Gae Aulenti Seating
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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Creator: Gae Aulenti
Gae Aulenti “Locus Solus” Dining Chair for Poltronova, 1964
By Poltronova, Gae Aulenti
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gae Aulenti “Locus Solus” Dining Chair for Poltronova, 1964
Designed in 1964 by Gae Aulenti, the “Locus Solus” dining chairs are a vivid expression of Italy’s radical design movemen...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gae Aulenti Seating
Materials
Metal
1980s Pair of Gae Aulenti for Knoll Orsay Dining Arm Chairs with Frame & Leather
By Gae Aulenti, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a pair of Orsay Armchairs, originally designed by Gae Aulenti in 1976. These particular examples were produced by Knoll in the USA circa the 1980s. This armchair was named af...
Category
1980s American Modern Vintage Gae Aulenti Seating
Materials
Aluminum
Sgarsul Rocking Chair Designed by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova
By Poltronova, Gae Aulenti
Located in Parma, IT
Sgarsul rocking chair designed by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova 1960s.
Structure in bent and lacquered wood, leather seat and cushion.
In good vintage condition with signs of wear on ...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Gae Aulenti Seating
Materials
Leather, Wood
Gae Aulenti “Locus Solus” Dining Chairs for Poltronova, 1964, Set of 10
By Poltronova, Gae Aulenti
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gae Aulenti “Locus Solus” dining chairs for Poltronova, metal, Italy, 1964, set of ten
Designed in 1964 by Gae Aulenti, the “Locus Solus” dining chairs are a vivid expression of Ita...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gae Aulenti Seating
Materials
Metal
Locus Solus, Gae Aulenti, Set of 2 Poufs
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Made of steel and fabrics with original and unprecedented patterns, Locus Solus is a reissue of a collection designed by the unpredictable flair of Gae Aulenti in 1964. The retro des...
Category
1960s European Vintage Gae Aulenti Seating
Materials
Aluminum
$9,486 / set
Pair of Orsay Arm Chairs by Gae Aulenti for Knoll
By Gae Aulenti, Knoll
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of Orsay armchairs by Gae Aulenti for Knoll, 1975. Made of white leather and lacquered steel, these chairs feature a bold, curved design. They remain in their original vintage c...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gae Aulenti Seating
Materials
Steel
Yellow bench Locus Solus Gae Aulenti
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Locus Solus is a collection designed by the unpredictable flair of Gae Aulenti in 1964. The retro design of circular lines envelops any room with a touch of irresistible playfulness....
Category
1970s Italian Space Age Vintage Gae Aulenti Seating
Materials
Metal
Gae Aulenti, chrome steel armchairs
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Saint ouen, FR
Gae Aulenti, orange lacquered steel armchairs (one pair available)
Dimensions: length 53 cm (20,9 inches) x width 56 cm (22 inches) x height 68 cm (27,8 inches)
material : steel painted in epoxy (treated for outdoor use)
Very good condition
This pair of armchairs is from a very limited re-edition (150 numbered copies) of an extremely rare model that Gae Aulenti designed in 1969 for the french brand Prisunic
This limited edition was made during the commemoration of Prisunic and the exhibition the Musée des arts décoratifs de Paris (MAD) devoted to Prisunic in 2021. Prisunic was a very famous brand in the 60's and 70's, and produced furniture with great designers such as Gae Aulenti and Marc Held. In France, Prisunic participated in the space age design movement.
With Gio Ponti, Piero Fornasetti, Ettore Sottsass, Gabriella Crespi and Joe Colombo, Gae Aulenti is one of the most famous Italian designers. She is best known for her Pipistrello lamp, her Locus Solus series made with Poltronova, her furniture for Knoll and her design of important museums like Orsay.
Please note that the matching garden table and stools...
Category
1960s Italian Space Age Vintage Gae Aulenti Seating
Materials
Steel
GAE AULENTI Pair of "Locus Solus" Chairs ITALY
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Forest, BE
Aulenti was an Italian architect and designer who gained international acclaim for her versatile and innovative work. She is particularly renowned for her architectural projects, wh...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Gae Aulenti Seating
Materials
Stainless Steel
$6,403 / set
Mid-Century Arcata Armchair by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, 1960s
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Arcata Armchair by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, 1960s
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gae Aulenti Seating
Materials
Wood
Gae Aulenti for Poltronova Set of 4 Chairs "Locus Solus," Italy 1964
By Poltronova, Gae Aulenti
Located in Naples, IT
Locus Solus is a series of outdoor furniture designed by architect Gae Aulenti in 1967, produced by Poltronova, Zanotta and later acquired by Exteta. The elements of the series are: ...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gae Aulenti Seating
Materials
Metal
Arcata Chairs by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, 1960s, Set of 2
By Poltronova, Gae Aulenti
Located in Quarrata, IT
Gae Aulenti “Arcata” model 1960s armchairs. Manufactered by Poltronova. Wooden structure, original leather uphokster.
Category
1960s Vintage Gae Aulenti Seating
Materials
Leather, Wood
Three-Seater 'Arcata' by Gae Aulenti, Walnut and Burgundy Leather, 1968
By Poltronova, Gae Aulenti
Located in Antwerp, BE
Gae Aulenti; three-seater; Arcata; Poltronova; Italian Design; Italy; 1968; walnut; burgundy leather; Mid-Century Modern;
Three-Seater 'Arcata' by Gae Aulenti, walnut and burgundy...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gae Aulenti Seating
Materials
Leather, Walnut
$7,600 Sale Price
20% Off
Pair of 'Arcata' Easy Chairs by Gae Aulenti, Walnut and Burgundy Leather, 1968
By Poltronova, Gae Aulenti
Located in Antwerp, BE
Gae Aulenti; Easy Chairs; armchairs; Arcata; Poltronova; Italian Design; Italy; 1968; Walnut; Burgundy Leather; Mid-Century Modern;
Pair of 'Arcata' Easy Chairs by Gae Aulenti, Wa...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gae Aulenti Seating
Materials
Leather, Walnut
$8,800 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Sgarsul armchair by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, Italy, 1960s
By Poltronova, Gae Aulenti
Located in Milano, IT
Sgarsul model armchair, Gae Aulenti by Poltronova, Italy, 1960s
One of designer Gae Aulenti's most famous design pieces, black painted wood frame and brown leather fabric.
Dim : 1...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gae Aulenti Seating
Materials
Leather, Wood
Gae Aulenti for Poltronova Panca Bianca "Locus Solus," Italy 1964
By Poltronova, Gae Aulenti
Located in Naples, IT
Locus Solus is a series of outdoor furniture designed by architect Gae Aulenti in 1967, produced by Poltronova, Zanotta and later acquired by Exteta. The elements of the series are: ...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gae Aulenti Seating
Materials
Metal
Locus Solus Yellow Chair by Gae Aulenti
By Exteta, Gae Aulenti
Located in Milan, IT
This contemporary chair delivers comfort, style, and quality in a playful and colorful silhouette suitable for any outdoor setting. The original 1964 Locus Solus Collection by Gae Au...
Category
2010s Italian Gae Aulenti Seating
Materials
Steel
$1,731 / item
Gae Aulenti for Knoll International "Orsay" Armchairs, 1970s
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Almelo, NL
"Orsay" armchairs by Gae Aulenti for Knoll International, Italy 1970s
These "Orsay" armchairs were designed by Gae Aulenti and p...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Gae Aulenti Seating
Materials
Steel
Locus Solus White Loveseat by Gae Aulenti
By Exteta, Gae Aulenti
Located in Milan, IT
Merging functional aspects with a Pop Art flair, the Locus Solus collection designed by Gae Aulenti marks a significant shift in interior design to reclaim the aesthetic value of out...
Category
2010s Italian Gae Aulenti Seating
Materials
Steel
$3,065 / item
Locus Solus Green Loveseat by Gae Aulenti
By Gae Aulenti, Exteta
Located in Milan, IT
Showcasing the expressive potential of color applied to metal and textiles, this modern loveseat will create an elegant setting on a patio or veranda with the other pieces from the L...
Category
2010s Italian Gae Aulenti Seating
Materials
Steel
$3,065 / item
Mid-Century Modern Gae Aulenti for Knoll International Armchairs in Leather 1970
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Almelo, NL
Mid-Century Modern Gae Aulenti for Knoll International Armchairs in Leather, 1970s, Set of Four
This elegant set of four armchairs, designed by Italian architect and designer Gae Au...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gae Aulenti Seating
Materials
Metal
Gae Aulenti for Knoll International Armchairs Mid-Century Modern 1975, Pair
By Knoll, Gae Aulenti
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of armchairs or conference chairs by Gae Aulenti for Knoll International. We have 5 sets available.
The frames of the chairs are constructed by sculpted metal tubes, sinuous ben...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gae Aulenti Seating
Materials
Metal, Steel
Gae Aulenti “Locus Solus” Dining Chairs for Poltronova, 1964, Set of 4
By Gae Aulenti, Poltronova
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gae Aulenti “Locus Solus” Dining Chair for Poltronova, 1964, set of four
Designed in 1964 by Gae Aulenti, the “Locus Solus” dining chairs are a vivid expression of Italy’s radical d...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gae Aulenti Seating
Materials
Metal
"Locus Solus" High Stool by Gae Aulenti, Poltronova
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
The "Locus Solus" stool, designed by the renowned architect and designer Gae Aulenti in the 1960s, stands as a hallmark of modern Italian design. Known for her ability to blend art a...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Gae Aulenti Seating
Materials
Metal
Gae Aulenti Sgarsul rocking chair Poltronova Italy 1962
By Poltronova, Gae Aulenti
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Iconic Sgarsul rocking chair designed by Gae Aulenti and manufactured by Poltronova in Italy in 1962. It's made from birch plywood and has a sleek black gloss finish that gives it a ...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gae Aulenti Seating
Materials
Leather, Plywood
Gae Aulenti, two orange lacquered stools / low tables
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Saint ouen, FR
Gae Aulenti, two orange lacquered stools / low tables
Dimensions: length 39 cm (15,3 inches) x width 39 cm (15,3 inches) x height 39 cm (15,3 inches)
material : steel painted in epox...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gae Aulenti Seating
Materials
Steel
Gae Aulenti, orange lacquered steel armchairs
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Saint ouen, FR
Gae Aulenti, orange lacquered steel armchairs (one pair available)
Dimensions: length 53 cm (20,9 inches) x width 56 cm (22 inches) x height 68 cm (27,8 inches)
material : steel painted in epoxy (treated for outdoor use)
Very good condition
This pair of armchairs is from a very limited re-edition (150 numbered copies) of an extremely rare model that Gae Aulenti designed in 1969 for the french brand Prisunic
This limited edition was made during the commemoration of Prisunic and the exhibition the Musée des arts décoratifs de Paris (MAD) devoted to Prisunic in 2021. Prisunic was a very famous brand in the 60's and 70's, and produced furniture with great designers such as Gae Aulenti and Marc Held. In France, Prisunic participated in the space age design movement.
With Gio Ponti, Piero Fornasetti, Ettore Sottsass, Gabriella Crespi and Joe Colombo, Gae Aulenti is one of the most famous Italian designers. She is best known for her Pipistrello lamp, her Locus Solus series made with Poltronova, her furniture for Knoll and her design of important museums like Orsay.
Please note that the matching garden table and stools...
Category
1960s French Space Age Vintage Gae Aulenti Seating
Materials
Steel
Pair of Vintage Sofas by Gae Aulenti Production Poltronova, Italy, 1965
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Biella, IT
Poltronova two sofas "stringa" from Gae Aulenti '65 design years. The two sofas are for three and two seats and have chrome structure and leather cushion in a particular and refined ...
Category
1970s Italian Modern Vintage Gae Aulenti Seating
Materials
Chrome
Sgarsul armchairs by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, Italy, 1960s
By Gae Aulenti, Poltronova
Located in Milano, IT
Sgarsul armchairs by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, Italy, 1960s
It is a rocking armchair characterized by an elegant and sinuous bent and stained beech wood frame, a comfortable and s...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gae Aulenti Seating
Materials
Leather, Wood
Gae Aulenti "Arcata" Living Room Set in Walnut and Burgundy Leather, 1968
By Gae Aulenti, Poltronova
Located in Antwerp, BE
Gae Aulenti; Arcata; Poltronova; Italian Design; Italy; 1968; Walnut; Burgundy leather; Mid-Century Modern;
Gae Aulenti 'Arcata' living room set in walnut and burgundy leather, 19...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gae Aulenti Seating
Materials
Leather, Walnut
$21,920 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Italian Mid-Century Yellow Footstool Locus Solus Gae Aulenti Poltronova, 1960s
By Gae Aulenti, Poltronova
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century yellow footstool Locus Solus by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, 1960s
Footrest from the series Locus Solus in yellow painted...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gae Aulenti Seating
Materials
Metal
$1,517 Sale Price
20% Off
Gae Aulenti Arcata Easy Chair in Walnut and Burgundy Leather, 1960s
By Poltronova, Gae Aulenti
Located in Antwerp, BE
Gae Aulenti; Easy Chairs; Armchairs; Arcata; Poltronova; Italian Design; Italy; 1968; Walnut; Burgundy Leather; Mid-Century Modern;
Gae Aulenti Arcata...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gae Aulenti Seating
Materials
Leather, Walnut
Gae Aulenti Sgarsul rocking chair for Poltronova
By Gae Aulenti, Poltronova
Located in Nijlen, VAN
Gae Aulenti Sgarsul rocking chair for Poltronova
This 1962 rocking chair, produced by Poltronova, features sleek birch plywood with a glossy black ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Gae Aulenti Seating
Materials
Leather
Love Seat Arcata by Gae Aulenti, Walnut and Burgundy Leather, 1968
By Poltronova, Gae Aulenti
Located in Antwerp, BE
Gae Aulenti; Love Seat; Two-Seater; Arcata; Poltronova; Italian Design; Italy; 1968; Walnut; Burgundy Leather; Mid-Century Modern;
Love Seat Arcata by Gae Aulenti, walnut and burg...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gae Aulenti Seating
Materials
Leather, Walnut
Pair of Gae Aulenti Lounge Chairs curated by Michael Sailstorfer
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Berlin, DE
The Locus Solus Lounge Chair by Gae Aulenti is reimagined with a tire-motif fabric by Michael Sailstorfer. This fusion of Aulenti’s curvaceous desi...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gae Aulenti Seating
Materials
Metal
Price Upon Request
Gae Aulenti seating for sale on 1stDibs.
Gae Aulenti seating 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 seating, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 55 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 13 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original seating 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 seating by Tobia Scarpa, Gigi Radice, and Bonacina. Prices for Gae Aulenti seating can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $843 and can go as high as $27,400, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $3,624.
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