Rating and value of Ettore Sottsass furniture, lighting and drawings

If you own a work by the artist Ettore Sotsass, or one based on his work, and would like to know its value, our state-approved experts and auctioneers can advise you. Our specialists will carry out a free appraisal of your work, and provide you with a precise estimate of its value on the current market. Then, if you wish to sell your work of art, we will guide you towards the best possible means of obtaining the best possible price.

Artist's rating and value

Ettore Sotsass is a twentieth-century Italian designer whose reputation on the art market continues to grow. Highly prized by collectors in France, Italy, the UK and the USA, the artist's furniture has established itself as a sure bet on the international market. A piece of furniture by Sottsass can fetch hundreds of thousands of euros at auction. In 2018, one of his sculptures dating from 1959 sold for €287,300, whereas it was estimated at between €91,930 and €137,900, more than ten times the low estimate.

Order of value from the most basic to the most prestigious

The artist's works and style

The creator of more than 1,700 pieces of furniture over the course of his career (this figure only represents works that have circulated on the auction market), Sotsass's work is considered a classic of Italian design. Among his iconic creations are his wooden tables and asymmetrical desks.

Considered functional, minimalist and innovative, Sotsass's work is characterized by clean aesthetics, geometric shapes and the use of modern materials. The designer's creations are intended to be functional and efficient, responding perfectly to users' needs.

Ettore Sottsass, icon of Italian design

Ettore Sottsass Jr was born in Milan in 1917.

His father, who shared his surname, was also an architect. He too trained in architecture at Turin Polytechnic, graduating in 1939. That same year, he was mobilized by the Italian Army and taken prisoner in Sarajevo, where he remained for most of the war.

After the Liberation, he worked in collaboration with his father on the reconstruction of Savona and Novara, then moved to Milian where he opened his own agency, covering several creative fields: design, ceramics, furniture...

In 1956, he spent a few months working for George Nelson, where he familiarized himself with industrial design. Pop Art was to influence him greatly during this period.

Back in Italy, he collaborated with Poltronova and was appointed the company's artistic director. His work is characterized by graphic shapes and vibrant colors - red is very much in evidence in his work.

He also collaborates with Olivetti, as designer in charge of the electronics division. His red typewriters are particularly famous. He challenges trends in architecture and design with the anti-design movement. At the end of his career, he joined the Alchimia studio and founded the Memphis group.

 He died in 2007. 

The designer's mark on the times

Today considered an icon of Italian design and a pioneer of post-war modern architecture, Sotstass has left a considerable mark on the history of contemporary art and furniture. He is the author of a colossal output, which collectors still fight over at auction.

In 2017, the Milan Triennale devoted an exhibition to him, ten years after his death.

Recognizing the designer's signature

Sottsass doesn't always sign his works, but many forgeries do exist, so expertise is essential.

Appraising your property

If you own a piece by Ettore Sottsass, don't hesitate to request a free appraisal by filling in our online form. A member of our team of experts and certified auctioneers will contact you to provide an estimate of the market value of your object.

If you're thinking of selling your work, our specialists will also guide you through the various alternatives available to obtain the best possible price, taking into account market trends and the specific features of each item.