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 - Italy - 1970
By Enzo Mari
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Iconic “Autoprogettazione” table conceived by Enzo Mari in Italy during the 1970s. Part of Mari’s influential Autoprogettazione project, the design embodies his radical approach to f...
Pine
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 'Effe' Dining Table, Pine Wood, Mid-Century Modern, 1974
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 Driade, Enzo Mari
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 Table by Enzo Mari for Driade
By Driade, Enzo Mari
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1980s. Italy. Glass top with metal base.
Metal
"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
‘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
Italian Marble Dining Table, Stone International 1970
By Stone International
Located in Chicago, IL
Italian Travertine dining table, stone International 1970.
Marble
Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Table, Wood, Italian, 1960s
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Table, Wood, Italian, 1960s
Wood
$4,737Sale Price|20% Off
H 29.14 in Dm 47.25 in
Mid-Century Modern Dining Table by Romeo Rega, Italy, Circa 1974
By Romeo Rega
Located in bari, IT
70's table composed of an elegant mix of metals with polished brass and steel finish. The central base is made of full honey-colored plexiglass with a diameter of 20 cm. The smoked glass top in the image is 15 mm thick and can also be modified with a more generous size top up to 150 cm, designer Romeo Rega little chipping on the side of crystal plane. Romeo Rega is born in Rome on 10 October 1925, third of six children, born and raised in the Trastevere district, in the heart of Rome. THE FIRST BIG STEPS. He is 27 years old when, in 1957, he enrolls in the Albo provinciale delle imprese artigiane (Provincial Register of Craft Enterprises) and opens his first workshop in Vicolo della Frusta 6, where he collaborates with talented masters of wrought iron and forging. At this point arrives the first important order: the design and manufacturing for Cinecittà of the chariots for the American colossal film Ben-Hur, which will be published in 1959. He stays in Vicolo della Frusta until the end of the 1960s, a period in which he dedicated himself to his favorite activity: the design of his own pieces and the relations with people. Among his clients there are personalities from the world of cinema and entertainment, such as Marcello Mastroianni, Renato Rascel and his wife Giuditta Saltarini, Massimo Ranieri...
Crystal, Brass, Stainless Steel
Italian dining table - 1970s
By Italianelements
Located in Uccle, Bruxelles
Magnificent Italian table from the 1970s. It has a superb structure in very light mauve colored plexiglass. This plexiglass has not suffered any damage, however it has some scratches...
Plexiglass, Wood
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
$3,713
H 29.14 in W 78.75 in D 31.5 in
Mid-Century Rustic Pine Trestle Dining Table, Scandinavian Modern Country, 1940s
Located in Rødding, DK
This Mid-Century trestle dining table is built in solid pine, crafted in Scandinavia during the 1940s. The top is formed from wide pine boards, showcasing a pronounced grain and mul...
Pine
Danish mid-century modern dining table in wood, 1960s
Located in MIlano, IT
Danish mid-century modern dining table in wood, 1960s Dining table with rectangular top with rounded corners, entirely in wood. The top rests on a wooden structure. Square section le...
Wood
$5,153
H 27.56 in Dm 53.94 in
Dining table in Glass and Nickel Plated Steel, Warren Platner for Knoll, 1960s
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in MIlano, IT
American modern dining table in glass and metal by Warren Platner for Knoll 1966 Round dining table with glass top. The structure follows curved lines, opens under the top to support...
Steel, Nickel
Round italian travertine dining table 1970s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Beautiful dining table made from travertine stone with three large central cillindrical legs. Good looking natural travertine stone. Nicely finished round top. Good condition 19...
Travertine
$2,505
H 29.93 in W 35.44 in D 35.44 in
Mid-Century Modern Extending Dining Table, Wood, Europe, Circa 1970
Located in Brussels, BE
Wood
1970s Italian Extendable Dining Table
Located in Praha, CZ
- Body Made of laminate with imitation of wood and Legs are made of Beech wood - Good original condition with minor signs of use
Wood, Laminate, Beech
Italian Marble Dining Table, 1970
Located in Chicago, IL
Italian marble dining table, 1970. Original
Marble
Danish mid-century modern dining table in wood, 1960s
Located in MIlano, IT
Danish mid-century modern dining table in wood, 1960s Dining table with rectangular top with rounded corners, entirely in wood. The top rests on a wooden structure. Square section le...
Wood
Italian Midcentury Dining Table by Vittorio Dassi, 1970s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Queens, NY
Italian midcentury dining table with a parchment top having rounded corners on an hourglass-shaped rosewood pedestal base with carved diamond detail on an oval white marble foot (att...
Rosewood, Parchment Paper
$1,965Sale Price|40% Off
H 29 in W 106 in D 66 in
Oval Modern Dining Table, "Affusoalato" By Adolfo Natalini For Driade
By Driade, Adolfo Natalini
Located in Norwood, NJ
Affusoalato dining table by Adolfo Natalini for Driade. The table is made out of cherry wood. The piece comes with two foldable side-panels Designer A. Natalini Manufacturer Driade L...
Fruitwood
Enzo Mari for Simon International 'Ics' Table in Pine
By Simon International, Enzo Mari
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
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 Driade Frate table, 1970s
By Driade, Enzo Mari
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
Sold
H 28.35 in W 70.87 in D 47.25 in
Dining Table, Capitello, Designed by Enzo Mari for Driade, Italy, 1970s
By Enzo Mari, Driade
Located in Stockholm, SE
Laminated beech and white laminate top. Measures: H 72 cm/ 28 ½” L 180 cm/ 71” W 120 cm/ 47”.
Laminate, Beech, Plywood
Enzo Mari Cugino Dining Table Driade, Italy, 1973
By Driade, Enzo Mari
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Very nice minimalistic dining table designed by Enzo Mari and manufactured by Driade, Italy, 1973. This table has heavy solid metal folded fr...
Metal
Round Dining Table Cugino by Enzo Mari for Driade
By Enzo Mari
Located in Vlimmeren, BE
Enzo Mari designed this Lucid dining table Cugino in 1973 for Driade. He decided to realize this table with a transparent glass top to valorise the pure simplicity of the steel base...
Steel