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.
Mid Century Gio Ponti Domus Nova Coffee Table Italy 1950
By Gio Ponti
Located in Bernville, PA
Iconic coffee table by one of the most important Italian architects of all times, Gio Ponti. A solid caramel walnut table crafted by Domus Nova. It has that classy Gio Ponti shape wi...
Glass, Walnut
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
Gio Ponti Console Table for Singer, Lacquered Oak & Iron, Italy, 1960s
By Singer, Gio Ponti
Located in Ceglie Messapica, IT
Gio Ponti Console Table for Singer, Lacquered Oak & Iron, Italy, 1960s A rare 1960s Gio Ponti console table for Singer. Manufactured in Italy in the 1960s, the item is made of l...
Brass, Iron
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
$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
$45,000 / set
a pair of BP 16 ‘Continuum’ armchairs by Gio Ponti
By Gio Ponti
Located in Albany, NY
Designer : Gio Ponti Item: a pair of BP 16 ‘Continuum’ armchairs Manufacturer: (Pierantonio) Bonacina Material: ...
Bamboo
Gio Ponti Brass Flower Holder for Casa e Giardino, Italy 1940s
By Nino Ferrari, Gio Ponti
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 Gio Ponti, Gabbianelli
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
Gio Ponti Rare Dining Table Museum-Level Archival Documentation
By Gio Ponti
Located in Milano, IT
Rectangular wooden table with turned legs and brass detailing. Documented by the Gio Ponti Archives (Survey No. 24231/000) and exhibited at "Casa Italia," Rue Bonaparte, Paris. This...
Brass
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 maste...
Walnut
Gio Ponti Pietro Chiesa Side Tables Mirrored Glass Tops Asymmetrical Form
By Pietro Chiesa, Gio Ponti
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Italian master architect Gio Ponti compass legs side tables with mirrored glass tops by Pietro Chiesa. All original. The slightly mirrored glass reflects the light and whatev...
Glass, Walnut
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
Expertly Restored - Gio Ponti Sculpted Walnut & Travertine Coffee Table
By Gio Ponti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precision. With over 17 years of artisanal exper...
Travertine
Set of 2 Armchairs and a Sofa in the style Gio Ponti for Casa E Giardino, 1940s
By Gio Ponti, Casa e Giardino
Located in taranto, IT
Rare splendid 40s living room, made in the style of Casa & Giardino by Gio Ponti, consisting of a two-seater sofa and a pair of armchairs, wooden structure and upholstery in Cintz c...
Brass
20th Century Brown Italian Walnut M. Singer & Sons Dresser, Cabinet by Gio Ponti
By M. Singer & Sons, Gio Ponti
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A light-brown, vintage Mid-Cenutry Modern Italian, American geometric dresser cupboard made of hand crafted polished walnut, designed by Gio Ponti an...
Walnut
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
Gio Ponti, Rare "811" Lounge Chair, Fabric, Walnut, Rubber, Cassina, c. 1956
By Figli di Amadeo Cassina, Gio Ponti
Located in High Point, NC
A rare and iconic lounge chair designed by Gio Ponti. Produced by Cassina, Meda, Italy, c. 1956. This chair is sold with a certificate of authenticity from the Gio Ponti Archives. ...
Metal
Gio Ponti Natural Aswood Superleggera Chair For Cassina
By Gio Ponti
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Gio Ponti Natural Aswood Superleggera Chair For Cassina Manufactured since 1957, the 699 Superleggera wood chair is the rare combination of the architect’s innovative quest and the ...
Rattan, Ash
1970s Cocktail Shaker by Gio Ponti for Fratelli Calderoni. Made in Italy
By Calderoni, Gio Ponti
Located in Milano, IT
1970s amazing Italian Cocktail Shaker by Gio Ponti for F.lli Calderoni, in excellent condition. Made in Italy. Dimensions: Diameter 2,75 x 9,05 height inches Dimensions: Diameter cm...
Metal
Gio Ponti Midcentury Rare Italian Curved Armchairs "Casa E Giardino" 1936, Pair
By Gio Ponti, Casa e Giardino
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, Dresser, Walnut, Singer & Sons, America, 1950s
By M. Singer & Sons, Gio Ponti
Located in High Point, NC
A walnut dresser designed by Gio Ponti and produced by M. Singer & Sons, New York, America, 1950s. Labeled.
Walnut
Gio Ponti low table made of African walnut wood and glass, Italy, 1950s
By Gio Ponti
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
Low table made of African walnut wood and glass, Italian craftsmanship, designed by Gio Ponti, 1950s. The coffee table, an indispensable piece in the living room, has always been a ...
Glass, Walnut
20th Century, Gio Ponti for Cassina pair of Wooden Gueridòn
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...
Metal
Set of reupholstered 2 Gio Ponti Chairs, Model 803, Cassina 1950s
By Cassina, Gio Ponti
Located in Wolfurt, AT
Rare Pair of reupholstered Gio Ponti Armchairs, model «803» Manufactured by Cassina Italy, 1954 Walnut legs, wool fabric & leatherette armrests
Fabric, Faux Leather
Italian Mid-Century maple Wardrobe with mirrors by Dassi with Gio Ponti, 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi, Gio Ponti
Located in Buccinasco, MI
This exceptional six-door wardrobe, crafted in the 1950s by Vittorio Dassi, stands as a rare and refined testament to Italian mid-century design. Part of a complete bedroom suite — ...
Mirror, Wood, Maple
Mid-Century Gio Ponti Silver Plated Set, tea Pot, sugar and bowl, for A. Krupp
By Gio Ponti, Arthur Krupp
Located in London, Fitzrovia
Gio Ponti, A large Mid-Century Silver Plated 75CL Tea Pot with sugar, breakfast bowl and a small dish, for Arthur Krupp. Designed for the VI triennale, 1930's to 1950's. dimensions ...
Metal
Gio Ponti 'F.A. 33' Half Length Mirror in Brass for GUBI
By Gubi, Gio Ponti
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 set of twelve Leggera chairs with rope seat, Cassina, Italy, 1951
By Figli di Amadeo Cassina, Gio Ponti
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
Set of 12 ash wood chairs with hand-knotted rope seats, designed by Gio Ponti as model 646 Leggera in 1951 and manufactured by Figli di Amedeo Cassina during the late 1950s. Concept...
Cane, Ash
1950s Gio Ponti Side Table
By Gio Ponti
Located in Florence, Tuscany
A perfectly designed piece of furniture. This walnut side table was designed by Gio Ponti in the 1950s. It still has its original issue number, 106, on a metal tag on the base. Perfe...
Glass, Beech, Walnut
Gio Ponti 'F.A. 33' Half Length Mirror in Black Brass for GUBI
By Gubi, Gio Ponti
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
Pair of Lounge Chairs by Gio Ponti for Casa e Giardino
By Gio Ponti
Located in San Francisco, CA
This pair of expertly restored small-scale armchairs by Gio Ponti for Casa e Giardino features tapered oak legs and rich Sandra Jordan Prima Alpaca Suri Zibelinado upholstery in Aube...
Fabric, Oak
Gio Ponti Continuum BP16 Armchair in Bamboo, Made by Bonacina 1970s-80s
By Bonacina, Gio Ponti
Located in Brussels, BE
Continuum armchair in Bamboo, Designed by Gio Ponti, Made by Bonacina. This example dates to production from the 1970s-80s. Bamboo, wicker and original upholstery and cushion. Dimen...
Upholstery, Bamboo, Wicker
$2,608Sale Price|38% Off
Art Deco Gio Ponti Planter for Richard Ginori Italy
By Gio Ponti, Richard Ginori
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
A rare and beautiful striking planter designed by Gio Ponti during the 1930's for Italian manufacturer Richard Ginori, which still is in production today doing collaborations with fa...
Ceramic
$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
$7,600 / set
Rare pair of Gio Ponti chairs
By Gio Ponti
Located in Albany, NY
Item: pair of chairs Designer: Gio Ponti Manufacturer: I.S.A. Bergamo Demensions: 35.25” h x 16.25” w x22.5” d. 18” seat height Material: Mahogany, metal sabots and upholstery ...
Mahogany
Rare Gio Ponto for Singer & Sons Two-Tiered Side Table w/ Drawer in Mahogany
By M. Singer & Sons, Gio Ponti
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Made over 70 years ago in Italy, this side table was designed by Italian architect Gio Ponto for limited production by Singer and Sons. Like most of Ponti's designs, this model has v...
Mahogany
Gio Ponti, Console Table, Ash, Laminate, Italy, 1950s
By Gio Ponti
Located in High Point, NC
An ash and blue laminate console table designed by Gio Ponti and produced by ISA Bergamo, Italy, 1950s. Provenance: Hotel Royal, Pietra Ligure. Authenticated by the Gio Ponti Archi...
Laminate, Ash
$22,400Sale Price / set|53% Off
Gio Ponti Velvet Lounge Chairs in Walnut & Brass for M. Singer and Sons, 1950s
By Gio Ponti, M. Singer & Sons
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
Gio Ponti for Argenteria Sabattini Italian Silver-Plated "Musk" Sculpture 1970s
By Gio Ponti, Sabattini Argenteria
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Italian sculpture ‘Cuckolded Mask” in silver-plated metal designed by Gio Ponti for Argenteria Sabattini with the manufacturer’s mark engraved, Italy 1970s Please note that the item...
Silver Plate
Gio Ponti 646 "Leggera" Dining Chairs for Cassina, Blue Velvet, 1952, Set of 8
By Gio Ponti, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gio Ponti 646 “Leggera” dining chairs for Cassina, blue velvet, Italy, 1952, set of 8 The 646 “Leggera” is one of Gio Ponti’s most enduring chair designs—an icon defined by Cassina’...
Rope, Ash
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
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
2-Seat Dezza Sofa by Gio Ponti for Poltrona Frau, 2011
By Gio Ponti, Poltrona Frau
Located in Meulebeke, BE
Two seat ''Dezza'' sofa by Gio Ponti Produced by Poltrona Frau. Designed in 1965, the Dezza sofa is some of Gio Ponti’s most important designs. The Dezza sofa is light and very comf...
Leather, Wood
Elegant Brass Bar Trolley with Gio Ponti’s Signature Ribbon Details, 1950s
By Gio Ponti
Located in Brescia, Brescia
Exceptional and rare bar trolley by Gio Ponti, crafted in brass with two glass shelves. This piece showcases Ponti’s unmistakable design language, highlighted by the elegant nastro p...
Brass
Gio Ponti 'F.A. 33' Full Length Mirror in Black Brass for GUBI
By Gubi, Gio Ponti
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 Pair of 1930s Armchairs with their Original Yellow Upholstery
By Gio Ponti
Located in Milan, IT
Gio Ponti Pair of 1930s Armchairs with their Original Yellow Upholstery
Upholstery, Wood
$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 per F.lli Montina Sedia Nera Mod. "969", Italia 1960s
By Montina, Gio Ponti
Located in Naples, IT
Iconica sedia modello 969, disegnato dal rinomato architetto e designer italiano Gio Ponti e prodotta dalla storica Ditta Montina . La caratteristica distintiva è lo schienale ape...
Leather, Wood
$10,568Sale Price|30% Off
Small Desk in Walnut and Laminate with Drawers Gio Ponti 1950s with Authentic
By Gio Ponti
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Rare small desk made by Schiroli and designed by Gio Ponti in the 1950s, in Walnut wood and wood-colored laminate top, has some restorations in the top well executed, we have the ex...
Brass
Gio Ponti N. 512 Mid-Century Modern Italian Sofa for ISA, 1950s
By Gio Ponti, ISA Bergamo
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
Gio Ponti 'F.A. 33' Full Length Mirror in Brass for GUBI
By Gio Ponti, Gubi
Located in Glendale, CA
Gio Ponti 'F.A. 33' Full 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 '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
Gio Ponti Curved Sofa for Casa e Giardino, Velvet, 1956
By Gio Ponti, Casa e Giardino
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gio Ponti Curved Sofa for Casa e Giardino, velvet, Italy, 1956 Designed in 1956 for Casa e Giardino, this Gio Ponti sofa distills comfort into a single, continuous gesture. The silh...
Velvet, Wood
Oversize Vintage Italian Wall Mirror 1970s
By Gio Ponti, (After) Gio Ponti
Located in Palermo, IT
This wall mirror represents a fine specimen of Italian design from the 1950s, with strong stylistic attribution to the production of Gio Ponti, a celebrated architect and designer (1...
Brass
Gio Ponti Horse Silver Sculpture with Lino Sabattini for Christofle
By Gio Ponti, Christofle, Lino Sabattini
Located in Hanover, MA
1978 Gio Ponti designed silver plated horse sculpture, titled "Cavallo", edition Lino Sabattini for Christofle, 2008. Very good condition. Comes with original Christofle box and non-...
Silver Plate
Pair of Gio Ponti Armchairs from Hotel Bristol Merano, Casa e Giardino, 1954
By Casa e Giardino, Gio Ponti
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
Pair of upholstered armchairs, from the original furnishings of the Hotel Bristol, Merano, designed by Gio Ponti, Casa e Giardino series, Italian manufacture, 1954. This pair of arm...
Velvet, Walnut
1950s Gio Ponti Goodform Silver Industrial Tanker Chair Swivel Office
By Gio Ponti, GoodForm
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, an office chair produced by GOODFORM Youngstown, Ohio. 1938 Industrial Swivel Tanker Vintage Office Desk Chair design...
Metal, Aluminum, Steel
Modernist Vintage Six Superleggera Chairs by Gio Ponti for Cassina 1957 Italy
By Cassina, Gio Ponti
Located in Vienna, AT
Modernist Vintage authentic set of six ( 6 ) Superleggera Dining Chairs or Chairs from black lacquered wood and light brown cane mesh designed 1957 by Gio Ponti and manufactured 199...
Wood
$1,499 / item
Gio Ponti Medium 'Randaccio' Mirror for GUBI
By Gio Ponti, Gubi
Located in Glendale, CA
Gio Ponti Medium 'Randaccio' Mirror for GUBI Ponti created the Randaccio Mirror in 1925 for his home on Via Randaccio in Milan. Characterized by its...
Brass
Gio Ponti rare model Le Mie Terre vase manufactured by Richard-Ginori
By Richard Ginori, Gio Ponti
Located in Skokie, IL
Gio Ponti rare large vase designed in 1929-30. Glazed maiolica. Painted designer's and manufacturer's marks. This exquisite piece showcases the artistry of glazed maiolica, combinin...
Majolica