Alicudi Table by Ettore Sottsass for Zanotta, 1990s

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Description

Designed by Ettore Sottsass and produced by Zanotta in the early 1990s, the Alicudi table represents one of the finest … Read more Designed by Ettore Sottsass and produced by Zanotta in the early 1990s, the Alicudi table represents one of the finest examples of the master's exploration of the language of color, form, and symbolism within the domestic sphere.
Created after the period in which Sottsass founded the Memphis group, Alicudi fits perfectly into the climate of design freedom and experimentation that marked the rebirth of Italian design in the 1980s, with works that transcend function but become aesthetic and cultural statements.
The table is part of the celebrated series dedicated to the Aeolian Islands—Alicudi, Filicudi, Lipari, and Panarea—conceived as a small archipelago of shapes and colors, a poetic tribute to the light and geography of the Mediterranean, reinterpreted through the lens of design. In this collection, Sottsass abandons all modernist rigor to construct a new language, where the object is no longer anonymous but charged with emotional, spiritual, and symbolic references.
The solid cherry wood frame is supported by four turned conical legs, with a bulbous upper attachment that accentuates the verticality and sculptural strength of the whole. These pure, totemic, almost primitive forms evoke the columns of a small temple, while the rectangular top in decorative plastic laminate introduces a counterpoint of graphic rigor and chromatic lightness. The parallel bands in pale yellow and sage gray create a sophisticated balance between restraint and invention, light and material, evoking the soft and sensual aesthetic of the Mediterranean filtered through Sottsass's intellectual vision.
Each element of the Alicudi is designed to interact independently with the space: the calibrated proportions, the vertical tension of the legs, and the geometric composure of the top produce a sculptural, almost architectural presence. At the same time, the warmth of the wood and the delicate chromatic nuances of the laminate maintain a sense of domestic intimacy, typical of Sottsass's philosophy, which always sought to combine thought and life, form and emotion.
The Alicudi thus embodies the perfect synthesis of Sottsass's vision for Zanotta: an intellectual yet profoundly human design, simultaneously ironic and solemn, capable of transforming a table into a small piece of architecture for living. Not an everyday object, but a presence: a symbol of that unique moment when Italian design knew how to blend craftsmanship, industry, and art into a single language.

Original piece produced by Zanotta in the 1980s, in excellent vintage condition, with minor signs of use consistent with its age and material.

Product Name: Alicudi Table by Ettore Sottsass for Zanotta
Designer: Ettore Sottsass
Year of Design: Early 1990s
Style: Italian Postmodernism, with references to the symbolic and chromatic language of the Memphis Group
Main Materials: Solid cherry wood frame; decorative plastic laminate top in shades of light yellow and sage gray
Distinctive Design: Four turned conical legs with a bulbous upper attachment that emphasizes the verticality and sculptural strength of the structure; rectangular top with parallel band decoration that introduces a refined balance between graphic rigor and chromatic lightness. The pure, totemic forms evoke architectural columns, blending sculptural dimension with a domestic sensibility.
Dimensions: Length 180cm | Width 90cm | Height 73cm
Comfort: While not designed as a traditional ergonomic table, it offers stability, balanced proportions, and a large surface area that make it functional without sacrificing its artistic value.
Typical Use: Dining or center table, ideal for reception areas, dining rooms, or exhibition spaces dedicated to 20th-century Italian design.
Design Icon: Part of the series dedicated to the Aeolian Islands—Alicudi, Filicudi, Lipari, and Panarea—conceived as a small archipelago of shapes and colors, a poetic tribute to the light and geography of the Mediterranean, reinterpreted through Sottsass's postmodern lens.
Versatility: The balance between natural material and decorative laminate allows for a harmonious fit in both domestic settings and contemporary or collectors' interiors, where it takes on the role of a functional sculpture.
Current Design Status: Original piece produced by Zanotta in the early 1990s, in excellent vintage condition, with minor signs of use consistent with its age and materials. I have official proof of authenticity such as vintage catalogs,
designer records,
or other literature sources and take full responsibility for any authenticity issues arising
from
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