Ettore Sottsass 1917–2007
Ettore Sottsass is one of the most significant designers and architects of the late 20th Century, his bold and colorful, Post Modern aesthetic enlivening objects, furniture and interiors and influencing design around the world. Born in Innsbruck, Austria in 1917, Sottsass and his family moved to Turin, Italy in 1929 so he could study architecture at the Politecnico di Turino. He graduated with a degree in architecture in 1939 but he was called to serve the Italian army during World War II and he spent most of the war in a concentration camp. Upon his return in 1945, he worked for his father, Ettore Sottsass senior, an architect practicing in Turin, before relocating to Milan to curate a craft exhibition at the 1946 Triennale.
In Milan, Sottsass began writing for the art and architectural magazine, Domus. It was also here in Milan that Sottsass founded his own architectural and industrial design practice establishing a name for himself by the end of the 1950s with the design of fashionable office equipment for Olivetti. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Sottsass created radical and experimental designs for forward thinking companies like Poltronova. Sottsass’ exploration of a new visual language included collaborating with artists such as Alessandro Mendini and Andrea Branzi and culminated in the formation of the radical design collective, Memphis whose work was widely accepted and shown all over the world.
Notable architectural projects by Sottsass include the interiors of a chain of stores for Esprit (1985) and the Malpensa airport near Milan (2000). He received many awards and honors throughout his lifetime and his work has been the subject of numerous international publications and exhibitions including a recent retrospective at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Designs by Sottsass can be found in the permanent collections of many museums including the Museum of Modern Art, New York and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
Upcoming Lots Ettore Sottsass
102
Ettore Sottsass
Ivory occasional table
estimate: $1,000–1,500
106
Ettore Sottsass
Euphrates vase
estimate: $1,000–1,500
107
Ettore Sottsass
Diva mirror
estimate: $1,500–2,000
109
Ettore Sottsass
Hyatt occasional tables, pair
estimate: $1,000–1,500
111
Ettore Sottsass
Max bookcase
estimate: $10,000–15,000
120
Ettore Sottsass
Casablanca cabinet
estimate: $6,000–8,000
122
Ettore Sottsass
Murmansk centerpiece
estimate: $3,000–5,000
125
Ettore Sottsass
Manhattan cart
estimate: $600–800
126
Ettore Sottsass
Mimosa occasional table
estimate: $1,500–2,000
138
Ettore Sottsass
Malabar cabinet
estimate: $5,000–7,000
147
Ettore Sottsass
Carlton bookcase
estimate: $7,000–9,000
157
Ettore Sottsass
Jane centerpiece
estimate: $1,000–1,500
167
Ettore Sottsass
Bay table lamp
estimate: $1,000–1,500
168
Ettore Sottsass
Yemen vase
estimate: $1,000–1,500
169
Ettore Sottsass
Astidamia vase
estimate: $1,000–1,500
170
Ettore Sottsass
Sol fruit bowl
estimate: $1,500–2,000
171
Ettore Sottsass
Sirio vase
estimate: $1,000–1,500
183
Ettore Sottsass
Ashoka table lamp
estimate: $1,000–1,500
193
Ettore Sottsass
Quisana ceiling light
estimate: $1,000–1,500
196
Ettore Sottsass
Holebid coffee table
estimate: $2,000–3,000
197
Ettore Sottsass
wristwatch
estimate: $500–700
199
Ettore Sottsass
Tartar console
estimate: $5,000–7,000
200
Ettore Sottsass
Alaska vase
estimate: $1,000–1,500
201
Ettore Sottsass
Beverly sideboard
estimate: $5,000–7,000
202
Ettore Sottsass
Cream occasional able
estimate: $1,000–1,500
203
Ettore Sottsass
Tahiti table lamp
estimate: $1,000–1,500
204
Ettore Sottsass
Survetta bookcase
estimate: $6,000–8,000
210
Ettore Sottsass
Treetops floor lamp
estimate: $1,500–2,000
215
Ettore Sottsass
City table
estimate: $2,000–3,000
216
Ettore Sottsass
Enorme telephone
estimate: $300–500
219
Ettore Sottsass
Circulus brooch
estimate: $150–200
220
Ettore Sottsass
Giotto table mirror
estimate: $700–900
221
Ettore Sottsass
collection of three plates
estimate: $700–900
222
Ettore Sottsass
Niobe vase
estimate: $1,500–2,000
223
Ettore Sottsass
Amaltea vase
estimate: $1,000–1,500
224
Ettore Sottsass
Mizar vase
estimate: $1,000–1,500
225
Ettore Sottsass
Clesitera vase
estimate: $1,000–1,500
226
Ettore Sottsass
Agelada vase
estimate: $1,000–1,500
227
Ettore Sottsass
Deneb goblet
estimate: $1,000–1,500
228
Ettore Sottsass
Neobule vase
estimate: $1,000–1,500
229
Ettore Sottsass
Mandarin table
estimate: $3,000–5,000
230
Ettore Sottsass
Callimaco floor lamp
estimate: $1,000–1,500
238
Ettore Sottsass
Tahiti earrings
estimate: $50–75
239
Ettore Sottsass
Nilo vase
estimate: $1,000–1,500
241
Ettore Sottsass
Tigris vase
estimate: $1,000–1,500
258
Ettore Sottsass
miniature Carlton bookcase
estimate: $1,000–1,500
259
Ettore Sottsass
miniature Casablanca cabinet
estimate: $1,000–1,500
Auction Results Ettore Sottsass
Ettore Sottsass
Cabinet no. 69
estimate: $40,000–60,000
result: $68,750
Ettore Sottsass
Rare floor lamp, model 12731
estimate: $10,000–15,000
result: $62,500
Ettore Sottsass
Omaggio 4 desk
estimate: $25,000–35,000
result: $52,500
Ettore Sottsass
Essetre shelving from the Mobili Grigi series
estimate: $40,000–50,000
result: $48,000
Ettore Sottsass
Bookshelf No. 31
estimate: $40,000–60,000
result: $47,500
Ettore Sottsass
Totem
estimate: $15,000–20,000
result: $32,500
Ettore Sottsass
Lotorosso dining table
estimate: $10,000–15,000
result: $32,400
Ettore Sottsass
Rare Vaso Tornito
estimate: $30,000–50,000
result: $30,000
Ettore Sottsass
Burma totem
estimate: $20,000–30,000
result: $30,000
Ettore Sottsass
Harlow dining chairs, set of six
estimate: $15,000–20,000
result: $27,600
Ettore Sottsass
necklace
estimate: $30,000–50,000
result: $27,500
Ettore Sottsass
Tantra vase
estimate: $20,000–30,000
result: $24,000
Ettore Sottsass
chalice, model 388
estimate: $4,000–5,000
result: $22,800
Ettore Sottsass
custom console
estimate: $20,000–30,000
result: $22,500
Ettore Sottsass
In Praise of Epicurus
estimate: $5,000–7,000
result: $22,500
Ettore Sottsass
Acropoli
estimate: $20,000–30,000
result: $21,600