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.
Established in 2006, Morentz has a team of approximately 55 restorers, upholsterers, interior advisers and art historians, making it a gallery, workshop and upholstery studio, all in one. Every day, a carefully selected array of 20th-century furniture arrives from all over the world at the firm’s warehouse, where the team thoroughly examines each piece to determine what, if any, work needs to be done. Whether that means new upholstery or a complete restoration, Morentz's aim is always to honor the designer’s intention while fulfilling the wishes of the client. The team is up to any challenge, from restoring a single piece to its original glory to furnishing a large-scale hotel project.
Angelo Mangiarotti for Skipper 'Eros' Dining Table in Marquina Marble
By Angelo Mangiarotti, Skipper
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Angelo Mangiarotti for Skipper, dining table ‘Eros’, Marquina marble, 1971 This sculptural table by Angelo Mangiarotti is a skilful example of postmodern design. The table is execut...
Marble
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia Rare 'Polygonon' Dining Table
By B&B Italia, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia, dining table 'Polygonon', glass, electro-coated stainless steel, Italy, 1984 Behold this astonishing table with an aesthetically pleasing layout ...
Steel
Carlo Scarpa & Hiroyuki Toyoda for Simon Gavina Large 'Gritti' Table 410cm
By Hiroyuki Toyoda, Simon Gavina Editions, Carlo Scarpa
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Carlo Scarpa and Hiroyuki Toyoda for Simon Gavina, 'Gritti' dining or conference table, reupholstered leather, chromed steel, brass, Italy, design 1973 The Gritti table was original...
Brass, Steel, Chrome
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia 'Tobio' Dining Table in Red Travertine
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, B&B Italia
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia, 'Tobio' dining table, leather, red travertine, Italy, design 1974 Gorgeous dining table designed by the iconic duo Afra and Tobia Scarpa....
Travertine
Superstudio 'Teso' Dining Table with Glass Top and Black Ash Base
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Superstudio, dining table 'Teso', glass, lacquered ash, steel, Italy, 1970s A remarkable table designed by the Italian architecture and design group Superstudio, established in 1966...
Steel
Angelo Mangiarotti for Bernini Sculptural Dining Table 302 in Marble and Bronze
By Angelo Mangiarotti, Bernini
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Angelo Mangiarotti for Bernini, dining table, model '302', cast bronze, marble, Italy, 1959 At first glance, the table appears deceptively simple: a perfect circle of white marble p...
Marble, Bronze
Mario Botta "Tesi" Dining Table for Alias, Italy, 1980
By Alias, Mario Botta
Located in Basel, BS
Outrageous opportunity to own a rare Mario Botta dining or conference table, made in 1986, in mint condition. This Dining table or desk, titled the model "Tesi" from 1986, was designed by Mario Botta and produced by Alias. The perforated sheet steel structure is lacquered in black with a rectangular glass top. This iconic table demonstrates the influence of Le Corbusier, Louis Kahn and Carlo Scarpa on Botta’s work. During the 1980s, famous Swiss architect, Mario Botta worked with the manufacturer Alias as a designer on a whole range of furniture. Botta’s ingenious designs are often composed of simple geometric shapes, while also creating unique complex spaces. See images 3, 8 and 9 in this posting to see some of his stunning architectural works. This listing is a rare opportunity to acquire one of the last examples of the original production of this collectible and iconic design. Condition: The table for sale here is in great original condition with less-than-usual usage marks for its age. It has been very well taken care of for its entire life. Artist: Mario Botta (Swiss, born 1943) Title: TESI TABLE...
Metal, Sheet 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
Carlo Scarpa Delfi Dining Table in Marble and Glass for Cassina
By Carlo Scarpa, Cassina
Located in Berlin, DE
Price is dependent on the chosen material and size. Available materials: Marquina or Carrara marble. Also available in 220 x 110cm or 260 x 102cm or 306 x 102cm. The table can also b...
Marble
Giorgetti Break Outdoor Stone Dining Table designed by Ludovica+Roberto Palomba
By Giorgetti S.p.A., Ludovica + Roberto Palomba 1
Located in Boston, MA
Ludovica+Roberto Palomba Designed the Break Outdoor Dining Table for Giorgetti that expresses the shape-function duality. The Frame in made of aluminum and protected stainless ste...
Marble, Stainless Steel
Carlo Scarpa Doge Dining Table in Metal with Marble or Glass for Cassina
By Carlo Scarpa, Cassina
Located in Berlin, DE
Price is dependent on the chosen material and size. Available sizes: 260X102cm 220X110cm 346X102cm 306X102cm Available materials: MARBLE: MARQUINA MARBLE CARRARA MARBLE GLASS: ...
Marble, Metal
'Piediferro' Dining Table by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, B&B Italia
Located in Jersey City, NJ
'Piediferro' table designed by Afra Bianchin and Tobia Scarpa for B&B in 1979. As reported in the book 'Un'industria per il design' by Lybra Edizioni, Afra and Tobia Scarpa, goin...
Marble
Gunnel Nyman was known as a glass artist, but this piece is a striking example of her early training in furniture design.
With its grid-like doors and wavy trim, the 1940s design feels as fresh as ever.
