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Gae Aulenti Furniture

Italian, 1927-2012

The Italian architect and designer Gae Aulenti will forever be best remembered for her work with museums, in particular her 1980–86 renovation of a Beaux Arts Paris train station to create the galleries of the Musée d’Orsay. Aulenti — whose first name, short for Gaetana, is pronounced “guy” — should also be recalled for her tough intellectual spirit and for working steadily when few women found successful architectural careers in postwar Italy.

After she graduated from the Milan Polytechic in 1954, Aulenti opened an architectural office. She also joined the staff of the progressive architectural magazine Casabella, whose editorial line was that the establishment, orthodox modernism of Le Corbusier and the Bauhaus, had outlived it usefulness. When their movement for fresh approaches to architecture and design received a sympathetic hearing, Aulenti found patrons — most prominently Gianni Agnelli, of Fiat, who later employed her to renovate the Palazzo Grassi in Venice for use as an arts exhibition space.

Commissions for showrooms and other corporate spaces brought Aulenti to furniture design. She felt that furniture should never dominate a room. Her chairs and sofas — low-slung, with rounded enameled metal frames and ample seats — and tables, particularly her 1972 marble Jumbo coffee table for Knoll, project solidity and sturdiness. In lighting design, however, Aulenti is bravura.

Each work has a marvelous sculptural presence. Pieces such as her Pipistrello table lamp and Quadrifoglio pendant are a perfect marriage of organically shaped glass and high-tech fixtures. Others have a futuristic elegance — and some even have a touch of personality. Aulenti’s Pileino and La Ruspa table lamps each look almost like little robots. Her lighting pieces are an artful grace note in the career of a woman who believed in strength.

Find vintage Gae Aulenti armchairs, coffee tables and other furniture on 1stDibs.

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Item Ships From: California
Creator: Gae Aulenti
Aulenti Collection Lounge Chair for Knoll International, 1976
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This arm chair was designed by Gae Aulenti for Knoll International in 1974 as part of the Aulenti Collection with matching sofas and coffee tables. This chair is made of a maroon ena...
Category

1970s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Gae Aulenti Furniture

Materials

Metal

Gae Aulenti Carrara Marble Jumbo Table for Knoll International, 1970
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Los Angeles, CA

Gae Aulenti Jumbo coffee table for Knoll. Architect and designer Gae Aulenti's Jumbo coffee table is her most iconic creation made from honed white Car...

Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Gae Aulenti Furniture

Materials

Carrara Marble

Gas Aulenti Jumbo Coffee Table for Knoll
By Knoll, Gae Aulenti
Located in San Francisco, CA
Gae Aulenti Jumbo coffee table for Knoll. Architect and designer Gae Aulenti's Jumbo coffee table is her most iconic creation made from honed white Carrera marble in Italy, this tabl...
Category

1990s Italian Mid-Century Modern Gae Aulenti Furniture

Materials

Carrara Marble

Lounge Sofa by Gae Aulenti for Knoll International, 1976
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Three seater sofa designed by Gae Aulenti in 1974. This sofa is part of the lounge seating line for the Aulenti Collection, manufactured by Knoll International. Aulenti first collab...
Category

1970s European Post-Modern Vintage Gae Aulenti Furniture

Materials

Metal

'Patroclo' Table Lamp by Gae Aulenti for Artemide
By Artemide, Gae Aulenti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Patroclo table lamp by Gae Aulenti for Artemide. Originally designed in 1975. Smoke colored blown glass and steel mesh. Toggle switch on cord. Maintains original Artemide label. Hold...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gae Aulenti Furniture

Materials

Metal

Gae Aulenti Calacatta Marble Jumbo Table for Knoll International, circa 1970
By Knoll, Gae Aulenti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Jumbo coffee table designed by Gae Aulenti. In excellent vintage condition. Cylindrical marble legs with dynamic veining. Manufactured by Knoll International, circa 1970.
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gae Aulenti Furniture

Materials

Marble

'Pileo' Floor Lamp by Gae Aulenti for Artemide
By Artemide, Gae Aulenti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
'Pileo' Floor Lamp by Gae Aulenti for Artemide. Designed and manufactured in Italy, in 1972. Two-toned all-plastic floor lamp with an adjustable shade. The lamp consists of a single ...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Gae Aulenti Furniture

Materials

Plastic

Pair of Gae Aulenti Locus Solus Ottomans
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of bright yellow Locus Solus metal ottomans by Gae Aulenti. Ottomans are in good condition with heavy wear on finish and metal.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Gae Aulenti Furniture

Materials

Metal

Gae Aulenti Jumbo Coffee Table for Knoll in Nero Marquina Marble
By Gae Aulenti, Knoll
Located in Culver City, CA
A stunning and iconic piece of modernist design, Gae Aulenti's Jumbo table was inspired by the modernist design principles of the 1960s, which emphasized simplicity, functionality, and the use of new materials. Aulenti was known for her innovative use of materials and her ability to combine traditional and modern design elements in her work. For the Jumbo table, she wanted to create a piece of furniture that was both elegant and functional, and that would serve as a centerpiece in any room. The table's large Size and geometric forms are also reminiscent of the Minimalist art movement of the 1960s, which focused on the use of simple geometric shapes and the absence of ornamentation. The Jumbo table designed by Gae Aulenti was originally produced by the Italian furniture manufacturer Gavina in the 1960s. The Jumbo table was one of the most famous designs produced by Gavina during that time, along with other iconic pieces like the Soriana armchair designed by Tobia and Afra Scarpa. After Gavina went bankrupt in the 1980s, the rights to produce and distribute the Jumbo table were acquired by Knoll International, which began producing the table for the American market. Zanotta, another Italian furniture manufacturer, also currently produces the Jumbo table for the European market. This specific coffee table is indeed a Knoll table and has the original Knoll stickers on the leg. This table is in the nero marquina marble which is a type of black marble that comes from the La Facciata quarry near the town of Marquina, in the Basque Country region of Spain. Nero Marquina marble is known for its deep, rich black color and distinctive white veining. It has been used in a number of famous buildings...
Category

1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gae Aulenti Furniture

Materials

Marble

Large Pipistrello Table Lamp by Gae Aulenti for Martinelli Luce
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large Pipistrello table lamp by Gae Aulenti for Martinelli Luce. Originally designed in 1965, this current production comes with a white opal methacr...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Gae Aulenti Furniture

Materials

Aluminum, Stainless Steel

Two Pileino Table Lamps by Gae Aulenti for Artemide
By Artemide, Gae Aulenti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Two Pileino table lamps by Gae Aulenti for Artemide. Designed and manufactured in Italy, 1972. Lacquered metal. Original EU cord. We recommend one E14 candelabra 100w maximum bulb pe...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gae Aulenti Furniture

Materials

Metal

"4854" Chair by Gae Aulenti for Kartell, 1968
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed by Gae Aulenti for Kartell in the 1968, the 4854 chair is made of white ABS plastic and lacquered white and features Aulenti's charact...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Gae Aulenti Furniture

Materials

Plastic

Large Pipistrello Table Lamp by Gae Aulenti for Martinelli Luce
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large Pipistrello table lamp by Gae Aulenti for Martinelli Luce. Originally designed in 1965, this current production comes with a white opal methacr...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Gae Aulenti Furniture

Materials

Aluminum

White Glass Globe and Brow Powder Coated Table Lamp by Gae Aulenti
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Palm Springs, CA
1970’s “Mezzoracolo” table lamp by renowned Italian Architect Gae Aulenti. The lamp is constructed of steel that’s powder coated brown and the shade is hand blown white glass globe....
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gae Aulenti Furniture

Materials

Steel

Jumbo Table by Gae Aulenti
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carrara marble "Jumbo" table by Gae Aulenti for Knoll International. Made in Italy circa 1960s.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Gae Aulenti Furniture

Materials

Carrara Marble

Early Jumbo Table in Golden Calacatta by Gae Aulenti for Knoll International
By Knoll, Gae Aulenti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This pièce de résistance is considered the holy grail of 'Jumbo' cocktail tables due to the rare golden Calacatta marble which features dramatic veins in golds and greys. The 'Jumbo' table is already extremely sought after and original early production examples are extremely rare. The white, grey and gold Calacatta marble is the most sought after due to the deep gold veining - and this particular example is an original early production example with a copy of the original receipt provided to us by the original buyer / owner, ideal for a collector or an interior designer who has a client who wants only the best of the best. One thing we really love about this example is the dark almost black veins that look like lightning emanating from one corner like a work of art. Produced by Knoll International, the 'Jumbo' cocktail table was designed by Gae Aulenti in 1965, originally for Gavina Italy. This example was produced in the late 1980s and sold in 1990, per the original receipt. You can also see in the photos that there is age appropriate coloration to the marble which takes many decades to develop and you don't see in new and newer year productions. Most of the ones you see online, including on 1sDibs, the dealers will list as "1960s" production however you can tell that they were made in more recent years making them not desirable for collectors. Dealers do this because it allows them to list for a higher price however they often have no documentation to support their 1960s production claim. Therefore savvy collectors look for age in the marble and/or documentation to decipher when the table was made and if it is a collectors example which is worth much much more than new and newer examples. Perfect fit for a Postmodern or Mid-Century Modern home, this Jumbo table by Gae Aulenti for Knoll International in white gold and gray Calacatta marble would also work great in a Contemporary or Transitional home or office. Also consider a splash of juxtaposition in a Traditional, Classical, French, Spanish, Mediterranean, Mixed-Style, Asian, or Minimalistic styled room. Great for a designer residential or commercial project, due to its strength and sturdiness, would be apt for a hotel, lobby lounge, restaurant, retail boutique...
Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Gae Aulenti Furniture

Materials

Marble

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Gae Aulenti, Set of 6 "Orsay" Chairs for Knoll International, 1970s
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Walnut ‘Arcata’ Coffee Table by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, Italy 1960s
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Cini Boeri Two-Seat Sofa for Knoll International, 1970s
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Table "Orsay - 54A" by Gae Aulenti for Knoll
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Tavolino da caffè Gae Aulenti Jumbo per Knoll in marmo Nero Marquina
By Knoll, Gae Aulenti
Located in Milano, MI
Jumbo firmato da Gae Aulenti per Knoll è il tavolino completamente in marmo con coppia di gambe ad ogni angolo. I marmi sono della migliore qualità, selezionati per eliminare i difet...
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1st Ed. "Pileino" table lamp designed by Gae Aulenti for Artemide, Italy 1972
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Previously Available Items
Pileo Floor Lamp Designed by Gae Aulenti for Artemide, 1970's
By Artemide, Gae Aulenti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pileo Floor Lamp Designed by Gae Aulenti for Artemide, 1970's. Made entirely of ABS plastic; the lampshade can be moved up and down and the light can ...
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'Mezza Oracolo' Table Lamp by Gae Aulenti for Artemide
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Chrome & Slate Table by Gae Aulenti, Italy circa 1965
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Aulenti Collection Coffee Table for Knoll International, 1976
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By Gae Aulenti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gae Aulenti (1927-2012) was a renowned Italian architect. Her projects include key cultural landmarks – Musée d’Orsay (1980–86) and the Contemporary Art Gallery at the Centre Pompido...
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Toaster by Gae Aulenti for Trabo, 1997
By Gae Aulenti
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Designed in 1997 Give your kitchen worktop a pop of colour with the TOAST Toaster by Italian designer, Gae Aulenti. Comprised of a stainless steel ca...
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Toaster by Gae Aulenti for Trabo, 1997
Toaster by Gae Aulenti for Trabo, 1997
H 6.75 in W 14 in D 3.25 in
"Orsay" Chair by Gae Aulenti for Knoll International, 1970s
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The "Orsay" chair was designed by Gae Aulenti and produced by Knoll International in 1970s. Like much of her work, this chair is known for its curved, lacquered metal frame. Though n...
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Black '54 L' Armchair by Gae Aulenti for Knoll International, 1976
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Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed by Gae Aulenti and produced by Knoll International in 1976, this "54 L" arm chair has a refinished grey frame and black leather seat.  
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Gae Aulenti furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Gae Aulenti furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Gae Aulenti furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 220 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 41 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original furniture by Gae Aulenti were created in the mid-century modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Tommaso Barbi, Toni Zuccheri, and Luigi Caccia Dominioni. Prices for Gae Aulenti furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $540 and can go as high as $33,395, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $3,894.

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