Swiss architect Mario Botta may be renowned for his impressive postmodern architecture projects such as the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, but the chairs, lighting and other furniture he created reflect a mastery of geometrically rich forms and an elegant application of simple symmetry.
Born in Mendrisio, Switzerland, in 1943, Botta gained an interest in architecture at an early age. He apprenticed at the architectural firm Carloni and Camenisch and designed his first building — a two-family house at Morbis Superiore in Ticino — at age 16. During the early 1960s, Botta attended the Liceo Artistico in Milan and then studied at the University Institute of Architecture in Venice under art historian Giuseppe Mazzariol and influential Italian architect Carlo Scarpa.
While studying in Venice, Botta worked for Swiss-born French architect Le Corbusier — whose career spanned hundreds of architecture projects — and gained inspiration from Estonian-American architect Louis Kahn, who was known for his modern and brutalist architectural style. In 1969, Botta completed his studies and established his practice in Lugano, designing and building single-family homes.
Throughout the 1970s, Botta gained fame for his innovative, geometrical designs and deceptively simple forms, such as his first large-scale building project in 1977 — the Middle School in Morbio Inferiore, Switzerland. Botta later established himself as one of the masters of 1980s postmodern design in his architecture and his furniture. His postmodern ideas characterize the dining room tables and seating he designed for companies such as Alias, as well as his table lamps and floor lamps for Artemide.
Botta’s noteworthy architectural projects designed during the 1990s and 2000s include the Cymbalista Synagogue and Jewish Heritage Center in Tel Aviv, Israel; the Monastery of the Holy Apostles Saint Peter and Andrew in Lviv, Ukraine; and the Theater of Architecture in Mendrisio, in 2018.
On 1stDibs, discover a range of vintage Mario Botta lighting fixtures, seating, tables and decorative objects.
| Average Sold Price |
| $2,535 |
| Styles |
| Materials |
| Related Creators |
Mario Botta for Artemide ‘Shogun’ Floor Lamp
By Artemide, Mario Botta
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Botta for Artemide, 'Shogun' floor lamp, aluminum, steel, Italy, 1986 Mario Botta referred to lamps as “people”. He said: "Shogun is a person. He has a head, body and feet, ...
Aluminum, Steel
$1,198Sale Price / item|42% Off
H 33.08 in W 19.69 in D 23.23 in
1980s Postmodern Mario Botta Latonda Chair for Alias (two available) -- 1 pc
By Mario Botta, Alias
Located in Basel, BS
What a beauty! Stunning RARE Mario Botta accent chair for any space! Very fast shipping, insured 7-21 days. RARE Black leather model, with silver frame. Chair "Latonda" Production: ...
Metal
'Shogun' Table Lamp by Mario Botta for Artemide
By Mario Botta, Artemide
Located in Glendale, CA
'Shogun' Table Lamp by Mario Botta for Artemide. Originally designed in 1986, the authorized re-edition of this table lamp is still made in Italy today using only the finest quality materials and scrupulous attention to detail by Artemide. 'Shogun' is part of the Artemide masterpieces collection and is featured in the collections of museums like the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The lamp remains an icon, and a stunning work of contemporary design. Its adjustable shade marries functionality with design eloquently. Mario Botta was born in 1943 in Mendrisio, Switzerland. In his work he took inspiration from such masters as Le Corbusier, Louis I...
Metal, Steel
Mario Botta "Tesi" Dining Table for Alias, Italy, 1980
By Mario Botta, Alias
Located in Basel, BS
Outrageous opportunity to own a rare Mario Botta dining or conference table, made in 1986, in mint condition. This Dining table or desk, titled the model "Tesi" from 1986, was designed by Mario Botta and produced by Alias. The perforated sheet steel structure is lacquered in black with a rectangular glass top. This iconic table demonstrates the influence of Le Corbusier, Louis Kahn and Carlo Scarpa on Botta’s work. During the 1980s, famous Swiss architect, Mario Botta worked with the manufacturer Alias as a designer on a whole range of furniture. Botta’s ingenious designs are often composed of simple geometric shapes, while also creating unique complex spaces. See images 3, 8 and 9 in this posting to see some of his stunning architectural works. This listing is a rare opportunity to acquire one of the last examples of the original production of this collectible and iconic design. Condition: The table for sale here is in great original condition with less-than-usual usage marks for its age. It has been very well taken care of for its entire life. Artist: Mario Botta (Swiss, born 1943) Title: TESI TABLE...
Metal, Sheet Metal
Quinta chair by Mario Botta for Alias, 1985.
By Mario Botta, Alias
Located in Athens, Attiki
Quinta chairs by Mario Botta for Alias, 1985.
Metal
$2,702 / item
H 28.35 in W 20.48 in D 22.84 in
Mario Botta, 4 'Seconda' Black Metal Chairs, Alias Mod. 602, 1980s
By Mario Botta
Located in Argelato, BO
Three 'Seconda' chairs designed by the famous architect Mario Botta for the Italian firm Alias, model 602. All 4 are painted black both in the structure and in the seat, they bear ...
Steel
Mario Botta Dining Table ‘Terzo’ with Granite Top
By Mario Botta, Alias
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Botta for Alias, dining table model ‘Terzo’, metal, granite, Italy, 1983 The ‘Terzo’ dining table features a long rectangular granite tabletop that consists of three parts an...
Granite, Metal
$1,762
H 37.01 in W 17.92 in D 22.45 in
Postmodern Italian Quinta Black Perforated Metal Chair Mario Botta Alias 1980s
By Alias, Mario Botta
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern armchair by Italian manufacturer Alias, designed by Mario Botta in the 1980s. A timeless design classic from the 1980s. Classic black and made entirely of metal. Naturall...
Metal
| Sold Date | Sold Price | Category | Material | Creation Year | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
| $2,535 |
Average sold price of items in the past 12 months |
| $1,902-$3,568 |
| Sold price range of items in the past 12 months |
