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.
Postmodern Mario Botta Terzo Coffee Table by Alias, 1980s
By Alias, Mario Botta
Located in Renens, CH
Custom designed coffee table by Mario Botta, produced by Alias (Italy) for the Ransila Building 1, Lugano, Switzerland: This marble top coffee table is an adjustment of the serie-pr...
Marble, Metal
Low stool Coffee table made of a single block of cedar Riva 1920 Clessidra Black
By Riva 1920, Mario Botta
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: Riva 1920 Model: Hourglass Design by: Mario Botta Clessidra is conceived as both a stool and a coffee table, carved from a single block of solid cedar. Designed by Mario Bott...
Cedar
$5,005 / item
Charlotte Armchair by Mario Botta
By Horm, Mario Botta
Located in Milan, IT
An example of skillful craftsmanship in a sophisticated, modern design, this armchair by Mario Botta comprises a structure in white-painted metal covered entirely by natural wicker. ...
Metal
Suspension pendant by Mario Botta for Artemide, Italy, c. 1980
By Mario Botta
Located in BARCELONA, ES
A suspended triangle of black metal and reflected light, this pendant designed by Mario Botta for Artemide transforms a simple geometric structure into an architectural statement. A ...
Metal
Mario Botta 'Shogun' Table Lamp for Artemide, Italy, 1986
By Artemide, Mario Botta
Located in Brescia, Brescia
The 'Shogun' table lamp, designed by Mario Botta for Artemide in 1986, embodies the visionary architect's signature style of geometric precision and functional artistry. Crafted in I...
Metal
Italian Model Shogun Tavolo Table Lamp by Mario Botta for Artemide, 1980s
By Mario Botta
Located in Hamburg, DE
Imposing table lamp by Artemide based on a design by Mario Botta from the 80s. Postmodernism in its purest form in color and materiality. A timeless design classic that easily fits ...
Metal
Mario Botta, Robot, Cabinet / Chest of Drawers, Italy, 1980s
By Alias, Mario Botta
Located in Renens, CH
Mario Botta “Robot” – Chest of Drawers for Alias, Italy 1980s This sculptural piece is in its purest sense a vertical storage unit composed of stacked geo...
Steel
Classidra Stool By Mario Botta For Riva 1920 Made Of Scented Cedar-Vulacno
By Mario Botta
Located in New York, NY
The Classidra stool by Riva 1920 is an iconic piece designed by Mario Botta Italy. This stool is crafted from a single block of aromatic cedar wood, characterized by its unique hourg...
Cedar
Shogun Mario Botta black and white Table Lamp for Artemide, 1986 set of 2
By Mario Botta
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Shogun Mario Botta Table Lamp for Artemide. The project is one of the most iconic examples of design of the Eighties, in which geometric rigor and formal experimentation come togethe...
Metal
Shogun Table Lamp by Mario Botta for Artemide, 1986
By Artemide, Mario Botta
Located in bruxelles, BE
Black and white table lamp in metal and plastic designed by Mario Botta, model Shogun. Stamped Artemide, Mario Botta. Wear due to time and age of the lamp. FOR SHIPPING, REQUEST US F...
Metal
Artemdie Shogun floorlamp by Mario Botta 1986
By Mario Botta, Artemide
Located in Münster, DE
Extremely rare floor lamp by the iconic Italian designer Mario Botta for Artemide. This model is nowadays is only produced as a table lamp and is therefore rarely found. The design i...
Metal, Aluminum
Late 20th Century Charlotte Armchair by Mario Botta, Italy, 1994
By Mario Botta
Located in London, GB
The hallmark of Mario Botta’s architecture, characterized by purely geometric and cleverly interconnected volumes, is clearly visible in the Charlotte chair, edited by Horm. The cyli...
Wicker
$2,391Sale Price / set|40% Off
PAIR 1980s Postmodern Mario Botta Latonda Chair for Alias - 2 pcs
By Alias, Mario Botta
Located in Basel, BS
What Beauties! Stunning RARE PAIR of Mario Botta accent chairs for any space! Very fast shipping, insured 7-21 days. RARE Black leather model, with silver frame. Chair "Latonda" Pro...
Metal
Monumental Postmodern Shogun Floor Lamp by Mario Botta for Artemide Italy 1980s
By Artemide, Mario Botta
Located in München, BY
Monumental postmodern "Shogun Terra" Floor Lamp. Designed by Mario Botta for Artemide, Italy, 1980s. Marked on the top of the shaft. Two curved and per...
Metal, Iron
Mario Botta Vintage Black and Ivory Floor Lamp Shogun Terra 1980s Italy
By Mario Botta
Located in Vienna, AT
Modern vintage floor lamp designed by Mario Botta 1980s for Artemide Italy from ivory and black striped aluminum and tubular steel. The gorgeous construction shows geometric element...
Aluminum
Postmodern Vintage Black White Table Lamp Shogun Mario Botta Artemide 1986 Italy
By Mario Botta, Artemide
Located in Vienna, AT
Postmodern Memphis Style vintage table lamp by Mario Bott in black and white color from plastic and metal circa 1986, Italy. An iconic table lamp, model Shogun, designed by Mario Bot...
Metal
Italian modern metal floor lamp Shogun by Mario Botta for Artemide, 1980s
By Mario Botta, Artemide
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern metal floor lamp Shogun by Mario Botta for Artemide, 1980s Shogun floor lamp in black and white painted metal. The lamp features a double adjustable diffuser in curved...
Metal
Shogun Wall Lamp by Mario Botta for Artemide, 1980s
By Artemide, Mario Botta
Located in bruxelles, BE
Wall lamp in metal and plastic designed by Mario Botta, model Shogun. Stamped Artemide, Mario Botta. Wear due to time and age of the lamp. FOR SHIPPING, REQUEST US FOR RECEIVE THE BE...
Metal
Mario Botta for Artemide, "Shogun" Table Lamp, Italy, 1980s
By Mario Botta, Artemide
Located in Naples, IT
The Shogun is an iconic table lamp designed by Swiss architect Mario Botta in 1986 for the prestigious Italian brand Artemide. The frame is made of lacquered metal and The adjustabl...
Metal
Black White Metal Geometric Vintage Floor Lamp Shogun Mario Botta Italy 1980s
By Mario Botta
Located in Vienna, AT
Modern black and white vintage floor lamp from lacquered metal designed by Mario Botta and executed by Artemide Italy (labeled). The Floor Lamp consists of white and black enameled tubular steel and enameled aluminum. The condition is very good. The floor lamp features a foot switch and one socket Edison 27 while both perforated lamp shades are adjustable. One of the famed product designs by Mario Botta is the Shogun lamp...
Aluminum, Steel
Italian Postmodern "Shogun" Floor Lamp by Mario Botta for Artemide, 1980s
By Mario Botta, Artemide
Located in Renens, CH
Vintage Artemide floor lamp, model Shogun Terra – a design by the architect Mario Botta (1985). An impressive lamp being a typical design originating fro...
Metal
Shogun Table Lamp by Mario Botta for Artemide, 1986
By Artemide, Mario Botta
Located in bruxelles, BE
Black and white table lamp in metal and plastic designed by Mario Botta, model Shogun. Stamped Artemide, Mario Botta. Wear due to time and age of the lamp. FOR SHIPPING, REQUEST US F...
Metal
"Quinta" Dining Chairs by Mario Botta for Alias, 1980s, set of 4
By Alias, Mario Botta
Located in Argelato, BO
The set of four Quinta chairs, designed by renowned Swiss architect Mario Botta for the Italian company Alias in 1985, is an icon of Italian postmodern design. These chairs, which ...
Metal
Shogun Wall Lamps by Mario Botta for Artemide, 1980s, set of 2
By Mario Botta, Artemide
Located in bruxelles, BE
Pair of Wall lamps in metal and plastic designed by Mario Botta, model Shogun. Stamped Artemide, Mario Botta. Wear due to time and age of the lamp. FOR SHIPPING, REQUEST US FOR RECEI...
Metal
$1,903Sale Price|10% Off
Postmodern Vintage Black White wall Lamp Shogun Mario Botta Artemide 1986 Italy
By Artemide, Mario Botta
Located in Milano, IT
Postmodern Vintage Black White wall Lamp Shogun Mario Botta Artemide 1986 Italy Postmodern vintage wall lamp by Mario Bott in black and white color made in metal circa 1986, Italy....
Metal, Sheet Metal
"Seconda 602" Chairs by Mario Botta for Alias, 1980s, set of 6
By Alias, Mario Botta
Located in bruxelles, BE
Set of 6 gray and black chairs by Mario Botta. Stamped Alias. Seat height: 46 cm. Wear due to time and age of chairs. For shipping, request us for receive the best price.
Metal
Shogun Table Lamp by Mario Botta for Artemide, 1980s
By Mario Botta, Artemide
Located in bruxelles, BE
Black and white table lamp in metal and plastic designed by Mario Botta, model Shogun. Stamped Artemide, Mario Botta. Wear due to time and age of the lamp. FOR SHIPPING, REQUEST US F...
Metal
Mario Botta Vintage "Shogun" Floor Lamp by Artemide
By Artemide, Mario Botta
Located in North Miami, FL
Italian floor lamp designed by the Italian architect, Mario Botta for Artemide, 1980s. The black base is made of cast iron, the powder coated shaft is back and white striped. Two ...
Metal, Iron
$9,969Sale Price / set|35% Off
Postmodern Vintage Six Black Metal Armchairs Quinta Mario Botta Italy 1985
By Mario Botta
Located in Vienna, AT
Postmodern six ( 6 ) armchairs or dining chairs designed by Maria Botta 1985, Italy for Alias, Italy. A great and extraordinary set of six ( 6 ) dining chairs or armchairs in amazing...
Sheet Metal
Bench Riva 1920 Bottea Design Mario Botta - Oak from Barrique barrels
By Riva 1920, Mario Botta
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: Riva 1920 Model: Bottea Design by: Mario Botta The Bottea bench is entirely crafted from oak reclaimed from Barrique barrels, embodying a powerful dialogue between geometric ...
Wood
Postmodern White Vintage Sconce or Wall Light Shogun by Mario Botta, 1986 Italy
By Mario Botta
Located in Vienna, AT
Postmodern white vintage metal wall light or sconce model Shogun by Mario Botta and executed by Artemide, Milano, Italy. A gorgeous sconce o...
Metal
1987 Set of Four Dining Chairs La Tonda Mario Botta Italian Orange Leather Metal
By Alias, Mario Botta
Located in Milano, IT
A set of four ‘Latonda’ chairs, 1987 Tubular metal structure with seat in orange stretched leather. Made by Alias, Italy. Sticky label ‘Alias Italy’ on the metal structure underne...
Metal
Shogun Wall Lamps by Mario Botta for Artemide, 1980s, set of 2
By Artemide, Mario Botta
Located in bruxelles, BE
Pair of Wall lamps in metal and plastic designed by Mario Botta, model Shogun. Stamped Artemide, Mario Botta. Wear due to time and age of the lamp. FOR SHIPPING, REQUEST US FOR RECEI...
Metal
Mario Botta Tesi table Alias 1986
By Mario Botta
Located in Grenoble, FR
Mario Botta, a key figure in contemporary architecture and design, was born on April 1, 1943 in Mendrisio, in the canton of Ticino in Switzerland. From a young age, he was interested...
Steel
Early Mario Botta “Shogun” Lamp
By Artemide, Mario Botta
Located in Chicago, IL
ft. a moving shade that affects the distribution of light. It has a European plug but comes with an adapter. This piece has HEAVY patina including paint flaking, scratches, rust, and...
Metal