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.
Sideboard in Wood and Glass by Gio Ponti 1950s
By Gio Ponti
Located in Cascina, Pisa
Gio Ponti large sideboard in wood with two sliding doors in glass, Italian manufacture from the 1950s. The sideboard comes with the Gio Ponti archives certificate. Gio Ponti (Milan...
Glass, Wood
Bilia Table Lamp Designed by Gio Ponti in 1931 for Fontana Arte
By Gio Ponti, Fontana Arte
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A cone and a sphere: two essential, recognizable geometric shapes. An unpretentious composition, enriched by the extraordinary balance of its proportions and the stylish discretion o...
Metal
Pirellone Floor Lamp by Gio Ponti for Fontana Arte, 1967
By Gio Ponti
Located in Brussels, BE
Pirellone floor lamp by Gio Ponti for Fontana Arte, 1967.
Glass
20th Century, Gio Ponti for Arthur Krupp Cutlery Set "Bear Line"
By Art.Krupp Berndorf, Gio Ponti
Located in Torino, Piemonte
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...
Stainless Steel
Gio Ponti, Low side table, Prod. Giordano Chiesa, early 1950s
By Giordano Chiesa, Gio Ponti
Located in Rivoli, IT
Particular coffee table designed by Gio Ponti in the very early 1950s and produced by Giordano Chiesa with different finishes depending on the commission It appears in the offices of...
Glass, Wood
Oak coffee or side table attributed to Gio Ponti for Isa Bergamo, Italy, 1954s
By Gio Ponti, ISA Bergamo
Located in Paris, FR
Rare oak and iron coffee or side table attributed to Gio Ponti, probably manufactured by ISA Bergamo, around 1954 . 38 cm x 60 cm x 52 cm . In good vintage condition, two snags and t...
Steel
Gio Ponti Art Deco Carved Walnut Full Length Beveled Wall Mirror 1930s
By Gio Ponti
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Gio Ponti, with probable production by Il Labrinto, rare and important full length wall mirror, Italy, 1930s. Executed in richly figured walnut, the frame is surmounted b...
Brass
Gio Ponti 646 "Leggera" Dining Chairs for Cassina, 1952, Set of 2
By Gio Ponti, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gio Ponti 646 "Leggera" dining chairs for Cassina, black ash-wood and rope seat, Italy, 1952, set of two The model 646 "Leggera" is an icon of chair design and of Cassina’s masterfu...
Rope, Ash
$22,000
Cocktail Table by Gio Ponti
By Gio Ponti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Low hourglass table by Gio Ponti with original green glass top. Made in Milan circa 1940s. Includes a certificate of authenticity from the Gio Po...
Glass, Oak
Pair of “Quadro di Luce” Table Lamps by Gio Ponti for Pollice, Italy, 1960s
By Gio Ponti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed by Gio Ponti for Pollice, this rare pair of "Quadro di Luce" table lamps exemplifies Ponti’s poetic approach to light as an architectural element. Each lamp is conceived as ...
Metal, Brass
Mid Century table by Gio Ponti for ISA, Bergarmo.
By Gio Ponti
Located in London, GB
Stylish, simple table designed by the Italian Design Master Gio ponti for ISA, Bergarmo. Gio Ponti designed this particular coffee table for his friend and editor Aldo Garzanti who d...
Oak
Gio Ponti “Franco Pozzi” Ceramic Wall Decoration, 1967, Italy
By Gio Ponti
Located in Milano, IT
Gio Ponti ceramic.
Ceramic
$7,000Sale Price|20% Off
Gio Ponti Tomaso Buzzi Sofa
By Gio Ponti, Tomaso Buzzi
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
Armchair Biancamano in Rattan by Gio Ponti
By Gio Ponti
Located in Berlin, BE
Armchair Biancamano in rattan by Gio Ponti 1950s Gio Ponti & Lio Carminati 'Biancamano' rattan chair for Bonacina. Additional information: Material: Rattan Artist: Gio Ponti Size: ...
Wicker
Fato White Metal Table or Wall Lamp by Gio Ponti for Artemide, Italy, 1970s
By Artemide, Gio Ponti
Located in Vicenza, IT
Designed by Italian architect Gio Ponti for Artemide in the late 1960s, the Fato lamp embodies the refined geometry and sculptural minimalism that define mid-century Italian design. ...
Metal
Gio Ponti 646 "Leggera" Dining Chairs for Cassina, Blue Velvet, 1952, Set of 4
By Cassina, Gio Ponti
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gio Ponti 646 “Leggera” dining chairs for Cassina, blue velvet, Italy, 1952, set of 4 The 646 “Leggera” is one of Gio Ponti’s most enduring chair designs—an icon defined by Cassina’...
Rope, Ash
Gio Ponti “Sabattini “ La luna Strega Silver Metal 1978 Italy
By Gio Ponti
Located in Milano, IT
Sabattini Gio Ponti sculture.
Silver Plate
Gio Ponti Directional Desk for Egidio Proserpio, 1955
By Egidio Proserpio, Gio Ponti
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gio Ponti Directional Desk for Egidio Proserpio, sapele, Italy, 1955 Executed by Egidio Proserpio in Barzanò, the “Directional” desk by Gio Ponti translates architectural precision ...
Sapele Wood
Pirellone Floor Lamp by Gio Ponti, Brass and Glass, Italy, 1967
By Gio Ponti
Located in Toronto, CA
The Pirellone floor lamp by prolific Italian architect and designer Gio Ponti (1891 – 1979) is a column-like form that emits a warm ambient light. Released in 1967, it stands six fee...
Brass, Nickel
Biana Giò Ponti Ceramic Soup Bowl for Richard Ginori, made in Italy, 1935
By Gio Ponti, Richard Ginori
Located in Palermo, IT
Soup tureen with lid designed by Gio Ponti and Giuseppe Sciolli for Richard Ginori around 1935. Made of white ceramic, it depicts scenes of Mediterranean houses. The object features ...
Ceramic
Gio Ponti Set of Two Hexagonal Coffee Tables in Wood and Metal I.S.A. 1950s
By I.S.A. Italy, Gio Ponti
Located in Cascina, Pisa
Set of two hexagonal coffee tables with legs in painted metal and wooden/laminate top, designed by Gio Ponti and produced by ISA, 1950s, Italy, Literature: Fabio Fioroni, Alessandra ...
Metal
Gio Ponti 646 "Leggera" Dining Chairs for Cassina, 1952, Set of 10
By Gio Ponti, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gio Ponti 646 "Leggera" dining chairs for Cassina, black ash-wood and rope seat, Italy, 1952, set of ten. The Gio Ponti 646 "Leggera" dining chairs, de...
Rope, Ash
pair of GIO PONTI laminate wall cupboard doors with mirrors Hotel PdP Rome, 1964
By Gio Ponti
Located in Rome, IT
pair of GIO PONTI wall cupboard doors, wardrobe, from the original furniture of the Hotel Parco dei Principi in Rome, 1964 ash, formica-laminate- mirror green-blu formica-laminate on the cover and white formica on the verso manufactured by dassi Lissone Measures: height:175cm, 135 x 3 cm very good condition Provenance: this item coming directly from the original furniture of the Hotel PdP copy of original invoice of the Parco dei principi Hotel is available on request Literature: Gio Ponti l’arte si innamora dell’industria-Ugo La Pietra pp 365,367 -Ugo La Pietra, Gio Ponti, New York, 1996, p. 373 -Fabrizio Mautone- Gio Ponti La committenza Fernandes, Electa Napoli 2009,pg 153 Exhibitions ( a similar example): -CENTOVENTI GIO’ PONTI designer...
Mirror, Formica, Ash
$3,024 / item
Luna Orizzontale by Gio Ponti for Tato
By Gio Ponti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gio Ponti was a prolific artist whose work spanned many mediums. For the Triennale exhibition in 1957 the Milanese architect and designer built a prefabricated house and filled it wi...
Brass, Stainless Steel
Gio Ponti Walnut Commode for Singer & Sons
By Gio Ponti
Located in San Francisco, CA
Gio Ponti design four-drawer walnut commode for Singer & Sons, Italy. The legs had been reduced in height so I had them professionally remade in the exact size and shape. The case an...
Walnut
Gio Ponti's blond wood coffee table
By Gio Ponti
Located in Milano, IT
COD-2744 Gio Ponti (1891-1979) A blond wood coffee table with three shaped spokes with tapered legs and brass tips, a thick cut crystal top with an elliptical triangular shape. Ita...
Wood
GIO PONTI, Exceptionnal brass and glass shelf, Circa 1939
By Gio Ponti
Located in Paris, FR
Exceptionnal brass and glass shelf, featuring five supported wooden shelves held by two glass blades at the ends, all securely connected and fixed by brass screws. The glass is engr...
Brass
Set of 10 Gio Ponti 699 Superleggera by Cassina in Black
By Gio Ponti, Cassina
Located in Berlin, DE
Set of 10 Gio Ponti 699 Superleggera by Cassina in black Manufactured since 1957, the Superleggera wood chair is the rare combination of the architec...
Cane, Ash
Rare set of six chairs by Gio Ponti model 504 circa 1943
By Gio Ponti, Cassina
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Très rare série de chaises dites 504 par Gio Ponti pour Cassina. Certificat du comité Ponti.
Fabric, Walnut
Gio Ponti 646 "Leggera" Dining Chairs for Cassina, Blue Velvet, 1952, Set of 2
By Cassina, Gio Ponti
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gio Ponti 646 “Leggera” dining chairs for Cassina, blue velvet, Italy, 1952, set of 2 The 646 “Leggera” is one of Gio Ponti’s most enduring chair designs—an icon defined by Cassina’...
Rope, Ash
Gio Ponti, "La Bevuta" tile, Prod. RICHARD-GINORI SAN CRISTOFORO, 1930
By Richard Ginori, Gio Ponti
Located in Rivoli, IT
"La bevuta" tile (model 371, decoration 598T) by Gio Ponti, made by Richard Ginori Hand-decorated pottery, wooden frame. Marked "Richard-ginori San Cristoforo Milano made in Italy" a...
Ceramic
Gio Ponti Set of Eight Hexagonal Coffee Tables in Wood and Metal I.S.A. 1950s
By I.S.A. Italy, Gio Ponti
Located in Cascina, Pisa
Set of eight hexagonal coffee tables with legs in painted metal and wooden/laminate top, designed by Gio Ponti and produced by ISA, 1950s, Italy, Literature: Fabio Fioroni, Alessandr...
Metal
Gio Ponti 646 "Leggera" Dining Chairs for Cassina, Blue Velvet, 1952, Set of 6
By Cassina, Gio Ponti
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gio Ponti 646 “Leggera” dining chairs for Cassina, blue velvet, Italy, 1952, set of 6 The 646 “Leggera” is one of Gio Ponti’s most enduring chair designs—an icon defined by Cassina’...
Rope, Ash
Italian Design Classic Gio Ponti, Leggera Chair for Cassina, 1970s
By Cassina, Gio Ponti
Located in Renens, CH
The 646 Leggera chair is an iconic design created by the renowned Italian architect and designer Gio Ponti; designed in 1952, this chair is celebrated for its lightweight and elegan...
Fabric, Ash
Gio Ponti 646 "Leggera" Dining Chairs for Cassina, 1952, Set of 4
By Gio Ponti, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gio Ponti 646 "Leggera" dining chairs for Cassina, black ash-wood and rope seat, Italy, 1952, set of four. The Gio Ponti 646 "Leggera" dining chairs, d...
Rope, Ash
Gio Ponti Mid-Century Modern Ashwood Leggera 646 Italian Chairs, 1950s
By Gio Ponti
Located in Madrid, ES
Mid-century chairs model "Leggera 646" designed by Gio Ponti for Cassina. Made of solid ashwood structure with original upholstery. Discover the timeless ...
Wood, Upholstery
Carlo De Carli and Gio Ponti pair of Mod.802 armchairs covered in padded fabric
By Gio Ponti
Located in Milano, IT
Carlo De Carli, Gio Ponti Pair of Mod.802 armchairs covered in padded fabric. Designed in 1954, they were made in a variant with brass feet for the Italian Cultural Institute in Sto...
Fabric
Large, hand-blown ceiling lamp by Gio Ponti for Paolo Venini, 1950s
By Gio Ponti
Located in Purkersdorf, AT
One and only large Venini ceiling light in excellent condition. Design by Gio Ponti for the Palace Hotel in Bari, Italy. Largest Venini model 99.41; Authenticity confirmed from the V...
Brass
$3,348 / item
Luna Verticale by Gio Ponti for Tato
By Gio Ponti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gio Ponti was a prolific artist whose work spanned many mediums. For the Triennale exhibition in 1957 the Milanese architect and designer built a prefabricated house and filled it wi...
Brass, Stainless Steel
Gio Ponti Ninfea Folding Chairs in Wood and White Fabric by Reguitti 1960s Italy
By Gio Ponti, Fratelli Reguitti
Located in Cascina, Pisa
A Ninfea (or Pieghevole Ninfea) folding lounge chair with a structure in the wood, seat, and back in woven white fabric and brass hinges. The Ninfea chair...
Brass
Gio Ponti Model 116 Dining Chair for Singer and Sons Produced By Giordano Chiesa
By Giordano Chiesa, Gio Ponti
Located in Coronado, CA
This Gio Ponti Model 116 chair was produced in the 1950s by Giordano Chiesa for Singer and Sons cabinet shops in New York City. We had this piece lovingly restored and upholstered in...
Leather, Walnut
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 Side Table for Fondazione Garzanti di Forlì, 1950
By Gio Ponti
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gio Ponti Side Table for Fondazione Garzanti di Forlì, wood, Italy, 1950 Designed in 1950 by Gio Ponti for the Fondazione Garzanti di Forlì, this side table embodies the designer’s ...
Wood
$10,457Sale Price / set|25% Off
pair of GIO PONTI armchairs white velvet brass feet for private residence 1955
By Gio Ponti
Located in Rome, IT
elegant pair of Gio Ponti armchairs probably a unique pieces from a private residence in Arenzano, Genova, Italy 1955 from the same residence other important items designed by Gio...
Brass
Gio Ponti Ceramic Box for Richard Ginori San Cristoforo, Italy, 1927
By Gio Ponti, Richard Ginori, Richard-Ginori San Cristoforo
Located in Malmö, SE
A glazed and hand painted porcelain box and cover with figural serpent finial. Model no. 5709, 'The passions of man'. Designed by Gio Ponti for Richard Ginori, Milan, Italy, circa 1...
Ceramic, Porcelain
Set of 5 decorated Richard-Ginori Italian ceramics - 1930s
By Richard Ginori, Gio Ponti
Located in Vicenza, VI
Set of five ceramics produced by Richard Ginori in the 1930s-40s, during the artistic direction of Giò Ponti. The pieces belong to the Art Deco taste and feature a decoration with a ...
Ceramic
Wood Desk by Antonio Fornaroli, Gio Ponti, and Alberto Roselli for Rima, 1956
By Studio PFR ( Ponti Fornaroli Rosselli ), Alberto Rosselli Saporiti, Antonio Fornaroli, Gio Ponti, RIMA
Located in New York City, NY
Ponti, Fornarolli and Roselli worked together on architecture and design as Studio PFR between 1952 - 1976. This desk is from a series of furniture that they designed for Rima Padua....
Steel
Gio Ponti 699 “Superleggera” Dining Chairs for Cassina, 1957, Set of 12
By Cassina, Gio Ponti
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gio Ponti 699 “Superleggera” Dining Chairs for Cassina, Ash and Rope, Italy, 1957, Set of twelve. In 1957 the Italian furniture manufacturer Amedeo Cassina added a new dining chair ...
Rope, Wood, Ash
Altamira Catalog Circa 1956
By Altamira, Gio Ponti
Located in New York, NY
Mid-1950’s catalog for the fabled Altamira design center, located at 18 E 50th St in New York City, one of the top U.S. venues for high-end Italian design. Altamira commissioned a li...
Paper
Italian Design Classic - Gio Ponti, Superleggera Chair for Cassina, 1960s
By Gio Ponti, Cassina
Located in Renens, CH
The “699 Superleggera” chair is an iconic design created by the renowned Italian architect and designer Gio Ponti. Designed in 1957, this chair is celebrated for its lightweight (ju...
Mohair, Ash
Walnut, Glass, and Brass Console Table Designed by Gio Ponti
By Gio Ponti
Located in Stamford, CT
A walnut console table designed by Gio Ponti. Having a grid etched into the glass top with ribbed legs terminating in brass sabot. Designed for the "F.A. home" in Palermo. Produced i...
Walnut
pair Gio Ponti Black Lacquered Side Tables from Hotel Royal, Naples, 1955
By Gio Ponti, Giordano Chiesa
Located in Rome, IT
Pair of luggage-racks, side tables designed by Gio Ponti and executed by Giordano Chiesa for Hotel Royal, Naples 1955 in 2005 arch. Cristina Longo used original items from Hotel Roy...
Brass
Banca Nazionale Del Lavoro Desk by Gio Ponti, circa 1950
By Gio Ponti
Located in London, England
This classic, elegant design by Gio Ponti employs his distinctive tapering edges and legs to great effect, liberating the ponderous lines of preceding decades and expressing the lift...
Walnut
Mid Century Modern Gio Ponti Silver Plated Coffee Pot Arthur Krupp Italy 1930
By Gio Ponti, Arthur Krupp
Located in Palermo, PA
This iconic Italian coffee pot was designed by Gio Ponti for Arthur Krupp and is a beautiful example of his timeless approach to functional design. ...
Metal, Silver Plate
$1,480Sale Price|20% Off
Gio Ponti Superleggera Side Chair model 646 Italy 1957 Mid Century
By Gio Ponti
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a Vintage Superleggera Side Chair by Gio Ponti, model 646, Italy circa 1957 Ash wood and cane. Dimensions: 32.5 h x 16 d x 15.75 w Seat h 18 Preowned restor...
Wood
Pair of Wall Light Sconces by Gio Ponti, Italy, 1970s
By Gio Ponti
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
Exceptional pair of Italian wall sconces designed by Gio Ponti. Featuring sculptural arrangements of polished chrome tubes, these fixtures reflect Ponti’s signature balance of modern...
Chrome
Gio Ponti Richard Ginori Vase Ceramic Gold Red, 1940, Italy
By Gio Ponti
Located in Milano, IT
Gio Ponti Richard Ginori vase ceramic gold red 1940 Italy.
Ceramic
Gio Ponti Rare Model 803 Version with Brass Feet Armchairs, New Light Gray Marl
By Gio Ponti
Located in Brussels, BE
Gio Ponti rare model 803 version with brass feet armchairs, new light gray marl upholstery.
Brass
Gio Ponti for M. Singer & Sons Sculpted Walnut & Travertine Coffee Table
By Gio Ponti
Located in Gladstone, NJ
Gio Ponti for M. Singer & Sons Sculpted Walnut & Travertine Coffee Table
Travertine
Italian Two-Seat Sofa in Red Corduroy Velvet by Grand Hotel Duomo Milano, 1950
By Gio Ponti, Melchiorre Bega
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian two-seat sofa in red corduroy velvet by Grand Hotel Duomo Milano, 1950s Extremely rare red corduroy sofa from fifties, coming from Grand Hote...
Velvet, Wood