"Miss, Don't You Like Caviar?" Armchair

Designer Ettore Sottsass Italian, born Austria

1987

Not on view

The honesty with which Sottsass designed and marketed this work to a luxury clientele could be seen as antithetical to modernism’s democratic ethos predicated on mass production. With the suite of furniture that includes this chair, there was no illusion of reaching ordinary consumers—the pieces are loft-scaled, exquisitely proportioned ensembles made of rare stones and exotic woods. Titles of other items in the series include What’s the Name of Your Swiss Bank Account? and We Went to Crete (That Raining Spring).

Artwork Details

Title: "Miss, Don't You Like Caviar?" Armchair
Designer: Ettore Sottsass (Italian (born Austria), Innsbruck 1917–2007 Milan)
Date: 1987
Medium: Wood and chromed steel
Dimensions: H. 32, W. 21-1/4, D. 20-1/2 in. (81.3 x 54 x 52.1 cm.)
Classification: Woodwork-Furniture
Credit Line: Gift of Joseph A. Helman, 1997
Object Number: 1997.180
Rights and Reproduction: © Estate of Ettore Sottsass
Curatorial Department: Modern and Contemporary Art

More Artwork

By Ettore Sottsass

From the same time and place

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"I Designed It For Pitagora" Desk, Ettore Sottsass Italian, born Austria, Brier-wood and pear-wood veneers, marble, painted wood — "I Designed It For Pitagora" Desk
Ettore Sottsass
1987

"Murmansk" Fruit Dish, Ettore Sottsass Italian, born Austria, Silver — "Murmansk" Fruit Dish
Ettore Sottsass
Rossi e Arcandi, Vicenza
1982

"The Structures Tremble", Ettore Sottsass Italian, born Austria, Plastic laminate, composition board, painted steel, rubber, glass — "The Structures Tremble"
Ettore Sottsass
Studio Alchymia
1979

"Ivory" Table, Ettore Sottsass Italian, born Austria, Formica, wood, glass — "Ivory" Table
Ettore Sottsass
Memphis Milano
1985

Esercizio Formale 1979, Ettore Sottsass Italian, born Austria, Printed book — Esercizio Formale 1979
Ettore Sottsass
Alessi S. P. A.
1985

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