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.
$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
20th Century Gio Ponti Coffee Table for Isa Bergamo in Wood with Round Glass Top
By ISA Bergamo, Gio Ponti
Located in Turin, Turin
Wonderful and timeless coffee table designed by the Italian Maestro of Design Gio Ponti. Gio Ponti designed this particular coffee table for his friend and editor Aldo Garzanti wh...
Glass, Wood
late 1940s desk by Gio Ponti in walnut wood
By Gio Ponti
Located in Vigevano, PV
late 1940s desk by Gio Ponti in walnut wood and formica top. this desk was made for a house in milan, designed by gio ponti and emilio lancia.
Formica, Walnut
Set of 10 Gio Ponti Leggera Model 646 Dining Chairs for Cassina, Italy, 1950s
By Gio Ponti
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A wonderful set of ten original, early Gio Ponti Leggera Model 646 dining chairs, Cassina, Italy, 1950s. In restored condition with new upholstery. All with maker’s label marked 'Fig...
Fabric, Wood
Gio Ponti F.A. 33 Wall Mirror Black Brass 54 x 80 cm for GUBI
By Gubi, Gio Ponti
Located in New York, NY
The F.A. 33 Wall Mirror was originally designed by the legendary Italian architect and designer Gio Ponti in 1933 for FontanaArte, the renowned lamp, glass, and mirror manufacturer h...
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
Ceramic tile by Gio Ponti for Richard Ginori 1960s with frame
By Gio Ponti, Richard Ginori
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 Ceramic Sculpture" Il Pellegrino Stanco" for Richard Ginori, Milano
By Gio Ponti, Richard Ginori
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great sample of one most important designers of the 20th century, Glazed ceramic, Gio Ponti, made for Richard Ginori and marked S Christoforo, Milano.
Ceramic
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
$9,360Sale Price|20% Off
Gio Ponti Writing Table, Mahogany & Formica, Mid-Century Italy
By Schirolli, Gio Ponti
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Mid-Century modern Italian writing table made of hand carved Mahogany, designed by Gio Ponti and produced by Schirolli Mantova in good cond...
Laminate, Formica, Mahogany
Gio Ponti F.A. 33 Wall Mirror Black Brass 70 x 146 cm for GUBI
By Gio Ponti, Gubi
Located in New York, NY
The F.A. 33 Wall Mirror was originally designed by the legendary Italian architect and designer Gio Ponti in 1933 for FontanaArte, the renowned lamp, glass, and mirror manufacturer h...
Brass
$12,800Sale Price / set|20% Off
Gio Ponti 516 Armchairs, Walnut Frame, Two-Tone Upholstery, 1950
By Gio Ponti
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Vintage 516 Armchairs by master Italian architect, publisher, and designer Gio Ponti, 1950. A timeless, architectural expression featuring a sculptural walnut frame, distinctive sl...
Walnut
Gio Ponti Singer & Sons Model 2134 Walnut & Brass Flip Top Dining Console Table
By Gio Ponti, M. Singer & Sons
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed by Italian architect Gio Ponti, this table embodies the very soul of Italian Mid-Century Modern. Italian descends from many important historical movements, such as the rich ...
Brass
Italian Gio Ponti Mahogany Table Desk
By Gio Ponti
Located in Queens, NY
Italian 1930s mahogany table desk with geometric form legs with brass sabot feet and a single drawer with a stretcher (GIO PONTI - for the University of Padua)
Brass
Ceramic Plates by Gio Ponti for Ceramica Franco Pozzi, Italy, 1960s
By Gio Ponti
Located in Milan, IT
Ceramic plates by Gio Ponti for Franco Pozzi. Four plates and two small bowls with six different color decorations.
Ceramic
Gio Ponti circular coffee table with certificate of authenticity.
By Gio Ponti, ISA Bergamo
Located in London, GB
An original and iconic design circular coffee table in cherrywood by Gio Ponti made C1960 for the Fondazione Garzanti Di farli interiors and produced by ISA Bergamo . Certificate of...
Brass
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
$6,500 / set
Pair of Gio Ponti Candelabra Fleche Lamps
By Gio Ponti, Christofle
Located in Hanover, MA
Pair of early edition Gio Ponti candelabra fleche lamps, an original cornucopia design of interlaced tapered horns framing a single arrow, imagine...
Pewter
Gio Ponti Grid Pattern Coffee Table circa 1945-1948
By Gio Ponti
Located in Encino, CA
Exceptional and spectacular round grid pattern coffee table by Gio Ponti for Giordano Chiesa. Multiple fruit woods base with a glass top. Italy, circa 1945-1948. Literature: Arredame...
Glass, Fruitwood
Gio Ponti Writing Desk in Walnut and Brass for the BNL Offices, Italy 1940s
By Schirolli, Gio Ponti
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
A rare and collectable walnut desk with brass ferrules designed by Gio Ponti and produced by Schirolli (Mantova - Italy) in the 1940s for the Banca Nazionale del Lavoro (BNL - Nation...
Brass
Gio Ponti Italian Stainless Diamond Flatware Set Three Long Ice Tea Spoons 1958
By Gio Ponti, Reed & Barton
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Gio Ponti Italian stainless diamond flatware set of three long ice tea spoons, 1958. Measures: 7 1/2" L x 1 1/8" W x 1/2" H Maker stamped. Italian Gio Ponti designer...
Stainless Steel
Venini Gio Ponti 12-Arm Chandelier in Multicolor by Gio Ponti
By Venini, Gio Ponti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
99.80 Gio Ponti glass chandelier, designed by Gio Ponti and manufactured by Venini, is one of the most innovative chandeliers ever to emerge...
Glass
Gio Ponti 'Luna Sospensione' Pendant Lamp in Nickel for Tato Italia
By Gio Ponti, Tato Italia
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
Pair of Gio Ponti Mid-Century Modern Velvet High Back Armchairs by Isa, 1950s
By ISA Bergamo, Gio Ponti
Located in Puglia, Puglia
This pair of armchairs were designed by Gio Ponti and produced by the famous Italian company Isa of Bergamo, with which Gio Ponti collaborated for several years. High back, very impo...
Brass
Gio Ponti Curved Sofa for Casa e Giardino, Velvet, 1956, Attributed
By Gio Ponti, Casa e Giardino
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gio Ponti Curved Sofa for Casa e Giardino, velvet, Italy, 1956, Attributed Consciously attributed to Gio Ponti for Casa e Giardino, this sofa distills comfort into a single, continu...
Velvet, Wood
Gio Ponti Walnut Dresser Cupboard by M. Singer & Sons, Circa 1940
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
$1,699 / item
Gio Ponti Large 'Randaccio' Mirror for GUBI
By Gio Ponti, Gubi
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 for Giordano Chiesa Rare Ash Wood Console, Italy, 1950s
By Giordano Chiesa, Gio Ponti
Located in New York, NY
Gio Ponti for Giordano Chiesa rare and important ash wood console table with two drawers and six legs ending in brass sabots, Italy, circa 1955. This exquisite sculptural console has...
Brass
$2,658Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Chiavari Gio Ponti Style Mid-Century Modern Italian High Back Chairs 50s
By Gio Ponti, Chiavari
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Pair of fantastic high-backed ladder chairs in walnut-stained beech with seats in the original fabric of the time. These amazing pieces were designed by Gio Ponti for Chiavari in the...
Beech, Fabric
Pair of Gio Ponti Armchairs for Cassina, Conte Grande Liner, 1949
By Gio Ponti, Cassina
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
The armchairs stand on four turned walnut legs, from which rises a compact volume that draws slightly inward at the back. The silhouette reads as a small architecture: armrests and b...
Fabric, Walnut
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
Pair of Gio Ponti Armchairs from Hotel Bristol Merano, Casa e Giardino, 1954
By Gio Ponti, Casa e Giardino
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
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 Display Cabinet Model 4120 for Singer & Sons
By Gio Ponti
Located in San Francisco, CA
Rare and important display cabinet by the master Gio Ponti, model 4120 for Singer & Sons. Elegant and architectural display cabinet in gorgeous Italian walnut with brass sabots and p...
Brass
Set of 7 Gio Ponti Modular Hexagonal Coffee Tables, ISA Bergamo, Italy, 1950s
By Gio Ponti, ISA Bergamo
Located in The Hague, NL
This very rare set of modular coffee tables was designed by Gio Ponti and produced by ISA Bergamo in Italy in the 1950s. Each table is marked with a metal manufacturers tag 'ISA'. T...
Iron
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
$7,000Sale Price|20% Off
Gio Ponti Tomaso Buzzi Sofa
By Tomaso Buzzi, Gio Ponti
Located in Red Lion, PA
Truly beautiful one of a kind authorized copy of Gio Ponti and Tomaso Buzzi 1930 Sofa. Walnut frame upholstered in satin silk. Manifactured by Carpani F.ll inc Literature: Mobili De...
Satin, Silk, Walnut
Rare Early Gio Ponti Chair, Giordano Chiesa, Italy, 1950s
By Gio Ponti
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
Rare Gio Ponti Model armchair, Italy, 1950s. Manufactured by Giordano Chiesa, Milan, Italy. Ash and new green velvet fabric. Fast shipping worldwide.
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
Gio Ponti Model 811 armchair made of walnut and rubber, Cassina, Italy, 1957
By Gio Ponti, Figli di Amadeo Cassina
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
$341Sale Price|20% Off
Gio Ponti Fratelli Calderoni
By Calderoni, Gio Ponti
Located in Lugo, IT
Single-flower silver alpaca vase by Gio Ponti for Calderoni. Photo conditions Thanks
Alpaca
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 Sofa Mod. 803 by Cassina, 1950s Fabric Upholstery
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
8-pointed star Arredoluce Monza Gio Ponti 6 pieces London Hotel Authenticated
By Gio Ponti
Located in Roma, IT
Wall or ceiling lamp made in 1959 by Arredoluce Monza based on a design by Giò Ponti. Some 24 lamps were commissioned, including 6 5-pointed Stars, Six Small Suns, Six Large Suns and...
Brass
Gio Ponti F.A. 33 Wall Mirror Polished Brass 54 x 80 cm for GUBI
By Gio Ponti, Gubi
Located in New York, NY
The F.A. 33 Wall Mirror was originally designed by the legendary Italian architect and designer Gio Ponti in 1933 for FontanaArte, the renowned lamp, glass, and mirror manufacturer h...
Brass
Gio Ponti Venini Murano Glass Bottle Morandiana Series 1960s
By Venini, Gio Ponti
Located in Paris, IDF
Rare Gio Ponti bottle for Venini designed in the 1950s from the Morandiana series. This example is a 1960s edition, acid-etched venini murano italia signature under the base, origina...
Glass
$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
$2,588Sale Price|20% Off
Molteni&C D.552.2 Rosewood Coffee Table by Gio Ponti
By Gio Ponti, Molteni & C
Located in Boston, MA
With a triangular shape and intriguing intersection of wood and glass, this distinctive coffee table will invite conversation. Reminiscent of a airplane propeller, the geometry of th...
Glass, Rosewood
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
Gio Ponti 1940s Wooden Armchairs, Upholstered in Blue Fabric
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...
Fabric, Wood
Gio Ponti Fato Artemide Italian Design White Table Lamp 1967
By Gio Ponti, Artemide
Located in Brescia, IT
White square frame with folded geometric metal forms creating light and dark Iconic light object and a beautiful lamp. First production Fato lamp designed by Gio Ponti and produced ...
Metal
Gio Ponti Set of Twelve Superleggera Chairs for Cassina, Italy, 1957
By Figli di Amadeo Cassina, Gio Ponti
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
A set of twelve Superleggera chairs, meticulously restored in aniline black paint.. The original woven straw seats have been replaced with new meticulously crafted seats, maintaining...
Straw, Ash
Gio Ponti for Singer & Sons Bench
By M. Singer & Sons, Gio Ponti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
For your consideration is this Mid-Century Modern bench designed by legendary Italian architect and designer, Gio Ponti, for Singer & Sons, circa 1950s. This rare piece showcases Pon...
Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
Gio Ponti Style Italian Mid-Century Walnut and Damask Curved Back Armchair
By Gio Ponti
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Mid-Century Walnut armchair with a curved wingback form and tapering atomic style armrests with beige damask upholstery on the seat and back (style of GIO PONTI)
Damask
Art Glass Bottle Morandiana by Gio Ponti for Venini Murano
By Paolo Venini, Gio Ponti
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Art Glass Bottle Morandiana by Gio Ponti for Venini Murano A vintage glass bottle in transparent green glass with blue stopper and a blue base fused in incalmo technique. Designed b...
Art Glass
Gio Ponti 646 "Leggera" Dining Chair for Cassina, Blue Velvet, 1952
By Cassina, Gio Ponti
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gio Ponti 646 “Leggera” Dining Chair for Cassina, Blue Velvet, Italy, 1952 The 646 “Leggera” is one of Gio Ponti’s most enduring chair designs—an icon defined by Cassina’s refined w...
Rope, Ash
Gio Ponti for Arredoluce Rare Sole Flush Mount Ceiling Light, Italy, 1950s
By Arredoluce, Gio Ponti
Located in New York, NY
Gio Ponti for Arredoluce rare original 'Sole' flush mount ceiling light with brass structure and central round plexiglass or acrylic diffuser, Italy, circa 1957. This iconic moderni...
Metal, Brass
Gio Ponti 646 "Leggera" Dining Chairs for Cassina, Green Velvet, 1952, Set of 4
By Cassina, Gio Ponti
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gio Ponti 646 “Leggera” dining chair for Cassina, green velvet, Italy, 1952, set of four The 646 “Leggera” is one of Gio Ponti’s most enduring chair designs—an icon defined by Cassi...
Velvet, Ash
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
Gio Ponti “Franco Pozzi” Ceramic Wall Decoration, 1967, Italy
By Gio Ponti
Located in Milano, IT
Gio Ponti ceramic.
Ceramic