Mario Botta

Swiss, b. 1943

Swiss architect Mario Botta may be renowned for his impressive postmodern architecture projects such as the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, but the chairs, lighting and other furniture he created reflect a mastery of geometrically rich forms and an elegant application of simple symmetry.

Born in Mendrisio, Switzerland, in 1943, Botta gained an interest in architecture at an early age. He apprenticed at the architectural firm Carloni and Camenisch and designed his first building — a two-family house at Morbis Superiore in Ticino — at age 16. During the early 1960s, Botta attended the Liceo Artistico in Milan and then studied at the University Institute of Architecture in Venice under art historian Giuseppe Mazzariol and influential Italian architect Carlo Scarpa.

While studying in Venice, Botta worked for Swiss-born French architect Le Corbusier — whose career spanned hundreds of architecture projects — and gained inspiration from Estonian-American architect Louis Kahn, who was known for his modern and brutalist architectural style. In 1969, Botta completed his studies and established his practice in Lugano, designing and building single-family homes.

Throughout the 1970s, Botta gained fame for his innovative, geometrical designs and deceptively simple forms, such as his first large-scale building project in 1977 — the Middle School in Morbio Inferiore, Switzerland. Botta later established himself as one of the masters of 1980s postmodern design in his architecture and his furniture. His postmodern ideas characterize the dining room tables and seating he designed for companies such as Alias, as well as his table lamps and floor lamps for Artemide.

Botta’s noteworthy architectural projects designed during the 1990s and 2000s include the Cymbalista Synagogue and Jewish Heritage Center in Tel Aviv, Israel; the Monastery of the Holy Apostles Saint Peter and Andrew in Lviv, Ukraine; and the Theater of Architecture in Mendrisio, in 2018.

On 1stDibs, discover a range of vintage Mario Botta lighting fixtures, seating, tables and decorative objects.

Average Sold Price

$2,535

Styles

Materials

Related Creators

1980s Postmodern Mario Botta Latonda Chair for Alias (two available) -- 1 pc

$1,208Sale Price / item|42% Off

H 33.08 in W 19.69 in D 23.23 in

1980s Postmodern Mario Botta Latonda Chair for Alias (two available) -- 1 pc

By Alias, Mario Botta

Located in Basel, BS

What a beauty! Stunning RARE Mario Botta accent chair for any space! Very fast shipping, insured 7-21 days. RARE Black leather model, with silver frame. Chair "Latonda" Production: ...

Category

1990s Italian Post-Modern Mario Botta

Materials

Metal

Mario Botta for Artemide ‘Shogun’ Floor Lamp

$6,450

H 76.78 in W 11.82 in D 12.41 in

Mario Botta for Artemide ‘Shogun’ Floor Lamp

By Artemide, Mario Botta

Located in Waalwijk, NL

Mario Botta for Artemide, 'Shogun' floor lamp, aluminum, steel, Italy, 1986 Mario Botta referred to lamps as “people”. He said: "Shogun is a person. He has a head, body and feet, ...

Category

1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Mario Botta

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

'Shogun' Table Lamp by Mario Botta for Artemide

$1,535 / item

H 23.44 in W 4.72 in D 12.6 in

'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...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Mario Botta

Materials

Metal, Steel

Shogun Wall Sconce by Mario Botta for Artemide Italy, 1986

$1,896

H 11.03 in W 12.8 in D 13 in

Shogun Wall Sconce by Mario Botta for Artemide Italy, 1986

By Artemide, Mario Botta

Located in Morazzone, Varese

Shogun Wall Sconce by Mario Botta for Artemide Italy, 1986 comes with original instructions ! One ‘Shogun’ wall sconce designed by Swiss Architect Mario Botta for Artemide in 1986. ...

Category

1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Mario Botta

Materials

Metal

Shogun Floor Lamp by Mario Botta for Artemide, 1980s

$4,875

H 78.7 in W 12.6 in D 12.6 in

Shogun Floor Lamp by Mario Botta for Artemide, 1980s

By Artimide, Mario Botta

Located in Littleton, CO

An iconic postmodern design by Swiss architect and designer Mario Botta, the Shogun floor lamp was produced by Artemide in Italy during the 1980s and has since become one of the comp...

Category

1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Mario Botta

Materials

Metal, Enamel, Iron

Quinta chair by Mario Botta for Alias, 1985.

$1,184 / item

H 37.01 in W 18.12 in D 22.45 in

Quinta chair by Mario Botta for Alias, 1985.

By Alias, Mario Botta

Located in Athens, Attiki

Quinta chairs by Mario Botta for Alias, 1985.

Category

1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Mario Botta

Materials

Metal

Postmodern Italian Quinta Black Perforated Metal Chair Mario Botta Alias 1980s

$1,776

H 37.01 in W 17.92 in D 22.45 in

Postmodern Italian Quinta Black Perforated Metal Chair Mario Botta Alias 1980s

By Alias, Mario Botta

Located in Hamburg, DE

Postmodern armchair by Italian manufacturer Alias, designed by Mario Botta in the 1980s. A timeless design classic from the 1980s. Classic black and made entirely of metal. Naturall...

Category

20th Century Italian Post-Modern Mario Botta

Materials

Metal

1 (of 4) Pair of Silver Artemide Shogun Wall Lights by Mario Botta, 1980s

$6,950 / set

H 13 in W 13 in D 13.39 in

1 (of 4) Pair of Silver Artemide Shogun Wall Lights by Mario Botta, 1980s

By Mario Botta, Artemide

Located in Niederdorfelden, Hessen

Elegant pair of Artemide Shogun Parete wall lamps designed by Mario Botta for Artemide, Milano, Italy in 1980s. Marked on the frame. Mario Botta is a postmodern Swiss architect and designer, renowned for his striking geometric forms. Artemide is a Italian manufacturer founded by Ernesto Gismondi and Sergio Mazza in 1960. The design of the lamp is based upon the form of a samurai’s visor. The two perforated silver enameled steel sheet shades are adjustable, which creates a great light / shadow effect. The Shogun wall lamp...

Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Mario Botta

Materials

Metal, Silver Plate

Browse all Furniture from Mario Botta

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Mario Botta Sale Prices

Sold Date

Sold Price

Category

Material

Creation Year

2026	$2,800	Chandeliers and Pendants	Metal	1980
2026	$2,500	Dining Room Tables	Metal	1980s
2026	$2,995	Chairs, Armchairs	Metal, Sheet Metal	circa 1980
2025	$1,902	Table Lamps	Metal	1986
2025	$1,905	Wall Lights and Sconces	Metal	1980

$2,535

Average sold price of items in the past 12 months

$1,902-$3,568

Sold price range of items in the past 12 months

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Mario Botta furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Mario Botta furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Mario Botta furniture, although black editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 85 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 6 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original furniture by Mario Botta were created in the mid-century modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Pallucco, Cattelan Italia, and Rodney Kinsman. Prices for Mario Botta furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $900 and can go as high as $19,400, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $3,633.

Questions About Mario Botta

What is Mario Botta famous for?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertJanuary 10, 2025
Mario Botta is famous for his work as an architect and designer. He is renowned for his impressive postmodern architecture projects, such as the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. However, the chairs, lighting and other furniture he created reflect a mastery of geometrically rich forms and an elegant application of simple symmetry. Botta’s noteworthy architectural projects designed during the 1990s and 2000s include the Cymbalista Synagogue and Jewish Heritage Center in Tel Aviv, Israel; the Monastery of the Holy Apostles Saint Peter and Andrew in Lviv, Ukraine; and the Theater of Architecture in Mendrisio, Switzerland. On 1stDibs, explore a range of Mario Botta furniture.