Stainless Steel and Glass Cruet Set by Ettore Sottsass for Alessi
About the Item
- Creator:Ettore Sottsass (Designer),Alessi (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 8 in (20.32 cm)Width: 3.5 in (8.89 cm)Depth: 7 in (17.78 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 5
- Style:Post-Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1980
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Brooklyn, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1546238472832
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Brooklyn, NY
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Ettore Sottsass for Alessi Salt & Pepper MillsBy Ettore Sottsass, AlessiLocated in Brooklyn, NYUndeniably an Ettore Sottsass creation, this set of beechwood MP0210 pepper mill and ES18 salt mill are some of the best examples of the Memphis pioneer's design. This set is in the...Category
Late 20th Century Post-Modern Serving Pieces
MaterialsMetal
- 1986 Enorme Telephone by Ettore Sottsass for EnormeBy Ettore SottsassLocated in Brooklyn, NYA perfectly postmodern telephone designed by the Memphis Milano master, Ettore Sottsass, and produced in 1986. The Enorme telephone was the result of ...Category
Late 20th Century Post-Modern Scientific Instruments
MaterialsMetal
- 1986 Gray and Black Enorme Telephone by Ettore Sottsass for EnormeBy Ettore SottsassLocated in Brooklyn, NYA perfectly postmodern telephone designed by the Memphis Milano master, Ettore Sottsass, and produced in 1986. The Enorme phone was produced in another color way but this is the much rarer gray and black version. The Enorme telephone was the result of a collaboration between Sottsass and David Kelley, founder of the design firm IDEO. Sottsass created the conceptual design, and Kelley and his team were responsible for the engineering and detail design. To produce the telephone, the two formed the Enorme Corporation with Jean Pigozzi. Examples of this phone design are found in the collections of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, RISD Museum, and the Los Angeles County Museum. In good vintage condition with wear consistent with age and use. Works great! Molded manufacturer's mark on handset and base: "Designed by Ettore Sottsass Enorme...Category
Late 20th Century Post-Modern Scientific Instruments
MaterialsPlastic
- 1986 Enorme Telephone Handset by Ettore SottsassBy Ettore SottsassLocated in Brooklyn, NYA perfectly postmodern telephone handset designed by the Memphis Milano master, Ettore Sottsass, and produced in 1986. The Enorme telephone was the result of a collaboration between Sottsass and David Kelley, founder of the design firm IDEO. Sottsass created the conceptual design, and Kelley and his team were responsible for the engineering and detail design. To produce the telephone, the two formed the Enorme Corporation with Jean Pigozzi. Examples of this phone design are found in the collections of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, RISD Museum, and the Los Angeles County Museum. In vintage condition with wear consistent with age and use. This is the handset only and it has not been tested. Molded manufacturer's mark on handset and base: "Designed by Ettore Sottsass Enorme...Category
Late 20th Century Post-Modern Scientific Instruments
MaterialsPlastic
- 1986 Enorme Telephone Handset by Ettore SottsassBy Ettore SottsassLocated in Brooklyn, NYA perfectly postmodern telephone handset designed by the Memphis Milano master, Ettore Sottsass, and produced in 1986. The Enorme telephone was the result of a collaboration between...Category
Late 20th Century Post-Modern Scientific Instruments
MaterialsPlastic
- Chimu Bowl by Joanna Lyle for AlessiBy AlessiLocated in Brooklyn, NYWith the design for the Chimu bowl, British designer Joanna Lyle won a design competition organized by Alessi in 1990 to identify young designers from all ...Category
Late 20th Century Post-Modern Decorative Bowls
MaterialsMetal
- 26-Piece Breakfast Set "La Bella Tavola" by Ettore Sottsass for Alessi, 1993By Alighiero Boetti 1, Ettore Sottsass, AlessiLocated in Bresso, LombardyMade in Italy, 1993. This set was designed by Ettore Sottsass for Alessi. The colorful pattern is also designed by Alighiero Boetti. In this set there are - 12 coffee cups with 12 plates; - 11 tea cups with 12 plates (un cup is missing); - Teapot; - Sugar bowl; - Milk jug. It is in perfect original condition. Measures - coffee cups: diameter 7 cm, with handle 9 cm height 4.5 cm. - coffee cup plates...Category
1990s Italian Post-Modern Tea Sets
MaterialsCeramic
- Postmodern Salad Bowl "La Bella Tavola" by Ettore Sottsass for Alessi, 1993By Alighiero Boetti 1, Ettore Sottsass, AlessiLocated in Bresso, LombardyMade in Italy, 1993. This bowl was designed by Ettore Sottsass for Alessi. The colorful pattern is also designed by Alighiero Boetti. It is in perfect original condition. Measures:...Category
1990s Italian Post-Modern Serving Bowls
MaterialsCeramic
- Steel, Glass and Plastic Cruet Set with Cheese Bowl by E. Sottsass for AlessiBy Alessi, Ettore SottsassLocated in Bresso, LombardyMade in Italy, 1970s. Designed by Ettore Sottsass for Alessi. They are made in stainless steel, plastic and glass. They are vintage pieces therefore they might show slight traces ...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Post-Modern Tableware
MaterialsStainless Steel
- Sottsass Ettore design for Alessi 5079 containers for condiments in steelBy Ettore SottsassLocated in Biella, ITSottsass Ettore desihn for Alessi base containers for condiments in steel of years '80 the sell is for one but are to disposition two of this alessi c...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Modern Serving Pieces
MaterialsStainless Steel
- Alessi 4 Parts Hors d'oeuvres Service Crystal Glass Designed Ettore SottsassBy Ettore Sottsass, AlessiLocated in Miami, FLThis Listing offers the Alessi 4 compartments Hors d'oeuvres service in crystal glass designed by Ettore Sottsass, made in Italy, circa 1970s. Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Barware in minimalism design and heavy lead crystal. All 4 Triangle shaped bowls have the golden Alessi Label. Practical to serve Your favorite Dish at Your Holiday or Family Dinner...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
MaterialsCrystal
- Alessi Stainless Steel Cutout Skyscraper Footed Bowl or Centerpiece, Italy 1990sBy AlessiLocated in Bresso, LombardyThis Alessi stainless steel 3 footed cutout bowl is of deco inspired partial skyscrapers buildings in more of an abstract form. It is a vintage ...Category
1990s Italian Serving Pieces
MaterialsStainless Steel
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
We Dare You Not to Smile at These Whimsical Italian Designs
Make anyplace your happy place with Italian furniture at its subversive best.
This Rare Set of 100 Alessi Vases Includes Designs by Scores of International Artists
Alessandro Mendini, Michael Graves, Ettore Sottsass and other design luminaries contributed to this unusual collection of porcelain wares representing a time capsule of late-20th-century decorative art.