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, Autoprogettazione Dining Table, Pine, Italy, 2007
By Enzo Mari
Located in High Point, NC
A pine "Autoprogettazione" dining table, designed by Enzo Mari in 1974 and produced by and signed by the artist himself in 2007, Italy.
Pine
Enzo Mari rare Capitello Legato table for Driade, Italy, 1977
By Driade, Enzo Mari
Located in Skokie, IL
Enzo Mari rare Capitello Legato table for Driade, Italy, 1977. Materials: Pine, iron, laminate Condition: minor wear from age and use including some touchups and scratches to lamin...
Steel
Enzo Mari, Table model “Effe”
By Enzo Mari
Located in Milano, IT
Enzo Mari 1932 - 2020 Table model “Effe” Manufactured by Simon in 1974. Literature: Metamobile 1973, Simon International catalogue, 1973, n.p. Enzo Mari: Proposta per un’Autoprogettazione, exh. cat., Centro Duchamp, Milan, 1974, n.p. Peter S...
Pine
Frate Metal, Glass and Wooden Dining Table by Enzo Mari for Driade 70s
By Enzo Mari, Driade
Located in Padova, IT
FRATE TABLE Table 180x78 cm , belonging to the Frate collection, made with a painted steel profile structure connected by a solid wood beam. Rectangular top in 12 mm thick tempered g...
Metal
"Cugino" Tempered Glass and Painted Steel Dining Table by Enzo Mari for Driade
By Driade, Enzo Mari
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
‘Acanto’ Dining Table by Enzo Mari for Zanotta
By Zanotta, Enzo Mari
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
Scandinavian Rustic Dining Table in Pine
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Dining table, pine, Scandinavia, 1950s This dining table captures the aesthetic sensibilities associated with designers Carl Malmsten, Göran Malmvall, and Axel Einar Hjorth. With it...
Pine
Cidonio Dining Table by Antonia Astori for Driade, Italy, 1970s
By Antonia Astori, Driade
Located in Antwerp, BE
Designed in 1968 and produced in the 1970s, the Cidonio dining table is a refined example of Italian modernist design. The table features a dark-stained wooden round top paired with ...
Steel
Italian Naturalistic Dining Table in Pine
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Dining table, pine, Italy, 1960s The substantial size, peculiar material use, and superb carvings, combine to form an exceptional table perfect for anyone looking to infuse their ho...
Pine
Giuseppe Rivadossi Dining Table in Pine
By Giuseppe Rivadossi
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Giuseppe Rivadossi, dining table, pine, Italy, 1970s. In the world of great design, this table made by Giuseppe Rivadossi emerges as an exemplar of bespoke craftsmanship, crafted fo...
Pine
$8,000
H 29 in W 53 in D 53 in
Philippe Starck Square Mahogany Dining Table M 'Serie Lang' for Driade Aleph
By Driade, Philippe Starck
Located in Hanover, MA
A stealth bomber-like sleek square book-matched ribbon mahogany veneer top dining table over four sharply angled polished cast aluminum legs, each having the signature and manufacturer's mark: Aleph by Starck. Designed by Philippe Starck in 1987 for Aleph France: a division of Driade, from the limited series Lang...
Aluminum
T40 Model Dining Table by Pierre Chapo, 1970s
By Pierre Chapo
Located in BAUD, FR
Dining table, model T40 by Pierre Chapo, 1970s Extendable table with extensions Entirely in elm wood Original invoice included 72 cm high × 220 cm long (with extensions)
Elm
$2,481Sale Price|20% Off
H 32.29 in W 29.53 in D 20.28 in
Italian Smoked Glass & Metal Serving Trolley by Enzo Mari for Alessi, circa 1980
By Enzo Mari, Alessi
Located in Labrit, Landes
Elegant modern trolley designed by Enzo Mari for Alessi in 1989. Handlebar above a cylindrical shaft side support, on three wheels, stamped Alessi. Very hard to find, especially in t...
Faux Leather, Rattan
1950's George Nelson X-Leg Extension Dining Table Model 5062
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Hanover, MA
Early George Nelson model 5062 X-Leg extension dining table for Herman Miller, 1952. Table has two 12 inch extension leaves and pull-out metal extension tracks. Table is 29 inches...
Iron
$3,200Sale Price|20% Off
H 29.5 in W 76 in D 44 in
Postmodern Mix-Metals and Glass Dining Table by Rick Lee for DIA
By Kaizo Oto, Design Institute America
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A sculptural postmodern dining table or desk design by Rick Lee for Design Institute of America in 1993 The base is made out of mix metals (brass, chrome, br...
Brass, Stainless Steel, Chrome
$6,500
H 29.25 in W 72 in D 44 in
Vintage Plate Glass and Chrome Dining Table Model 6060 by Leon Rosen for Pace
By Leon Rosen, Pace Collection
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stylish and sophisticated dining table (model 6060) designed by Leon Rosen for the Pace Collection composed of a heavy plate-glass 72" long top supported by two chrome and plate-glas...
Chrome
$1,800
H 29 in W 60 in D 42 in
Organic Mid Century Oak Dining Table by Jack Van der Molen for Jamestown
By Jamestown Lounge Company, Jack Van der Molen
Located in New York, NY
Sophisticated and chic organic modern extension dining table from the Americana Casual series designed by Jack Van der Molen for the Jamestown Lounge ...
Oak
Enzo Mari for Driade 'Cugino' Table in Glass and Steel
By Driade, Enzo Mari
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Enzo Mari for Driade, table 'Cugino', glass, steel, Italy, 1973. A pure and understated design by Enzo Mari for Driade. This table features a clear construction. The base consists o...
Steel
Cugino Dining Table by Enzo Mari for Driade, Italy, 1973
By Driade, Enzo Mari
Located in Toronto, CA
Enzo Mari’s rigorously bent steel bars counterbalance its light transparencies, provided by its thick glass top. Designed in 1973, and in production ever since, the Cugino is conside...
Steel
Enzo Mari for Simon International 'Ics' Table in Pine
By Enzo Mari, Simon International
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Enzo Mari for Simon International, 'ICS' table, pine, nails, Italy, 1973 A multifunctional table designed by Enzo Mari for Simon International in the 1973. This table was part of th...
Pine
Frate glass dining table by Enzo Mari for Driade, Italy, 1970s
By Enzo Mari
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
The Frate table is one of Enzo Mari’s most iconic works, embodying his radical approach to structure and function. A clear glass top rests on a central wooden beam, supported by dist...
Metal
Sold
H 22.84 in W 78.75 in D 30.91 in
Italian midcentury Table Frate by Enzo Mari for Driade, Italy 1970
By Driade, Enzo Mari
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Iconic dining table Frate Table design by Enzo Mari for Driade. Original iron frame with original glass top. Italy 1970
Crystal, Metal
Enzo Mari for Driade Frate table, 1970s
By Enzo Mari, Driade
Located in Parma, IT
Enzo Mari for Driade Frate table 1973. Anthracite gray painted steel structure with connecting beam of the 2 oak feet, 12 mm thick tempered glass. I...
Crystal, Metal
Sold
H 28.35 in W 64.97 in D 30.71 in
Frate Metal, Glass and Wooden Dining Table by Enzo Mari for Driade 70s
By Driade, Enzo Mari
Located in Padova, IT
FRATE TABLE Table 165x78 cm (it can also accommodate a 200 cm top), belonging to the Frate collection, made with a painted steel profile structure connect...
Metal
White Enzo Mari Table in Wood
By Enzo Mari
Located in Milano, IT
Wonderful small table designed by Enzo Mari in the 70's, of fine Italian manufacture. The structure of the table is made entirely of light brown wood, with four legs, also made of wo...
Wood
Sold
H 28.15 in W 78.75 in D 30.71 in
Italian Modern Glass Wood Steel Dining Table Frate by Enzo Mari for Driade, 1973
By Driade, Enzo Mari
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern glass, steel and wooden dining table Frate by Enzo Mari for Driade, 1973 Dining table mod. Frate with rectangular tempered glass top...
Steel
Enzo Mari Vintage Small Table in Wood with White Top
By Enzo Mari
Located in Milano, IT
Splendid small table designed by Enzo Mari in the 70's, of fine Italian manufacture. The structure of the table is made entirely of light brown wood, with four legs, also made of wo...
Wood
Enzo Mari Vintage Table in Wood with White Top
By Enzo Mari
Located in Milano, IT
Wonderful big table designed by Enzo Mari in the 70's, of fine Italian manufacture. The structure of the table is made entirely of light brown wood, with four legs, also made of woo...
Wood
Sold
H 28.35 in W 31.5 in D 31.5 in
Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Table Cugino by Enzo Mari for Driade, 1973
By Driade, Enzo Mari
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian Mid-Century Modern dining table Cugino by Enzo Mari for Driade, 1973 Smoked dining table mod. Cugino with structure in anthracite painted steel section and square top in tra...
Steel
Long "Brother" Table by Enzo Mari
By Enzo Mari
Located in Dronten, NL
Smoke glass, black dyed oak and chromed flat steel. Designed 1972. Bibliography: Domus 536, July 1974 pd / 631 Antonio Avossa Francesca Picchi, the work of Enzo Mari in the center,...
Chrome