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 for Driade Mid Century Italian Steel Dining Chairs - Set of 6
By Driade, Enzo Mari
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Enzo Mari for Driade Mid Century Italian Steel Dining Chairs - Set of 6 Each chair measures: 18 wide x 21 deep x 34.5 inches high, with a s...
Steel
Enzo Mari, Dining Room Chairs, Plywood, Beech, Italy, 1980s
By Enzo Mari
Located in High Point, NC
A set of six plywood and beech dining room chairs designed by Enzo Mari and produced by Driade, Italy, c. 1980. Scratching present to wood consistent with age and use Wear consiste...
Wood, Beech, Plywood
Italian black plastic aluminum chairs 2090 Tonietta Enzo Mari Zanotta 1980s
By Zanotta, Enzo Mari
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern black plastic and aluminum chairs 2090 Tonietta by Enzo Mari for Zanotta, 1980s Set of six chairs model Tonietta, also known as 2090, with a half-moon backrest and a r...
Metal, Aluminum
Enzo Mari NOS The Box chair in orange for Aleph Atlantide Driade 1995
By Driade, Enzo Mari
Located in Skokie, IL
Enzo Mari NOS model "Box chair" in orange manufactured by Aleph Atlantide (Driade), Italy, 1995 The Enzo Mari NOS model "The Box" chair, manufactured by Aleph Atlantide (Driade) in ...
Steel
$1,637 / set
H 26.19 in W 21.66 in D 23.63 in
Metal, Black Leather Castiglia Chairs by A. Castiglioni for Zanotta, Set of 4
By Zanotta, Achille Castiglioni
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Set of 4 stackable armchairs in chromed tubular metal, seat and back in black leather and spring structure for a comfortable seat. Model "2062 Castiglia" designed by A. Castiglioni a...
Metal, Steel, Chrome
$4,971 / set
H 35.44 in W 15.75 in D 18.9 in
Set of 8 “Irma” Dining Chairs by Achille Castiglioni for Zanotta, Italy 1970s
By Zanotta, Achille Castiglioni
Located in Hellouw, NL
The "Irma" chair, designed by the renowned Italian designer Achille Castiglioni in the 1970s and produced by the esteemed Italian furniture company Zanotta, stands as a timeless test...
Steel
$842Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 33.86 in W 15.36 in D 14.57 in
1980s Set of Four Chrome Dining Chairs, Italy
Located in Praha, CZ
- Made of fabric and chrome - Made in Italy - The fabric needs to be replaced - Good original condition - Seat hight 47 cm.
Chrome
$5,800 / set
H 31.5 in W 18.71 in D 23.63 in
Philippe Starck “Costes” Dining Chairs for Driade, 1984, Set of 4
By Driade, Philippe Starck
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Philippe Starck “Costes” dining chairs for Driade, leather, plywood and steel, Italy, 1984, Set of 4. There are objects universally recognized as icons. Costes easy chair that, in 1...
Leather, Plywood
$2,105 / set
H 29.93 in W 20.87 in D 20.48 in
Modern Vintage Ten Black Beech Yellow Faux Leather Dining Chairs 1980s Italy
Located in Vienna, AT
Modern vintage ten dining chairs or armchairs from beech and faux leather in black and yellow color Italy 1980s. A beautiful set of 10 dining chairs with armrests a simple and bold color combination of black and mustard yellow from beech and faux leather. All chairs are stable and sturdy, while the surface shows signs of age and use like abrasions and scratches on both, the frame and the seat cover. So we title the condition as distressed. The slightly curved shape from these dining chairs offers to take a seat for a lovely meeting with your friends and family. The chairs could also perfect work in a hospitality such as a boutique hotel or restaurant as well as in a working space or office in the entry room...
Faux Leather, Beech
$17,400 / set
H 31.5 in W 18.71 in D 23.63 in
Philippe Starck “Costes” Dining Chairs for Driade, 1984, Set of 12
By Driade, Philippe Starck
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Philippe Starck “Costes” dining chairs for Driade, leather, plywood and steel, Italy, 1984, Set of twelve. There are objects universally recognized as icons. Costes easy chair that,...
Leather, Plywood
$3,200Sale Price / set|21% Off
H 32 in W 14.5 in D 17.5 in
Set of 4 Zanotta Burgundy Leather Dining Chairs, Italy, 1980s, Signed
By Zanotta, Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A handsome and well-crafted set of four dining chairs by Zanotta, Italy circa 1980s, in rich burgundy leather. Often compared stylistically to Mario Bellini’s iconic 'Cab' chairs for...
Leather
$3,610Sale Price / set|19% Off
H 35.4 in W 22.4 in D 18.1 in
Set of 6 Armless Grey Fabric Dining Chairs Grey Steel Rod Structure by Driade
By Driade
Located in Chicago, IL
This Sof Sof chair has harmonious lines that convey the essential elegance of the design by Enzo Mari. Made by Driade in 1972 and redone in 2015, Sof Sof is a ...
Steel
$4,975 / set
H 32.68 in W 17.72 in D 20.87 in
Carlo Bartoli Black Leather Dining Room Chairs for Matteo Grassi Italy 1980s
By Carlo Bartoli, Matteo Grassi
Located in Almelo, NL
Carlo Bartoli Black Leather dining room chairs for Matteo Grassi Italy 1980s This set of six dining chairs, named "Coral" by Carlo Ba...
Metal
$2,070Sale Price / set|50% Off
H 32.29 in W 15.75 in D 19.69 in
Zanotta Tonietta Metal Chairs by Enzo Mari, Set of Four
By Zanotta
Located in Rochester, England
The Zanotta Tonietta Chairs by Enzo Mari are an exquisite blend of minimalist elegance and robust functionality. This set of four chairs is crafted with precision, featuring sleek an...
Metal
"Elisa" Outdoor Armchair Designed by Enzo Mari for Driade
By Driade, Enzo Mari
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Elisa" is an outdoor armchair, designed by Enzo Mari and manufactured by Driade, featuring a structure made of steel with protective cataphoresis treatment, finished in black-brown ...
Steel
Sold
H 31 in W 18.5 in D 21.5 in
Set of 6 'Delfina' Stacking Dining Chairs by Enzo Mari for Driade, Italy, 1974
By Enzo Mari
Located in Skokie, IL
Enzo Mari 'Delfina' set of six stacking dining chairs for Driade, Italy, 1974. This design won the Compasso d'Oro. Additional Information: Materials: Chrome-plated tubular me...
Metal
Sold
H 32.29 in W 14.97 in D 18.9 in
Midcentury Dining Chairs Tonietta by Enzo Mari, Zanotta, Italy 80s, Set of 4
By Enzo Mari
Located in Lucija, SI
Rare chair designed by Enzo Mari in the 80s Model Tonietta 2090 This model is presented at the museum of Moma New York Set of 4 chairs. In 1987, with this project, Enzo Mari won ...
Metal, Aluminum
Set of Four Delfina Chairs by Enzo Mari
By Enzo Mari
Located in Dronten, NL
Elegant set of 4 dining chairs designed by Enzo Mari for Driade. Chromed steel rod frame with charcoal cotton upholstery in excellent vintage condition. Priced as a set. Enzo Ma...
Steel
Set of 6 ‘Vela’ Chairs Designed by Enzo Mari for Driade, 1980
By Driade, Enzo Mari
Located in Athens, Attiki
A set of 6 ‘Vela’ chairs designed by Enzo Mari for Driade, 1980. A masterpiece of formal elegance and constructive perfection. Structure in light beech wo...
Wood, Bentwood
Tonietta Leather Side Chair by Enzo Mari for Zanotta
By Zanotta, Enzo Mari
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Italian modern, side chair by Enzo Mari for Zanotta features a minimal, cast aluminum frame with nicely patinated tan leather seat and back. The chair was winner of the Compasso D'Or...
Aluminum
Enzo Mari Box Chairs Aleph Atlantide Driade, Italy, 1970
By Driade, Enzo Mari
Located in Etten-Leur, NL
Very nice set of 4 orange box chairs designed by Enzo Mari and manufactured by Aleph Atlantide (Driade), Italy 1970. This chair is a good example of a rational design, the components...
Metal
Enzo Mari blue set of 8 Box chairs for Driade 1990
By Enzo Mari
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Fantastic set of 8 'box' chairs designed by Enzo Mari. These are edited by Aleph Driade in 1990 and are no longer in production. These chairs come completely apart into a single 'box...
Metal