This unique lot contains both the ''16 Animali'' & ''16 Pesci'' puzzle. Both the ''16 Animali'' and ''16 Pesci'' puzzles were designed by Enzo Mari, in 1957 and 1974 respectively, for Danese Milano and can be considered as the most famous examples of design applied to the field of didactic objects. Both puzzles are limited editions. Number 108/200 and 45/200 worldwide (contemporary batch of beginning 2022). Both puzzles were designed originally as a children’s game. During the research for designing the puzzles Mari got inspired by a Scandinavian toy he had found consisting of a wooden box made up of individual pieces, vaguely resembling animals. He felt that the game was boring because the shapes were too similar and so set about designing his own versions with a greater variety of more realistic forms. After many sketches and multiple prototypes Mari came up with one puzzle of land animals and the one with sea animals. For both puzzles the animals would all slot together and be made out of a single sheet of wood, cut in one continuous line and then hand finished. The toys are puzzles as well as providing sixteen individual characters to play with, each of a sufficient depth to make them both robust and stackable. Given the sculptural forms of the puzzles, they are often used as sculptures or framed as a kind of painting. These objects are therefore a mix of toys, art and design in one! From the introduction of the ''16 animali'' a limited number of both versions of the puzzles were produced each year but although the game was well received, the manufacturing process was complex, time-consuming and expensive; using highly-skilled craft techniques was proving neither productive nor competitive. Mari was committed to the idea of mass production but, at the same time, was determined not to compromise the beauty and efficiency of his original designs. Because of this, the puzzles are rare, original, handmade and completely made of oak wood. Both puzzles are in perfect condition and were not used before. Completely original with packaging and documentation. Dimensions of both puzzles: 5,5cm x 38cm x 27cm About the designer: Enzo Mari (1932 - 2020) was an Italian modernist artist and furniture designer who is known to have influenced many generations of industrial designers. One of the most famous Italian designers ever lived. He started his activity with studies on visual perception and then focused his attention on games for children, graphics, design and architecture. He was awarded the Compasso d'Oro in 1967, 1979, 1987 and in 2001 for his table Tavolo legato. In 2001 he published the book Progetto e passione (Project and passion) which analyses the design on a wider cultural horizon. Mari is the author of over 1500 objects, made for major Italian companies. Among these, there are Zanotta, Driade, Alessi, Danese, Artemide, Olivetti, Ideal Standard, Flou, Estel, Lema and Robots. Enzo Mari died on 19 October 2020, at the age of 88, and became, together with his wife, a victim of the corona pandemic.