Ettore Sottsass

Italian, 1917–2007. Architect and designer Ettore Sottsass was born in Austria and raised in Milan. He is known as the “Godfather of Italian design”. He attended the Politecnico di Torino in Turin to study architecture. Before returning to Milan after WWII, Sottsass established his own architectural and industrial design firm in Yugoslavia. He began working as a design consultant with Olivetti in 1958 for over 20 years. He designed a number of items when he was working there, such as an Elea 9003 computer and a red plastic Valentine portable typewriter. His goal was to create items that were extraordinary, and as a result, postmodernist designs were born.

As he drifted away from pure functionalism, Sottsass experimented with models that incorporated social and historical elements. He rose to popularity, leading the Anti-Design movement. Sottsass was also the leader of the Memphis group of designers, which formed in 1981. They used a variety of colors and mediums like neon, unique finishes, and printed plastic laminates to create versatile artworks that defied convention. Ettore Sottsass kept making remarkable works after the Memphis movement came to an end. He founded the architectural company Sottsass Associati, which focuses on designing big projects. Retrospective exhibits of Ettore Sottsass’s creation have been held in Paris, Los Angeles, London, and many other locations.

He has received many famous awards and honorary degrees throughout his long oeuvre. Bidsquare has a fine collection of Ettore Sottsass furniture for sale. Ettore Sottsass rugs for sale at online auction are often eye-catching pieces for many customers. Ettore Sottsass furniture at auction offers uniquely made chairs, floor lamps, typewriter, candlesticks, vase, centerpieces, and many more creations on Bidsquare’s sale.