Outlandish, whimsical and unique are only just a few words that can be used to describe the works of artist and furniture designer Mattia Bonetti. His imaginative pieces are marked by an unexpectedly successful marriage of peculiarity, sophistication and luxury.
Born in 1952 in Lugano, Switzerland, Bonetti studied textile design at the Centro Scolastico per le Industrie Artistiche. In 1972, he moved to Paris, where he worked as a textile designer, stylist and photographer. As a photographer, Bonetti did shoots of miniature interiors — many of which he made himself. This eventually led to his developing a passion for furniture design.
During the late 1970s, Bonetti’s fledgling career designing furniture skyrocketed after meeting French designer Elizabeth Garouste. Their first project together was designing the interiors of the restaurant Le Privilege and nightclub Le Palace in Paris, with both initiatives earning the pair critical acclaim for their artful blend of neo-Baroque style with prehistoric “Barbarian” elements. Bonetti and Garouste embarked on a design partnership that lasted more than 20 years before Bonetti decided to pursue a solo career in 2002.
Throughout the 2000s, Bonetti’s oeuvre has run the gamut, with the designer drawing inspiration from almost everywhere — UFOs, ancient Greece, children’s toys — nothing is off-limits. He uses an eclectic range of luxurious materials such as gold leaf, marble, rock crystal, acrylic, glass, fine woods and patinated bronze to create everything from side tables, wall mirrors and sofas to coffee tables, sideboards and armchairs. Bonetti assembles the materials in otherwise unlikely combinations. “I like to bring together materials that are very opposite,” he says. “The juxtaposition makes the character of each one strong.”
Bonetti’s reputation as a master of avant-garde design has yielded commissions for several notable projects. He has created pieces for the Metz Saint-Etienne Cathedral, partnered with decorator Jacques Grange for The Mark Hotel in New York City and designed interiors for the Hotel Cristal Champs Elysées in Paris.
Today, Bonetti’s works are held in the collections of many institutions such as the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, the Centre Pompidou and Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum.
On 1stDibs, find a range of modern Mattia Bonetti tables, case pieces, storage cabinets and seating.
Mattia Bonetti, Sofa, Velvet, Nickel-Plated Steel, France, 2018
By Mattia Bonetti
Located in High Point, NC
A blue velvet and nickel-plated stainless steel sofa designed and produced by Mattia Bonetti, France, 2018. Prototype 1 from an edition of 12, 2 artist's proofs and 2 prototypes. P...
Stainless Steel, Nickel
Original 'Koala' Sofa by Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti Stamped 'BG'
By Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti, Élizabeth Garouste, Mattia Bonetti
Located in PARIS, FR
Iconic 'Koala Sofa' circa 1985 by Elizabeth Garouste & Mattia Bonetti. Stamped 'BG' on one of the sofa's bronze feet. New fabric.
Bronze
Mattia Bonetti, Side Chairs, Aluminum, Hide, Italy, 2009
By Mattia Bonetti
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of black-lacquered aluminum, blue and black hide side chairs, model "Alu" and "Ula" designed and produced by Mattia Bonetti, Italy / Switzerland, 2009. Provenance: Collection...
Aluminum
$12,000Sale Price|20% Off
Mattia Bonetti Unique “Jelly” Bedroom Console Table circa 2009
By Mattia Bonetti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Portman Gallery offers: Mattia Bonetti Unique “Jelly” Bedroom Console Table circa 2009 metallic painted oak, plexiglas monogrammed MB 19 1/4 x 29 1/8 x 10 3/8 in. (48.9 x 74 x 26.3 cm) If possible, I would like to hand deliver this item (free). Please let me know in your inquiry where you are located. Condition: Overall in excellent condition. The painted wood base displays a vibrant green and silver surface with a few very minor abrasions to the edges, consistent with gentle use and not visually distracting. The plexiglas tabletop presents with very faint scattered surface scratches consistent with gentle use. Provenance: Francis Sultana, London Sotheby’s, New York, 2021 ‘‘Mattia Bonetti’s artistic creativity is limitless. He has the skill and the imagination to create a range of artistic worlds; from the most meticulous and exact, to the most bizarre and outlandish, his works are always so diverse and yet always retain an element of his own distinctive style.’’ Jacques Granges, Interior Designer. Mattia Bonetti (born 1952) is a Paris-based artist and designer. His work has been called whimsical, surreal and unique. Consistently merging the boundaries between art and design, Bonetti, who was born in Lugano, Switzerland, initially studied textile design at the Centro Scolastico per l’Industria Artistica. Moving to Paris in 1972, Bonetti initially worked within his chosen field of textile design, but then developed a career as a stylist and photographer. Working in black and white film, Bonetti would shoot miniature interiors that he had made by hand, which in turn led to his love of furniture. Bonetti’s work has always begun with a free-hand sketch, which is then fabricated in materials including patinated bronze, gilding, acrylic, wood, rock crystal, marble, glass and gemstones. In the 1970s Bonetti met the designer Elizabeth Garouste, and their partnership began with the interior décor of the famous Parisian nightclub Le Palace and restaurant Le Privilege. Employing a neo-Baroque language, blended with prehistoric and primitive touches, Bonetti’s terracotta...
Plexiglass, Oak
Mattia Bonetti, Flush Mount, Resin, Glass, France, 2010
By Mattia Bonetti
Located in High Point, NC
A silver-lacquered resin and frosted glass flush mount or wall light, Model "Tulip", designed and produced by Mattia Bonetti, France, 2010. Provenance: Collection of Paul Kasmin. W...
Glass, Resin
Mattia Bonetti, Flush Mount, Resin, Glass, France, 2010
By Mattia Bonetti
Located in High Point, NC
A black-lacquered resin and frosted glass flush mount or wall light, Model "Tulip", designed and produced by Mattia Bonetti, France, 2010. Wear consistent with age and use. Overall...
Glass, Resin
Mattia Bonetti, Flush Mount, Resin, Glass, Mirror, France, 2009
By Mattia Bonetti
Located in High Point, NC
A gold-lacquered resin, mirror glass and frosted glass flush mount or wall light, Model "Jonquil", designed and produced by Mattia Bonetti, France, 2009. Prototype 1 from an edition...
Glass, Mirror, Resin
Glass Flush Mounted Fixture
Located in New York, NY
A French circa 1940's octagonal gilt bronze and milk glass flush mounted light fixture with an interior light. Measurements: Dia...
Bronze
1930's French Small Flush Mount with Opaline Glass
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1930 Freich gilt metal flush mounted light fixture with opaline glass inset ( 2 interior lights)
Metal
Faceted Glass and Nickel Flush Mount
Located in Tarrytown, NY
Round nickel flush mount fixture with faceted glass conforming shade.
Nickel
French Art Deco Milk Glass Large Flush Mount, Bronze Mounted, 1950s
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
A large Art Deco leaded glass ceiling lamp with bronze mounts, France 1950s. Beautiful large conical milky white glass shade reflecting a pleasan...
Bronze, Lead
Murano glass flush mount, 1970s
By Barovier&Toso
Located in Palermo, PA
Beautiful and unusual larger model of a Murano glass flush mount. Murano glass leaves are delicately mounted on a metal base, creating a shape similar to a flower. Each leaf features...
Metal
$3,648Sale Price / set|24% Off
H 30 in W 17.25 in D 19.5 in
Set of Six Shelby Williams 'Gazelle' Sculptural Aluminum Side Chairs, 1960s
By Shelby Williams
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant and sculptural, this rare set of six (6) Shelby Williams 'Gazelle' dining chairs captures the best of American Mid-Century Modern design with a distinctly architectural profi...
Aluminum
Unique Console Table by Goons
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique console table by Goons Dimensions: W 120 x D 27 x H 74 cm Materials: Wood Dimensions can be adjusted +/- 10 cm Goons is located in Paris, France. All of their designs are ma...
Wood
A French Blue Velvet Sofa, C. 1960
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A chic and sophisticated French sofa, circa 1960, upholstered in rich blue velvet with a sleek, ebonized wood base. The low-profile silhouette and clean lines reflect the refined mod...
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
$2,850
H 31.5 in W 26 in D 19 in
Elegant Gilt Metal Lounge Chair Style of Garouste Bonetti Post Modern Art Deco
By Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti
Located in Atlanta, GA
Sculptural Gilt Metal Lounge Chair, in the style of Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti, unsigned, France, circa 1980s.
Metal
Large Green Glass Flush Mount
Located in New York, NY
A circa 1960's Italian molded glass light fixture with interior lights. Measurements: Drop: 5" Diameter: 25"
Glass
Five Italian Side Chairs
Located in Albany, NY
Side chair from the 1930s with early example of plywood seat. Chairs can be sold separately. $1500.00 per chair.
Plywood
$1,050
H 32.29 in W 19.69 in D 20.48 in
Elephant Hide Grey Cab Dining Side Chair by Mario Bellini for Cassina
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Dronten, NL
Side chair model Cab, designed by Mario Bellini for Cassina. Wonderful 1980 example with buttery soft, newly reconditioned, elephant hide grey leather perfectly worn in from many yea...
Steel
Sold
H 66.15 in W 13.78 in D 17.72 in
Mattia Bonetti pair of tall patinated metal wall lights sconces 2009
By Mattia Bonetti
Located in Paris, IDF
This is a unique pair of Mattia Bonetti wall lights commissioned by the Hotel Cristal in Paris in 2009. The structure is made of aged bronze patina metal, with special vinyl shades m...
Metal
Sold
H 66.15 in W 13.78 in D 17.72 in
Mattia Bonetti pair of tall patinated metal wall lights sconces 2009
By Mattia Bonetti
Located in Paris, IDF
This is a unique pair of Mattia Bonetti wall lights commissioned by the Hotel Cristal in Paris in 2009. The structure is made of aged bronze patina metal, with special vinyl shades m...
Metal
Mattia Bonetti, Coffee Table, Nickel-plated Bronze, Glass, France, 2010
By Mattia Bonetti
Located in High Point, NC
A nickel-plated bronze and glass "Miami" coffee or cocktail table designed and produced by Mattia Bonetti, Paris France, 2010. Editioned by Paul Kasmin Gallery, USA, 2010. Signed an...
Bronze
Sold
H 32.09 in W 29.93 in D 30.91 in
Pair of Original 'Koala' Club Chairs with by Elizabeth Garouste & Mattia Bonetti
By Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti, Élizabeth Garouste, Mattia Bonetti
Located in PARIS, FR
Original Koala Club Chairs in fabric with bronze feet by the much celebrated duo Elizabeth Garouste & Mattia Bonetti. The feet are stamped 'BG', demonstrating their authenticity. N...
Bronze
Garouste & Bonetti - Mirror sconce for Maison Baguès
By Mattia Bonetti, Élizabeth Garouste, Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti, Maison Baguès
Located in PARIS, FR
A rare sconce mirror designed by Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti for Maison Baguès. With this wall lamp, the famous design duo reinterprets the codes of the Maison Baguès. Th...
Crystal, Gold Leaf
Sold
H 30 in W 49 in D 32 in
Mattia Bonetti, Contemporary, Rare Console, Oak, Plexiglass, France, c. 2008
By Mattia Bonetti
Located in Stamford, CT
Mattia Bonetti, Contemporary, Rare 'Seche' Console, Oak, Plexiglass, France, c. 2008 Wall mounted console table or dining table having impressed burn mark by Mattia Bonnetti. A rare opportunity to acquire what is possibly the only documented 'Seche' console by Bonetti. Certain to add value and functionality to any room in the home or office. This multi functional table can be mounted and used as a dining table, a console table or a writing desk. Provenance: Sotheby's NYC Design Lot 153 Oct 01, 2021 - Oct 07, 2021, David Gill, London Mattia Bonnetti is known for creating innovative pieces of furniture that are as much works of fine art as they are utilitarian objects. He employs a wide range of materials, often in surprising ways, as with “Denim Armchair” (2007), a beech wood chair upholstered with salvaged blue jeans and wrapped humorously with a leather belt. In “Drops Table” (2007), walnut wood and acrylic resin are integrated seamlessly to produce a visually striking yet fully functional dining table. 30 x 49 x 32 inches Mattia Bonetti Swiss-French (b. 1952) Unique ”Seche” Console Table Oak, Plexiglas Monogrammed MB...
Plexiglass, Oak
Sold
H 71 in W 18 in D 17 in
Elizabeth Garouste Mattia Bonetti Etagere Vitrine "Cage Barbare" 1981, France
By Élizabeth Garouste, Mattia Bonetti
Located in Chicago, IL
Elizabeth Garouste & Mattia Bonetti Etagere Vitrine "Cage Barbare" 1981. Bottom glass shelf has a small chip out of corner. Elizabeth Garouste was born in Paris, France in 1949. Afte...
Wrought Iron
Mattia Bonetti Table Lamp
By Mattia Bonetti
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Stunning pink ceramic lamp by Mattia Bonetti (signed) Beautiful hourglass shape with wood circles inlaid within fiberglass Newly rewired with new ...
Fiberglass
Sold
H 18.12 in W 59.06 in D 43.31 in
Contemporary Mattia Bonetti Sculptural Italian Coffee Table, Ready to Ship
By Mattia Bonetti
Located in Ibiza, Spain
Contemporary sculptural coffee table mod. "Dripping" designed by Mattia Bonetti. Structure made of polyurethane fiber and pink methacrylate top. Signed. Italy, 2017. The work of Mat...
Plastic
Sold
H 34.65 in W 17.72 in D 20.87 in
Rare Set of Four Garouste & Bonetti ‘Palace’ Dining Chairs, 1980
By Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti, Élizabeth Garouste, Mattia Bonetti
Located in Paris, IDF
This is an incredibly rare set of 4 dining chairs by Elizabeth Garouste & Mattia Bonetti, model Palace, made in white cream painted solid oak. Garouste & Bonetti began their collabor...
Metal
Mattia Bonetti Lamps
By Mattia Bonetti
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Stunning pair of black ceramic lamps by Mattia Bonetti (signed) Beautiful hourglass shape with wood circles inlaid within stone black cer...
Ceramic, Wood
Desk and Chair by Garouste and Bonetti
By Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti, Mattia Bonetti
Located in Miami, FL
Desk and chair suite by Garouste and Bonetti, France, circa 1990s. Hammered gilt metal base with original lacquered lavender top. 3 drawers with silver le...
Wrought Iron