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.
Pair of Exceptionally Rare Candlestick Holders designed by Gio Ponti for Ginori
By Gio Ponti, Richard Ginori
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a pair of striking, very rare candlestick holders designed by Gio Ponti in 1927 for Richard Ginori. Candlesticks are done in white ceramics with details...
Gold Leaf
Gio Ponti for Richard Ginori Vintage Porcelain Athletic Dishes
By Richard Ginori
Located in New York, NY
Set of two Gio Ponti for Ginori athletic dishes. Vintage Richard Ginori shaped nut dishes/ small saucers from the athletic series designed by Gio Ponti featuring a lithe male diver a...
Porcelain
$2,075 / set
H 5.5 in W 1.5 in D 3.15 in
Pierre Forssell “Bow” Candlestick Pair – Rare Brass Design for Skultuna, Sweden
By Skultuna, Pierre Forssell
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pierre Forssell “Bow” Candlestick Pair – Rare Brass Design for Skultuna, Sweden A rare and striking pair of brass “Bow” candlesticks, designed by renowned Swedish metalsmith Pierre...
Brass
Gio Ponti for Richard Ginori Vase in Terracotta and Gold, 1930s
By Gio Ponti, Richard Ginori
Located in Tilburg, NL
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...
Pottery
Vintage Scandinavian Design Candlestick Holder
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Immerse your space in the timeless charm of this Vintage Scandinavian Design Candlestick Holder. Hailing from the mid-20th century, thi...
Metal
$750 / set
H 9.5 in W 8.5 in D 4 in
Pair of Chrome 'Taurex' Candlestick Holders by Walter Von Nessen for Chase
By Chase Brass and Copper Company
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of chrome candle holders by Walter Von Nessen for Chase Brass and Copper Company of Connecticut, c.1930s, USA. The pair of Art Deco candle sticks feature a "J" shaped stem. The ...
Chrome
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
$9,500
H 10 in W 8.2 in D 6.2 in
Gio Ponti Ceramic Sculpture" Il Pellegrino Stanco" for Richard Ginori, Milano
By Richard Ginori, Gio Ponti
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
$2,500 / set
H 10 in W 5.5 in D 5 in
Pair of Vintage Polished Brass Tubular Candleholders in the Style of Gio Ponti
By Gio Ponti
Located in New York, NY
Pair of vintage polished brass tubular candleholders in the style of Gio Ponti. Elegant cascading design candleholders for 8 candles with 3/4" diameter base. Aging and tarnishing on ...
Brass
Four Brass Tubular Candlesticks in the Style of Gio Ponti
By Gio Ponti
Located in New York, NY
Lush and gold is this set of fours brass tubular candlesticks in the manner of Gio Ponti. There are two large and two smaller ones and each one is slightly different. The large one...
Brass
$274Sale Price|20% Off
H 10.63 in W 2.76 in D 2.37 in
20th Century Italian Sculptural Vase in the Style of Gio Ponti for Krupp
By Gio Ponti
Located in Milano, IT
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Italian vase/pen holder, made in chromed metal and designed in the style of Gio Ponti for Krupp. The three pipes have different lenghts, and can each hold ...
Metal, Steel
$11,422
H 4.53 in W 3.31 in D 2.92 in
Gio Ponti Ceramic Box for Richard Ginori San Cristoforo, Italy, 1927
By Richard-Ginori San Cristoforo, Gio Ponti, Richard Ginori
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
$8,000 / set
H 7.49 in Dm 5.91 in
Gio Ponti for Richard Ginori, Celesio e Alato pair of cachepot handpainted
By Gio Ponti
Located in Milano, MI
Very rare pair of Gio Ponti by Richard Ginori " Celesio and Alato" cachepot in ceramic, Pubblished on " Catalogo ceramiche moderne d'arte Richard Ginori, Milano, 1930 pg. 49" mod. 78...
Porcelain
Pair of Metal Standing Candlestick Holders / Candelabra
Located in North Bergen, NJ
Stunning pair of metal standing candlestick holders. With ornate details and very stylish base.
Set of 3 Brutalist style Candlestick Holders Cage Design
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Introducing our set of 3 rugged Brutalist-style cast bronze cages—a perfect fusion of industrial charm and ambient lighting. Meticulously crafted in the shape of riveted strap iron c...
Bronze
Gio Ponti Style Modernist Brass Stacked Tubular Candlestick
By (After) Gio Ponti
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Polished brass candlestick composed of alternating heights of tubular elements.
Brass
1950s Gio Ponti "Cornucopia" Candelabra for Christophle France, Stamped
By Christofle, Gio Ponti
Located in Miami, FL
1950s Gio Ponti "Cornucopia" Candelabra for Christophle France, Stamped Offered for sale is a Gio Ponti 1950s designed silverplate candelabra for Christophle France. This elegant ca...
Silver Plate
Gio Ponti Candlestick by Christofle Silver Plate, France 1970s
By Gio Ponti, Christofle
Located in München, BY
Stunning Gio Ponti candlestick, made by Christofle, France, 1960s Mid-century modern candlestick with two curved arms. Designed by Gio Ponti in...
Silver Plate
Pair of Gio Ponti Silverplated Candelabra for Christofle
By Christofle, Gio Ponti
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Gio Ponti Silverplated Candelabra for Christofle Italy/France, design circa 1935, these examples executed late 20th century a superb pair of silver-plated candelabra desi...
Silver Plate
Sold
H 7.49 in W 3.94 in D 11.82 in
Midcentury modern brass plated onyx candlesticks holder by Gio Ponti Italy 1950s
By Gio Ponti
Located in Nicolosi, IT
Midcentury modern brass plated onyx candlesticks holder by Gio Ponti Italy 1950s This elegant pair of candlesticks, designed by Gio Ponti in the 1950s, embodies the sophistication of...
Onyx, Metal, Brass
Giò Ponti Mid-Century Silver Metal Candlestick or Vase for Sabattini, Italy
By Gio Ponti, Lino Sabattini
Located in Asti, Piemonte
Silver Metal candlestick or articulated flower vase designed by Giò Ponti for Sabattini in 1956. Signed.
Metal
Giò Ponti, Silver Plate Candlestick, Sabattini, Italy
By Gio Ponti, Lino Sabattini
Located in Asti, Piemonte
Silver plate candlestick designed by Giò Ponti for Sabattini Italy in 1956. Signed.
Silver Plate
Gio Ponti for Christofle Pair of Flèche Candelabra
By Gio Ponti
Located in New York, NY
Silver plated candelabra designed in 1926 by Gio Ponti for Christofle and reissued in late 20th century in an edition of 200. Stamped design '...
Silver
Gio Ponti Silver Plated Candelabra for Christofle Stamped
By Gio Ponti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a master design for the well known Italian designer Gio Ponti. This Candelabra expands like an accordion and can be used in different lengths.
Silver Plate
Sold
H 7.33 in W 12.6 in D 4.73 in
Gio Ponti for Christofle Silver Plated Candelabra or Vase, Pompei 1957
By Gio Ponti
Located in Antwerp, BE
Pompei, a seven lights candelabra or flower holder designed by Gio Ponti for Christofle in original case. Artist: Gio Ponti. Maker: Chri...
Metal