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

$7,600Sale 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 Knoll, Gae Aulenti

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

$4,493 / set

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

By Gae Aulenti, Poltronova

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

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

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 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 Side Chairs

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Vintage Pair of Gae Aulenti for Knoll Lounge Chairs, Green Frames Black Leather

$4,500 / set

H 30 in W 31 in D 33 in

Vintage Pair of Gae Aulenti for Knoll Lounge Chairs, Green Frames Black Leather

By Gae Aulenti

Located in Round Rock, TX

Pair of sculptural lounge chairs designed by Gae Aulenti for Knoll. A continuous tubular steel frame wraps the chair in one flowing line, forming both the arms and base. These examp...

Category

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

Materials

Metal

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 Gae Aulenti, Poltronova

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

4 Ludwig Mies van der Rohe Mr10 Dining Chairs 1960s Knoll International

$4,090Sale Price / set|25% Off

H 31.89 in W 18.9 in D 26.78 in

4 Ludwig Mies van der Rohe Mr10 Dining Chairs 1960s Knoll International

By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe

Located in London, GB

Complete set of four chrome cantilever MR10 chairs by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, in brown leather. This set of chairs is an early 1960s example of his famous design produced by Knoll International. The MR10 chair was first designed in the 1920s, and this set of four features the chrome springs on the backs and seats. Later the design was improved, with a shortening of the springs and a reversion to an elastic corset cord. The chairs still bear the oval sticker marks on the back of the bottom of the seats. MR10 chairs are really comfortable, and are a real design Classic, as seen in many films and other media. Our MR10 chairs recently have been used to decorate the interior of a restaurant in London, which was featured in Architectural Digest, Dezeen, Elle Decoration, and many other publications (as shown in the images, which are property of Child Studio...

Category

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

Materials

Steel, Chrome

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

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 Jens Risom, Knoll

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

Donald Knorr Chair for Knoll Associates, 1948

$2,999 / item

H 28.5 in W 22 in D 21 in

Donald Knorr Chair for Knoll Associates, 1948

By Donald Knorr, Knoll

Located in BROOKLYN, NY

For your consideration to of six Knorr chairs. Comprised of sheet metal bolted to steel rod legs. This chair is exceptionally rare (a set of six in simply unheard of) Model #132 cha...

Category

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

Materials

Metal

"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 Poltronova, Gae Aulenti

Located in Byron Bay, NSW

Architectural Italian design by Gae Aulenti The ‘Stringa’ series reflects Gae Aulenti’s vision of flexible living, where seating elements interact within a space. The armchairs featu...

Category

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

Materials

Chrome

Living Room Set by Gae Aulenti in Walnut and Burgundy Leather, Italy, 1968

$21,920Sale Price / set|20% Off

H 37.01 in W 73.23 in D 29.53 in

Living Room Set by Gae Aulenti in Walnut and Burgundy Leather, Italy, 1968

By Poltronova, Gae Aulenti

Located in Antwerp, BE

Designed by Gae Aulenti, the Arcata seating set comprises armchairs, a loveseat, and a three-seater sofa, conceived as a unified architectural ensemble. Each piece is defined by a sc...

Category

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

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Set of Four Rare Early Production Eero Saarinen for Knoll Dining Chairs

$8,000 / set

H 32 in W 22 in D 19 in

Set of Four Rare Early Production Eero Saarinen for Knoll Dining Chairs

By Eero Saarinen, Knoll

Located in Ferndale, MI

From the put me in a museum collection. Out of long long term storage. The Earliest production set of four Eero Saarinen for HG Knoll executive chairs I have ever seen. All four on f...

Category

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

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

Contemporary Mexican Easy Chair in Walnut Wood and Natural Leather Seat

$2,422 / item

H 27.96 in W 19.69 in D 27.56 in

Contemporary Mexican Easy Chair in Walnut Wood and Natural Leather Seat

By Laura Noriega

Located in Guadalajara, Jal.

The “Your Skin” easy chair is a comfortable low chair with a solid and light structure perfect to accentuate with its impeccable and minimal aesthetics the decoration in every room o...

Category

2010s Mexican Minimalist Gae Aulenti Side Chairs

Materials

Leather, Walnut

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 Don Albinson, Knoll

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 1920s Art Deco Bridge Chairs, All Original Velvet Upholstered, in Walnut

$7,042 / set

H 34.26 in W 24.02 in D 18.9 in

Italian 1920s Art Deco Bridge Chairs, All Original Velvet Upholstered, in Walnut

By Gaetano Borsani

Located in Vigonza, Padua

Restored and wax polished Italian Art Deco armrest chairs, with spring seat, velvet upholstered in good conditions, Gaetano Borsani attributed. Robust and elegant. On request we can ...

Category

Early 20th Century Italian Art Deco Gae Aulenti Side Chairs

Materials

Velvet, Walnut

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 Gae Aulenti, Poltronova

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 Knoll, Gae Aulenti

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.