Skip to main content

Enzo Mari More Desk Accessories

Italian, 1932-2020

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.

to
3
3
2
1
2
1
2
1
1
1
1
3
3
3
Height
to
Width
to
3
3
3
109
139
60
39
37
Creator: Enzo Mari
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...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Minimalist Enzo Mari More Desk Accessories

Materials

Travertine

Steel 1960s Ventotene Desk Organizer, Model 3054A by E. Mari for Danese Milano
By Danese Milano, Enzo Mari
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...
Category

1960s Italian Space Age Vintage Enzo Mari More Desk Accessories

Materials

Steel

Enzo Mari Letter and Pen Holder for Danese 1962, in Blue and Green
By Enzo Mari, Danese Milano
Located in Milan, IT
Early Enzo Mari Letter and Pen Holder for Danese 1962. In the colors of Blue and Green. Carries the Danese label.
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Enzo Mari More Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Related Items
1970s Original Travertine Fish Sculpture by Enzo Mari for F.lli Mannelli
By Fratelli Mannelli
Located in Milano, IT
1970s Original big travertine fish sculpture by Enzo Mari for F.lli Mannelli. The item is in excellent condition. Made in Italy. Dimension: 4,33 w x 1,18 D x 3,93 H inches L 11 cm x ...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Enzo Mari More Desk Accessories

Materials

Travertine

Enzo Mari, Rare Cube Resin with Black Ball Sphere, Sculpture/Paperweight
By Enzo Mari
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very nice modern resin cube by the very well known designer Enzo Mari, Measures in cm 7 x 7 x 7.
Category

1960s Italian Modern Vintage Enzo Mari More Desk Accessories

Materials

Resin

Enzo Mari for F.lli Mannelli Pair of Travertine Marble Swans, Italy 1970s
By Enzo Mari, Fratelli Mannelli
Located in Naples, IT
Stunning pair of 1970s swan-shaped sculptures in travertine and made in Italy, designed by Enzo Mari for F.lli Mannelli.
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Enzo Mari More Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble

Enzo Mari for Fratelli Mannelli Travertine Elephant Sculpture
By Fratelli Mannelli, Enzo Mari
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Add a touch of timeless Italian design to your space with this exquisite travertine elephant sculpture by Enzo Mari for Fratelli Mannelli. Handcrafted from natural travertine stone, ...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Enzo Mari More Desk Accessories

Materials

Travertine

Pop-Art Enzo Mari Style Lucite Cube Sculpture
By Enzo Mari
Located in Raleigh, NC
Vintage blue lucite cube sculpture with suspended steel marbles. In the style of Enzo Mari.
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Enzo Mari More Desk Accessories

Materials

Lucite

Enzo Mari "Colleoni" Pencil Holder for Danese Milan
By Enzo Mari
Located in Oakland, CA
1970s "Colleoni" pencil holder designed by Enzo Mari for Danese Milano. In excellent vintage condition. Stamped with makers mark on underside.
Category

1960s Italian Space Age Vintage Enzo Mari More Desk Accessories

Materials

Plastic

Original Orange 'Lampedusa' Vase by Enzo Mari for Danese Milano. Italy, 1960s
By Danese Milano, Ettore Sottsass, Enzo Mari
Located in Malmö, SE
Orange melamine "Lampedusa" vase (Pencil Holder). Designed by Enzo Mari in 1967. Produced by Danese Milano in the late 60s. Great condition, some light scratches. Stamped with maker...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Enzo Mari More Desk Accessories

Materials

Plastic

Original 'Benbecula' Letter Opener by Enzo Mari for Danese Milano. Italy, 1960s
By Ettore Sottsass, Enzo Mari, Danese Milano
Located in Malmö, SE
Original 'Benbecula' Letter Opener in Stainless Steel. Designed by Enzo Mari in 1961. Produced by Danese Milano in the 1960s. Great condition, only a few light scratches. Stamped wi...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Enzo Mari More Desk Accessories

Materials

Stainless Steel

16 Animals Vintage Puzzle by Enzo Mari for Danese Milano, Italy
By Enzo Mari, Danese Milano
Located in Kelkheim (Taunus), HE
Enzo Marie (1932-202) was an Italian designer and artist. The Animali puzzle, which became a design classic over the years, was designed around 1957. The puzzle offered here dates fr...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Enzo Mari More Desk Accessories

Materials

Plastic

1970s Large Travertine Giraffe Sculpture by Enzo Mari for F.lli Mannelli
By Fratelli Mannelli
Located in Milano, IT
1970s Original large travertine giraffe sculpture by Enzo mari for F.lli Mannelli. The item is in excellent condition. Made in Italy. Dimension: 2,75 w x 1,18 D x 7,87 H inches L 7 ...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Enzo Mari More Desk Accessories

Materials

Travertine

Enzo Mari, Rare Resin Cube, Sculpture, Paperweight, with Polyhedral Inside
By Danese Milano, Enzo Mari
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a very rare Mari resin cube from the 1950s, it measures in cm 7 x 7 x 7, has a couple of flee bites in 2 corners. Similar sample with black inside i...
Category

1950s Italian Modern Vintage Enzo Mari More Desk Accessories

Materials

Resin

Enzo Mari for Fratelli Mannelli Travertine Rhino Sculpture
By Fratelli Mannelli, Enzo Mari
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
A charming and iconic sculptural piece designed by Enzo Mari for Fratelli Mannelli in the 1970s, hand-carved from solid travertine stone. This minimalist rhino showcases Mari’s signa...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Enzo Mari More Desk Accessories

Materials

Travertine

Previously Available Items
Enzo Mari Calendar
By Enzo Mari
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Enzo Mari for Danese Milano 1967 white flip calendar. Nice condition!
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Enzo Mari More Desk Accessories

Materials

Plastic

Enzo Mari Calendar
Enzo Mari Calendar
H 6 in W 7 in D 3.5 in
Enzo Mari Perpetual Calendar, 1967
By Enzo Mari
Located in Geneva, CH
Acrylic perpetual calendar by Enzo Mari for Danese Milano, 1967. Very good condition.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Enzo Mari More Desk Accessories

Materials

Acrylic

Enzo Mari Perpetual Calendar, 1967
Enzo Mari Perpetual Calendar, 1967
H 6.3 in W 7.09 in D 3.94 in
Signed Enzo Mari Architectural Grid Resin Ball
By Enzo Mari
Located in North Miami, FL
This wonderful ball has a inspired Sol Lewitt grid graphic astern on the inside. It is signed by the noted Italian modernist furniture and graphic designer: Enzo Mari. The grid is ...
Category

1960s Italian Minimalist Vintage Enzo Mari More Desk Accessories

Materials

Resin

Enzo Mari more desk accessories for sale on 1stDibs.

Enzo Mari more desk accessories are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of plastic and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Enzo Mari more desk accessories, although gray editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 4 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 36 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original more desk accessories by Enzo Mari were created in the modern style in italy during the 21st century and contemporary. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider more desk accessories by Danese Milano, Stefano Giovannoni, and Ghidini 1961. Prices for Enzo Mari more desk accessories can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $15 and can go as high as $857, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $65.

Recently Viewed

View All