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 Italian Walnut Wardrobe with Horizontal Striped Veneer, Italy, 1930s
By Gio Ponti
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
The wardrobe reads as a sequence of horizontal bands: the entire carcase, both front and sides, is veneered in walnut in a tight rhythm of lighter and darker stripes that runs withou...
Walnut
Decorative Art 1959/1960
By Gio Ponti, Tapio Wirkkala, Berndt Friberg
Located in New York, NY
Survey of trends in modern architecture, furniture, and decorative arts, principally from Britain, Europe, the U.S., Latin America, and Japan, covering the years 1959-1960. Contains ...
Paper
Set of 8 “969” Volute Chairs for the VI Triennale by Gio Ponti, Montina, 1970s
By Montina, Gio Ponti
Located in Brescia, Brescia
Originally conceived by Gio Ponti for the VI Triennale di Milano in 1936, this set of eight dining chairs was reissued by Montina in the 1970s, preserving the poetic force and formal...
Fabric, Foam, Ash, Birch
Vintage Mid Century "Model 803" Armchair by Gio Ponti
By Cassina, Gio Ponti
Located in Oxnard, CA
Here is a "Model 803" armchair by Gio Ponti produced by Cassina, circa 1950s. This stunning design by Ponti is appreciated for its angular lines, subtle curves and tapered legs. Th...
Fabric, Wood
Authentic Vintage Superleggera Chair by Gio Ponti for Cassina, 1970
By Cassina, Gio Ponti
Located in Dronten, NL
It is the chair that defied gravity. In 1957, Gio Ponti famously tested the Superleggera by tossing it from a fourth-story window, watching it float to the ground. This poetic demon...
Cane, Wood
Gio Ponti, Lounge Chair, Fabric, Walnut, Rubber, Italy, 1950s
By Gio Ponti
Located in High Point, NC
A walnut, fabric and rubber lounge chair, model 811, designed by Gio Ponti and produced by Cassina, Meda, Italy, c. 1956. Wear consistent with vintage age and normal use. Measureme...
Fabric, Rubber, Walnut
Gio Ponti for Poltrona Frau Set of Four Lounge Chairs in Light Blue Leather
By Gio Ponti, Poltrona Frau
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gio Ponti for Poltrona Frau, lounge chairs, model ´Dezza´ nr. 48, leather, lacquered wood, metal, Italy, 1965. Set of four stylish lounge chairs designed by Gio Ponti for Poltrona ...
Metal
original "diamond" ceramic tiles by Gio Ponti for Joo Milano 1960s
By Gio Ponti
Located in taranto, IT
Wall panel composed of a very rare group of 6 ceramic tiles designed in 1960 by Gio Ponti for Joo Ceramiche Milano, "diamond" model, fire-red in white aluminum frame. The whole panel...
Aluminum
Fede Cheti Italian Velvet Loveseat
By Gio Ponti
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
An Italian loveseat designed by Gio Ponti, upholstered in its original green Fede Cheti velvet with pewter fringe, and documented by architect and designer Roberto Aloi in 1950. An i...
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
Gio Ponti Italian Midcentury Design Dining Chairs "Leggera" for Cassina 1950s
By Gio Ponti, Cassina
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Set of four dining chairs model Leggera designed by Gio Ponti for Cassina, ash wood frame and waxed rope seat, circa 1960s. Cassina adhesive label on some chairs Bibliography: Domus...
Ash, Rope
Ceramic tile by Gio Ponti for Richard Ginori 1960s with frame
By Richard Ginori, Gio Ponti
Located in taranto, IT
very rare ceramic tile , produced by Richard Ginori in 1965, designed by Gio Ponti. Published in the most important books concerning postwar Italian Ceramic production, displayed in ...
Aluminum
Gio Ponti for Poltrona Frau Lounge Chair 'Dezza' in Light Blue Leather
By Gio Ponti, Poltrona Frau
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gio Ponti for Poltrona Frau, lounge chair model ´Dezza´ nr. 48, leather, lacquered beech, metal, Italy, 1965. Stylish lounge chair designed by Gio Ponti for Poltrona Frau. This cha...
Metal
Iconic Italian Mid-Century Modern Brass Shield Mirror by Gio Ponti, 1950s
By Gio Ponti
Located in Nicolosi, IT
Iconic Italian Mid-Century Modern brass mirror from the 1950s, designed by Gio Ponti and distinguished by its elegant shield-shaped silhouette. The piece stands out for its refined ...
Brass
Gio Ponti, Sofa, Velvet, Wood, Italy, 1940s
By Gio Ponti
Located in High Point, NC
A green velvet and wood sofa designed by Gio Ponti and produced by Casa e Giardino, Italy, c. 1940s. Minor scuffing of feet. Minor staining on seat and backrest cushions. Minor fr...
Velvet, Wood
A pair of Black Wooden Gio Ponti Leggera Chairs with Cord Seats, Italy 1951
By Gio Ponti, Cassina
Located in Den Haag, NL
A pair of black wooden Gio Ponti Leggera chairs with cord seats, Italy 1951.
Cord, Wood
Gio Ponti walnut desk for BNL offices, Italy, 1950s
By Gio Ponti
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
A walnut writing desk designed by Gio Ponti for Banca Nazionale del Lavoro (BNL), conceived originally for executive and institutional interiors. The model reflects Ponti’s continuou...
Walnut
Pair of Brass Sconces "Finestra" 12664 by Gio Ponti for Arredoluce. Italy, 1950s
By Arredoluce, Gio Ponti
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Rare Mid-Century Modern pair of brass and painted lacquered metal wall lights lamps sconces lighting model "Finestra" 12664 by the italian designer Gio Ponti for the manufacture Arre...
Metal, Brass
Rare Gio Ponti–Style Brass and Glass Mirror with E. Müller Glas Label, 1950s
By Gio Ponti
Located in Brescia, Brescia
Rare and highly evocative Italian mid-century mirror, circa 1950s, attributed to Gio Ponti. A remarkable warehouse discovery, preserved for decades and never placed into use, this sc...
Brass
$315Sale Price|20% Off
Plate by Gio Ponti from 1930 small boat on the waves the blue sea San Cristoforo
By Gio Ponti
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Plate by Gio Ponti from 1930 with a small boat on the waves of the blue sea San Cristoforo
Ceramic
Rare Set Sofa and 2 Armchairs Design Gio Ponti for Casa e Giardino, 1940
By Gio Ponti
Located in taranto, IT
Splendid and rare living room, production "Casa & Giardino", designed by Gio Ponti, 40s Composed of a three-seater sofa and a pair of shell-shaped armchairs , upholstered in bur...
Velvet, Wood
Pair of Gio Ponti Small Lounge Chairs, Presented at the Triennale, 1936
By Gio Ponti
Located in Milan, IT
A rare and highly refined pair of small lounge chairs designed by Gio Ponti for the bedroom interior of Un’Abitazione Dimostrativa, presented at the VI Triennale di Milano. These ch...
Velvet, Wood
$16,718Sale Price / set|20% Off
Rare Unica Collection Dishes Gio Ponti Franco Pozzi 1960 27 Pieces Multicolor
By Gio Ponti
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Very rare collection of 27 pieces produced by Franco Pozzi Ceramiche based on a design by Gio Ponti.
Ceramic
$3,900Sale Price|30% Off
Gio Ponti N. 512 Mid-Century Modern Italian Sofa for ISA, 1950s
By ISA Bergamo, Gio Ponti
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Elegant and splendid three-seater sofa with high backrest by Gio Ponti, 1950s, for ISA Edizioni, Bergamo, model N. 512. Carved profile, refined lines, sensual and deep comfort. The u...
Beech, Fabric
Floor Lamp mod. 1967, Gio Ponti, Prod. Fontana Arte, Italy, 1950's
By Gio Ponti, Fontana Arte
Located in Piacenza, Italy
This elegant floor lamp, model 1967, was designed by Gio Ponti for Fontana Arte in the 1950's. It features a brass stem with joints, a crystal base, and a lacquered metal reflector. ...
Crystal, Aluminum, Brass
Gio Ponti for Singer & Sons Model 2135 Walnut Expanding Dining Table - 4 Leaves
By M. Singer & Sons, Gio Ponti
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Gio Ponti for Singer & Sons Model 2135 Mid Century Walnut Expanding Dining Table with 4 Leaves This table measures: 48 wide x 48 deep x 28.5 inches high, with a chair clearance of 2...
Walnut
Expertly Restored - Gio Ponti Sculpted Walnut & Travertine Coffee Table
By Gio Ponti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Materials Walnut Wood, Original Travertine Stone ______________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this ...
Travertine
Gio Ponti Mid-Century Silver plated Champagne or Wine Cooler, A. Krupp, Milano
By Arthur Krupp, Gio Ponti
Located in London, Fitzrovia
A Mid-Century Silver plated Gio Ponti Champagne or Wine Cooler for A. Krupp, Milano. Barely used. From a series designed for the VI triennale, 1930's to 1950's. Beautiful quality an...
Metal
Gio Ponti, Dresser, Walnut, Singer & Sons, America, 1950s
By Gio Ponti, M. Singer & Sons
Located in High Point, NC
A walnut dresser designed by Gio Ponti and produced by M. Singer & Sons, New York, America, 1950s. Labeled. Wear consistent with age and use. Overall Dimensions: 36.75"H x 47...
Walnut
Gio Ponti Model 811 armchair made of walnut and rubber, Cassina, Italy, 1957
By Figli di Amadeo Cassina, Gio Ponti
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
A rare armchair Model 811, with a walnut structure and rubber bands, designed by Gio Ponti and produced in Italy by Cassina in 1957. There are artifacts from past decades that, due ...
Rubber, Walnut
Gio Ponti 'F.A. 33' Half Length Mirror in Brass for GUBI
By Gio Ponti, Gubi
Located in Glendale, CA
Gio Ponti 'F.A. 33' Half Length Mirror in Brass for GUBI The 'F.A. 33' mirror was originally designed by Gio Ponti in 1933 for Fontana Arte, the period’s most prominent lamp, glass...
Brass
Gio Ponti 'F.A. 33' Half Length Mirror in Black Brass for GUBI
By Gio Ponti, Gubi
Located in Glendale, CA
Gio Ponti 'F.A. 33' Half Length Mirror in Black Brass for GUBI The 'F.A. 33' Mirror was originally designed by Gio Ponti in 1933 for Fontana Arte, the period’s most prominent lamp, ...
Brass
Gio Ponti 'F.A. 33' Full Length Mirror in Black Brass for GUBI
By Gio Ponti, Gubi
Located in Glendale, CA
Gio Ponti 'F.A. 33' Full Length Mirror in Black Brass for GUBI The 'F.A. 33' Mirror was originally designed by Gio Ponti in 1933 for Fontana Arte, the period’s most prominent lamp,...
Brass
Gio Ponti for Ginori Athletic Dish
By Gio Ponti
Located in New York, NY
Gio Ponti for Ginori athletic dish. Vintage Richard Ginori shaped nut dish/ small saucer from the athletic series designed by Gio Ponti featuring ...
Porcelain
$3,455Sale Price / set|29% Off
Gio Ponti Midcentury Rare Italian Curved Armchairs "Casa E Giardino" 1936, Pair
By Casa e Giardino, Gio Ponti
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Rare pair of Gio Ponti armchairs for "Casa e Giardino", 1936. Curved shell model covered in original vintage satin, the cushions have springs inside. The upholstery, as seen in the p...
Fabric, Beech, Fir
Gio Ponti 'Luna Sospensione' Pendant Lamp in Brass for Tato Italia
By Gio Ponti, Tato Italia
Located in Glendale, CA
Gio Ponti 'Luna Sospensione' Pendant Lamp in Brass for Tato Italia Designed by Italian design icon Gio Ponti, this authorized Tato Italia re-edition is executed in brushed brass har...
Brass
GiIO PONTI - Walnut bench, pink velvet - Made in ITALY 1940s
By Gio Ponti
Located in Milano, IT
GIO PONTI - Beautiful and elegant bench to be included in both modern and vintage decor . Sturdy and in perfect condition with its original rose-colored velvet upholstery , . Made in...
Nutwood, Velvet
Gio Ponti Leggera Armchair or Side Chair by Cassina in different colors
By Gio Ponti, Cassina
Located in Berlin, DE
Prices are dependent on the chosen material and model. Available with or without armrests. Frame, Seat and Coating and upholstery of the chair can be customized, please get in touch....
Upholstery, Wood
Straw Holder by Broggi Milano for Hotel Europa in the manner of Gio Ponti
By Gio Ponti, Fratelli Broggi, Milano
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
A rare art deco straw holder designed by Gio Ponti for Bar Pasticceria Alemagna at Piazza Duomo in Milano. The shape is simple and sleek and elegant. ...
Silver Plate
$16,500 / set
Gio Ponti, Lounge Chairs, Velvet, Wood, Italy, 1950s
By Gio Ponti
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of red, brown, blue velvet and wood lounge chairs designed by Gio Ponti and produced by Dassi, Italy, 1950s. Vintage fabric in fair to distressed condition, reupholstery reco...
Velvet, Wood
Gio Ponti 'Luna Sospensione' Pendant Lamp in Nickel for Tato Italia
By Tato Italia, Gio Ponti
Located in Glendale, CA
Gio Ponti 'Luna Sospensione' Pendant Lamp in Nickel for Tato Italia Designed by Italian design icon Gio Ponti, this authorized Tato Italia re-edition is executed in brushed nickel h...
Nickel
20th Century, Gio Ponti for Lietti Wooden Armoire
By Gio Ponti
Located in Turin, Turin
An eclectic personality, from his early days he was active in the fields of architecture, painting, graphics and set design. He graduated in architecture from the Milan Polytechnic i...
Earthenware, Wood
$22,400Sale Price / set|53% Off
Gio Ponti Velvet Lounge Chairs in Walnut & Brass for M. Singer and Sons, 1950s
By M. Singer & Sons, Gio Ponti
Located in Dallas, TX
Rare pair of lounge chairs designed by Italian architect Gio Ponti and produced for M. Singer & Sons circa 1950. Exquisitely restored to the highest possible standard.
Brass
20th Century, Gio Ponti for Cassina Armchair mod. 807 Distex
By Cassina, Gio Ponti
Located in Turin, Turin
An eclectic personality, from his early days he was active in the fields of architecture, painting, graphics and set design. He graduated in architecture from the Milan Polytechnic i...
Fabric, Wood
Mid Century Gio Ponti Model 2140 Display Cabinet / Wall Unit for Singer & Sons
By Gio Ponti
Located in Las Vegas, NV
A very rare Gio Ponti Display Cabinet, Model 2140, produced by Singer & Sons and executed in beautifully grained Italian walnut. This m...
Walnut
Gio Ponti 646 "Leggera" Dining Chairs for Cassina, Green Velvet, 1952, Set of 10
By Cassina, Gio Ponti
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gio Ponti 646 “Leggera” dining chairs for Cassina, green velvet, Italy, 1952, set of ten. The 646 “Leggera” is one of Gio Ponti’s most enduring chair designs—an icon defined by Cass...
Velvet, Ash
Italian Rosewood Mid Century Modern Executive Desk Gio Ponti Fornaroli Rosselli
By Studio PFR ( Ponti Fornaroli Rosselli ), Gio Ponti, Antonio Fornaroli, Alberto Rosselli Saporiti
Located in Portland, OR
A inconic & rare Mid-Century Modern Italian table Rosewood & steel executive desk, designed by Gio Ponti, Antonio Fornaroli & Alberto Rosselli and produced by Studio PFR, circa 1955,...
Steel
$999 / item
Gio Ponti Small 'Randaccio' Mirror for GUBI
By Gubi, Gio Ponti
Located in Glendale, CA
Gio Ponti Small 'Randaccio' Mirror for GUBI Ponti created the 'Randaccio' Mirror in 1925 for his home on Via Randaccio in Milan. Characterized by its atypical crown-like detailing ...
Brass
Gio Ponti Brass Flower Holder for Casa e Giardino, Italy 1940s
By Gio Ponti, Nino Ferrari
Located in Milan, IT
Italian brass flower vase, circa 1940s, attributed to Gio Ponti. The piece features a softly rounded, hammered brass body with a warm, naturally aged patina. The upper rim is fitted ...
Brass
Ceramic tile "water and fire" design Gio Ponti for Gabbianelli, 1989
By Gabbianelli, Gio Ponti
Located in taranto, IT
Tile with a matte white background glaze with a stylized silkscreen decoration of vases and cornucopias from which water comes out, in pink and light blue colors. Drawing by Gio Pon...
Aluminum
Italian Wingback Chair in original condition, Produced by I.S.A. Bergamo, 1950s
By Gio Ponti, ISA Bergamo
Located in Wolfurt, AT
Mustard-yellow ISA Bergamo armchair, presumably designed by Gio Ponti, in original condition.
Wood, Fabric
Gio Ponti “ Superleggera” N. 4, Chair Wood Straw Padding, 1950, Italy
By Gio Ponti
Located in Milano, IT
N . 4 Superleggera Gio Ponti.
Wood, Straw
Gio Ponti Art Dèco Italian Sofa from Hotel Bristol Merano, 1950s
By Gio Ponti
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Luxurious Art Deco sofa designed by Gio Ponti for the Hotel Bristol Merano Italia. Sofa with low armrests and a sculptural shape. Made in Italy in the early 1950s. The velvet is worn...
Velvet, Beech
Gio Ponti Neo ponti Bucchero Vase 1940s Rare Design
By Gio Ponti
Located in Taranto, IT
Vase in bucchero, Gio Ponti 1940s Rare black bucchero ceramic vase, designed by Gio Ponti in the 1940s. The work is distinguished by its sculptural and dynamic line, with a pronoun...
Ceramic
Gio Ponti 646 "Leggera" Dining Chair for Cassina, Green Velvet, 1952
By Cassina, Gio Ponti
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gio Ponti 646 “Leggera” dining chair for Cassina, green velvet, Italy, 1952 The 646 “Leggera” is one of Gio Ponti’s most enduring chair designs—an icon defined by Cassina’s refined ...
Velvet, Ash
Gio Ponti Lio Carminati Bonacina Wicker Armchair Mid-Century Design 1950s
By Lio Carminati, Gio Ponti
Located in Taranto, IT
Gio Ponti Lio Carminati Bonacina Wicker Armchair Mid-Century 1950s Design. Item is in good conservative condition, slight signs of time due to use and age present. (Please see phot...
Wicker, Rattan
Italian art deco dining table attributed to Gio Ponti, Padova, similar example
By Gio Ponti
Located in Milano, IT
Italian Art Deco Dining Table Attributed to Gio Ponti - Padua, 1936-1941 An elegant expression of Italian Rationalist design, this rare dining table is attributed to Gio Ponti, like...
Wood
Gio Ponti 646 "Leggera" Dining Chairs for Cassina, Green Velvet, 1952, Set of 8
By Gio Ponti, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gio Ponti 646 “Leggera” dining chairs for Cassina, green velvet, Italy, 1952, set of 8 The 646 “Leggera” is one of Gio Ponti’s most enduring chair designs—an icon defined by Cassina...
Ash, Velvet
$1,699 / item
Gio Ponti Large 'Randaccio' Mirror for GUBI
By Gubi, Gio Ponti
Located in Glendale, CA
Gio Ponti Large 'Randaccio' Mirror for GUBI Ponti created the 'Randaccio' Mirror in 1925 for his home on Via Randaccio in Milan. Characterized by its atypical crown-like detailing ...
Brass
Gio Ponti Leggera Outdoor Chair by Cassina - Mid-Century Modern
By Gio Ponti
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Gio Ponti Leggera Outdoor Chair For Cassina The wood chair par excellence, one of the flagship pieces in the partnership between Gio Ponti, Cesare Cassina and the company’s joinery ...
Steel
Set of Six Rare Chairs by Gio Ponti for Singer & Sons
By Gio Ponti
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare set of six walnut model 211 dining chairs by Gio Ponti for Singer & Sons. Beautifully restored and reupholstered in Kirby Design / Foam FR Olive fabric.
Walnut