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.
$5,296Sale Price|25% Off
Locus Solus armchair by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, 1964
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Arezzo, Italy
Locus Solus armchair designed by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova 1964. A first production in excellent condition, restored. Structure in painted metal,...
Iron
Orsay Armchairs by Gae Aulenti for Knoll, White Leather, Italy, 1975
By Knoll, Gae Aulenti
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...
Steel
$3,236 / set
L54 pair of armchairs by Gae Aulenti for Knoll
By Gae Aulenti, Knoll
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Pair of Gae Aulenti model 54L design armchairs for Knoll international. Beautiful timeless design armchairs with black lacquered metal frames and orange/red fabric upholstery. The ...
Metal
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...
Steel
5x Original Locus Solus Stühle Poltronova Gae Aulenti Metall design
By Poltronova, Gae Aulenti
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten einen von fünf wunderschönen und sehr seltenen Armlehnstühlen des italienischen Traditionsherstellers Poltronova aus den 1960er Jahren zum Verkauf an. Das Design stammt vo...
Metal
Set of 2 blue 4794 armchairs, Gae Aulenti, Kartell space age plastic 1970s
By Gae Aulenti, Kartell
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Designed by Gae Aulenti for Kartell, the model 4794 armchairs represent one of his most famous forays into industrial design. Made entirely of lacquered foam plastic, these seats are...
Plastic
Pair of Gae Aulenti '54L' Armchairs for Knoll International in Beige Leather
By Knoll, Gae Aulenti
Located in Zagreb, HR
Exceptionally rare and collectible, armchairs, model ’54L’ designed by Gae Aulenti for Knoll International. Late 1970s production in beige leather and white metal. Iconic design of ...
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.
Leather, Wood
"La Stringa" by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova Sofa of Two Armchairs 1960s
By Poltronova, Gae Aulenti
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
"Stringa" sofa designed by Gae Aulenti for Poltranova in 1962. A tubular chrome frame holds leather seats on top of felt upholstered cushions. The leather cushions are attached wi...
Chrome
Arcata Easy Chairs by Gae Aulenti in Walnut and Burgundy Leather, Italy, 1968
By Gae Aulenti, Poltronova
Located in Antwerp, BE
Gae Aulenti; Easy Chairs; Armchairs; Arcata; Poltronova; Italian Design; Italy; 1968; Walnut; Burgundy Leather; Mid-Century Modern; Gae Aulenti Arcata...
Leather, Walnut
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
Wood
$1,165 / item
4794 armchair by Gae Aulenti for Kartell
By Gae Aulenti
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
Model 4794 armchair by Gae Aulenti for Kartell and dating from the 1970s. Structure in black lacquered polyurethane. Traces of use, particularly on the seats. The condition is simila...
Plastic
$22,000 / set
H 26.19 in W 22.05 in D 22.05 in
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...
Metal
$7,061 / set
H 31.11 in W 43.31 in D 40.56 in
Italian Mid-Century Natural Leather Space Age Armchairs, 1970s
Located in Traversetolo, IT
A stunning pair of armchairs made in Italy in the 1970s. The seat is very comfortable and supportive. The pads are still original and in very good condition. Original natural leather...
Metal
$4,000 / set
H 36.62 in W 32.68 in D 31.5 in
Scandinavian Space Age Style Leather and Chrome Armchairs by M-TOP, 1970s
Located in Praha, CZ
- Finland, around 1970 - manufacturer: M-TOP, marked by label - good original condition with patina - very stylish design. jt.
Chrome
$18,000
H 28.35 in W 27.96 in D 30.71 in
"La Stringa" by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova Sofa of Two Armchairs 1960s
By Poltronova, Gae Aulenti
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
"Stringa" sofa designed by Gae Aulenti for Poltranova in 1962. A tubular chrome frame holds leather seats on top of felt upholstered cushions. The leather cushions are attached wi...
Chrome
$6,320
H 30.32 in W 59.06 in D 32.68 in
Canapé Modèle 54 par Gae Aulenti pour Knoll – Restauration Bonjour Gallery
By Knoll, Gae Aulenti
Located in Rouen, FR
Canapé deux places Modèle 54, conçu par Gae Aulenti dans les années 1970 pour Knoll International. Icône du design post-moderniste italien, ce modèle se distingue par sa structure tu...
Metal
$2,918Sale Price|20% Off
H 26.38 in Dm 22.45 in
Locus Solus chair designed by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova 1964
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Arezzo, Italy
Locus Solus chair designed by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova 1964. An early production in good condition, restored bouclé seat. Chrome metal frame, cotton. The chair has slight defects, ...
Metal, Chrome
$1,176 / set
H 28.35 in W 18.12 in D 16.54 in
Italian Space Age Pair of Red Plastic Chairs by Carlo Bartoli for Kartell, 1970s
By Carlo Bartoli, Kartell
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian Space Age pair of red plastic chairs by Carlo Bartoli for Kartell, 1970s Pair of chairs with rounded shapes, in red plastic with removable l...
Plastic
$4,413 / set
H 26.38 in W 21.66 in D 20.87 in
Set of 4 pink Locus Solus chairs by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, 1960s
By Poltronova, Gae Aulenti
Located in amstelveen, NL
A set of 4 lacquered metal Locus Solus chairs by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, 1964. The round seat is perforated sheet metal. The structure, which forms the backrest, armrests, and le...
Steel
"Locus Solus" daybed by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, 1960s
By Poltronova, Gae Aulenti
Located in bruxelles, BE
Daybed, meridian with cushion in yellow fabric with white stitching and metal structure by Gae Aulenti. Model: Locus Solus. Wear due to time and age FOR SHIPPING, REQUEST US FOR RE...
Metal
$5,472Sale Price|25% Off
H 28.35 in W 78.75 in D 34.26 in
Locus Solus Daybed by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova
By Gae Aulenti, Poltronova
Located in Wien, AT
The Locus Solus daybed, designed in 1964 by the influential Italian architect and designer Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, is a striking example of 1960s avant-garde design. With its tub...
Steel
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...
Metal
On Hold|$3,825
H 29.53 in W 31.5 in D 35.44 in
Gae Aulenti for Knoll, Model 54 Lounge Chair, Italy, 1975
By Gae Aulenti, Knoll
Located in amstelveen, NL
Model 54 lounge chair designed by Gae Aulenti for Knoll International in 1975. The chair perfectly captures Aulenti’s architectural approach to furniture. Bold, modern, and distinc...
Steel
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 characterised by an elegant and sinuous bent and stained beech wood frame, a comfortable and s...
Leather, Wood
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...
Leather, Wood
Stringa Armchair by Gae Aulenti, 1962 - Original Upholstery
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Brussels, BE
Stringa Armchair by Gae Aulenti, 1962 - Original Upholstery
Metal
"Locus Solus" Armchair and Pouf
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Forest, BE
Gae 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,...
Steel
Mid-Century Pair of "Stringa" Armchairs by Gae Aulenti, 1962
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Pair of "Stringa" Armchairs by Gae Aulenti, 1962
Chrome
Sold
H 35.44 in W 29.53 in D 39.38 in
Sgarsul rocking chair in leather and wood Gae Aulenti for Poltronova Italia 1962
By Poltronova, Gae Aulenti
Located in Catania, IT
Sgarsul rocking chair designed by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova in 1962. Bentwood frame, black leather seat and cushion. In excellent vintage condition, absent signs of wear and cracks ...
Leather, Bentwood
"54L" armchair in white metal and fabric, Gae Aulenti, 1970s
By Gae Aulenti
Located in PARIS, FR
Armchair model "54L" by Italian architect Gae Aulenti (1927-2012), for Knoll International in the 1970s. The structure is made of white lacquered metal, while the seat and backrest a...
Metal
Set of 3 Locus Solus chairs by Gae Aulenti
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Centreville, VA
Locus Solus chair Designer: Gee Aulenti Year: 1964 Gae Aulenti was an Italian architect and designer who gained international acclaim for her versatile and innovative work. She is p...
Chrome
Locus Solus chair by Gae Aulenti
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Centreville, VA
Locus Solus chair Designer: Gee Aulenti Year: 1964 Gae Aulenti was an Italian architect and designer who gained international acclaim for her versatile and innovative work. She is p...
Chrome
Sold
H 27.56 in W 31.5 in D 27.56 in
Gae Aulenti Space Age Polyurethane Black Lounge Armchair 4794 for Kartell, 1974
By Kartell, Gae Aulenti
Located in Vicenza, IT
The lounge chair 4794 by Gae Aulenti for Kartell was introduced in 1974. It is made of molded black lacquered polyurethane. The collection also includes chair 4854, armchair 4794, an...
Plastic
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...
Steel
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...
Steel