Zanotta: 70 Years of Excellence

Since its founding in 1954 by Aurelio Zanotta, Zanotta has become a distinguished furnishings company with a historic output. We are admirers of Italian design, and in many ways, Zanotta exemplifies that country’s modern resurgence in design and furnishings. By collaborating with some of the most exciting designers of the time, they were able to transition from creating standard sofas and seating to releasing and rereleasing iconic and era-defining pieces.

Throughout the late 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s, Zanotta changed the world of furniture forever. Their influence can be measured by 331 pieces of furniture that can be found in 57 design museums across the world, from the Museum of Modern Art in New York to the Museum of Modern Art Saitama in Japan. That three-decade run contains many definitive pieces of design, some of which are still referenced in academic design books and periodicals.

Zanotta has earned its place in the world of design: 58 of their pieces have won awards, including 5 prestigious Compassi d’Oro awards. Their adventurous spirit allowed them to re-release designs from the 30s that were too avant-garde at the time, giving them a second life. We are lucky enough to carry several great Zanotta pieces, so let’s look at what makes them remarkable.

Zanotta at Sklar

We begin with the Table Bol, an uncomplicated dining table design premised on the idea of a round tabletop with one central support. From there, the designers expanded it to single or double tables in conjunction with two supports—with round or oval tops in a matte finish supported by a leg made of lacquered polyurethane. In our opinion, this table is proof that simple can be sublime.

Next is the playful Za:Za Sofa, named for the collaboration between Zanotta and Zaven design which led to its existence. This monobloc design features a steel frame, polyurethane cushions with regenerated polyester balls as filler, and polyester cushion support straps, all topped off by a washable fabric cover. This sofa has a fun, cozy, and inviting appearance that is both playful and discerning—an ideal addition to a contemporary living space.

The Maggiolina Lounge Chair is a true classic, originally designed by Marco Zanuso for a competition held by MoMA in 1947. This chair is a great, if lesser-known example of the mid-century modern movement. With a tubular steel frame supporting a burlap ‘sack’ which holds the plywood-backed cushions, and slightly upholstered armrests, this piece has an industrial minimalism matched with restrained artisanry to create a gorgeous, well-balanced profile.

We saved the best for last: the Sacco Chair is the original bean bag chair, designed by Gatto, Paolini and Teodoro in 1968. The fabric sack, which is very slightly shaped by its panels and filled with polystyrene pellets, spawned countless imitators and delighted the design world. It’s about as simple as seating can get, a fun piece that can be used as a chair or lounger, a place to sit or lounge in comfort that can be used indoors and (with waterproofing and anti-mildew treatment) outdoors as well.

We are honored and delighted to be able to offer some of Zanotta’s legendary output for our customers. These historic designs can be viewed in museums, but more importantly, they still have a place in contemporary living spaces. If you’d like to elevate your space with any of these iconic furnishings, we are certain we can help you find the perfect fit.