Gae Aulenti Side Chairs

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.

Creator: Gae Aulenti

Set of 6 Gae Aulenti for Knoll International 'Orsay' Dining Chairs 1984, Signed

$7,680Sale Price / set|20% Off

Set of 6 Gae Aulenti for Knoll International 'Orsay' Dining Chairs 1984, Signed

By Gae Aulenti, Knoll

Located in Los Angeles, CA

This striking set of six (6) 'Orsay' dining chairs was designed by Gae Aulenti for Knoll International, one of the most respected producers of modern design in the twentieth century....

Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Gae Aulenti Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

1980s Pair of Gae Aulenti for Knoll Orsay Dining Arm Chairs with Frame & Leather

$3,000 / set

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 Side Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Set of 6 Gae Aulenti Arm Chairs Model 54A in Blue Leather and Black Frame

$7,795 / set

Set of 6 Gae Aulenti Arm Chairs Model 54A in Blue Leather and Black Frame

By Gae Aulenti

Located in Seattle, WA

This is a set of 6 Italian Postmodern Orsay dining armchairs model 54A, designed by Gae Aulenti for Knoll, fully restored in Baby Blue leather and Black powder coated frame. The fram...

Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gae Aulenti Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

Set of 4 pink Locus Solus chairs by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, 1960s

$4,416 / set

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...

Category

1960s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gae Aulenti Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

Arcata Easy Chairs by Gae Aulenti in Walnut and Burgundy Leather, Italy, 1968

$5,750 / item

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...

Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gae Aulenti Side Chairs

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Gae Aulenti “Locus Solus” Dining Chairs for Poltronova, 1964, Set of 10

$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...

Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gae Aulenti Side Chairs

Materials

Metal

Early Set of Four Harry Bertoia Molded Shell Side Chairs for Knoll, Labeled

$3,000Sale Price / set|33% Off

H 30.5 in W 20.5 in D 22 in

Early Set of Four Harry Bertoia Molded Shell Side Chairs for Knoll, Labeled

By Harry Bertoia, Knoll

Located in Chesterfield, NJ

Set of four molded shell side chairs designed by Harry Bertoia and manufactured by Knoll. Originally debuted in 1960, this very early set is from 1963 and...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gae Aulenti Side Chairs

Materials

Metal

Locus Solus chair designed by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova 1964

$2,921Sale 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, ...

Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gae Aulenti Side Chairs

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Pair of Jens Risom 666 Side Chairs for Knoll

$2,250 / set

H 30 in W 17.75 in D 18 in

Pair of Jens Risom 666 Side Chairs for Knoll

By Knoll, Jens Risom

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Rare Jens Risom chairs made in the 1940s, model “666” of the 600 series from 1941.

Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gae Aulenti Side Chairs

Materials

Birch

"La Stringa" by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova Sofa of Two Armchairs 1960s

$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 Gae Aulenti, Poltronova

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...

Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gae Aulenti Side Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Set of 4 Zanotta Burgundy Leather Dining Chairs, Italy, 1980s, Signed

$3,300Sale Price / set|21% Off

H 32 in W 14.5 in D 17.5 in

Set of 4 Zanotta Burgundy Leather Dining Chairs, Italy, 1980s, Signed

By Zanotta, Mario Bellini, Cassina

Located in Los Angeles, CA

A handsome and well-crafted set of four dining chairs by Zanotta, Italy circa 1980s, in rich burgundy leather. Often compared stylistically to Mario Bellini’s iconic 'Cab' chairs for...

Category

1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gae Aulenti Side Chairs

Materials

Leather

Don Albinson Stacking Side Chairs by Knoll Set of 14

$5,600 / set

H 32 in W 21 in D 21.5 in

Don Albinson Stacking Side Chairs by Knoll Set of 14

By Knoll, Don Albinson

Located in Highland, IN

Important industrial designer Don Albinson, a Cranbrook peer of Charles and Ray Eames, Ralph Rapson, Harry Bertoia and Eero Saarinen worked in the Eames office as head designer for 1...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gae Aulenti Side Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Italian 19th Century Renaissance Revival Savonarola Chair in Walnut Side Chair

$1,760

H 36.23 in W 27.96 in D 22.45 in

Italian 19th Century Renaissance Revival Savonarola Chair in Walnut Side Chair

Located in Ijzendijke, NL

Impressive & fully original Florentine Renaissance Savonarola chair in carved walnut. Restored in our workshop and it looks simply stunning. Armrests ending with two amazing hand-c...

Category

Late 19th Century Italian Renaissance Revival Antique Gae Aulenti Side Chairs

Materials

Birch, Walnut

5x Original Locus Solus Stühle Poltronova Gae Aulenti Metall design

$1,990 / set

H 26.78 in W 21.66 in D 21.26 in

5x Original Locus Solus Stühle Poltronova Gae Aulenti Metall design

By Gae Aulenti, Poltronova

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...

Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gae Aulenti Side Chairs

Materials

Metal

Set of Four Chrome Dining Chairs by Bertoia for Knoll

$2,200 / set

H 29 in W 21 in D 19 in

Set of Four Chrome Dining Chairs by Bertoia for Knoll

By Knoll, Harry Bertoia

Located in New York, NY

Set of matching Bertoia side, or dining, chairs in chrome with original white pad seat covers. This nice set is in very fine, original, clean and ready to use condition, the only cav...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Gae Aulenti Side Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Pair Knoll Pfister Black Leather Lounge Chairs, 1980

$2,800 / set

H 23.75 in W 32.5 in D 33 in

Pair Knoll Pfister Black Leather Lounge Chairs, 1980

By Charles Pfister, Knoll

Located in Chicago, IL

Pair Knoll Pfister Black Leather Lounge Chair, 1980. Original black leather is great condition.

Category

1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Gae Aulenti Side Chairs

Materials

Leather

Locus Solus Daybed by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova

$5,476Sale Price|25% Off

H 28.35 in W 78.75 in D 34.26 in

Locus Solus Daybed by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova

By Poltronova, Gae Aulenti

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...

Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gae Aulenti Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

Previously Available Items

Set of 2 Locus Solus chairs by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, 1960s

Sold

H 26.38 in W 21.66 in D 20.87 in

Set of 2 Locus Solus chairs by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, 1960s

By Poltronova, Gae Aulenti

Located in amstelveen, NL

A set of 2 lacquered metal Locus Solus chairs by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, 1964. The round seat is perforated sheet metal. The structure, which fo...

Category

1960s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gae Aulenti Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

Pair of Gae Aulenti Arm Chairs Model 54A in Tonal Green

Sold

H 32 in W 22.5 in D 20 in

Pair of Gae Aulenti Arm Chairs Model 54A in Tonal Green

By Gae Aulenti

Located in Seattle, WA

This is a set of 4 Italian Postmodern Orsay dining armchairs model 54A, designed by Gae Aulenti for Knoll, fully restored in tonal Green. The frames were ...

Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gae Aulenti Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

Set of Six Dining Chairs by Gae Aulenti for Knoll International, Signed, 1970s

Sold

H 32.5 in W 22 in D 20 in

Set of Six Dining Chairs by Gae Aulenti for Knoll International, Signed, 1970s

By Gae Aulenti, Knoll

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Set of Six (6) Model #54A chairs by Gae Aulenti for Knoll International with burgundy lacquered steel frames and sinuous bent plywood seats with its original fabric upholstery, origi...

Category

1970s American Post-Modern Vintage Gae Aulenti Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

Gae Aulenti side chairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Gae Aulenti side chairs are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Gae Aulenti side chairs, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original side chairs by Gae Aulenti were created in the mid-century modern style in italy during the 1960s. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider side chairs by Melchiorre Bega, Paolo Buffa, and Ico Parisi. Prices for Gae Aulenti side chairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $5,500 and can go as high as $11,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $8,250.