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
Gae Aulenti Black Original Leather "Stringa" 3-Seater Sofa, Poltronova, 1960s
By Gae Aulenti, Poltronova
Located in Quarrata, IT
A masterful example of mid-century Italian modernism, the "Stringa" three-seater sofa was designed by the acclaimed architect and designer Gae Aulenti for Poltronova in 1962. It stan...
Steel
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 Gae Aulenti, Knoll
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1970s. USA. White powdercoated frame with woven white/ blue fabric.
Fabric
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
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
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 ...
Chrome
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
1980s Gae Aulenti for Knoll Orsay Two Seat Loveseat Sofa in Black
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an ‘Orsay’ Love Seat, initially designed by Gae Aulenti for Knoll International in 1974. This particular example dates to the 1980s. The design features an enameled-stee...
Enamel, Aluminum
Gae Aulenti "Stringa" 2-Seater Sofa for Poltronova, 1960s
By Gae Aulenti, Poltronova
Located in Quarrata, IT
"Stringa" two-seater sofa, designed by architect and designer Gae Aulenti for Poltronova in 1962. It stands as one of her most brilliant early contributions to furniture design desi...
Steel
$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
$1,994
H 35.44 in W 77.56 in D 34.85 in
LUXURY VIVA ITALIAN DESIGNER TAN LEATHER 3 SEATER SOFA ARMCHAiR ALSO AVAILABLE
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this luxury Viva Italian designer tan leather 3 seater sofa. A stunning designer collection with boastful proportions. ...
Leather
Modernist Diamond-Jacquard Sofa by Charles Pfister for Knoll, 1970s
By Knoll, Charles Pfister
Located in Winston-Salem, NC
A three-seat vintage sofa with clean, boxy lines and a tailored, tight profile- a hallmark of Pfister’s minimalist, architecturally-driven approach to lounge seating. Designed by Ch...
Upholstery
$3,200Sale Price|20% Off
H 32 in W 73 in D 32 in
Scandinavian Modern Cognac Brown Leather 3 seat sofa by Søda Galvano Norway
By Soda Galvano
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful Scandinavian Modern Tan Leather 3 seat sofa by Søda Galvano Norway for Lied Mobler. Beech frame with dark stain with beautiful cognac brown leather upholstery. Made in Norw...
Leather, Birch
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
$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
Italian Sofa in Cognac Leather and Aluminum
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sofa, aluminum, leather, Italy 1970s Comfortable sofa made in the 1970s. This sofa strongly represent the essence of furniture design of the 1970s, going beyond the strict conventio...
Aluminum
Danish Two Seat Sofa in Cognac Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sofa, leather, mahogany, Denmark, 1960s Wonderful Danish two seat sofa. The brown leather shows a light patina and is in good condition, showin...
Leather, Wood
Florence Knoll for Knoll Mid-Century Modern Sofa in Fuchsia
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An iconic sofa designed by Florence Knoll and produced by Knoll in the early 1960s. It features a stainless steel frame with fuchsia tweed upholstery.
Stainless Steel
$1,412
H 26.38 in W 31.5 in D 67.72 in
1960s Italian Leather Sofa with Original Upholstery, Good Condition
Located in Roma, IT
Leather Sofa is a design furniture realized by italian production 1960s. Original Upholstery. Good condition except for slight stitching of the sewing thread.
Leather
Tobia Scarpa for Knoll 'Bastiano' Sofa
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Knoll
Located in San Antonio, TX
Mid-Century Modern 'Bastiano' sofa by Tobia Scarpa for Knoll. This vintage three-seater sofa features a sturdy oak frame and upholstered in a beautiful turquoise fabric, Italy, 1960s...
Fabric, Oak
Italian Post-Modern Sculptural Sofa in Cognac Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sofa, cognac leather, sofa, Italy, circa 1970 This striking sofa is executed in beautiful cognac leather that contributes to a refined monochrome appearance, emphasizing the sculptu...
Leather
Bastiano Sofa by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Knoll, 1970s
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Knoll, Tobia Scarpa
Located in New York, NY
Bastiano sofa, designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Knoll, 1970s. Sofa features a solid black-stained wooden structure and original red upholstered cushions.
Fabric, Wood
Gae Aulenti for Poltronova 'Stringa' Sofa
By Gae Aulenti, Poltronova
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
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 28.35 in W 74.81 in D 30.71 in
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
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 Gae Aulenti, Knoll
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 Gae Aulenti, Knoll
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
Divano ''Stringa'' di Gae Aulenti per Poltronova, Italia, 1960s
By Gae Aulenti, Poltronova
Located in Quarrata, IT
Divano in pelle nera ''Stringa'' di Gae Aulenti per Poltronova, Italia, 1960s.
Steel
Sold
H 28.5 in W 51.5 in D 31.5 in
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
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
Stringa Sofa Set by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, Italy, 1962
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
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