An architect, furniture and industrial designer and editor, Gio Ponti was arguably the most influential figure in 20th-century Italian modernism.
Ponti designed thousands of furnishings and products — from cabinets, mirrors and chairs to ceramics and coffeemakers — and his buildings, including the brawny Pirelli Tower (1956) in his native Milan, and the castle-like Denver Art Museum (1971), were erected in 14 countries. Through Domus, the magazine he founded in 1928, Ponti brought attention to virtually every significant movement and creator in the spheres of modern art and design.
The questing intelligence Ponti brought to Domus is reflected in his work: as protean as he was prolific, Ponti’s style can’t be pegged to a specific genre.
In the 1920s, as artistic director for the Tuscan porcelain maker Richard Ginori, he fused old and new; his ceramic forms were modern, but decorated with motifs from Roman antiquity. In pre-war Italy, modernist design was encouraged, and after the conflict, Ponti — along with designers such as Carlo Mollino, Franco Albini, Marco Zanuso — found a receptive audience for their novel, idiosyncratic work. Ponti’s typical furniture forms from the period, such as the wedge-shaped Distex chair, are simple, gently angular, and colorful; equally elegant and functional. In the 1960s and ’70s, Ponti’s style evolved again as he explored biomorphic shapes, and embraced the expressive, experimental designs of Ettore Sottsass Jr., Joe Colombo and others.
Ponti's signature furniture piece — the one by which he is represented in the collections of the Museum of Modern Art in New York, Germany’s Vitra Design Museum and elsewhere — is the sleek Superleggera chair, produced by Cassina starting in 1957. (The name translates as “superlightweight” — advertisements featured a model lifting it with one finger.)
Ponti had a playful side, best shown in a collaboration he began in the late 1940s with the graphic artist Piero Fornasetti. Ponti furnishings were decorated with bright finishes and Fornasetti's whimsical lithographic transfer prints of things such as butterflies, birds or flowers; the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts possesses a 1950 secretary from their Architetturra series, which feature case pieces covered in images of building interiors and facades. The grandest project Ponti and Fornasetti undertook, however, lies on the floor of the Atlantic Ocean: the interiors of the luxury liner Andrea Doria, which sank in 1956.
Widely praised retrospectives at the Queens Museum of Art in 2001 and at the Design Museum London in 2002 sparked a renewed interest in Ponti among modern design aficionados. (Marco Romanelli’s monograph, which was written for the London show, offers a fine overview of Ponti’s work.) Today, a wide array of Ponti’s designs are snapped up by savvy collectors who want to give their homes a touch of Italian panache and effortless chic.
Find a range of vintage Gio Ponti desks, dining chairs, coffee tables and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Gio Ponti's "Conversazione classica" Vintage Fabric Panel by Avigdor
By Gio Ponti
Located in Saint-Didier, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Gio Ponti's "Conversazione classica" Vintage Fabric Panel by Avigdor texte : Extremely rare fabric panel designed by Gio Ponti and produced by famous Turin based textile house, Avig...
Fabric
$2,949
H 23.63 in W 37.41 in
Lucien Boucher’s iconic 1956 “Signes du Zodiaque” original poster for Air France
By Lucien Boucher
Located in PARIS, FR
Lucien Boucher’s iconic 1956 “Signes du Zodiaque” poster for Air France is a celestial masterpiece of mid-century travel design—where astrology, mythology, and aviation intersect in ...
Linen, Paper, Lithograph
$2,269
H 39.38 in W 24.41 in
1959 original poster by Jean Carlu - Air France to France
By Jean Carlu
Located in PARIS, FR
A triumph of postwar modernism, this 1959 original poster by Jean Carlu was created for Air France as part of its legendary mid-century campaign to promote international travel with ...
Linen, Paper, Lithograph
$1,815
H 61.42 in W 44.89 in
1962 original film poster by Raymond Savignac - Tous les Plaisirs du Monde
By Raymond Savignac 1
Located in PARIS, FR
Bold, cheeky, and unmistakably modernist, this 1962 original poster by the legendary Raymond Savignac announces the vibrant revue film Tous les Plaisirs du Monde, directed by Gianni ...
Linen, Paper, Lithograph
$1,304
H 39.38 in W 26.78 in
1933 poster by Pierre Matossy - abbaye de Saint-Wandrille en Normandie
Located in PARIS, FR
This evocative 1933 poster by Pierre Matossy depicts the atmospheric ruins of the Abbaye de Saint‑Wandrille, one of the most important monastic sites in Normandy. The composition cap...
Linen, Paper, Lithograph
$2,042
H 39.77 in W 24.81 in
Circa 1960 Original poster by David Klein - TWA(Trans World Airlines) to London
By David Klein
Located in PARIS, FR
This brilliant original poster by David Klein, created around 1960, captures the spirit of postwar jet-age travel with vibrant flair. Commissioned by TWA (Trans World Airlines) to pr...
Paper, Lithograph, Linen
$1,474
H 47.25 in W 14.97 in
Original French poster from circa 1900 - Cœur de Française - Jean Aubry
Located in PARIS, FR
This striking original French poster from circa 1900, titled Cœur de Française, was created to promote a performance by Jean Aubry, a figure evoking the refined and expressive world ...
Linen, Paper, Lithograph
$1,248
H 39.38 in W 24.41 in
Original circa 1950 poster by Brun for the SNCF - La Savoie - Mont blanc
Located in PARIS, FR
An icon of postwar French travel promotion, this original circa 1950 poster was commissioned by SNCF (Société Nationale des Chemins de fer Français) to celebrate the breathtaking bea...
Linen, Paper, Lithograph
$1,588
H 39.38 in W 24.41 in
Original 1968 original travel poster by Bernard Villemot - SNCF Val de Loire
By Bernard Villemot
Located in PARIS, FR
Step into a radiant vision of the French countryside with this original 1968 travel poster designed by legendary graphic artist Bernard Villemot. Created for the SNCF (French Nationa...
Linen, Paper, Lithograph
$2,042
H 38.98 in W 24.41 in
Circa 1920 lithographic travel poster - Spa town of Niederbronn-les-Bains Alsace
Located in PARIS, FR
A luminous celebration of Alsatian charm, this stunning circa 1920 lithographic travel poster invites viewers to discover the idyllic spa town of Niederbronn-les-Bains, nestled in th...
Linen, Paper, Lithograph
$1,248
H 27.56 in W 18.51 in
Original circa 1890 poster by G. Lion - L’Écho de la Gaîté Française
Located in PARIS, FR
A dazzling artifact of Belle Époque Paris, this original circa 1890 poster by G. Lion captures the exuberant spirit of the era's vibrant cabaret and café-concert scene. Designed for ...
Linen, Paper, Lithograph
$3,971
H 55.12 in W 39.38 in
1902 original poster by Eugène Ogé promotes Fine Armagnac
Located in PARIS, FR
This delightful 1902 original poster by the celebrated French illustrator Eugène Ogé promotes Fine Armagnac with wit, theatrical flair, and unmistakable Belle Époque charm. The scene...
Linen, Paper, Lithograph
$4,311
H 31.5 in W 23.63 in
1954 original poster by Perakis–Theocharis - Greece Crete palace of Cnossos
Located in PARIS, FR
This beautiful 1954 original travel poster by Perakis–Theocharis invites viewers to discover Greece, focusing on the legendary Palace of Knossos on the island of Crete. The comp...
Linen, Paper, Lithograph
$2,269
H 45.67 in W 29.93 in
Circa 1948 original recruitment poster by Villemot - French Navy
By Bernard Villemot
Located in PARIS, FR
This striking original recruitment poster, created around 1948 by the celebrated French graphic artist Bernard Villemot, boldly calls on citizens to “Engagez-vous dans la Marine” — e...
Linen, Paper, Lithograph
1953 original poster for the Bal de l’École du Louvre
Located in PARIS, FR
This elegant 1953 poster announces the Bal de l’École du Louvre, an annual gala evening held at the prestigious Hôtel de Rothschild in Paris. Taking place on 14 February, the event p...
Linen, Paper
$4,878
H 94.49 in W 63 in
Original 1946 French cinema poster illustrated by Albert Dubout - L'arche de Noé
Located in PARIS, FR
This original 1946 French cinema poster illustrated by Albert Dubout was created for the film L’Arche de Noé, directed by Henry Jacques. Produced shortly after the Second World War, ...
Linen, Paper, Lithograph
Sold
H 7.88 in W 3.94 in D 0.4 in
La Casa della Cortigiana - Original Rare Book Illustrated by Gio Ponti - 1920
By Gio Ponti
Located in Roma, IT
La Casa della Cortigiana is an original Rare Book written by Oscar Wilde in 1920 and illustrated by Gio Ponti (Milan, 18 November 1891 - Milan, 16 September 1979). Original Edition....
Paper
Sold
H 6.7 in W 4.65 in D 0.4 in
La Ballata del Carcere - Rare Book Illustrated by Gio Ponti - 1920
By Gio Ponti
Located in Roma, IT
La Ballata del Carcere di Reading is an original Rare Book written by Oscar Wilde and illustrated by Gio Ponti (Milan, 18 November 1891 - Milan,...
Paper, Offset
Black Bucchero Ceramic Vase Designed by Gio Ponti
By Gio Ponti
Located in Brecon, Powys
Bucchero Vase designed by Gio Ponti and by the great Italian Artisan Carlo Alberto Rossi of the 40's. The bucchero is a special clay, from the Etruscan...
Ceramic
1940s Bucchero Vase by Gio Ponti
By Gio Ponti
Located in Brecon, Powys
Bucchero Vase designed by Gio Ponti and by the great Italian Artisan Carlo Alberto Rossi of the 40's. The bucchero is a special clay, from the Etruscan...
Ceramic
1940s Bucchero Vase by Gio Ponti
By Gio Ponti
Located in Brecon, Powys
Bucchero Vase designed by Gio Ponti and by the great Italian Artisan Carlo Alberto Rossi of the 40's. The bucchero is a special clay, from the Etruscan...
Ceramic
1940s Bucchero Vase by Gio Ponti
By Gio Ponti
Located in Brecon, Powys
Bucchero Vase designed by Gio Ponti and by the great Italian Artisan Carlo Alberto Rossi of the 40's. The bucchero is a special clay, from the Etruscan...
Ceramic
1940s Bucchero Vase by Gio Ponti
By Gio Ponti
Located in Brecon, Powys
Bucchero Vase designed by Gio Ponti and by the great Italian Artisan Carlo Alberto Rossi of the 40's. The bucchero is a special clay, from the Etruscan...
Ceramic
Vaso Intrecciato
By Gio Ponti
Located in Brecon, Powys
A unique piece of glassware designed by Gio Ponti in the 1940s for his daughters wedding. Blown in the 1970s, with the Ponti signature. One off piece exceptional quality and comes with the original design drawing...
Blown Glass
L'Angelo
By Gio Ponti
Located in Brecon, Powys
L'angelo design drawing for Richard Ginori, 1940 Italy signed The image size is 23 X 35 cm 9" x 13.75" Mounted size 14" x 16.75" Medium is pencil, watercolour, on paper Good c...
Paper, Watercolor, Pencil
Arlecchina,
By Gio Ponti
Located in Brecon, Powys
Arlecchina. Very rare opportunity to purchase an original Gio Ponti Drawing. Costume design. Italia 1958, signed Medium pencil, color and pen on paper ...
Ink, Pencil, Color Pencil
Il Circo
By Gio Ponti
Located in Brecon, Powys
Il Circo: Drawing pencil and pen on carta lucido Italy anni 60' size 110cm X 36 cm signed, wityh copy of certifiacte of authenticity from Ponti estate Drawi...
Pen, Pencil
Le Tre Grazie
By Gio Ponti
Located in Brecon, Powys
Le Tre Grazie Italia 76' Medium: pencil, ink, watercolor on paper Size: 50cm X 35cm Certificate of authenticity from Ponti family Small residue from sticky tape power left, as per im...
Ink, Watercolor, Pencil
Leonida
By Gio Ponti
Located in Brecon, Powys
Signed Italia 1920 medium: pencil, ink and watercolor Size 32cm X 24cm Leonida drawing by Gio Ponti preparatory for Richard Ginori Collection
Ink, Watercolor, Pencil