Ettore Sottsass (Insbruck, 1917) was a grandee of late 20th-century Italian design, best known as the founder of the early ‘80s Memphis collective.

Renowned for his iconic products for Olivetti, as well as beautiful glass and ceramic works, Sottsass is one of the best known modern Italian designers. He is also one of the most illustrious collaborators with BD. In the ‘70s, 10 years before he formed the mythical Memphis group, Sottsass regularly visited Barcelona. Here, he fell in love with a beautiful student at the Eina School. The fruit of this love affair and his time in Spain is a rose-coloured ceramic vase which he named Shiva.

BD had only just been founded, and so the design of this modern fertility symbol was even more poignant. The genius and risqué character of the master is preserved in the BD catalogue with this iconic piece that is still in production today.