‘Donau’ Table by Ettore Sottsass & Marco Zanini for Leitner, Austria - 1986

Designed in 1986 by Ettore Sottsass and Marco Zanini as part of the ‘Donau’ collection for Austrian furniture manufacturer Franz Leitner, this round dining table captures the experimental postmodern language that defined their work during the period. The circular top is finished in richly figured maple burl veneer, arranged in contrasting sections that emphasize its geometry, and enclosed by a black metal rim. Three cylindrical dark blue metal legs with contrasting black feet complete the composition, bringing together natural pattern, elementary forms and saturated colour.

The Donau collection emerged from Sottsass Associati in Milan at a moment when both designers were closely connected to the development of postmodern design. Sottsass had founded Memphis in 1981, with Zanini among its founding members, and the collection continued their exploration of colour, surface and geometry while remaining separate from Memphis production. Created for Franz Leitner, the series translated these ideas into a distinct furniture collection in which functional forms were given a strong graphic identity. With a diameter of 130 cm, this example provides comfortable seating for approximately four to six people.