Donau Dining Set by Ettore Sottsass and Marco Zanini for Leitner, Italy, 1980s

Designed by Ettore Sottsass in collaboration with Marco Zanini for the Austrian manufacturer Leitner, the Donau dining set forms part of a rare and ambitious body of work produced in the 1980s. Conceived during Sottsass’s mature Postmodern period, the ensemble reflects his departure from strict functionalism toward a cultivated language of color, geometry, and material contrast. The circular table, articulated by a striking radial veneer composition in richly figured burl wood, rests on cylindrical green-lacquered legs with dark base accents.

The set includes eight chairs whose architectural silhouettes echo the table’s chromatic dialogue. Lacquered frames in deep emerald green are paired with veneered back panels that subtly gradate in tone, creating a nuanced variation across the ensemble. The table comfortably seats eight people. As part of the Donau Collection, this ensemble stands as a refined testament to Sottsass’s enduring influence on international Postmodern design and the cross-disciplinary spirit that defined the Memphis generation.

Dimensions
W 177.5 cm, D 177.5 cm, H 74 cm
W 44 cm, D 53 cm, H 86 cm, SH 46 cm