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.
1980s Triangular Pendant Lamp by Mario Botta in Black Metal
By Mario Botta
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Suspension pendant lamp designed by Swiss architect Mario Botta (b. 1943) for Artemide, Italy, in the 1980s. The design reflects Botta’s architectural language through the use of str...
Metal
Mario Botta Zefiro Chandelier for Artemide, Italy, 1980
By Artemide, Mario Botta
Located in London, GB
Born in Mendrisio, Switzerland in 1943, Mario Botta is a working architect and designer in the Postmodern style. Studying at the Liceo Artistico in Milan and the University of Archit...
Metal, Steel
$6,850
Mario Botta Pendant
By Mario Botta
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pendant by Mario Botta, architectural Swiss-Italian designer. Cylindrical shade with cut openings. Sourced in Paris, France. Dimensions: 31.5"w x 4"d x 29"h Designer: Mario Botta It...
Steel
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
Rare Mario Botta Zefiro Chandelier or Pendant Lamp for Artemide Italy 1980s
By Artemide, Mario Botta
Located in München, BY
Extremely rare, lovely and highly decorative Post-Modern chandelier or pendant lamp. Model 'Zefiro'. Designed by the star architect and designer Mario Botta for Artemide, Italy, 1980...
Metal, Aluminum
'Shogun' Table Lamp by Mario Botta for Artemide
By Artemide, Mario Botta
Located in Los Angeles, 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...
Metal, Steel
$5,500 / set
H 22.45 in W 12.6 in D 12.6 in
Mario Botta Pair of Vintage 'Shogun' Table Lamps for Artemide, 1986
By Mario Botta, Artemide
Located in Tilburg, NL
Exceptional pair of iconic vintage 'Shogun' Table Lamps by architect and designer Mario Botta (1943) for Artemide 1986. Straight from the first owners, these table lamps have always...
Metal
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, ...
Aluminum, Steel
Lampada a sospensione Spire, Enrico Botta, 1970
Located in Milano, Lombardia
This pendant lamp is called Spire, was designed by Italian designer Enrico Botta and produced in Italy in the 1970s-it is made of curved and woven sheets of fiberglass held together ...
Plastic
‘Shogun’ Floor Lamp by Mario Botta for Artemide, Italy 1980s
By Mario Botta
Located in Chicago, IL
A ‘Shogun’ Lamp by Swiss Architect Mario Botta for Artemide designed in 1986 as part of their Masters Collection. A true icon of design, the Shogun lamp is now on display at the Metr...
Metal, Iron
$2,000
H 17.52 in W 10.44 in D 8.86 in
Early Edition Mario Botta Black&White 'Fidia' Wall Applique Artemide Italy, 1986
By Artemide, Mario Botta
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
The simple geometry found in Mario Botta’s buildings is also reflected in this lamp — Fidia, designed by Botta for Artemide in 1986 as a wall lamp features a clear, reduced geometr...
Metal, Aluminum
Shogun Floor Lamp by Mario Botta for Artemide, 1980s
By Mario Botta, Artimide
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...
Metal, Enamel, Iron
Mario Botta for Artemide, ‘Shogun’ table lamp, Italy 1986
By Mario Botta, Artemide
Located in Torino, IT
Mario Botta for Artemide, ‘Shogun’ table lamp, Italy 1986
Metal
Pair of 'Fidia' Sconces by Mario Botta for Artemide
By Mario Botta, Artemide
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of rare Fidia sconces by Mario Botta. Designed and manufactured in Italy, 1985. White powder-coated metal and plastic fitments. Both exterior and interior shades may pivot up or...
Metal, Aluminum, Steel
$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...
Metal, Silver Plate
Danish Chrome and Metal Pendant Lamp, 1980s
By Louis Poulsen
Located in Hagenbach, DE
Danish chrome metal pendant lamp made in the 1980s.. The fixture gives a very beautiful light. It is made from thin aluminum. Measurements: Height: 20-100cm Diameter: 40 cm T...
Aluminum
$11,433
H 77.96 in Dm 13.39 in
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
Sold
H 27 in W 31.5 in D 19 in
Triangular Suspension Pendant by Mario Botta for Artemide, Circo 1980's, Italy
By Artemide, Mario Botta
Located in Girona, Spain
DESCRIPTION: Triangular Suspension Pendant by Mario Botta for Artemide, Circo 1980's, Italy Post-Modern Design. Triangular Pendant Light with White Enameled Metal Frame, 2 Light Sou...
Metal
'Zefiro' chandelier by Mario Botta for Artemide 1980s
By Artemide, Mario Botta
Located in Milano, IT
Zefiro model chandelier designed by Mario Botta in 1988 for an Artemide production. The frame is made of black enameled metal in the center of which the curved and perforated metal s...
Metal
Mario Botta Zefiro Chandelier for Artemide, Italy, 1980
By Artemide, Mario Botta
Located in London, GB
Born in Mendrisio, Switzerland in 1943, Mario Botta is a working architect and designer in the Postmodern style. Studying at the Liceo Artistico in Milan and the University of Archit...
Metal, Steel
Zefiro Hanging lamp designed by Mario Botta for Artemide
By Mario Botta
Located in Centreville, VA
This suspension, model Zefiro, was designed by the Swiss designer Mario Botta in 1988 and then produced by Artemide. It is composed of a tubular structure in black lacquered metal on...
Steel
Sold
H 35.83 in W 37.8 in D 18.9 in
Italian modern White black metal Chandelier Zefiro by Botta for Artemide, 1990s
By Artemide, Mario Botta
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern White black metal Chandelier Zefiro by Mario Botta for Artemide, 1990s Chandelier mod. Zefiro with black metal rod structure in the center of which a curved perforated...
Metal
Pendants by Mario Botta for Artemide
By Artemide, Mario Botta
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pendants by Mario Botta for Artemide. Designed and manufactured in Italy, circa 1980. Unique, monochromatic and geometric pendants that featur...
Steel
Triangular Suspension Pendant by Mario Botta for Artemide, Italy, 1980s
By Artemide, Mario Botta
Located in Chicago, IL
Designed by Swiss Architect Mario Botta (b.1943) for Artemide in the 1980s, this triangular pendant light has a black enameled metal frame whi...
Metal
Sold
H 27 in W 31 in D 3.75 in
White Triangular Suspension Pendant by Mario Botta for Artemide, Italy, 1980s
By Artemide, Mario Botta
Located in Chicago, IL
Designed by Swiss Architect Mario Botta (b.1943) for Artemide in the 1980s, this triangular pendant light has a white enameled metal frame whi...
Metal
Sold
H 33.86 in W 18.9 in D 37.41 in
Italian Modern Black and White Metal Zefiro Chandelier Mario Botta Artemide 1988
By Artemide, Mario Botta
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian post modern black and white metal Zefiro chandelier by Mario Botta for Artemide, 1980s Zefiro model chandelier, with structure in black metal rod in the center of which a curved perforated and white enamelled metal wing hangs. Designed by Mario Botta for Artemide in 1988, attributable to the Memphis period...
Metal, Steel
Mario Botta for Artemide Pendant
By Artemide, Mario Botta
Located in AMSTERDAM, NH
Sculptural adjustable pendant by Mario Botta for Artemide. Depth up to 50 cm.
Metal
Zefiro Ivory Pendant by Swiss Architect, Mario Botta
By Mario Botta
Located in Chicago, IL
Utilizing strong geometric forms, Swiss Architect Mario Botta designed the Zefiro Pendant, a stunning light fixture that resembles a mobile as much as it does a light fixture utilizi...
Metal
Mario Botta Pendant in Ivory
By Mario Botta
Located in Chicago, IL
Utilizing strong geometric forms, Swiss Architect Mario Botta designed the Zefiro Pendant, a stunning light fixture that resembles a mobile as much as it does a light fixture utilizi...
Metal