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 Élizabeth Garouste, Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti, 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
$2,700Sale Price|25% Off
H 36 in W 72 in D 30 in
Original Mid century Compact Sofa by Ray and Charles Eames for Herman Miller
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller, Charles Eames
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Original Eames sofa compact with orange Herman miller woven upholstery. Charles and Ray Eames compact couch is great design that keeps a subtle profile. The cushioned pads that form ...
Steel, Chrome
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
$11,250 / item
H 29.73 in W 78.75 in D 39.38 in
Contemporary Cotton Velvet Sofa with Gold Stainless Steel Base
Located in New York, NY
Fabric cotton velvet Base: Gold brushed stainless steel Hardwood frame with interlocking construction. Advanced comfort spring suspension. Fixed seat cushion and back with premium ...
Stainless Steel
$18,973
H 23.23 in W 118.9 in D 98.82 in
Original Lara Sofa by Pamio, Toso and Massari for Stilwood, Italy, 1960s
By Roberto Pamio & Renato Toso, Pierre Paulin, Mario Bellini, Stilwood
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
An original Lara sofa by Roberto Pamio, Renato Toso and Noti Massari for Stilwood, Italy 1950s/1960s. Newly reupholstered in a premium, pure Alpaca wool fabric. Ships worldwide.
Foam
Maison Jansen Stamped Sofa, Louis XV Style, France
By Maison Jansen
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Rare Maison Jansen stamped French Louis XV style sofa with original grey patina, and clean lined cream upholstery. Lovely classical Louis XV shape, good width, seats three comfortabl...
Wood
Garouste & Bonetti style , Wrought Iron Chair
By Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti
Located in Miami, FL
In the style of Garouste & Bonetti , wrought iron chair.
Brass, Wrought Iron
Bastiano sofa, original leather upholstery by Tobia Scarpa
By Tobia Scarpa
Located in Milano, IT
COD-2912 Tobia Scarpa Bastiano sofa, original leather upholstery, in perfect condition. Gavina label. Gavina manufacture, circa 1970.
Leather
$9,705 / item
H 33.47 in W 63 in D 35.44 in
Velvet, Bronzed Steel, Brass and Ostrich Feather, Ostrich Fluff Sofa
By Egg Designs
Located in Bothas Hill, KZN
This sofa is part of the Ostrich Fluff collection designed by Egg Designs and manufactured in South Africa. The sofa is constructed in two section, these are connected via three bronzed steel brackets which are then fixed with solid brass pins. The velvet upholstered seat section is finished off with a colored, delicate genuine ostrich feather skirt...
Brass, Steel
Rea Velvet Sofa
By Arcahorn Srl.
Located in Milan, IT
A superb object of functional decor, this sofa will imbue a living room with modern sophistication, while also being a comfortable three-seater. Upholstered in Splendido velvet, with...
Metal, Other
$22,639 / set
H 15.36 in Dm 16.54 in
Pair of stools Garouste & Bonetti Koala bronze mohair velvet 1995
By Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti
Located in Paris, IDF
This is a beautiful pair of stools by Elizabeth Garouste & Mattia Bonetti, model Koala, with solid bronze feet, fully restored and reupholstered. Garouste & Bonetti began their colla...
Bronze
Stool by Garouste & Bonetti Model Koala, France / C.1990
By Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti
Located in Montréal, QC
Koala Stool by Garouste & Bonetti , C.1990 Bronze feet and freshly reupholstered in beige Pierre Frey Ramier fabric. Early version, No stamp on legs.
Bronze