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.
Stringa Two seater black leather upholstery sofa by Gae Aulenti
By Gae Aulenti
Located in London, GB
" Stringa " sofa with original black leather upholstery on tubular chrome frame, designed by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova 1965 Italy
Chrome
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
Stringa Sofa Set by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova
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 with ...
Chrome
Italian “Stringa” Chrome and Leather Sofa by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, 1969
By Gae Aulenti, Poltronova
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Italian “Stringa” Chrome and Leather Sofa by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, 1969 Italian Mid-Century Modern Chrome Sofa Design This “Stringa” sofa by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova is a str...
Chrome
Gae Aulenti, Kuka, Daybed, Zanotta, 1970s
By Gae Aulenti, Zanotta
Located in Paris, FR
Gae Aulenti Kuka A very rare square daybed covered with a light grey fabric. The removable head rest behind two rectangular cushions, the seat with two ...
Fabric
Stringa Sofa by Gae Aulenti, italy, 1962 - New Leather Upholstery
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Brussels, BE
Stringa Sofa by Gae Aulenti, italy, 1962 - New Leather Upholstery
Metal
Orsay Sofa by Gae Aulenti for Knoll
By Knoll, Gae Aulenti
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1970s. USA. White powdercoated frame with woven white/ blue fabric.
Fabric
Stringa' Cognac Leather + Chrome Loveseat by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Chicago, IL
An iconic ‘Stringa’ two-seat sofa designed by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova in the 1960s. This beautifully proportioned, sculptural loveseat is constructed of tubular chromed metal and ...
Chrome
A 20th Century Italian Brown Leather Sofa By Gae Aulenti For Poltronova c.1962
By Gae Aulenti, Poltronova
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A superb Italian Brown leather sofa from the 20th century. Dubbed the “Stringa,” this masterpiece was crafted and conceived in Italy by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova in 1962. With its t...
Metal
''Stringa'' sofa by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, Italy, 1960s
By Gae Aulenti, Poltronova
Located in Quarrata, IT
Black leather ''Stringa'' sofa by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, Italy, 1960s.
Steel
2-Seater Stringa Sofa by Gae Aulenti, Cognac Leather, Italy, 1962 - 2 available
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Brussels, BE
2-Seater Stringa Sofa by Gae Aulenti, Cognac Leather, Italy, 1962 - 2 available
Metal
2-Seater Stringa Sofa by Gae Aulenti, Black Leather, Italy, 1962
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Brussels, BE
2-Seater Stringa Sofa by Gae Aulenti, Black Leather, Italy, 1962
Metal
$7,600Sale Price|20% Off
Three-Seater 'Arcata' by Gae Aulenti, Walnut and Burgundy Leather, Italy, 1968
By Gae Aulenti, Poltronova
Located in Antwerp, BE
Designed in 1968 by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, the Arcata three-seater sofa represents the most expansive expression of the series. The piece is defined by its solid wooden structur...
Leather, Walnut
Venfield Modern Sofa /Daybed
By Venfield
Located in New York, NY
Stylish Modern sofa with 6 back pillows and low, wide arms. This sofa's deep single seat cushion is perfectly sized to serve as a daybed or single bed for ...
Steel
$1,250
H 26.19 in W 22.45 in D 21.86 in
Early Gae Aulenti for Zanotta 'Locus Solus' Tubular Armchair in Steel
By Gae Aulenti, Zanotta
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gae Aulenti for Zanotta, 'Locus Solus' armchair, chromed tubular steel, blue leatherette, Italy, 1964 This Locus Solus armchair, designed by Gae Aulenti and produced by Zanotta, is ...
Steel
$6,900
H 28.75 in W 76.78 in D 29.53 in
Johannes Spalt 'Constanze' Convertible Daybed Sofa by Wittmann, Austria, 1970
By Wittmann, Johannes Spalt
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A freestanding sofa model 'Constanze' / 'Constance' with black steel and a fabric in a warm cognac / golden / ocher / mustard yellow / orange tone designed by Prof. Johannes Spalt fo...
Metal
$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...
Chrome
Daybed in the style of Gae Aulenti
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Milan, IT
Red tubular daybed in the style of Gae Aulenti.
Metal
$3,900
H 27 in W 70 in D 39 in
Roche Bobois ‘Informel’ Two-Seater Sofa – Original Natural Leather Upholstery
By Roche Bobois
Located in Astoria, NY
FREE LOCAL DELIVERY WITHIN NEW YORK CITY A rare and elegant two-seater ‘Informel’ sofa by Roche Bobois, retaining its original natural leather upholstery in a sophisticated steel gr...
Leather
Mid-Century 3-Seat Sofa or Daybed, Jitona, 1970's
By Jitona
Located in Praha, CZ
Made in Czechoslovakia Made of fabric, wood, leatherette Daybed :Height- 87 :Depth-136 Original condition.
Fabric, Faux Leather, Wood
$2,950
H 33.47 in W 28.75 in D 43.31 in
Patinated Cognac Leather Sgarsul Rocking Chair, Gae Aulenti for Poltronova
By Gae Aulenti, Poltronova
Located in Almelo, NL
Patinated Cognac Leather Sgarsul Rocking Chair, Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, Italy 1962 Iconic Sgarsul rocking chair designed by Gae Aulenti and manufactured by Poltronova in Italy i...
Leather, Bentwood, Plywood
Bastiano sofa, original leather upholstery by Tobia Scarpa
By Tobia Scarpa
Located in Milano, IT
COD-2912 Tobia Scarpa Bastiano sofa, original leather upholstery, in perfect condition. Gavina label. Gavina manufacture, circa 1970.
Leather
Mid-Century Modern Italian Bamboo Sofa Bed, 1970s
Located in Prato, IT
Mid-Century Modern Italian red brown coated bamboo sofa bed. This sofa bed comes with its original metallic bed net and needs a mattress of cm. 80 x 190 (about inch. 31.50 x 74.80)....
Bamboo, Rattan
$4,445 / 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 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...
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
Sold
H 29.14 in W 75.99 in D 35.44 in
Three Seater Stringa Sofa by Gae Aulenti, Italy, 1962 - Original Upholstery
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Brussels, BE
Three Seater Stringa Sofa by Gae Aulenti, Italy, 1962 - Original Upholstery
Metal
Sold
H 28.75 in W 88.98 in D 35.44 in
Large wool sofa model 54A by Gae Aulenti for Knoll International, 1970s
By Knoll, Gae Aulenti
Located in Lyon, FR
Large sofa, model 54 A, by Gae Aulenti for Knoll, mid-1970s. Ultra comfortable with good back support. Cushions covered in the original speckled beige wool fabric, on a curved steel ...
Steel
Vintage sofa by Gae Aulenti for Knoll, 1970s
By Knoll, Gae Aulenti
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Beautiful vintage sofa designed by Gae Aulenti for Knoll with a black lacquered frame and original olive green fabric cushions. 1970s - Italy Dimensions: Height: 75cm Width: 150cm ...
Metal
Sold
H 27.96 in W 74.81 in D 34.65 in
Stringa sofa in brown leather by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, 1960s
By Gae Aulenti
Located in amstelveen, NL
‘Stringa’ three-seat sofa designed by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova in 1962.' This beautifully proportioned, sculptural sofa is constructed of tubular chromed metal and features patina...
Chrome
Sold
H 28 in W 75 in D 36 in
Stringa' Black Leather + Chrome Sofa by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, Italy 1962
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Chicago, IL
An iconic ‘Stringa’ three-seat sofa designed by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova in 1962. This beautifully proportioned, sculptural sofa is constructed of tubular chromed metal and feature...
Chrome
Gae Aulenti for Poltronova 'Stringa' Sofa
By Poltronova, Gae Aulenti
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gae Aulenti for Poltranova, sofa model 'Stringa', leather, chromed metal, blue fabric upholstery, Italy, 1962 'Stringa' sofa designed by Gae Aulenti for Poltranova in 1962. A tubula...
Metal, Chrome
Gae Aulenti Three Seat Sofa
By Knoll, Gae Aulenti
Located in New York, NY
Three seat sofa by Gae Aulenti (b. Palazzolo Dello Stella 1927 - Milano 2012). Produced by Knoll International, USA, circa 1970. Features removable Cognac faux leather seat and bac...
Metal
Sold
H 23.23 in W 78.75 in D 33.08 in
Italian modern daybed sofa Locus Solus by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, 1970s
By Poltronova, Gae Aulenti
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern daybed sofa Locus Solus by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, 1970s Daybed mod. Locus Solus with patina chromed metal structure. The structure is entirely made of tubular whi...
Metal
Gae Aulenti 3 Seater Sofa for Knoll International, 1970
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Chicago, IL
Gae Aulenti 3 Seater Sofa for Knoll International, 1970. Original beautiful green leather.
Steel
Gae Aulenti for Knoll Set Sofa and Armchair, Italy, 1975
By Knoll, Gae Aulenti
Located in Naples, IT
Set two-seater sofa mod. 54A and armchair Mod. 54S designed by Gae Aulenti for Knoll International, with bent steel frame with burgundy epoxy coating and cushions in black full-grain...
Metal
Sold
H 29.53 in W 72.84 in D 33.47 in
Italian Mid-Century Leather Stringa Sofa by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, 1965
By Gae Aulenti, Poltronova
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century leather Stringa sofa by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, 1965 Stringa 3-seater sofa The tubular structure is in chromed metal. Brown leather cushions is tied to the or...
Metal
Sold
H 29.53 in W 72.84 in D 33.47 in
Italian Mid-Century Leather Stringa Sofa Armchair Gae Aulenti Poltronova, 1965
By Gae Aulenti, Poltronova
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century leather Stringa sofa and armchair by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, 1965 Stringa 3-seater sofa and armchair. The tubular structure is in chromed metal. Brown leathe...
Metal