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Object Timeline

-0001

1957

  • Work on this object began.

1978

  • We acquired this object.

2001

2014

2025

  • You found it!

Mezzadro Stool

This is a stool. It was designed by Pier Giacomo Castiglioni and Achille Castiglioni and manufactured by Zanotta S.p.A.. It is dated 1957 and we acquired it in 1978. Its medium is lacquered metal, chrome-plated bent steel, beechwood. It is a part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts department.

Mezzadro is a cantilevered red tractor seat mounted on a curved, strap-like, chrome-plated steel base with a beech crossbar terminus as the footrest. The bright-red, industrially-manufactured seat, and the stool’s name (“sharecropper,” in Italian), simultaneously reference modern mass production and Italian agricultural practices.

This object was donated by International Contract Furninshings, Inc.. It is credited Gift of International Contract Furninshings, Inc..

  • W.W. Stool
  • sand-cast and enameled aluminum.
  • The Linda and Irwin R. Berman Stool Collection.
  • 2003-23-1
  • Stool (USA)
  • steel, enamel, vinyl.
  • Gift of Mel Byars.
  • 1991-59-3
  •
  • Paro Goblet
  • glass.
  • Gift of Bruno Danese snc.
  • 1986-36-2

Our curators have highlighted 5 objects that are related to this one. Here are three of them, selected at random:

  • Seconda Chair
  • enameled steel, polyurethane.
  • Gift of I.C.F., Inc..
  • 1983-66-1
  •

Its dimensions are

H x W x D: 51 x 49 x 50 cm (20 1/16 x 19 5/16 x 19 11/16 in.)

Cite this object as

Mezzadro Stool; Designed by Pier Giacomo Castiglioni (Italian, 1913–1968), Achille Castiglioni (Italian, 1918–2002); Manufactured by Zanotta S.p.A. (Italy); Italy; lacquered metal, chrome-plated bent steel, beechwood; H x W x D: 51 x 49 x 50 cm (20 1/16 x 19 5/16 x 19 11/16 in.); Gift of International Contract Furninshings, Inc.; 1978-144-1

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition Making Design.

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If you would like to cite this object in a Wikipedia article please use the following template:

<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url=https://www-4.collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/18493695/ |title=Mezzadro Stool |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=11 February 2025 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>