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.
Pair of wall lamps by Gae Aulenti & Livio Castiglioni for Stilnovo, 1970s
By Gae Aulenti, Livio Castiglioni, Stilnovo
Located in Rotterdam, NL
Pair of swiveling wall spots in chromed metal with silver coloured reflectors designed by Gae Aulenti and Livio Castiglioni for Stilnovo in the 1970s. As described in a catalogue by...
Metal
Mid-Century Spot Lamp in Chrome by Gae Aulenti for Stilnovo, Italy 1970s
By Stilnovo, Gae Aulenti, Livio Castiglioni
Located in Roma, IT
Iconic adjustable spot lamp in the largest variant fully made in chrome and steel designed by Gae Aulenti and Livio Castiglioni for Stilnovo in the 1970s. This versatile wall or cei...
Metal, Chrome
Set of brass wall lamps by Gae Aulenti & Livio Castiglioni for Stilnovo, 1970s
By Stilnovo, Livio Castiglioni, Gae Aulenti
Located in Rotterdam, NL
Set of nine brass swiveling spots designed by Gae Aulenti and Livio Castiglioni for Stilnovo in the 1970s. The spots can be used as wall lamps and as ceiling lamps. The spots or pro...
Metal
‘Neverrino’ Murano Glass Wall or Ceiling Light by Gae Aulenti for Vistosi, 1970s
By Gae Aulenti, Luciano Vistosi, Veterina Vistosi Historic Archive
Located in Brescia, Brescia
A highly decorative wall or ceiling light designed by Gae Aulenti in the 1970s for Vetrerie Vistosi, as part of the expressive ‘Neverrino’ series. Crafted in hand-blown Murano glass ...
Metal
Piero Castiglioni and Gae Aulenti for Stilnovo Pair of Black Lamps "Minibox"
By Stilnovo, Gae Aulenti
Located in Naples, IT
Pair of wall sconces Mod. Minibox by Gae Aulenti and Piero Castiglioni for the firm Stilnovo. They feature a black-colored metal body and a "glowing eye" that can be swiveled by mean...
Metal
$1,556
H 7.88 in W 3.94 in D 7.49 in
Minibox Table Lamp by Gae Aulenti & Piero Castiglioni for Stilnovo, Italy, 1980s
By Gae Aulenti, Stilnovo
Located in Milano, IT
The 'Minibox' table lamp, conceived by Gae Aulenti and Piero Castiglioni in the 1980s, is a whimsical reinterpretation of a miner's 'torch.' Featuring a magnetic attachment, the refl...
Metal
$5,746Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 20.48 in W 19.69 in D 6.7 in
Pair of Gae Aulenti & Livio Castiglioni Trepiù Table Lamps for Stilnovo, 1972
By Stilnovo, Livio Castiglioni, Gae Aulenti
Located in Milan, IT
Rare pair of Gae Aulenti & Livio Castiglioni 'Sistema Trepiù' table lamps for Stilnovo, Italy, 1972. Signed Stilnovo.
Aluminum, Chrome, Iron
$696 / item
H 7.4 in W 1.8 in D 7.7 in
Gae Aulenti & Piero Castiglioni 'Minibox' Table Lamp in White for Stilnovo
By Stilnovo, Gae Aulenti
Located in Glendale, CA
Gae Aulenti & Piero Castiglioni 'Minibox' table lamp in white for Stilnovo Founded in 1946 in Milan, Stilnovo was one of the most innovative lighting companies in Italy during the...
Metal
$696 / item
H 7.4 in W 1.8 in D 7.7 in
Gae Aulenti & Piero Castiglioni 'Minibox' Table Lamp in Gold for Stilnovo
By Stilnovo, Gae Aulenti
Located in Glendale, CA
Gae Aulenti & Piero Castiglioni 'Minibox' table lamp in gold for Stilnovo Founded in 1946 in Milan, Stilnovo was one of the most innovative lighting companies in Italy during the Mi...
Metal
$696 / item
H 7.4 in W 1.8 in D 7.7 in
Gae Aulenti & Piero Castiglioni 'Minibox' Table Lamp in Green for Stilnovo
By Stilnovo, Gae Aulenti
Located in Glendale, CA
Gae Aulenti & Piero Castiglioni 'Minibox' table lamp in green for Stilnovo Founded in 1946 in Milan, Stilnovo was one of the most innovative lighting companies in Italy during the M...
Metal
"Pileino" Table Lamp by Gae Aulenti for Artemide, 1970s
By Gae Aulenti, Artemide
Located in bruxelles, BE
White Metal lamp. Stamped Gae Aulenti, Artemide on the underside. The shade is adjustable. Wear due to time and age.
Metal
$696 / item
H 7.4 in W 1.8 in D 7.7 in
Gae Aulenti & Piero Castiglioni 'Minibox' Table Lamp in Black for Stilnovo
By Stilnovo, Gae Aulenti
Located in Glendale, CA
Gae Aulenti & Piero Castiglioni 'Minibox' table lamp in black for Stilnovo Founded in 1946 in Milan, Stilnovo was one of the most innovative lighting companies in Italy during the M...
Metal
$1,710 / item
H 20.9 in Dm 7.9 in
Gae Aulenti & Piero Castiglioni 'Parola' Table Lamp in Amber for Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Gae Aulenti
Located in Glendale, CA
Gae Aulenti & Piero Castiglioni 'Parola' Table Lamp in Amber for Fontana Arte. First designed in 1980, the 'Parola' features three different kinds of glass working; opaline blown gl...
Crystal
$1,184
H 9.45 in Dm 12.6 in
Castiglioni Red Metal "Light Ball" Wall or Ceiling Lamp for Flos, Italy 1970s
By Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Flos
Located in Roma, IT
Amazing midcentury "Light Ball" wall or ceiling lamp in wonderful red enameled metal and opaline glass. This iconic piece was designed by Achille Castiglioni and manufactured in Ital...
Metal
$1,975 / set
H 11.82 in W 3.94 in D 2.76 in
Pair of Metal Wall Lamps by Kaiser Leuchten, Germany 1970s
By Kaiser Leuchten
Located in Hagenbach, DE
This exquisite pair of wall lamps by Kaiser Leuchten showcases the bold and sophisticated design of the 1970s. Featuring textured ice glass shades and a sleek metal frame, these lamp...
Metal
Gae Aulenti lamp - Italy 1970s
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Paris, FR
Gae Aulenti - Fontanat Arte Production Large "Giova" model table lamp - circa 1970 Chromed metal base supporting three blown glass elements. The last pink soaped element can be use...
Glass
$2,984 / set
H 20.9 in Dm 7.9 in
Pair of Gae Aulenti & Piero Castiglioni 'Parola' Table Lamps for Fontana Arte
By Gae Aulenti, Fontana Arte
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Gae Aulenti & Piero Castiglioni 'Parola' table lamps for Fontana Arte. First designed in 1980, the 'Parola' features three different kinds of glass working; opaline blown gl...
Crystal
Sold
H 12.6 in W 10.24 in D 6.7 in
Set of four wall lamps by Gae Aulenti & Livio Castiglioni for Stilnovo, 1970s
By Stilnovo, Gae Aulenti, Livio Castiglioni
Located in Rotterdam, NL
Set of four swiveling wall spots in chromed metal with silver coloured reflectors designed by Gae Aulenti and Livio Castiglioni for Stilnovo in the 1970s. As described in a catalogu...
Metal
Piero Castiglioni e Gae Aulenti per Stilnovo Lampada Rossa "Minibox", Italia
By Gae Aulenti, Stilnovo
Located in Naples, IT
Applique da parete Mod. Minibox di Gae Aulenti e Piero Castiglioni per la Ditta Stilnovo. Presenta un corpo in metallo di colore rosso e un "occhio luminoso" orientabile grazie a un ...
Metal
Sold
H 7.88 in Dm 6.7 in
Pair of silver wall lamps by Gae Aulenti & Livio Castiglioni for Stilnovo, 1970s
By Stilnovo, Gae Aulenti, Livio Castiglioni
Located in Rotterdam, NL
Pair of swiveling spots made of chromed metal designed by Gae Aulenti and Livio Castiglioni for Stilnovo in the 1970s. The spots can also be used as ceiling lamps. The spots or proj...
Metal, Aluminum
Piero Castiglioni e Gae Aulenti per Stilnovo Coppia di Lampade Bianche "Minibox"
By Gae Aulenti, Stilnovo
Located in Naples, IT
Coppia di applique da parete Mod. Minibox di Gae Aulenti e Piero Castiglioni per la Ditta Stilnovo. Presentano un corpo in metallo di colore bianco e un "occhio luminoso" orientabile...
Metal
Sold
H 13.39 in W 7.88 in D 7.49 in
Pair of Wall Sconces 2689 by Piero Castiglioni for Gae Aulenti Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Gae Aulenti
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Pair of brass and glass wall sconces, model 2689, made by Fontana Arte and designed by Piero Castiglioni and Gae Aulenti. These sconces feature a brass backplate with an angled arm o...
Brass
Sold
H 7.88 in Dm 6.7 in
Pair of grey wall lamps by Gae Aulenti and Livio Castiglioni for Stilnovo, 1970s
By Stilnovo, Gae Aulenti, Livio Castiglioni
Located in Rotterdam, NL
Pair of swiveling spots made of grey lacquered metal designed by Gae Aulenti and Livio Castiglioni for Stilnovo in the 1970s. The spots can also be used as ceiling lamps. The spots ...
Metal, Aluminum
Sold
H 10.63 in W 7.88 in D 9.45 in
Pair of Parola sconces by Gae Aulenti and Piero Castiglioni for Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Gae Aulenti
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Pair of Parola model wall lamps by Gae Aulenti and Piero Castiglioni for Fontana Arte. These elegant sconces feature a brass wall support and a beautifully crafted glass diffuser tha...
Brass
Sold
H 11.03 in W 7.09 in D 7.88 in
Pair of Gae Aulenti and Piero Castiglioni for Fontana Arte Wall Sconces
By Gae Aulenti, Fontana Arte
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Pair of beautiful wall sconces model 2689 designed by Gae Aulenti and Piero Castiglioni for Fontana Arte, circa 1981. The sconces are made of a brass wall bracket holding one source ...
Brass
Pair of wall lamps by Gae Aulenti and Livio Castiglioni for Stilnovo, 1970s
By Stilnovo, Gae Aulenti, Livio Castiglioni
Located in Rotterdam, NL
Pair swiveling spots made of chromed metal designed by Gae Aulenti and Livio Castiglioni for Stilnovo in the 1970s. The spots can also be used as ceiling lamps. The spots or project...
Metal, Aluminum
Sold
H 13.78 in W 11.82 in D 15.75 in
A Magnificent Neverrino wall lamp by Gae Aulenti for Vistosi, Murano 1970s
By Gae Aulenti, Vistosi
Located in BARCELONA, ES
The Magnificent Neverrino wall lamp by Gae Aulenti for Vistosi, crafted in Murano during the 1970s, is an extraordinary piece that epitomizes the fusion of innovative design and mas...
Murano Glass
Sold
H 13.78 in W 7.88 in D 9.06 in
Parola sconce by Gae Aulenti & Piero Castiglioni for Fontana Arte, Italy, 1980s
By Fontana Arte, Gae Aulenti
Located in Milano, IT
Crafted by the collaborative efforts of Gae Aulenti and Piero Castiglioni, the Parola lamp showcases a harmonious fusion of three distinct glassworking techniques. The adjustable sha...
Metal
Set of 4 wall lamps by Gae Aulenti and Livio Castiglioni for Stilnovo, 1970s
By Stilnovo, Gae Aulenti, Livio Castiglioni
Located in Rotterdam, NL
Set of four swiveling spots made of chromed metal designed by Gae Aulenti and Livio Castiglioni for Stilnovo in the 1970s. The spots can also be used as ceiling lamps. The spots or ...
Metal