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Gio Ponti Boxes

Italian, 1891-1979

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.

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Creator: Gio Ponti
Gio Ponti Ceramic Box for Richard Ginori San Cristoforo, Italy, 1927
By Richard-Ginori San Cristoforo, Richard Ginori, Gio Ponti
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...
Category

1920s Italian Art Deco Vintage Gio Ponti Boxes

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Gio Ponti & Pietro Chiesa, Unique Cigars Box, Fontana Arte, Italy, 1930
By Fontana Arte, Gio Ponti, Pietro Chiesa
Located in Firenze, IT
Unique piece. “Grissinato” turned wood box with decorated blue crystal, blue corrugated crystal lid, hand-decorated. “Pipe smoking man” decoration. Designed by masters Gio Ponti &...
Category

1930s Italian Art Deco Vintage Gio Ponti Boxes

Materials

Crystal, Brass

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Gio Ponti rare model Le Mie Terre vase manufactured by Richard-Ginori
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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...
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Gio Ponti for Richard Ginori Vase in Terracotta and Gold, 1930s
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Gio Ponti for Richard Ginori vase in terracotta and gold, Italy, 1930s. It is a wonderful little gem, this vase designed by Gio Ponti and made by Richard Ginori in the 1930s. Great simple design and beautiful contrast between the terracotta and the gold. Part of a series of terracotta and gold bowls...
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Early 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Gio Ponti Boxes

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Art Deco Gio Ponti Planter for Richard Ginori Italy
By Richard Ginori, Gio Ponti
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...
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Art Deco Gio Ponti Planter for Richard Ginori Italy
Art Deco Gio Ponti Planter for Richard Ginori Italy
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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.
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1940s Italian Other Vintage Gio Ponti Boxes

Materials

Ceramic

Box by Fontana Arte, Wood and Glass, 1940s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Brussels, BE
Box by Fontana Arte, Wood and Glass, 1940s
Category

1940s Vintage Gio Ponti Boxes

Materials

Glass, Wood

Box by Fontana Arte, Wood and Glass, 1940s
Box by Fontana Arte, Wood and Glass, 1940s
$3,953
H 5.52 in W 7.88 in D 7.88 in
Pietro Chiesa per Fontana Arte cornice portafoto n. 1370
By Fontana Arte, Pietro Chiesa
Located in Palermo, IT
Eleganza senza tempo racchiusa in un set di cornici portafoto disegnate da Pietro Chiesa per Fontana arte. mod 1370\1 composto da una fascia in ottone, che nella sua curvatura manti...
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20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Gio Ponti Boxes

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Brass

Vintage Richard Ginori Porcelain Jewelry Box
By Richard Ginori
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful vintage Italian porcelain jewelry box with flower rose detail, by designer Richard Ginori, circa mid-20th century, Italy. Box has a beautiful, detailed gold rose flower a...
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Mid-20th Century Italian Gio Ponti Boxes

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Porcelain

Vintage Richard Ginori Porcelain Jewelry Box
Vintage Richard Ginori Porcelain Jewelry Box
$475
H 2.94 in W 2.82 in D 2.82 in
Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte blue mirror jewellery box 1940
By Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte
Located in Paris, IDF
A beautiful Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte jewellery box made in Italy in the early 1940s. Carved from walnut wood, with a beautiful blue mirrored crystal covering the box, finished ...
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1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gio Ponti Boxes

Materials

Mirror

Italian Richard Ginori Jewelry Box Milano
By Richard Ginori
Located in New York, NY
An early Italian jewelry box, Modern design, by designer Richard Ginori, made in Milano, Italy, circa early-20th century. Marked 'Milano' on original label underside lid, and marked 'Richard Ginori', 'Made in Italy' on underside base, as well as 'decorazione a mano' (hand decoration), all shown in images. Box is square with modern soft lines, rounded corners (top and base), graduated base. Gold detail, dahlia flower and leaf design on top lid, sides, and inside, finished with a gold line detail on lid and base. For other items shown search 1stDibs ref. #s: Opal cocktail ring search 1stDibs ref. #: LU4068223876302 French porcelain box, search 1stDibs ref. #: LU1314243500852 Cartier coffee...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Modern Gio Ponti Boxes

Materials

Ceramic

Italian Richard Ginori Jewelry Box Milano
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$243 Sale Price
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H 1.38 in W 2.82 in D 2.82 in
Gio’ Ponti “ Richard Ginori” Vase Ceramic 1929 Italy
By Gio Ponti
Located in Milano, IT
Gio’ Ponti vase ceramic 1929 Italy. Mark . San Cristoforo - RICHARD GINORI - Made in Italy
Category

1920s Italian Art Deco Vintage Gio Ponti Boxes

Materials

Ceramic

1940s Italian Wood and Glass Box by Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte
By Pietro Chiesa, Fontana Arte
Located in London, London
This elegant trinket box by Fontana Arte, showcases a refined design that combines luxurious materials and minimalist aesthetics. The base of the box is crafted from rich wood, which...
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Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Gio Ponti Boxes

Materials

Glass, Wood

Fontana Arte Mod. 2004 Box
By Fontana Arte
Located in Milan, IT
Fontana Arte Mod. 2004 box.
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gio Ponti Boxes

Materials

Metal

Fontana Arte Mod. 2004 Box
Fontana Arte Mod. 2004 Box
$3,354 Sale Price
20% Off
H 3.15 in Dm 8.27 in
Previously Available Items
Gio Ponti Design Apple-Shaped Box for Christofle, 1960s
By Christofle, Gio Ponti
Located in Bagnolo Mella, Brescia
This exquisite piece showcases Ponti's timeless design aesthetic and the unparalleled craftsmanship of Christofle. The box features a charming apple shape, embodying Ponti's whimsic...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gio Ponti Boxes

Materials

Metal, Silver Plate

Gio Ponti for Richard Ginori Italian Porcelain Box Serie “Trionfo Italiano”
By Richard Ginori, Gio Ponti
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Italian porcelain box designed by Gio Ponti for Richard Ginori Italy, “Trionfo Italiano” series, signed below, 1990s Original cardboard box.
Category

1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gio Ponti Boxes

Materials

Porcelain

Gio Ponti Pewter Box for Nino Ferrari, Italy, 1940s
By Nino Ferrari, Gio Ponti
Located in Milan, IT
Gio Ponti pewter box for Nino Ferrari, Italy 1940s.
Category

1940s Italian Art Deco Vintage Gio Ponti Boxes

Materials

Pewter

Gio Ponti Lidded Box
By Richard Ginori, Gio Ponti
Located in New York, NY
Lidded box by Gio Ponti for Richard Ginori. Square-shaped porcelain box with lid. Glazed in red and black with palm frond motif. Signed and date...
Category

1930s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gio Ponti Boxes

Gio Ponti Lidded Box
Gio Ponti Lidded Box
H 4.5 in W 3.5 in D 3.5 in

Gio Ponti boxes for sale on 1stDibs.

Gio Ponti boxes are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. Many of the original boxes by Gio Ponti were created in the Art Deco style in italy during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider boxes by and Salimbeni. Prices for Gio Ponti boxes can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $10,012 and can go as high as $11,112, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $10,562.

Creators Similar to Gio Ponti

Questions About Gio Ponti Boxes
  • 1stDibs ExpertJanuary 10, 2025
    Gio Ponti was famous for his work as an architect, furniture and industrial designer and editor. He 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. On 1stDibs, explore a collection of Gio Ponti furniture.

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