Form & Vision: Modern Art • Furniture • Sculptural Jewelry | April 22, 2026
Wed, Apr 22, 2026 10:00AM EDT
Live Auction
Lot 4
Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Milano Alaska Vase, Italian Sterling
Estimate: $2,000 - $3,000
Sold for
$2,200
Sold Price excludes BP
Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $0 | $25 |
| $100 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $200 |
| $3,000 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $2,000 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $10,000 |
c. 1982, Alaska vase, marked "Memphis/Milano" "925", 36.97 oz. T., 12 in.
Provenance: Property from the Collection of Dudley and Constance Godfrey
Literature: Memphis, manufacturer's catalog, 1986, pg. 57 Memphis: Research, Experiences, Results, Failures and Successes of New Design, Radice, pg. 120
Note: Tested with XRF (.930 fine)
Ettore Sottsass (1917–2007) was an influential Italian architect and designer, best known as the founder of the Memphis Group, which revolutionized postmodern design in the 1980s with its bold colors, playful patterns, and striking geometric forms.
Early in his career, he worked for Olivetti, where he designed the iconic Valentine typewriter. His wide-ranging body of work spans furniture, ceramics, glass, and architecture, consistently blending functional design with expressive and often whimsical aesthetics.
Sottsass’s work is held in the permanent collections of major institutions, including Museum of Modern Art in New York, Centre Pompidou in Paris, and the Vitra Design Museum. His work has also been featured in solo exhibitions at the Design Museum and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Among his many honors are the prestigious Compasso d'Oro and the Austrian State Prize for Industrial Design.
Available payment options
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Property from the Collection of Dudley and Constance Godfrey
good condition, minor wear, accession mark on base
Note - Brunk Auctions makes every effort to offer accurate and thorough information, but encourages prospective bidders to inspect items in person whenever possible. Condition statements are provided as a courtesy for general guidance and should not be considered complete or definitive. They do not represent a warranty or assumption of liability by Brunk Auctions. Certain condition issues may not be specifically noted in the report but may be visible in the accompanying photographs, which are considered part of the overall condition report. Please refer to our Terms of Sale for complete information and contact us for additional photos or information as needed.
