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.
"Horned Mask" Gio Ponti by Sabattini Silver Plated 1970s Italian Design
By Gio Ponti
Located in Brescia, IT
"Horned Mask" Gio Ponti by Sabattini, 1978 Openwork metal sheet.
Metal
20th Century, Gio Ponti for De Poli Pair of Decorative Fish
By Paolo De Poli, 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...
Copper, Enamel
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
Gio Ponti Silver Metal Sculpture Model Hand 5 Fingers for Sabattini, Italy
By Lino Sabattini, Gio Ponti
Located in Asti, Piemonte
Silver metal model hand 5 fingers designed by Gio Ponti for Sabattini in 1978. Signed. Biography Architect, designer and artist, Gio Ponti (Milan 1891-1979) graduated in Milan in 19...
Metal
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
20th Century, Gio Ponti and Lino Sabattini Sculpture Maschera Cornuta, 1978
By Gio Ponti, Lino Sabattini
Located in Torino, Piemonte
Now thirty, Sabattini moved from Blevio to Milan, where he found a small laboratory with all the essential tools of his Craft. His contacts with “Domus” became more frequent. This be...
Metal
20th Century Gio Ponti and Lino Sabattini Sculpture Hands, 1978
By Lino Sabattini, Gio Ponti
Located in Torino, Piemonte
Now thirty, Sabattini moved from Blevio to Milan, where he found a small laboratory with all the essential tools of his Craft. His contacts with “Domus” became more frequent. This be...
Metal
Gio Ponti Hand Sculpture by Sabattini
By Lino Sabattini, Gio Ponti
Located in Chicago, IL
Gio Ponti Hand Sculpture by Sabattini Silver-Plated Metal made in Italy 1978 Dimensions: 13½ h × 3¾ w × 3¼ d in
Metal, Silver Plate
Gio Ponti for Argenteria Sabattini Italian Silver-Plated "Hand" Sculpture 1978
By Gio Ponti, Sabattini Argenteria
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Italian sculpture ‘Hand’ in silver-plated metal designed by Gio Ponti for Argenteria Sabattini in 1978 with the manufacturer’s mark and the author’s name engraved. Please note that ...
Silver Plate
Original 1978 Gio Ponti Hand Sculpture For Sabbatini *FREE WORLDWIDE DELIVERY
By Gio Ponti
Located in Portlaoise, IE
Considered by many as being one of the most important and influential designers and architects of the 20th century Acquired are delighted to offer for sale this original Gio Ponti ha...
Silver Plate
Sculpture "Horned Mask" Silvered Metal by Gio Ponti for Sabattini, Italy 1978
By Gio Ponti, Sabattini Argenteria, Lino Sabattini
Located in Rome, IT
Wonderful a silver metal sculpture of horned mask (Maschera Cornuta) designed by Gio Ponti for Sabattini. Made in Italy in the 1978.
Metal
20th Century Gio Ponti and Lino Sabattini Sculpture La Luna Strega, 1978
By Lino Sabattini, Gio Ponti
Located in Torino, Piemonte
Now thirty, Sabattini moved from Blevio to Milan, where he found a small laboratory with all the essential tools of his craft. His contacts with “Domus” became more frequent. This be...
Metal
Silvered Metal Sculpture "Ex Voto per il diavolo" by Gio Ponti for Sabattini
By Gio Ponti, Lino Sabattini
Located in Rome, IT
Silvered metal sculpture "Ex Voto Per Il Diavolo" by the Italian designer Gio Ponti for Sabattini. Made in Italy in 1978. Signed and dated with engraved manufacturer's mark to rev...
Metal, Steel
$5,440Sale Price|20% Off
Gio Ponti and Paolo de Poli Large Scale Diavolo Enamel Sculpture
By Paolo De Poli, Gio Ponti
Located in Dallas, TX
Devil's face enamel sculpture designed by Gio Ponti and produced by Paolo De Poli in Italy, 1956.
Copper, Enamel
20th Century Gio Ponti and Lino Sabattini Sculpture Diavolo, 1978
By Lino Sabattini, Gio Ponti
Located in Torino, Piemonte
Now thirty, Sabattini moved from Blevio to Milan, where he found a small laboratory with all the essential tools of his craft. His contacts with “Domus” became more frequent. This be...
Metal
Gio Ponti Design for "Manifattura Rossi" A Bucchero Female Nude Sculpture
By Gio Ponti
Located in CH
Carlo Alberto Rossi (Gubbio, 1903–1970), Manifattura Rossi Female Sculpture after a Gio Ponti Drawing Signed C. A. Rossi, Circa 1940 A remarkable female nude sculpture executed in B...
Ceramic
Silver Metal Sculpture Model Diavolo by Gio Ponti for Sabattini
By Gio Ponti, Lino Sabattini
Located in Asti, Piemonte
Sculpture depicting the devil designed by Gio Ponti and created by Lino Sabattini in 1978 in hallmarked silver metal. Biography Architect, designer and artist, Gio Ponti (Milan 1891...
Metal
$281
H 3.94 in W 6.3 in D 3.15 in
vintage Italian Swan Toast Rack, Silver-Plated, 1970s – Elegant and Versatile
Located in Hamburg, DE
This exquisite vintage toast rack, designed in the shape of a graceful swan, was crafted in Italy in the 1970s. Made from silver-plated metal, it features a delightful blend of elega...
Metal
$1,644
H 1.19 in Dm 17.33 in
Lino Sabattini, Large silver-plated centerpiece / tray, Sabattini Italy 1970s
By Lino Sabattini, Sabattini Argenteria
Located in Firenze, IT
Large silver-plated centerpiece / tray by Lino Sabattini Sabattini Italy 1970s H 3 cm / 44 cm diam. Marked on the base. Conditions: excellent, no defects
Silver Plate
$4,579
H 9.85 in W 4.34 in D 1.58 in
Mid-Century Paolo De Poli Red Enameled Copper Italian Door Handle, circa 1960
By Paolo De Poli
Located in Ibiza, Spain
Mid-Century Modern iconic Italian door handle by the enameller and painter Paolo De Poli (1905–1996) in the style of Gio Ponti. Made of red enameled copper and brass, circa 1960. Ev...
Copper
$610
H 21.66 in W 17.72 in D 1.58 in
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
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
$1,761 / item
H 6.89 in W 6.89 in D 0.99 in
Gio Ponti 'Vendemmia' series two tiles for Richard Ginori, Italy, 1920s
By Richard Ginori, Gio Ponti
Located in Milan, IT
Gio Ponti two 'Vendemmia' series tiles in frames for Richard Ginori, Italy, 1920s Fully marked.
Ceramic, Wood
20th century decorative leather model of a crocodile
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
20th century decorative leather model of a crocodile circa 1990. Approximately half scale novelty item, depicting a crocodile with it's head raised in an aggressive stance. Clad in...
Leather
$2,579Sale Price|20% Off
H 7.68 in W 7.68 in D 0.79 in
Pair of Framed Ceramic Tiles by Gio Ponti for Richard Ginori
By Gio Ponti
Located in London, GB
A charming pair of 1930s tiles designed by renowned architect and designer Gio Ponti (1891-1979) for the prestigious Italian ceramics house Richard Ginori. ...
Ceramic, Pine, Paint
Lino Sabattini, candlestick
By Lino Sabattini
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Candlestick in silver metal, model Concerto di trombe, by Lino Sabattini for Christofle, Italy circa 1957.
Metal, Silver Plate
Gio’ Ponti Handles Brass, 1950, Italy
By Gio Ponti
Located in Milano, IT
Gio‘ Ponti handles brass, 1950 Italy.
Brass
Candara Bowl by Lino Sabattini, Silver Plate, Italy, 1970
By Lino Sabattini, Sabattini Argenteria
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
A bowl with the name Candara with a simplistic and iconic design by renowned italian designer Lino Sabattini from circa 1970. The condition is good albeit with some wear (see picture...
Silver Plate
$5,754 / set
H 4.93 in W 9.85 in D 6.5 in
Richard Ginori tea set with decoration attributed to Gio Ponti
By Richard Ginori, Giovanni Gariboldi, Gio Ponti
Located in Lugo, IT
Richard Ginori tea set for 12, decoration attributed to Gio Ponti. A small defect on the rim of one saucer. Good condition. Thank you.
Maiolica
Sold
H 14.97 in W 4.34 in D 2.37 in
Silver Metal Sculpture Model Maschera Cornuta by Gio Ponti for Sabbatini
By Lino Sabattini, Gio Ponti
Located in Asti, Piemonte
Sculpture in perforated plate and silver metal. Sabattini production. Signature under the base. Biography Architect, designer and artist, Gio Ponti (Milan 1891-1979) graduated in Mi...
Metal
Gio Ponti Italian Triumph Hand Re-edition by Richard Ginori
By Gio Ponti
Located in Milano, MI
Porcelain re-edition by Richard Ginori of the hand from the Trionfo Italiano collection created by Gio Ponti in 1927 Ø cm 7 Ø cm 4 h cm 30 Company of Lombard origin founded in 1896...
Porcelain
Sold
H 9.85 in W 4.34 in D 1.58 in
Mid-Century Paolo De Poli Red Enameled Copper Italian Door Handle, circa 1960
By Gio Ponti, Paolo De Poli
Located in Ibiza, Spain
Mid-Century Modern iconic Italian door handle by the enameller and painter Paolo De Poli (1905–1996) in collaboration with Gio Ponti. Made of red e...
Copper
Sold
H 18.9 in W 5.52 in D 3.75 in
Gio Ponti Set of Three Hands in Aluminium Casting for Richard Ginori
By Gio Ponti, Richard Ginori
Located in Milano, IT
Handmade moulds in aluminium casting from 1950s. The composition is of three hand moulds, all of them Medium size. The moulds are the structure that G...
Aluminum
Sold
H 9.85 in W 4.34 in D 1.58 in
Mid-Century Paolo De Poli Red Enameled Copper Italian Door Handle, circa 1960
By Gio Ponti, Paolo De Poli
Located in Ibiza, Spain
Mid-Century Modern iconic Italian door handle by the enameller and painter Paolo De Poli (1905–1996) in collaboration with Gio Ponti. Made of red e...
Copper
Sold
H 9.85 in W 4.34 in D 1.58 in
Mid-Century Paolo De Poli Red Enameled Copper Italian Door Handle, circa 1960
By Gio Ponti, Paolo De Poli
Located in Ibiza, Spain
Mid-Century Modern iconic Italian door handle by the enameller and painter Paolo de Poli (1905–1996) in collaboration with Gio Ponti. Made of red e...
Copper
Sold
H 7.88 in W 5.12 in D 1.58 in
Mid-Century Paolo De Poli Blue Enameled Copper Italian Door Handle, circa 1960
By Paolo De Poli, Gio Ponti
Located in Ibiza, Spain
Mid-Century Modern iconic Italian door handle by the enameller and painter Paolo de Poli (1905–1996) in collaboration with Gio Ponti. Made of blue ...
Copper
Sold
H 1.97 in Dm 3.94 in
Mid-Century Paolo De Poli Blue Enameled Copper Italian Door Handle, circa 1960
By Paolo De Poli, Gio Ponti
Located in Ibiza, Spain
The Mid-Century Modern Italian door handle, circa 1960, is a collaboration between Paolo de Poli (1905–1996), an enameller and painter, and archite...
Copper
Art Deco Majolica Plate Gio Ponti, Le Mie Donne: 'Donatella'
By Gio Ponti
Located in Sofia, BG
Arte Di Gio Ponti Donatella, Majolica plate cm 49 in 6 1/4 Le Mie Donne is the first family of decorations designed by Giò Ponti. Ponti made important alterations to the Le Mie Donne series over the years, having the designs applied to piattelle (wall plates) and large and small jar-shaped and oval vases. With the aim of proposing a style that would suit Parisian tastes, on the occasion of the Exposition Nationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes in Paris in 1925, Ponti tried to blend the revival of classicism with Art Deco. The Le Mie Donne series consists of three compositions: Women on clouds, Women among ropes and Women on flowers. The women on clouds were the first of these to be designed and presented in the form of samples at the exhibition in Monza in 1923. The designs for this series are composed of sketches of buildings...
Porcelain
Sold
H 14.97 in W 3.94 in
Rare Maschera Cornuta or Horned Mask by Gio Ponti for Sabattini, 1979, Italy
By Lino Sabattini, Gio Ponti
Located in München, BY
Amazing Mid-Century Modern Maschera Cornuta (Horned Mask) by Gio Ponti for Sabattini, Italy. The mask is marked on one side: Sabattini Italy Design Gio Pon...
Metal
"Grape Harvest, " Rare Art Deco Porcelain Sculpture by Gio Ponti
By Gio Ponti
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Although Gio Ponti, the protean artist, sculptor and designer, was highly prolific over many years in his native Italy, this porcelain sculpture of two young men carrying an enormous...
Porcelain
Gio Ponti Silver Sculpture "Madre e Figlia" with Lino Sabattini
By Lino Sabattini, Gio Ponti
Located in Hanover, MA
La Familia sculpture in silver plated brass designed by Gio Ponti in 1978 and executed by Lino Sabattini. Produced one year before Ponti's death.
Silver Plate