ETTORE SOTTSASS (1917-2007)

Ettore Sottsass Jr. enjoyed a long collaboration with the Grassotti family, having been first commissioned to create furnishings for both their villa and business headquarters in 1947. That same year he was invited by Grassotti - whose family distillery produced Vermouth - to design graphics and an overall brand identity for the company. Several years later, in 1955, Sottsass designed a further residence for the family, located in the foothills of the Alps overlooking Turin, for which the present unique lot was designed. During this period of the mid-1950s, Sottsass produced only few designs of furniture, all of which were conceived for specific commissions such as the Casa Grassotti. To complement his own furniture and interior designs, Sottsass installed American-imported seating by Florence Knoll and by Eero Saarinen in this commission.

Caption: The present lot in situ in Casa Grassotti in Turin, Italy.