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.
Mid-Century Gae Aulenti Jumbo Coffee Table, Arabescato Marble for Knoll
By Knoll, Gae Aulenti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Jumbo coffee table designed by Italian architect Gae Aulenti in 1965 for Gavina, later acquired by Knoll in 1972. Sculptural piece constructed entirely from Arabescato marble with fo...
Marble
Gae Aulenti Enamel Steel Lounge Coffee Table for Knoll, 1980
By Knoll, Gae Aulenti
Located in Vienna, AT
Enamel metal sculptural coffee table designed by Gae Aulenti for Knoll, original label. We got this from the first owner together with pair of matching original chairs from the same series (check our other listings). It's a heavy metal sculptural coffee table in a great size of 34"x34". The steel frame has light scratches and age related wear. The coated table top has light scratches and patina, sturdy and structurally sound, ready to be used immediately. In recent years Gae (pronounced "Guy...
Steel
Gae Aulenti Tavolo Con Ruote Low Glass Coffee Table on Casters for Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Gae Aulenti
Located in Miami, FL
Designed by Gae Aulenti, this low coffee table consists of a tempered glass top supported by four black industrial wheels and was produced by Fontana Arte and imported by Luminaire. ...
Steel
Jumbo Coffee Table by Gae Aulenti for Knoll International, Italy, 1965
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Melbourne, VIC
The Jumbo coffee table, designed by Gae Aulenti in 1965 and produced by Knoll International, is constructed entirely from solid marble. The design features a square top supported by ...
Marble
"Jumbo" Coffee Table from Carrara Marble - Gae Aulenti for Knoll, Italy, 1965
By Knoll, Gae Aulenti
Located in Rosendahl, DE
Sculptural Carrara Marble Icon by Gae Aulenti for Knoll, Italy, 1960s Designed by Gae Aulenti in 1965 for Knoll International, the “Jumbo” coffee table is a bold statement of Italia...
Carrara Marble
Gae Aulenti Laminate and Purple Metal Italian Coffee Table for Zanotta, 1970s
By Gae Aulenti, Zanotta
Located in Roma, IT
Amazing midcentury laminate and purple enamel metal coffee table. This fantastic piece was designed in Italy by Gae Aulenti for Zanotta during the 1970s. This stunning straight-lined table with a clean enamelled metal frame with a light purple laminate formica top is in a stunning vintage condition. A wonderful item is perfect to complete a mid-century minimal living room...
Crystal, Metal
Gae Aulenti Carrara Marble Jumbo Coffee Table for Knoll International
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Jersey City, NJ
The Gae Aulenti Jumbo Coffee Table is an iconic piece of mid‑century design that blurs the line between sculpture and functional furniture. Designed in 1965 by Italian architect and ...
Marble
Locus Solus Blue Low Table by Gae Aulenti
By Gae Aulenti, Exteta
Located in Milan, IT
This colorful low table first designed by Gae Auelenti for her signature Locus Solus Collection in 1964 is once again available through Exteta. Aulenti's personal tribute to Pop Art, this piece features a vibrant, bright-blue enameled, cylindrical steel structure in a splendid arrangement supporting the exquisite extra-light tempered glass top. This piece will be a stand-out addition to an outdoor space such as a patio, garden, or pool deck...
Steel
Gae Aulenti Midcentury Squared Steel "Tau" Coffee Table for La Rinascente, 1970s
By La Rinascente, Gae Aulenti
Located in Roma, IT
Amazing midcentury crystal glass and enamelled metal coffee table. This fantastic piece was designed in Italy by Gae Aulenti exclusively for La Rinascente Milano during the 1970s. ...
Crystal, Metal, Steel
Jumbo Carrara Marble Coffee Table by Gae Aulenti for Knoll, Italy, 1960s
By Gae Aulenti, Knoll
Located in Antwerp, BE
Carrara marble "Jumbo" coffee table, designed by Gae Aulenti for Knoll in the 1960s. Featuring a smooth, square marble top supported by four robust column legs, this design consists ...
Carrara Marble
Mid-Century Modern Coffee Table by Gae Aulenti, Glass Top, Italy
By Fontana Arte, Gae Aulenti
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Mid-Century Modern coffee table ( tavolo con route ) from Gae Aulenti, the original for Fontana Arte, with glass top and swivel wheels in good condition. The Italian indust...
Glass, Rubber
Postmodern "Table on Wheels" by Gae Aulenti, Italy 1980s
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find striking Postmodern coffee table designed by Gae Aulenti. Aulenti replaced the traditional wooden shelf of factory glass transport trolleys with a thick...
Metal
Gae Aulenti Jumbo Coffee Table for Knoll
By Knoll, Gae Aulenti
Located in San Francisco, CA
Gae Aulenti Jumbo coffee table for Knoll. Architect and designer Gae Aulenti's Jumbo coffee table is her most iconic creation made from honed white ...
Carrara Marble
Gae Aulenti Glass and Enamelled Black Metal Italian Coffee Table, Zanotta, 1970s
By Gae Aulenti, Zanotta
Located in Roma, IT
Amazing midcentury glass and enamelled black metal coffee table. This fantastic piece was designed in Italy by Gae Aulenti for Zanotta during the 1970s. This splendid table with s...
Crystal, Metal
‘Tavolino Com Route" Coffee Table by Gae Aulenti, Italy, 1980’s
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Chicago, IL
‘Tavolino Com Route" coffee table by Gae Aulenti, Italy 1980’s black granite top, black lacquered wood frame, and large industrial wheels.
Granite
Gae Aulenti 'Jumbo' Carrara Marble Coffee Table, Italy, 1970S
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Iconic "Jumbo" coffee table by Gae Aulenti. All marble with square tabletop that is supported by four cylindrical legs, very elegant and minimalist design.
Marble
Gae Aulenti Space Age Marble Jumbo Coffee Table for Knoll International, 1969
By Gae Aulenti, Knoll
Located in Vicenza, IT
Jumbo coffee table, designed by Gae Aulenti and produced by the American manufacturer Knoll international in 1965. Legs made of white Carrara marble, tabletop of black Marquina ma...
Marble, Carrara Marble
Jumbo Coffee Table by Gae Aulenti for Knoll International, Italy, circa 1960s
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
Superb original Jumbo Coffee Table, in Italian marble, by Gae Aulenti for Knoll International, Italy, 1960s. A good example of this table in very good condition. Ships worldwide.
Marble
Jumbo Table by Gae Aulenti
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carrara marble "Jumbo" table by Gae Aulenti for Knoll International. Made in Italy circa 1960s.
Carrara Marble
Gae Aulenti Coffee Table
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Beautiful "jumbo" marble coffee table designed by Gae Aulenti for Knoll International. Four solid columnar legs support square top with interlocking corners in black marble.
Marble
Gae Aulenti for Knoll Made of Black Marble Italian Square Coffee Table "Jumbo"
By Gae Aulenti, Knoll
Located in Ibiza, Spain
Jumbo coffee table designed by Gae Aulenti (Italy, 1927-1972) for Knoll. Made in Marquina marble. Gae Aulenti (1927-2012) was one of the few Italian women to rise to prominence in a...
Marble
White Carrara Marble Jumbo Coffee Table by Gae Aulenti for Knoll Inc, 1960s
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Brussels, BE
White Carrara Marble Jumbo Coffee Table by Gae Aulenti for Knoll Inc, 1960s
Marble
Gae Aulenti Square Coffee Table in Aluminum and Glass, Italy 1970s
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful and iconic square coffee table in brushed aluminum and black lacquered details, completed by a crystal glass top. This elegant table was designed by Gae Aulenti and produce...
Crystal, Metal, Aluminum
Gae Aulenti Yellow Coffee Table for Kartell, Italy, 1970s
By Kartell, Gae Aulenti
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
A low, square coffee table with smooth, rounded edges, creating a sense of minimalism and modernity. Its monolithic appearance is accentuated by the clean lines and uniform surface. ...
Plastic
1990s Gae Aulenti for Fontana Arte Tavolo Con Ruote Glass Coffee Table 47"
By Fontana Arte, Gae Aulenti
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Tavolo Con Ruote coffee table, originally designed by Gae Aulenti for Fontana Arte in 1980. This particular example was produced in Italy and dates back to the 1990s. The t...
Metal
Jumbo Carrara Marble Italian Square Coffee Table by Gae Aulenti For Knoll, 1960s
By Gae Aulenti, Knoll
Located in Madrid, ES
An early Mid-Century Modern Jumbo coffee table designed by Gae Aulenti (Italy, 1927-1972) for Knoll. Made in Carrara marble. Square tabletop with four cyli...
Carrara Marble
Pair of Glass and Steel Low Tables by Gae Aulenti, 1970s
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An excellent pair of low tables with bent grey glass tops and enameled steel frames by Gae Aulenti.
Glass
Impressive Jumbo Coffee Table by Gae Aulenti for Knoll International, Italy 1965
By Knoll, Gae Aulenti
Located in Echt, NL
Impressive Jumbo coffee table in very good condition. Designed by Gae Aulenti in the 1960s. Manufactured by Knoll International. This particular table is made from Nero Marquina, ...
Marble
Gae Aulenti for Knoll “Jumbo” Black Marble Coffee Table, Italy 1960s
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Iconic “Jumbo” coffee table designed by renowned Italian architect Gae Aulenti for Knoll in the 1960s. This sculptural piece is crafted entirely from solid marble, featuring a substa...
Marble
Gae Aulenti Metal Grey Table Locus Solos Midcentury
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Vienna, AT
Gae Aulenti metal grey table locus solos midcentury. Nice light grey bedside or garden table with perforated tray. Fair to good original condition, s...
Steel
Tour 3005 - High Table W/4 Wheels by Gae Aulenti, Fontana Arte
By Gae Aulenti, Fontana Arte
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Tour is the evolution of the Table with Wheels. Again with wheels, but in this case taken from bicycles, it was a surprising piece.
Glass
Orange Locus Solus bench or Single Low Table by Gae Aulenti Poltronova
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Made of steel and fabrics with original and novel patterns, Locus Solus is the collection designed by the unpredictable flair of Gae Aulenti in 1964. The frame of Locus Solus Chair i...
Aluminum