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.
Enzo Mari & Giancarlo Fassina "Aggregato" Task Light For Artemide, 1970s
By Giancarlo Fassina, Enzo Mari, Artemide
Located in Skokie, IL
Enzo Mari & Giancarlo Fassina "Aggregato" Adjustable Task Light for Artemide, Italy 1970s. Additional information: Dimensions: 19.75" W x 10" D x 37.5" H
Aluminum, Steel
Enzo Mari G. Fassina Aggregato Floor Lamp by Artemide Italian design
By Artemide, Enzo Mari
Located in Dronten, NL
Floor lamp Aggregato designed by Enzo Mari and G. Fassina for Artemide. Smart double ball joints make this floor lamp very versatile and easy to use. The height of 200 cm is when th...
Aluminum, Iron
Italian modern aluminium Aggregato arm lamp by Mari and Fassina, Artemide 1970s
By Giancarlo Fassina, Artemide, Enzo Mari
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
Enzo Mari ''Aggregato'' Table Lamp for Artemide, Italy, 1976
By Artemide, Enzo Mari
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
This adjustable shade height ''Aggregato'' table lamp was designed by Enzo Mari and Giancarlo Fassina and produced by the Italian manufacturer Artemide during the 1970's. Here in...
Aluminum, Steel
'Aggregate' Table Lamp by Enzo Mari and Giancarlo Fassina for Artemide
By Enzo Mari, Artemide, Giancarlo Fassina
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
Vintage Enzo Mari Yellow Dumbbell Lamp
By Enzo Mari
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A classic by famed Italian design Enzo Mari that looks like a dumbbell. Spherical weighted base with chrome ring keeps the lamp from tipping over, yellow ribbed collar turns on/off ...
Metal
Floor lamp model Aggregato, designer Enzo Mari, production Artemide
By Giancarlo Fassina, Enzo Mari, Artemide
Located in Busnago, IT
Adjustable floor lamp Aggregate model. Artemide Production, Designer Enzo Mari and Giancarlo Fassina lamp produced in the 1970s has a burn on the plastic tube due to the heating of ...
Metal
Italian space age Chandelier Aggregate by Mari Fassina for Artemide, 1970s
By Giancarlo Fassina, Enzo Mari, Artemide
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian space age Chandelier Aggregato by Enzo Mari and Giancarlo Fassina for Artemide, 1970s Chandelier mod. Aggregato with conical plexiglass diffuser, externally aqua green and in...
Metal
Mid-Century Italian Sconce by Enzo Mari for Artemide, 1970s
By Enzo Mari
Located in Hamburg, DE
Very rare wall or ceiling lamp from the Aggregato series from the Italian manufacturer Artemide after a design by Enzo Mari and Giancarlo Fassina from the 70s. Particularly striking...
Metal
white plastic & metal counterweight pendant lamp Aggregato by Mari for Artemide
By Enzo Mari, Artemide
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Aggregato pendant lamp with conic plastic shade and counterweight. Adjustable height from cm 80 to 140. Very good condition: part of the canopy has been repainted in white.
Metal, Lead
Pair of Enzo Mari White Orb Table Lamps with Chrome Globe Bulbs
By Enzo Mari
Located in Southampton, NJ
A refined study in pure geometry and proportion, this pair of table lamps by Enzo Mari embodies the designer’s philosophy of reducing objects to their most essential forms. Known for...
Metal
Postmodern Italian Aggregato Braccio Wall Lamp by Enzo Mari & Giancarlo, 1970s
By Enzo Mari, Giancarlo Fassina
Located in Hamburg, DE
Very rare wall or ceiling light from the Aggregato series by the Italian manufacturer Artemide based on a design by Enzo Mari and Giancarlo Fassina from the 70s. The widely projecti...
Metal
Pair of "Aggregato" Plastic Wall Lamps by Enzo Mari for Artemide, Italy, 1970s
By Enzo Mari, Artemide
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
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
Gad Aulenti Table Lamp for Artemide
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The "Pileino" is a small, versatile table lamp that allows the user to change both light intensity and direction by positioning the shade. Designed by Gae Aulenti for Artemide in 197...
$950 / item
H 14.975 in Dm 10.25 in
Mattheo Thun 'Laguna 26' Glass and Gold Metal Table Lamp for Artemide
By Matteo Thun and Antonio Rodriguez, Matteo Thun, Artemide
Located in Glendale, CA
Mattheo Thun 'Laguna 26' glass and gold metal table lamp for Artemide. Executed in hand blown milky white glass with a crystal finish at the top and perfectly mounted atop a gold p...
Aluminum
'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
$2,359 / set
H 20.48 in Dm 11.03 in
"Orione" Rodolfo Dordoni by Artemide 1992 Italian Design Pair of Table Lamps
By Artemide, Rodolfo Dordoni
Located in Brescia, IT
"Orione" by Rodolfo Dordoni for Artemide 1992. Aluminium, wood and glass shades Perfect condition Perfect working order.
Aluminum
Giancarlo Mattioli 'Nessino' Table Lamp in Red for Artemide
By Giancarlo Mattioli, Artemide
Located in Glendale, CA
Giancarlo Mattioli 'Nessino' table lamp in red for Artemide. With its mushroom shape and bright hues, the Nessino lamp has become a design icon. Introduced in 1967, the Nessino was ...
Plastic
Giancarlo Mattioli 'Nessino' Table Lamp in White for Artemide
By Giancarlo Mattioli, Artemide
Located in Glendale, CA
Giancarlo Mattioli 'Nessino' table lamp in white for Artemide. With its mushroom shape and bright hues, the Nessino lamp has become a design icon. Introduced in 1967, the Nessino wa...
Plastic
Giancarlo Mattioli 'Nesso' Table Lamp in White for Artemide
By Artemide, Giancarlo Mattioli
Located in Glendale, CA
Giancarlo Mattioli 'Nesso' table lamp in white for Artemide. Designed by Mattioli in the 1960s, the Nesso is now an internationally celebrated design. Its iconic curves inspired by...
Plastic
Giancarlo Mattioli 'Nesso' Table Lamp in Orange for Artemide
By Artemide, Giancarlo Mattioli
Located in Glendale, CA
Giancarlo Mattioli 'Nesso' table lamp in orange for Artemide. Designed by Mattioli in the 1960s, the Nesso is now an internationally celebrated design. Its iconic curves inspired b...
Plastic
Vico Magistretti for Artemide Chimera Floor Lamp, Italy, 1970s
By Artemide, Vico Magistretti
Located in Naples, IT
Designer floor lamp from the 1970s, created by Vico Magistretti for Artemide. The "Chimera" model is made of methacrylate and white lacquered metal . An iconic piece that can add st...
Metal
Sergio Mazza 'Alfa' Marble and Crystal Glass Table Lamp for Artemide
By Sergio Mazza, Artemide
Located in Glendale, CA
Sergio Mazza 'Alfa' marble and crystal glasstable lamp for Artemide. The very first Artemide design, the 'Alfa' used delicate glass, luxurious marble and nickel-plated metal to emb...
Marble, Metal, Nickel
Michele De Lucchi 'Dioscuri 25' Table Lamp for Artemide
By Artemide, Michele de Lucchi
Located in Glendale, CA
Michele De Lucchi 'Dioscuri 25' table lamp for Artemide. 'Dioscuri' is a timeless fixture that diffuses a heavenly light. This multipurpose lamp features a minimalistic design that...
Steel
Giancarlo Mattioli 'Nesso' Table Lamp in White for Artemide
By Artemide, Giancarlo Mattioli
Located in Glendale, CA
Giancarlo Mattioli 'Nesso' table lamp in white for Artemide. Designed by Mattioli in the 1960s, the Nesso is now an internationally celebrated design. Its iconic curves inspired by...
Plastic
Sold
H 33.08 in Dm 20.48 in
white plastic & metal counterweight pendant lamp Aggregato by Mari for Artemide
By Artemide, Enzo Mari
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Aggregato pendant lamp with conic plastic shade and counterweight. Adjustable height from cm 80 to 140. Very good condition.
Metal, Lead
Sold
H 7.48 in W 20.47 in D 20.47 in
Postmodern Italian Aggregate Pendant Lamp by Enzo Mari & Giancarlo, 1970s
By Enzo Mari, Giancarlo Fassina
Located in Hamburg, DE
Pull pendant lamp from the aggregato series by the italian manufacturer artemide based on a design by enzo mari and giancarlo fassina from the 70s. Here is an early version with a sp...
Metal
'Polluce' floor lamp by Enzo Mari and Anna Fasolin 1960s
By Enzo Mari, Artemide
Located in Milano, IT
Height-adjustable telescopic lamp made of chrome-plated metal and white glass.
Metal
'Polluce' floor lamp by Enzo Mari and Anna Fasolin 1960s
By Enzo Mari, Artemide
Located in Milano, IT
Height-adjustable telescopic lamp made of chrome-plated metal and white glass.
Metal
'Polluce' floor lamp by Enzo Mari and Anna Fasolin 1960s
By Enzo Mari, Artemide
Located in Milano, IT
Height-adjustable telescopic lamp made of chrome-plated metal and white glass.
Metal
Artemide Aggregato Braccio 110 by Enzo Mari
By Enzo Mari
Located in Basildon, London
The Artemide Aggregato Braccio 110 by Enzo Mari is a quintessential embodiment of Italian design excellence. This wall lamp seamlessly blends functi...
Metal
Artemide Aggregato table Lamp Design Mari and Fassina Vintage
By Artemide, Enzo Mari, Giancarlo Fassina
Located in Milano, IT
Table lamp adjustable by means of 2 joints; in metal and aluminium, the diffuser is in methacrylate.
Metal, Aluminum
Sold
H 52 in W 15 in D 15 in
1974 Aggregato Terra Floor Lamp by Enzo Mari and Giancarlo Fassina for Artemide
By Artemide, Enzo Mari, Giancarlo Fassina
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an ‘Aggregato Terra’ Floor Lamp, designed by Enzo Mari and Giancarlo Fassina for Artemide in 1974. The lamp was produced in Italy and features a metal base & stem, and ha...
Metal
Sold
H 24.41 in Dm 14.97 in
Lampada da tavolo mod. Aggregato dis. da Enzo Mari per G. Fassina per Artemide
By Enzo Mari, Artemide
Located in Milano, IT
Lampada Aggregato - 1976 - Enzo Mari e Giancarlo Fassina per Artemide
Metal
Sold
H 74.8 in Dm 15.35 in
Pair Of Wall Lamps Aggregato by Enzo Mari Black Shades Aluminum, circa 1970
By Enzo Mari, Artemide
Located in Vienna, AT
Nice pair of Enzo Mari Aggregato sconces with black shades Dimensions are 26" x 10.6" x 14.56" (diameter shade) Rare early pair of Aggregato wall...
Aluminum, Metal
Sold
H 11.82 in W 14.97 in D 33.47 in
Enzo Mari and Giancarlo Fassina for Artemide "Aggregato" Wall Lamp, Italy 1970s
By Artemide, Enzo Mari, Giancarlo Fassina
Located in Naples, IT
Wall lamp, arm, Aggregato model, composed of an aluminum stem, with a matte silver finish and white acrylic diffuser, There are a series of metal joints that allow you to orient the ...
Metal, Aluminum
"Aggregato" Table Lamp by Enzo Mari & Giancarlo Fassina, circa 1970s
By Enzo Mari
Located in Skokie, IL
Enzo Mari and Giancarlo Fassina "Aggregato" table lamp for Artemide, Italy, 1970s Additional Information: Materials: Acrylic, lacquered steel, aluminum Dimensions: 23" H x 15 1/...
Steel