Enzo Mari was an influential industrial designer and a beloved curmudgeon who revered Marxism. His vintage mid-century modern designs are simple, functional and poetic. Widely known Mari-designed objects include desk accessories, such as the Formosa perpetual wall calendar, vases, cocktail tables and chandeliers.
Enzo Mari's work is embedded within the city of Milan, the Italian capital of all things design. In fact, the traffic bollards he devised are part of the city itself: Shaped like "panettone" cakes, they simultaneously direct traffic and provide seating for pedestrians.
In 1974, Mari published Autoprogettazione? (roughly translated as self-design), a Marx-inspired, anti-industrial, do-it-yourself handbook for the everyday person to use to build furniture without the assistance of a glitzy designer or knowledge of complex joinery. Mari’s intent with the publication was to remove the alienation of the creator and manufacturer from the end product by teaching anyone to develop a critical eye for production.
Artek relaunched kits based on the blueprints in the manual in an exhibition at Spazio Rossana Orlandi in 2010. The subsequent collectability of his work was reportedly irksome for Mari because he abhorred the industrial production for which he was becoming known.
Mari’s meager upbringing heavily influenced his politics, and even in childhood, he would come up with ingenious ways to support the family financially. As a designer, the desire to envision and build significant pieces was more important to Mari than devising new marketing and retail sales tactics. He optimistically believed objects could change the world. This view went against the rising consumer mania for every next trend that surfaced in the late 20th century. Not surprisingly, his ecological and economical stance led him to produce fewer objects.
Mari's philosophy did not stop people from desiring his creations, nor prevent other designers from wanting to collaborate with him. Following World War II, he worked for companies like Danese, Olivetti, Artemide, Driade and Alessi, who brought his prodigious designs to the public, and Mari’s work was widely celebrated.
The Golden Compass, Italy's highest honor for industrial design, was awarded to Mari four times before he died from COVID in 2020, and New York’s Museum of Modern Art has a permanent collection of his objects on display.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of Enzo Mari decorative objects, folk art and serveware.
Original White 'Lampedusa' Vase by Enzo Mari for Danese Milano. Italy, 1960s
By Ettore Sottsass, Danese Milano, Enzo Mari
Located in Malmö, SE
White melamine "Lampedusa" vase (Pencil Holder). Designed by Enzo Mari in 1967. Produced by Danese Milano in the late 60s. Fair condition, a chip to the top rim and a small crack to...
Plastic
Travertine candle holder by Fratelli Mannelli, Italy 1970s
By Fratelli Mannelli, Enzo Mari
Located in ECHT, NL
Solid travertine candle holder. Designed by Enzo Mari for Fratelli Mannelli in the 1970s. Its can hold three standard diameter candles. The piece is still in very good condition. N...
Travertine
Set of Three "Pago-Pago" Double Sided Vases by Enzo Mari for Danese, Italy, 1960
By Danese Milano, Enzo Mari
Located in Milan, IT
Set of three "Pago Pago" vases by Enzo Mari for Danese. "The particular feature of the vase is that it is formed by two truncated conical cavities of diverse volumetric capacity. The...
Plastic
Mannelli F.Lli Travertine Ornaments Three Swans Minimalist Style
By Fratelli Mannelli, Enzo Mari
Located in Prato, Tuscany
We kindly suggest you read the whole description, because with it we try to give you detailed technical and historical information to guarantee the authenticity of our objects. A ni...
Travertine
Steel 1960s Ventotene Desk Organizer, Model 3054A by E. Mari for Danese Milano
By Enzo Mari, Danese Milano
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Ventotene desk organizer, model 3054A in polished steel designed by Enzo Mari for Danese Milano in 1964. Good condition: this is a vintage item, not a brand new product. Signs of we...
Steel
Enzo Mari Limited Edition Putrella Centerpiece in Iron by Danese Milano 2009
By Enzo Mari, Danese Milano
Located in Cascina, Pisa
The Putrella is a table centerpiece made from a semi-finished industrial product. Its archetypal form and expressive force is a prime example of Enzo Mari’s work. The piece is ma...
Iron
"Frate" Tempered Glass Top Benchwood Beam and Steel Table by E. Mari for Driade
By Enzo Mari, Driade
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Frate" is a table, designed by Enzo Mari and manufactured by Driade, with black anthracite painted steel sections structure braced through a solid beechwood beam with rectangular te...
Steel
"Cugino" Tempered Glass and Painted Steel Dining Table by Enzo Mari for Driade
By Enzo Mari, Driade
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Cugino" is a dining table, designed by Enzo Mari and manufactured by Driade, featuring a black anthracite painted steel sections structure with round or square tempered glass th. 0....
Steel
Set of Two Extendable "Polluce" Floor Lamps by Enzo Mari for Artemide, 1960s
By Enzo Mari, Artemide
Located in Milan, IT
Rare set of two "Polluce" floor lamps by Enzo Mari and Anna Fasolis for Artemide. The extendable telescopic aluminum rod allows to adjust the lamp from 80 cm to 190 cm. The opal gl...
Aluminum
Set of 6 white Box chairs Enzo Mari 1976 plastic and metal
By Enzo Mari
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Designed by Enzo Mari in 1976, the Box chair is one of the most consistent examples of his research into essential forms, accessibility, and conscious industrial production. The mode...
Metal
Mid-Century Modern Bakelite Ashtray by Enzo Mari for Danese
By Enzo Mari
Located in Weesp, NL
Enzo Mari bakelite Mid-Century Modern ashtray for Danese. This rare piece is New Old stock and both the ashtray and it's box are in perfect condition.
Enzo Mari Driade Sof Sof Chair in Graphite Gray, 1972
By Driade, Enzo Mari
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Made by Driade in 1972, Sof Sof reflects the essential elegance of the design by Enzo Mari. Structure made of steel rod finished in graphite gray color epoxy p...
Steel
"Elisa" Indoor Armchair Designed by Enzo Mari for Driade
By Enzo Mari, Driade
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Elisa" is an armchair, designed by Enzo Mari and manufactured by Driade, featuring a structure made of steel finished in black-brown epoxy paint, cushions in polyurethane foam of va...
Steel
Zanotta Museo Coat Hanger in White Painted Steel with Scratch-Resistant Finish
By Zanotta, Enzo Mari
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Zanotta Museo Coat Hanger in White Painted Steel with Scratch-Resistant Finish by Enzo Mari Wall-mounted coat hanger single steel element, painted black or white with scratch- res...
Steel
Rexite Delfina – Stackable Chair by Enzo Mari (Kvadrat Field 2, Red)
By Enzo Mari, Rexite
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
Delfina – Stackable Chair by Enzo Mari (Kvadrat Field 2, Red) Designed by Enzo Mari in 1974 and awarded the Compasso d’Oro in 1979, the Delfina chair remains a symbol of minimalist ...
Steel
"Mascarene" Umbrella Stand / Tray by Enzo Mari for Danese, Italy, 1964
By Danese Milano, Enzo Mari
Located in Milan, IT
"Mascarene 3069B" piece by Enzo Mari for Danese. Versatile piece can work as an umbrella stand or bin, with top movable bowl for keys or small things. Concrete disc weight with large...
PVC
Serving Table by Enzo Mari for Alessi
By Alessi, Enzo Mari
Located in Asti, Piemonte
Modern serving table designed by Enzo Mari for Alessi in 1989. Handlebars above a cylindrical shaft side support, on three wheels, stamped Alessi. Biography A world-famous designer...
Aluminum
Pair of "Aggregato" Plastic Wall Lamps by Enzo Mari for Artemide, Italy, 1970s
By Artemide, Enzo Mari
Located in Milan, IT
Pair of Aggregato wall lamps by Enzo Mari and Giancarlo Fassina for Artemide. Spherical shades with a round open, wall connected through a handful of basic elements from industrial p...
Metal
Enzo Mari Vintage Coat Rack for Danese Milano, Black Plastic, 1968
By Enzo Mari, Danese Milano
Located in Roma, IT
This vintage coat rack is a piece of design furniture realized by Enzo Mari for Danese Milano in 1968. Standing coat rack in black plastic made o...
Crystal, Metal
'Aggregate' Table Lamp by Enzo Mari and Giancarlo Fassina for Artemide
By Giancarlo Fassina, Artemide, Enzo Mari
Located in Hellouw, NL
Nice Adjustable 'Aggregate' table lamp by Enzo Mari and Giancarlo Fassina for Artemide, the 1970s. This lamp is an impressive addition to your table or desk. The base is made from bl...
Iron
Mid-Century Italian "Tricorno Tre" Coat Rack by Enzo Mari for Danese, 1960s.
By Enzo Mari, Danese Milano
Located in Eindhoven, Noord Brabant
A colorful coat rack "Tricorno", designed by Enzo Mari and manufactured by Danese in Italy in the sixties. This free standing coat rack features a ...
Iron
Set of Two "Griglia" Floor Ashtrays by Enzo Mari for Danese, Italy, 1970s
By Danese Milano, Enzo Mari
Located in Milan, IT
Set of two Griglia floor ashtrays by Enzo Mari for Danese. Upper part can be also used as a table ashtray.
Aluminum
Chair Magis Mariolina Design Enzo Mari - Chrome/Orange
By Magis, Enzo Mari
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
Brand: Magis Collection: Mariolina Design: Enzo Mari Model: Mariolina Mariolina is a stackable chair designed by Enzo Mari for Magis. Essential in form yet rich in conceptual clarit...
Steel
Set of Two "Ventotene" Desk Sets by Enzo Mari for Danese, Italy, 1960s
By Enzo Mari, Danese Milano
Located in Milan, IT
Set of two Ventotene desk sets by Enzo Mari for Danese. Polished stainless steel elements featuring Vertical spaces to slip notepaper in, horizontal planes to put pencils on.
Stainless Steel
Rexite Delfina – Stackable Chair by Enzo Mari (Kvadrat Field 2, Senapé)
By Rexite, Enzo Mari
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
Delfina – Stackable Chair by Enzo Mari (Kvadrat Field 2, Senapé) Designed by Enzo Mari in 1974 and awarded the Compasso d’Oro in 1979, the Delfina chair remains a symbol of minimali...
Steel
Enzo Mari Giraffe Sculpture, Travertine, Mid-Century Modern, 1970s
By Enzo Mari, Fratelli Mannelli
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Add a touch of timeless Italian design to your space with this exquisite travertine Giraffe sculpture by Enzo Mari for Fratelli Mannelli. Handcrafted from natural travertine stone, t...
Travertine
Museo by Enzo Mari for Zanotta
By Enzo Mari, Zanotta
Located in Milano, IT
Designed by the visionary Enzo Mari for Zanotta in 1991, the Museo coat stand is a profound exercise in structural rationalism and remains one of the most intellectually significant ...
Aluminum, Iron
21st Century by Arch. E. Mari "COLONNA" Design Marble Sculpture Vase Centerpiece
By Enzo Mari
Located in massa, IT
Marble sculpture vase "COLONNA" designed by E.Mari Size: Diameter cm. 20 x 45 height. Materials: White Carrara Designed by: Enzo Mari.
Marble
Italian modern aluminium Aggregato arm lamp by Mari and Fassina, Artemide 1970s
By Giancarlo Fassina, Enzo Mari, Artemide
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern matt aluminium Aggregato wall arm lamp by Enzo Mari and Giancarlo Fassina for Artemide, 1970s. Wall lamp, arm, Aggregato model, composed o...
Metal, Aluminum
Zanotta Museo Coat Hanger in Black Painted Steel with Scratch-Resistant Finish
By Enzo Mari, Zanotta
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Zanotta Museo Coat Hanger in Black Painted Steel with Scratch-Resistant Finish by Enzo Mari Wall-mounted coat hanger single steel element, pa...
Steel
Chair Magis Mariolina Mono Design Enzo Mari - Grey
By Enzo Mari, Magis
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
Brand: Magis Collection: Mariolina Design: Enzo Mari Model: Mariolina Mono Mariolina Mono is a stackable chair designed by Enzo Mari for Magis. Essential in form yet rich in concept...
Steel
Chair Magis Mariolina Mono Design Enzo Mari - White
By Enzo Mari, Magis
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
Brand: Magis Collection: Mariolina Design: Enzo Mari Model: Mariolina Mono Mariolina Mono is a stackable chair designed by Enzo Mari for Magis. Essential in form yet rich in concept...
Steel
$4,870 / set
Set of 4 Vela chairs by Enzo Mari for Driade
By Enzo Mari, Driade
Located in Ravenna, IT
Set of 4 chairs designed by Enzo Mari for Driade in 1980. The distinctive element of the chair is definitely the curved sheet of plywood that rests on the chair frame, becoming first...
Plywood, Wood, Beech
Chair Magis Mariolina Design Enzo Mari - Black/Bordeaux Red
By Enzo Mari, Magis
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
Brand: Magis Collection: Mariolina Design: Enzo Mari Model: Mariolina Mariolina is a stackable chair designed by Enzo Mari for Magis. Essential in form yet rich in conceptual clarit...
Steel
Chair Magis Mariolina Design Enzo Mari - White/Bordeaux Red
By Enzo Mari, Magis
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
Brand: Magis Collection: Mariolina Design: Enzo Mari Model: Mariolina Mariolina is a stackable chair designed by Enzo Mari for Magis. Essential in form yet rich in conceptual clarit...
Steel
Manifesto - Sculpture in Reclaimed Briccola Riva 1920 Stendardo Design Enzo Mari
By Enzo Mari, Riva 1920
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
Banner - Poster in Reclaimed Briccola Oak Brand: Riva 1920 Model: Stendardo Design by: Enzo Mari The Stendardo is not merely an object, but a conceptual statement. Designed by Enzo...
Wood
Rexite Delfina – Stackable Chair by Enzo Mari (Kvadrat Field 2, Black)
By Enzo Mari, Rexite
Located in Varedo, Lombardia
Delfina – Stackable Chair by Enzo Mari (Kvadrat Field 2, Black) Designed by Enzo Mari in 1974 and awarded the Compasso d’Oro in 1979, the Delfina chair remains a symbol of minimalis...
Steel
‘Acanto’ Dining Table by Enzo Mari for Zanotta
By Enzo Mari, Zanotta
Located in Rotterdam, ZH
Sculptural dining table model 'Acanto' by Enzo Mari (Novara 1932 - Milan 2020) for Zanotta, Italy 1990. The design immediately catches the eye due to the asymmetrical sculptural base...
Metal
21st Century by Arch. E. Mari "Torre" Design Marble Sculpture Vase Centerpiece
By Enzo Mari
Located in massa, IT
Marble sculpture vase "TORRE" designed by E. Mari Size: Diameter cm. 14 x 39 height. Materials: White Carrara Designed by: Enzo Mari.
Marble