Four Ettore Sottsass Mandarin Chairs for Knoll in Red & Black, 1986 Italy
About the Item
- Creator:Knoll (Manufacturer),Ettore Sottsass (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 32.5 in (82.55 cm)Width: 25 in (63.5 cm)Depth: 25.5 in (64.77 cm)Seat Height: 17 in (43.18 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 4
- Style:Post-Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:1980-1989
- Date of Manufacture:1988
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Grand Cayman, KY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU5587238688612
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.
Knoll
As a company that produced many of the most famous and iconic furniture designs of the 20th century, Knoll was a chief influence in the rise of modern design in the United States. Led by Florence Knoll, the firm would draw stellar talents such as Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Eero Saarinen into its compass. Their work would help change the face of the American home and office.
The company was formed in 1938 by the German immigrant Hans Knoll. He first worked with his fellow ex-pat, the Danish designer Jens Risom, who created furniture with flowing lines made of wood. While Risom served in World War II, in 1943 Knoll met his future wife, Florence Schust. She had studied and worked with eminent emigré leaders of the Bauhaus, including Mies, Walter Gropius and Marcel Breuer. She won Knoll over with Bauhaus notions of industrial arts, and an aesthetic that featured flat and tubular metal frames and angular forms. When Hans died in a car crash in 1955, Florence Knoll was appointed head of the company. It was as much through her holistic approach to design — a core division of the firm was dedicated to planning office systems — as Knoll's mid-century modern furnishings themselves that she brought about the sleek and efficient transformation of the American workplace.
Today, classic Knoll furnishings remain staples of modern design collections and decor. A history of modern design is written in pieces such as the elegant Barcelona chair — created by Mies and Lilly Reich — Saarinen’s pedestal Tulip chair, Breuer’s tubular steel Wassily lounge chair and the grid-patterned Diamond chair by Harry Bertoia.
As you can see from the collection of these designs and other vintage Knoll dining chairs, sofas and tables on 1stDibs, this manufacturer's offerings have become timeless emblems of the progressive spirit and sleek sophistication of the best of modernism.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Munich, Germany
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- Ettore Sottsass Mandarin Dining Set in Carrara Marble, Red & Black, 1986 ItalyBy Ettore Sottsass, KnollLocated in Grand Cayman, KYIcon of the Memphis Milano Movement. A set of four Ettore Sottsass Mandarin chairs for Knoll. Black Alcantara upholstery. Arms in red lacquer. Additionally, a Carrara marble round pe...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Armchairs
MaterialsMetal, Steel
- 1980s Ettore Sottsass Attributed Round Carrara Marble Dining Table, ItalyBy Ettore SottsassLocated in Grand Cayman, KYWhite Carrara marble top and base Ettore Sottsass attributed pedestal dining table. Beautiful and whimsical, this piece exemplifies the Memphis Milano esthetic created by Ettore Sott...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Center Tables
MaterialsCarrara Marble, Steel
- Rattan MR Chair by Mies Van Der Rohe, Rare Elegant Tecta VariantBy Ludwig Mies van der RoheLocated in Grand Cayman, KYIconic Mid-Century Modern cantilever MR Chair by Mies Van Der Rohe in chromed bent tube steel and stunning original rattan weave. This beautiful example...Category
Mid-20th Century German Bauhaus Chairs
MaterialsMetal, Steel, Chrome
- Limited 100 Museum Edition "Sternensessel" Stars F3 Armchairs, DraenertBy Peter DraenertLocated in Grand Cayman, KYMuseum Edition Postmodern armchairs by Draenert. Production limited to 100 pieces, many of which are in museums, including: 1. Metropolitan Museum...Category
Vintage 1980s German Post-Modern Chairs
MaterialsMarble, Gold, Brass
- 1986 Antonio Citterio "Sity" Corner Chairs for B&B Italia in Black Leather, PairBy Antonio Citterio, Mario Bellini, B&B ItaliaLocated in Grand Cayman, KYExtremely chic and versatile. This pair of fully leather-wrapped Italian corner chairs / armchairs by Antonio Citterio for B&B Italia can be positioned in a myriad of arrangements, i...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Corner Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- Pair of Saarinen Executive Armchairs Knoll Mid-Century ModernBy Eero Saarinen, KnollLocated in Grand Cayman, KYEnhance your space with this timeless pair of Mid-Century Organic Modern Executive Armchairs by renowned designer Eero Saarinen for Knoll. These iconic chairs feature a classic 4-leg...Category
Vintage 1960s American Organic Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Post Modern "Mandarin" Chair by Ettore Sottsass for KnollBy Ettore Sottsass, KnollLocated in Miami, FLIconic Postmodern Mandarin chair designed by Ettore Sottsass for Knoll in 1986, with black enameled steel legs, gray enameled steel arms, and...Category
Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Armchairs
MaterialsSteel
- Mandarin Chairs by Ettore Sottsass for Knoll (up to 30)By Ettore Sottsass, KnollLocated in BROOKLYN, NYIconic Postmodern Mandarin chairs designed by Ettore Sottsass for Knoll in amazing period Uphostery original and in good condition. Black enamel steel legs and sculptural undulating ...Category
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- Ettore Sottsass for Knoll Mandarin Chairs, Scarce Bamboo ArmsBy Knoll, Ettore SottsassLocated in Chicago, ILEttore Sottsass for Knoll Mandarin chairs, rare bamboo arms, 5 available Priced per single chair.Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsBamboo
- Set of Six Mandarin Dining Chairs by Ettore Sottsass for KnollBy Ettore Sottsass, KnollLocated in Kansas City, MOSet of six dining chairs designed by Ettore Sottsass, the founder of the Memphis Group, Milan, Italy. These chairs are in very good completely original condition. Super sturdy constr...Category
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- Pair of Ettore Sottsass for Knoll Mandarin Chairs Bamboo ArmsBy Ettore Sottsass, KnollLocated in Chicago, ILEttore Sottsass for Knoll Mandarin chairs, rare bamboo arms 5 available Listing is for a pair.Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsBamboo
- Ettore Sottsass Mandarin Chair with Bamboo Armrests for Knoll Int.By Ettore Sottsass, KnollLocated in Untersiggenthal, AGEttore Sottsass for Knoll Mandarin chairs, rare bamboo arms. Rare blue leather. Very good condition, near mint condition. Additional two chairs wi...Category
Vintage 1980s Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Bamboo