"Ivory" Table
The title of this table captures the irony and playfulness that pervades Memphis furniture. While ivory connotes purity and preciousness, this table is a riot of color and pattern, constructed of inexpensive materials. Sottsass’s partner and biographer, Barbara Radice, notes that color is intrinsic to Memphis design, that it "works as an enzyme to catalyze chemical reactions, it generates nervous impulses that open new doors of logic in the brain."
Artwork Details
- Title: "Ivory" Table
- Designer: Ettore Sottsass (Italian (born Austria), Innsbruck 1917–2007 Milan)
- Manufacturer: Memphis Milano
- Date: 1985
- Medium: Formica, wood, glass
- Dimensions: 39 1/2 × 22 9/16 in. (100.3 × 57.3 cm)
- Classification: Furniture
- Credit Line: Gift of Dr. Michael Sze, 2002
- Object Number: 2002.582.3a, b
- Rights and Reproduction: © Estate of Ettore Sottsass
- Curatorial Department: Modern and Contemporary Art
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Ettore Sottsass
1987
Ettore Sottsass
Rossi e Arcandi, Vicenza
1982
Ettore Sottsass
1987
Ettore Sottsass
Studio Alchymia
1979
Ettore Sottsass
Alessi S. P. A.
1985
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.