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.
$2,552Sale Price|38% Off
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...
Ceramic
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 for Costantino Vase in Black Bucchero Ceramic, Italy 1997
By Gio Ponti
Located in Naples, IT
Rare vase designed by renowned Italian architect and designer Gio Ponti in 1940 and later produced by Costantino. The vase has a shape tall column and rounded base, with a sinuous h...
Ceramic
"Orgues” Silver-Plated Vase by Jacques Sitoleux for Christolfe, 1969
By Gio Ponti
Located in New York, NY
"Orgues” Silver Vase Designed by Jacques Sitoleux for Christolfe 1969 DIMENSIONS Height: 12-1/2 inches Width: 5-1/8 inches Dept...
Metal
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
GIO PONTI - RICHARD GINORI Ceramics - SAN CRISTOFORO - Made in Italy 1929.
By Richard Ginori, Gio Ponti
Located in Milano, IT
GIO PONTI - A vase by RICHARD GINORI, produced in the SAN CRISTOFORO factory in MILAN, is designed by architect GIO PONTI , in the late 1920s, when he was still the director . THE va...
Ceramic
Gio Ponti for Richard Ginori Maritime Vase, Seascape with Boat, Italy, 1930
By Gio Ponti, Richard Ginori
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Gio Ponti for Richard Ginori Italian Vase (circa 1930) decorated with a maritime scene of a ship at sea, signed to base and further marked overall: 6 x 5 3/4 inches Provenance: Property from the Collection of Seymour Stein...
Porcelain
Gio Ponti rare model Le Mie Terre vase manufactured by Richard-Ginori
By Richard Ginori, Gio Ponti
Located in Skokie, IL
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...
Majolica
Vaso in ceramica e lamina d'argento, design Giò PONTI per Richard Ginori. 1930s
By Richard Ginori, Gio Ponti
Located in Torino, IT
Ceramic vase e lamina d'argento, design Giò PONTI per Richard Ginori. ORIGIN Italy PERIOD 1930s DESIGNER Gio PONTI MARK Richard Ginori MATERIALS Glazed ceramic e lamina d'argent...
Silver
Gio Ponti for Venini — “A Canne” Glass Bottle Vase in Blue and Green 1950s
By Gio Ponti, Venini
Located in Dallas, TX
This striking 'A Canne' bottle vase model 972, designed by Gio Ponti and masterfully executed by Venini, exemplifies the refined modernism and technical virtuosity that defined mid‑c...
Art Glass
Venini Signed Murano Glass Bottle by Gio Ponti with Original Stopper, Italy 1997
By Gio Ponti, Paolo Venini
Located in London, GB
A beautiful ‘a canne’ Murano blue art glass bottle designed by Gio Ponti and made by Venini in Murano, Venice, Italy in 1997. The original design for this piece is by Gio Ponti a...
Art Glass
Gio Ponti for Costantino Pitcher in Black Bucchero Ceramic, Italy 1997
By Gio Ponti
Located in Naples, IT
Rare pitcher designed by renowned Italian architect and designer Gio Ponti in 1940 and later produced by Costantino. The pitcher features a sculptural and dynamic line, with an arche...
Ceramic
Gio Ponti for Nino Ferrari Large Hammered Copper Vase, Italy, 1930s
By Gio Ponti, Nino Ferrari
Located in Milan, IT
Beautiful hammered copper vase designed by Gio Ponti and executed by Nino Ferrari for Casa & Giardino, Italy, 1930s.
Copper
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
Ceramic
$1,654Sale Price|50% Off
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
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
Ceramic Vase by Gio Ponti for Richard Ginori, 1930s
By Gio Ponti, Richard Ginori
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Immerse your space in the timeless elegance of Gio Ponti's Ceramic Vase for Richard Ginori, a masterpiece from the 1930s. Ponti, a maestro of design, lends his artistic finesse to th...
Ceramic
$9,924Sale Price|20% Off
Vase 'Pot' 1930, Multi-Color Round Shape, Majolica, Giò Ponti
By Gio Ponti, Richard Ginori
Located in Milano, IT
Pot of Majolica 1930, signed Ginori model 1208-3130, accompanied by an authentic archives Gio' Ponti.
Maiolica
Gio Ponti Wonderfully Patinated 'Soliflore' Vase for Arthur Krupp Milano, 1930s
By Gio Ponti, Arthur Krupp
Located in Meer, VAN
A truly beautiful so called 'Soliflore' vase designed by Gio Ponti for Arthur Krupp Milano in the 1930s. The shape is simple and sleek, but very elegant. The desirable patina make...
Silver
Venini 1980's Italian Glass "A Canne" Bottle Vase Sculpture Limited Edition
By Venini, Gio Ponti
Located in New York, NY
Gorgeous red, blue and clear glass striped "A Canne" bottle vase limited edition sculpture. Engraved signature to bottom Venini '88 for Iveco. Numbered 95/250. Iveco is one of the world’s largest commercial vehicles manufacturers, and is a member of the FIAT group. Iveco ordered these Venini decanters...
Blown Glass
Gio Ponti for Richard Ginori Rare Gran Rosso di Doccia Porcelain Vase Model 380T
By Richard Ginori, Gio Ponti
Located in New York, NY
Gio Ponti for Richard Ginori rare Gran Rosso di Doccia glazed porcelain vase model 380T with a gold body and red at base, rim and inside. Stamped manufacturer's mark to underside 'Ri...
Porcelain
Gio Ponti Vase, Richard Ginori, Italy, 1929–30. Glazed porcelain.
By Gio Ponti, Richard Ginori
Located in Renens, CH
Gio Ponti Vase, Richard Ginori, Italy, 1929–30. Glazed porcelain. Beautiful and rare decoration featuring flying doves and black lines. This piece was created during the period whe...
Ceramic
Gio Ponti for Costantino Vase in Black Bucchero Ceramic, Italy 1997
By Gio Ponti
Located in Naples, IT
Rare vase designed by renowned Italian architect and designer Gio Ponti in 1940 and later produced by Costantino. the vase features a sinuous line, with a two arched handles that giv...
Ceramic
1930s Gio Ponti for Nino Ferrari Art Deco Italian Copper Vase
By Gio Ponti, Nino Ferrari
Located in Brescia, IT
Wrought copper vase "Nino Ferrari" engraved on the base Perfect condition.
Copper
Circus Ceramic Vase by Gio Ponti, Art Deco, Two-Handled, Italy, 1924
By Gio Ponti
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Ceramic vase by Gio Ponti (1891-1979). Two-Handled vase decorated in relief with circus theme. Valerio Terraroli (2007) "Italian Art Ceramics: ...
Ceramic
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
Bottle with Stopper by Gio Ponti for Venini
By Venini, Gio Ponti
Located in New York, NY
Hand blown incalmo glass decanter in white and green with stopper. Unsigned. Published: Venini: Catalog Raisonné 1921-1986, Diaz de Santillana, pg. 296. ...
Blown Glass
$2,067Sale Price|50% Off
Gio Ponti Paolo Venini Murano Glass Bottle Morandiana Series 1982
By Gio Ponti, Paolo Venini
Located in Paris, IDF
Rare Gio Ponti and Paolo Venini bottle for Venini designed in the 1950s, “ A Canne” model from the Morandiana series. This example is a 1980s edition, signed Venini 82, with its orig...
Glass
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
Richard Ginori Giovanni Gariboldi Ceramic, 1950, Italy
By Richard Ginori
Located in Milano, IT
Richard Ginori Giovanni Gariboldi ceramic, 1950, Italy.
Ceramic
$2,315Sale Price|30% Off
H 9.26 in Dm 7.88 in
Rare Italian Vase 1930 Embossed Copper Gio Ponti for Nino Ferrari Attributed
By Gio Ponti
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Rare Italian vase 1930 embossed copper Gio Ponti for Nino Ferrari Attributed.
Copper
$990Sale Price|78% Off
H 5 in W 6.25 in D 13.25 in
Italian Renaissance Raffaellesco Grotteschi Majolica Compote by Richard Ginori
By Mottahedeh, Gio Ponti, Richard Ginori, Meissen Porcelain, Chelsea House
Located in Miami, FL
Outstanding Richard Ginori porcelain centerpiece compote, circa 19th Century. This rare and whimsical antique compote is hand painted with a "Bacchanalian" motif and a polychrome gla...
Porcelain
Gio Ponti for Ginori Athletic Dish
By Gio Ponti
Located in New York, NY
Gio Ponti for Ginori athletic dish. Vintage Richard Ginori shaped nut dish/ small saucer from the athletic series designed by Gio Ponti featuring ...
Porcelain
Stoneware Vase by Berndt Friberg for Gustavsberg Studio, Sweden, 1969
By Berndt Friberg, Gustavsberg
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful stoneware vase with amazing hare’s fur glaze. Made by master thrower Berndt Friberg, in the artist's studio at Gustavsberg, Sweden, 1969. Great condition. Incised signa...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Silver Plated Tube Vase by Jacques Sitoleux for Christofle
By Christofle, Jacques Sitoleux, Gio Ponti
Located in Stockholm, SE
Silverplated tube vase by Jacques Sitoleux for Christofle, France, circa 1969..
Brass, Silver Plate
$1,500
H 14.57 in W 11.82 in D 9.85 in
Gio Ponti Style Large Decorative Vase with Floral Motifs, Deruta, 1950s, Italy
By Gio Ponti, Deruta
Located in Brescia, Brescia
An exquisite large decorative vase from Deruta, Italy, dating from around 1950, beautifully embodying the spirit and elegance reminiscent of Gio Ponti's iconic style. The vase, handc...
Ceramic
$1,654Sale Price|50% Off
H 13 in Dm 4.73 in
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
Mid Century Richard Ginori Pittoria Cachepot / Planter with Handles
By Richard Ginori
Located in Toronto, ON
A beautiful mid century Richard Ginori Pittoria cachepot / planter. Elegant and classic, this cachepot has gilded features, scroll handles, and showcases two countryside scenes on ea...
Porcelain
$1,299
H 11.42 in Dm 6.3 in
1990s Space Age Silver Plated Atomes Vase by Richard Hutten for Christofle
By Christofle, Richard Hutten
Located in Aci Castello, IT
A silver plated and glass vase designed and manufactured in France by Christofle, it has never been used and it came in original box. Richard Hutten, a renowned Dutch designer known for his innovative and playful approach to design, collaborated with Christofle, a prestigious French silverware and luxury goods manufacturer, to create the Atomes Vase...
Silver Plate
$3,750
H 8.67 in Dm 5.91 in
Giovanni Gariboldi Ceramic Vase for Richard Ginori San Cristoforo, Italy 1930s
By Richard Ginori, Giovanni Gariboldi
Located in Niederdorfelden, Hessen
Ceramic vase designed by Giovanni Gariboldi in the 1930's for Richard Ginori, San Cristoforo, Italy. Bulbous white ceramic vase with a small opening and gold gilding. Richard - Gino...
Metal, Brass
Rare Set of Six Silver-Plated Bud Vases by Gio Ponti for Krupp Milano, 1930s
By Gio Ponti, Arthur Krupp
Located in Brescia, Brescia
A remarkably rare and museum-worthy set of six silver-plated bud vases designed by Gio Ponti and produced by Krupp Milano in the 1930s, featuring extraordinary provenance. Five of th...
Silver Plate
Sold
H 3.94 in W 5.12 in D 5.12 in
Sculptural Silver Plate Modernist "Mars" Vase by Gio Ponti for Christofle, 1950s
By Christofle, Gio Ponti, Lino Sabattini
Located in Lille, FR
Sculptural Silver Plate Modernist "Mars" Vase by Gio Ponti for Christofle, 1950s
Metal, Silver Plate
Sold
H 11.82 in Dm 4.93 in
Gio Ponti for Venini, 1948–1952 Murano glass vase, model “A Canne Multicolore”
By Gio Ponti, Venini
Located in Brescia, Brescia
A rare and spectacular Murano glass vase designed by Gio Ponti for Venini, executed between 1948 and 1952. The piece is masterfully hand-blown in the traditional a canne technique, w...
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
20th Century, Gio Ponti for De Poli Vase/ Centerpiece
By Gio Ponti, Paolo De Poli
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...
Enamel
Modernist "Mars" vase in silver by Gio Ponti for Christofle, 1950s
By Gio Ponti
Located in Vigevano, PV
Modernist "Mars" vase in silver by Gio Ponti for Christofle, 1950s
Silver
Gubbio Vase Design Gio Ponti Costantino Neoponti Ceramics 1940
By Gio Ponti
Located in Taranto, IT
Bucchero Vase Design Gio Ponti Ceramic 1950s. The NEOPONTI Vase prod. Constantine black ceramic bucchero is an iconic creation by Gio Ponti, designed in the 1950s This piece repre...
Ceramic
Vase Bucchero Design Gio Ponti Ceramic Anni 50
By Gio Ponti
Located in Taranto, IT
Bucchero Vase Design Gio Ponti Ceramic 1950s. The Black Ceramic Bucchero Vase is an iconic creation by Gio Ponti, designed in the 1950s This piece represents a perfect balance betw...
Ceramic
Vase Bucchero Design Gio Ponti Ceramic Anni 50
By Gio Ponti
Located in Taranto, IT
Bucchero Vase Design Gio Ponti Ceramic 1950s. The Black Ceramic Bucchero Vase is an iconic creation by Gio Ponti, designed in the 1950s This piece represents a perfect balance betw...
Ceramic
Vase Bucchero Design Gio Ponti Ceramic Anni 50
By Gio Ponti
Located in Taranto, IT
Bucchero Vase Design Gio Ponti Ceramic 1950s. The Black Ceramic Bucchero Vase is an iconic creation by Gio Ponti, designed in the 1950s This piece represents a perfect balance betw...
Ceramic
Gio Ponti "Polivaso" vase, created for Christofle during the Mid-Century Modern
By Gio Ponti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This striking piece, known as the "Polivaso," is a sculptural vase designed by Italian master Gio Ponti for the renowned French silversmith Christofle. Characteristic of Ponti’s avan...
Silver Plate
Midcentury ceramic vase by Gio Ponti for Richard Ginori, Italy 1947
By Richard Ginori, Gio Ponti
Located in Piacenza, Italy
San Cristoforo ceramic green vase by Gio Ponti and Giovanni Gariboldi manufactured by Richard Ginori. Rare color and manufacturing. Signed Richard Ginori on the bottom. Perfect vin...
Ceramic
A Canne Murano glass vase by Gio Ponti, Venini Murano Italy
By Gio Ponti, Venini
Located in Uccle, BE
“A Canne” Murano glass vase by Gio Ponti, Venini Murano Italy (Founded in 1921). Murano glass vase made up of six alternating colored “canes”. The colors are: Red, Green, Mole Gray, ...
Art Glass, Blown Glass