1970, Ettore Sottsass for Olivetti Synthesi in Brown Plastic
About the Item
- Creator:Olivetti (Manufacturer),Ettore Sottsass (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 29.53 in (75 cm)Width: 23.23 in (59 cm)Depth: 18.51 in (47 cm)Seat Height: 16.93 in (43 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1970
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2055321077552
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: IJmuiden, Netherlands
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- Rare Plastic Organic Chair in Yellow, circa 1970Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NLThis chair 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 five pictures of this listing or find more details on his family name plus eu, is for sale soon too. :-) Yellow plastic stacking chair...Category
Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
MaterialsPlastic
- 1969, Helmut Bätzner for Bofinger, Set of Four Brown Chairs Modell B 1171By Helmut Bätzner 1Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NLThis 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, find more details on his family name plus eu, is for sale soon too. :-) Set of four stackable brown chairs. They all have some scratches on the legs ( see image #7) and the side because of stacking but this add to the charm. Three seats are in quite good condition, but one seat is more scratched and lost some intensity of color (see image #6). On one is a bigger white scratch (see image #8). Also a set of yellow chairs...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
MaterialsPlastic
- 1973 Verner Panton, 1-2-3 Series Dining Chair in Brown FabricBy Verner Panton, RosenthalLocated in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NLThis 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,...Category
Vintage 1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- 1935, W.H. Gispen for Gispen, Copper, 413R Side Chair in Blue Corduroi FabricBy Willem H. Gispen, Gispen CulemborgLocated in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NLThis 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...Category
Vintage 1930s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsCopper, Metal
- 1927, W.H. Gispen for Gispen, Diagonal Chair 102 in Original Yellow Faux LeatherBy Willem H. Gispen, Gispen CulemborgLocated in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NLThis 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. :-) Diagonal chair...Category
Vintage 1920s Dutch Industrial Side Chairs
MaterialsMetal, Chrome
- 1952, Egon Eiermann for Wilde & Spieth, Wooden Folding ChairBy Egon Eiermann, Wilde + SpiethLocated in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NLThis chair 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 picture of this listing or find more details on his family name plus eu, is for sale soon too. :-) This wooden folding chair...Category
Vintage 1950s European Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsWood
- Midcentury Armchairs by Ettore Sottsass for Olivetti, 1970sBy Olivetti, Ettore SottsassLocated in HEVERLEE, BEBeautiful space age armchairs designed by Ettore Sottsass for Olivetti. Newly upholstered with the original color brown fabric. Simp...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFabric, Plastic
- Postmodern Ettore Sottsass Pink Dining Chair for LeitnerBy Ettore SottsassLocated in Antwerp, BEPink, Sottsass, Leitner, Postmodern, chair, 1980s dining chair with and expressive burl veneer and pink and burgundy lacquer. Ettore Sottsass (14 September 1917 – 31 December 200...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsBurl, Lacquer
- Set of 4 "Synthesis" by Ettore Sottsass for Olivetti, 1970sBy Olivetti, Ettore SottsassLocated in Conversano, ITRare set composed by 4 "Synthesis" Chairs designed by Ettore Sottsass for Olivetti. The chairs are in very good conditions, despite their ages. Every chairs has a textile co...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsPlastic
- Ettore Sottsass “Mandarin” Black Eco Leather Dining Chairs for Knoll, a PairBy Knoll, Ettore SottsassLocated in Miami, FLMemphis Postmodern Mandarin chairs rendered in black lacquered steel frame with black Naugahyde cushioned seats designed by Ettore Sottsass for Knoll.Category
Late 20th Century Italian Post-Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- Desk Chair Mod.Synthesis 45 Designed by Ettore Sottsass for Olivetti, Italy 197By Ettore Sottsass, OlivettiLocated in Milano, ITDesk Chair "Synthesis 45" Designed by Ettore Sottsass for Olivetti, Italy 1970s Since 1970, Sottsass began designing an integrated suite of furniture and office equipment. The famou...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Mandarin Chairs by Ettore Sottsass for KnollBy Ettore Sottsass, KnollLocated in Chicago, ILc. 1980s. Price is for the set. Contact us if you’d like to purchase a single item. Reupholstered and new foam.Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood