Sella
Made by Zanotta
Designed by Achille Castiglioni
Designed in 1957, the Sella stool stands as one of the most intellectually charged objects in postwar Italian design. Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni borrowed a bicycle saddle and mounted it on a slender steel stem rising from a cast iron base, turning the familiar into the extraordinary.
The gesture was not ironic for its own sake. The Castiglionis were deeply interested in the readymade as a design method, finding in everyday objects a precision and ergonomic intelligence that conventional furniture rarely matched. Sella was conceived for the intermittent posture of a phone call, a moment of semi-rest that falls between sitting and standing.
- Lacquered bicycle saddle seat
- Chromed or painted steel stem
- Weighted cast iron base for stability
- Originally produced by Zanotta in 1983, following earlier limited editions
Held in the permanent collections of MoMA and the Triennale di Milano, Sella is a piece that operates simultaneously as furniture and as critique, proof that the distance between art and design can be measured in a single, decisive idea.
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Warranty
Luminaire is an authorized retailer of Zanotta. The product comes with a full manufacturer warranty.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Zanotta Sella stool designed for?
The Sella was conceived by the Castiglioni brothers for the posture of someone leaning during a brief pause, such as a phone call. It occupies the space between standing and sitting, making it as much a study in ergonomic philosophy as a functional object.
Is the Sella stool part of any museum collections?
Yes. The Sella is held in the permanent collections of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York and the Triennale di Milano, recognized as a canonical work of twentieth-century Italian design.
What materials make up the Zanotta Sella?
The Sella consists of a lacquered bicycle saddle, a steel stem, and a weighted cast iron base. The combination of industrial components gives the piece its characteristic lightness of silhouette and solidity of stance.
Who were Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni?
The Castiglioni brothers were among the most influential Italian designers of the twentieth century, known for their use of readymade objects and a rigorous, often playful interrogation of everyday form. Their work for brands including Zanotta and Flos remains foundational to the canon of modern design.
When was the Sella stool first produced by Zanotta?
The Sella was designed in 1957 and entered regular production with Zanotta in 1983, following earlier limited presentations. It has remained in continuous production since, a mark of its enduring cultural and commercial relevance.
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