Italy, circa 1970s
By Zanotta, Willie Landels
Located in San Diego, CA
An iconic and historically important “Throw-Away” two-seat sofa designed by Willie Landels for Zanotta, Italy. Originally conceived in 1965 and introduced by Zanotta in 1966, the Thr...
Naugahyde, Plastic
Zanotta Model Straccio De Pas, D'Urbino, Lomazzi Original Leather Sofa
By Zanotta, Gionathan de Pas & Donato D’Urbino & Paolo Lomazzi
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This stunning Leather Sofa was designed 1968 by Design Team Gionatan de Pas , Donato d’Urbino and Paolo Lomazzi. They´ve created one of the most iconic objects in italian Design history. This Model name is Straccio and was produced by Zanotta. It reflects the time of thick leather chairs and Sofas...
Leather, Plastic, Foam
$3,328Sale Price / set|20% Off
De Pas, D'Urbino and Zanotta Black and Yellow Armchairs
By Zanotta, Gionathan de Pas & Donato D’Urbino & Paolo Lomazzi
Located in Milano, IT
Attractive pair of armchairs made in the 1980s by De Pas, D'urbino and Zanotta, of fine Italian manufacture. The armchairs have a curved back in black plastic material, very eccentri...
Fabric, Plastic
Onda Loveseat by De Pas, D’Urbino, and Lomazzi
By Zanotta, Gionathan de Pas & Donato D’Urbino & Paolo Lomazzi
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1980s produced by Zanotta, Italy - excellent vintage condition
Chrome
$5,996Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 29.53 in W 88.59 in D 39.38 in
Vintage Sofa Set in Cognac Leather by Sapporo for Mobil Girgi, Italy, 1970s
By Mobil Girgi, Sapporo
Located in Catania, CT
Set of two armchairs and a three seater sofa designed by Sapporo for Mobil Girgi. Cognac leather. Original vintage condition with normal trace of age and use. Foam in perfect conditi...
Leather
1970s Ray Wilkes Chiclet 2-Seater for Herman Miller
By Ray Wilkes, Herman Miller
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
Iconic MCM Ray Wilkes for Herman Miller "Chiclet" love seat or sofa. Named for the four large rectangular Chiclets gum-shaped foam elements that make up the sofa. Very comfortable, h...
Metal
Vivai del Sud Italian Two Seat Sofa
By Vivai del Sud
Located in New York, NY
A vibrant and cheerful Vivai del Sud two seat sofa in gold and cream silk moire fabric; original upholstery. The smooth and sensuous form, combined with the sweet color, creates an a...
Fabric
Vintage Line Roset "Cinna" Two Seat Sofa From France, Circa 1960
Located in Nashville, TN
Vintage Line Roset "Cinna" Two Seat Sofa From France, Circa 1960. We don't have the time to write an extensive description on each of our pieces. We pref...
Upholstery
Jack Fhillips Design Two Seat Sofa
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An elegant comfortable two seat sofa with two seat and two ample fitted back cushions. Rolled arms and the base with a tailored skirt. Upholstered in a lovely pale floral striped uph...
Fabric, Wood
$5,007
H 25.6 in W 63 in D 37.41 in
Sacco Sofa by Piero Gatti, Cesare Paolini, Franco Teodoro for Zanotta, Italy
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Mario Bellini
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
Rare two-seat Sacco Sofa by Piero Gatti, Cesare Paolini, Franco Teodoro for Zanotta, Italy. Newly upholstered in pure Alpaca wool fabric. Fast shipping worldwide.
Fabric
$2,615
H 25.99 in W 49.61 in D 21.66 in
Danish Modern, Two-Seater Sofa in Velour with Floral Upholstery, 1970s
Located in Rødding, DK
Elegant Danish Modern two-seater sofa / loveseat from the 1970s, showcasing classic Scandinavian design with expressive textile detailing. The sofa features its original floral uphol...
Fabric, Velvet, Oak
$1,701
H 27.96 in W 43.71 in D 38.19 in
1967, Paolo Lomazzi, Donato D'urbino, Jonathan de Pas, for Zanotta, Blow Chair
By Zanotta, Gionathan de Pas & Donato D’Urbino & Paolo Lomazzi
Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL
This item is part of the private collection of Casey Godrie and is situated in his private house. Ask him for competitive shipping quotes. His incredible Dune Villa, Amsterdam Beach, check last pictures on this listing and/or find more details on his family name plus eu, is for sale soon too. :-) This was the first mass-produced inflatable chair...
Plastic
De Pas, D’Urbino and Lomazzi Lounge Chair Italy 1970.
By Gionathan de Pas & Donato D’Urbino & Paolo Lomazzi
Located in Almelo, NL
De Pas, D’Urbino and Lomazzi Lounge Chair Italy 1970. This very cool-shaped lounge chair was designed by Jonathan de Pas, Donato D'urbino, and ...
Fabric, Foam
$12,500
H 18 in W 75 in D 36 in
"Grand Italia" Black Leather Daybed by De Pas, D'urbino, Lomazzi, Italy, 1979
By Gionathan de Pas & Donato D’Urbino & Paolo Lomazzi, Zanotta
Located in New York, NY
A rare and iconic example of late 20th-century Italian design, this “Grand Italia” daybed was designed by the celebrated trio De Pas, D’Urbino, and Lomazz...
Steel
$3,730
H 30.71 in W 40.95 in D 40.95 in
Straccio Easy Chair by De Pas, D’urbino, Lomazzi for Zanotta, Italy 1967
By Zanotta, Gionathan de Pas & Donato D’Urbino & Paolo Lomazzi
Located in Almelo, NL
Straccio Easy Chair by De Pas, D’Urbino, Lomazzi for Zanotta, Italy, 1967. This stylish lounge chair, designed by Jonathan de Pas, Donato D’Urbino, and Paolo Lomazzi for Zanotta in ...
Fabric
De Sede DS42 Two-Seat Sofa in Original Natural Leather, 1970s
By De Sede
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The De Sede DS42 is a two-seat sofa upholstered in thick, hand-stitched natural leather, produced by the Swiss manufacturer in the 1970s. The silhouette is low and compact, with a hi...
Leather
Sold
H 43.71 in W 29.53 in D 27.56 in
De Pas, D'Urbino and Zanotta Vintage Armchairs in Black and Yellow Fabric
By Zanotta, Gionathan de Pas & Donato D’Urbino & Paolo Lomazzi
Located in Milano, IT
Attractive pair of armchairs made in the 1980s by De Pas, D'urbino and Zanotta, of fine Italian manufacture. The armchairs have a curved back in black plastic material, very eccentr...
Fabric, Plastic
Sold
H 29 in W 55 in D 34 in
Postmodern Teal Leather Zanotta Onda Loveseat Sofa 1985, Italia Two-Seat Sofa
By Zanotta, Paolo Lomazzi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Onda by Paolo Lomazzi for Zanotta, Italy 1985. Gorgeous cerulean leather and chromed tubular steel. Extremely rare postmodern masterpiece in the perfect color. A postmodern, Italian ...
Stainless Steel
Sold
H 70 in W 139 in D 90 in
Midcentury "Onda" Black Leather Italian Sofa by De Pas, D'urbino for Zanotta
By Zanotta, Gionathan de Pas & Donato D’Urbino & Paolo Lomazzi
Located in Sacile, PN
Italian Onda two-seat sofa designed by D’Urbino, De Pas, Lomazzi for Zanotta, dated 1985. The sofa, labelled by Zanotta Italy, has original vintage black leather upholstery with stee...
Steel