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.
Curved Yellow Velvet 3-Seater Sofa by Gio Ponti, Italy 1940's
By Gio Ponti
Located in Miami, FL
This rare three-seater curved "banana" designed by the Italian modernist architect Gio Ponti for Casa e Giardino. While his work extended well into the post-war era, this iconic des...
Fabric, Wood
Pair of Yellow Velvet Lounge Chairs by Gio Ponti, Italy 1940's
By Gio Ponti
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of sculptural lounge chairs designed by the legendary Italian modernist architect Gio Ponti for Casa e Giardino. The chairs feature a striking wraparound corbeille silhouette...
Fabric, Wood
Gio Ponti for Casa e Giardino 3-Piece Curved Velvet Suite, Italy 1940's
By Gio Ponti
Located in Miami, FL
An exceptionally rare 3-piece salon suite designed by the Italian modernist architect Gio Ponti for Casa e Giardino, dating to his celebrated late 1930s to 1940s productions. This co...
Fabric, Wood
Poltrona Frau Dezza by Gio Ponti, 1970; beige fabric, chestnut-colored legs
By Gio Ponti
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Fully restored Polrona Frau Gio Ponti Dezza armchair in beige ribbed velvet, with chestnut legs. Overall condition: excellent.
Fabric, Velvet, Chestnut
1950s Pair of Sculpted Stools by Gio Ponti. Reupholstered in Boucle. Model 687
By Gio Ponti
Located in Florence, Tuscany
These sculptural 1950s stools by Gio Ponti for Cassina, model 687, showcase his distinctive architectural lines and beautifully tapered walnut frame. The open, Y-shaped side structur...
Fabric, Bouclé, Wood
Gio Ponti for Poltrona Frau Set of Four Lounge Chairs in Light Blue Leather
By Gio Ponti, Poltrona Frau
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gio Ponti for Poltrona Frau, lounge chairs, model ´Dezza´ nr. 48, leather, lacquered wood, metal, Italy, 1965. Set of four stylish lounge chairs designed by Gio Ponti for Poltrona ...
Metal
Gio Ponti Pair of Wingback Armchairs, Italian Mid-Century Design, 1950s
By 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...
Fabric, Wood
$16,500 / set
Gio Ponti, Lounge Chairs, Velvet, Wood, Italy, 1950s
By Gio Ponti
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of red, brown, blue velvet and wood lounge chairs designed by Gio Ponti and produced by Dassi, Italy, 1950s. Vintage fabric in fair to distressed condition, reupholstery reco...
Velvet, Wood
Gio Ponti Midcentury Rare Italian Curved Armchairs "Casa E Giardino" 1936, Pair
By Gio Ponti, Casa e Giardino
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Rare pair of Gio Ponti armchairs for "Casa e Giardino", 1936. Curved shell model covered in original vintage satin, the cushions have springs inside. The upholstery, as seen in the p...
Fabric, Beech, Fir
Rare Set Sofa and 2 Armchairs Design Gio Ponti for Casa e Giardino, 1940
By Gio Ponti
Located in taranto, IT
Splendid and rare living room, production "Casa & Giardino", designed by Gio Ponti, 40s Composed of a three-seater sofa and a pair of shell-shaped armchairs , upholstered in bur...
Velvet, Wood
Authentic Vintage Superleggera Chair by Gio Ponti for Cassina, 1970
By Cassina, Gio Ponti
Located in Dronten, NL
It is the chair that defied gravity. In 1957, Gio Ponti famously tested the Superleggera by tossing it from a fourth-story window, watching it float to the ground. This poetic demon...
Cane, Wood
Gio Ponti, Lounge Chair, Fabric, Walnut, Italy, 1950s
By Gio Ponti, Cassina
Located in High Point, NC
A walnut and blue fabric lounge chair, model 811, designed by Gio Ponti and produced by Cassina, Meda, Italy, c. 1956. In good vintage condition, with visible wear consistent with a...
Fabric, Wood
Set of 2 Armchairs and a Sofa in the style Gio Ponti for Casa E Giardino, 1940s
By Gio Ponti, Casa e Giardino
Located in taranto, IT
Rare splendid 40s living room, made in the style of Casa & Giardino by Gio Ponti, consisting of a two-seater sofa and a pair of armchairs, wooden structure and upholstery in Cintz c...
Brass
Gio Ponti Pair of 1930s Armchairs with their Original Yellow Upholstery
By Gio Ponti
Located in Milan, IT
Gio Ponti Pair of 1930s Armchairs with their Original Yellow Upholstery
Upholstery, Wood
Pair of Gio Ponti Armchairs from Hotel Bristol Merano, Casa e Giardino, 1954
By Gio Ponti, Casa e Giardino
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
Pair of upholstered armchairs, from the original furnishings of the Hotel Bristol, Merano, designed by Gio Ponti, Casa e Giardino series, Italian manufacture, 1954. This pair of arm...
Velvet, Walnut
Gio Ponti Frassino Tinto Nero Aswood Superleggera Chair For Cassina
By Gio Ponti
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Gio Ponti Frassino Tinto Nero Aswood Superleggera Chair For Cassina Manufactured since 1957, the 699 Superleggera wood chair is the rare combination of the architect’s innovative qu...
Rattan, Ash
Gio Ponti, Pair of Mid-Century Sculptural Armchairs in Wood and Rope, Italy
By Gio Ponti
Located in Argelato, BO
A rare pair of sculptural armchairs by architect and designer Gio Ponti, they embody the essence of 1950s light elegance. Featuring a slender frame in fine wood, tapered legs, and sc...
Rope, Wood
Gio Ponti style Ebonized ladder back rush seat side or desk chair with ball feet
By Gio Ponti
Located in London, GB
Gio Ponti. An ebonized ladder back rush seat side or desk chair with ball feet. Stamped Made in Italy on the back stretcher.
Rush
$2,735Sale Price|50% Off
Gio Ponti Art Dèco Italian Sofa from Hotel Bristol Merano, 1950s
By Gio Ponti
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Luxurious Art Deco sofa designed by Gio Ponti for the Hotel Bristol Merano Italia. Sofa with low armrests and a sculptural shape. Made in Italy in the early 1950s. The velvet is worn...
Velvet, Beech
Art Deco Gio Ponti Set of Four Dining Armchairs in Teak with Blue Upholstery
By Gio Ponti
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gio Ponti, dining chairs, teak, Dedar Adamo & Eva fabric, Italy, 1940s These elegant dining chairs by Gio Ponti feature sculpted teak frames with front legs that curve gracefull...
Faux Leather, Teak
Set of 6 Cassina Leggera chairs by Gio Ponti, 1960's
By Gio Ponti
Located in Milano, IT
Vintage Dining Chair set by Gio Ponti A classic set of 6 chairs designed by the world-renowned master of Italian design, Gio Ponti, for Cassina. Created in the late mid-century era...
Upholstery
Gio Ponti for Poltrona Frau Lounge Chair 'Dezza' in Light Blue Leather
By Gio Ponti, Poltrona Frau
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gio Ponti for Poltrona Frau, lounge chair model ´Dezza´ nr. 48, leather, lacquered beech, metal, Italy, 1965. Stylish lounge chair designed by Gio Ponti for Poltrona Frau. This cha...
Metal
$2,234Sale Price / set|30% Off
Pair of Chiavari Gio Ponti Style Mid-Century Modern Italian High Back Chairs 50s
By Chiavari, Gio Ponti
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Pair of fantastic high-backed ladder chairs in walnut-stained beech with seats in the original fabric of the time. These amazing pieces were designed by Gio Ponti for Chiavari in the...
Beech, Fabric
Gio Ponti for ISA Bergamo Three-Seat Sofa with Gilt Metal Legs, Italy 1950s, COM
By ISA Bergamo, Gio Ponti
Located in New York, NY
Gio Ponti for ISA Bergamo elegant and sculptural three-seat sofa with gilt metal legs, Italy, 1950s. The sofa will be fully restored and ready for upholstery in the customer’s own ma...
Metal
Pair of Gio Ponti Armchairs in Coral Red Velvet and Beech, Asko, Finland, 1957
By Gio Ponti, Asko
Located in The Hague, NL
This rare armchair was designed by Gio Ponti in 1954. The particular model, numbered '1410,' was produced by the well-known Finnish manufacturer Asko in the late 1950s. Asko held the...
Fabric, Upholstery, Velvet, Beech
Gio Ponti 516 Armchairs, Walnut Frame, Two-Tone Upholstery, 1950
By Gio Ponti
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Vintage 516 Armchairs by master Italian architect, publisher, and designer Gio Ponti, 1950. A timeless, architectural expression featuring a sculptural walnut frame, distinctive sl...
Walnut
Mid Century Folding Chairs Eden Designed by Gio Ponti, Italy 60s
By Gio Ponti
Located in Lucija, SI
Rare folding chairs design by one of the most famous italian designer Gio Ponti. This are model Eden from the 60s Reupholstered
Faux Leather, Beech
$2,735Sale Price|50% Off
Gio Ponti N. 512 Mid-Century Modern Italian Sofa for ISA, 1950s
By ISA Bergamo, Gio Ponti
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Elegant and splendid three-seater sofa with high backrest by Gio Ponti, 1950s, for ISA Edizioni, Bergamo, model N. 512. Carved profile, refined lines, sensual and deep comfort. The u...
Beech, Fabric
Pair of Italian Armchairs by Gio Ponti for Casa e Giardino, 1930s
By Gio Ponti
Located in Paris, FR
A set of two Italian collectible vintage armchairs first designed by Gio Ponti for manufacturing company Casa e Giardino in the late 1930s. They have been reupholstered in a white fa...
Fabric, Mahogany
1950s Hight Back Chiavarina Chair Gio Ponti attributed for SAC Chiavari
By Gio Ponti
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Beautiful pair of "Chiavarine" high-backed chairs, expertly made in the 1950s in Chiavari by S.A.C. in the style of Gio Ponti. Made with French-polished beech wood in mahogany color ...
Beech
Gio Ponti “ Superleggera” N. 4, Chair Wood Straw Padding, 1950, Italy
By Gio Ponti
Located in Milano, IT
N . 4 Superleggera Gio Ponti.
Wood, Straw
$7,600 / set
Rare pair of Gio Ponti chairs
By Gio Ponti
Located in Albany, NY
Item: pair of chairs Designer: Gio Ponti Manufacturer: I.S.A. Bergamo Demensions: 35.25” h x 16.25” w x22.5” d. 18” seat height Material: Mahogany, metal sabots and upholstery ...
Mahogany
Pair of Gio Ponti 116 Dining Chairs, Italy, 1950s
By Gio Ponti
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
Rare pair of Gio Ponti 116 chairs, Italy, 1950s. Later purple velvet upholstery. Velvet is a little grubby so may benefit from new fabric. Priced and sold as a pair. Fast shi...
Fabric, Wood
$19,900Sale Price|28% Off
Rare Settee by Gio Ponti for Cassina, Refinished and Reupholstered, Italy 1950s
By Cassina, Gio Ponti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An exceptionally rare and coveted settee by Gio Ponti for Cassina, circa 1950s, with reupholstered white bouclé fabric cushions, refinished elm frames with incredible wood grain, sig...
Bouclé, Elm
Fede Cheti Italian Velvet Loveseat
By Gio Ponti
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
An Italian loveseat designed by Gio Ponti, upholstered in its original green Fede Cheti velvet with pewter fringe, and documented by architect and designer Roberto Aloi in 1950. An i...
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
Gio Ponti Set of Twelve Superleggera Chairs for Cassina, Italy, 1957
By Figli di Amadeo Cassina, Gio Ponti
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
A set of twelve Superleggera chairs, meticulously restored in aniline black paint.. The original woven straw seats have been replaced with new meticulously crafted seats, maintaining...
Straw, Ash
20th Century, Gio Ponti Light Blue Wooden Sofa
By 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...
Fabric, Wood
$25,000 / item
Large Gio Ponti Lounge Chairs
By Gio Ponti
Located in Red Lion, PA
Rare and important pair of high back lounge chairs with wood frames and upholstered seats and backs by Gio Ponti Newly Upholstered
Fabric, Wood
Gio Ponti 646 "Leggera" Chairs for Cassina, Sand Beige Velvet, 1952, Set of 6
By Gio Ponti, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gio Ponti 646 “Leggera” dining chairs for Cassina, sand beige velvet, Italy, 1952, set of sixteen The 646 “Leggera” is one of Gio Ponti’s most enduring chair designs—an icon defined...
Velvet, Ash
Gio Ponti Wingback Chair in Cherry Wood and Mélange Nobilis Fabric, Italy, 1929
By Nobilis, Gio Ponti
Located in The Hague, NL
This exceptionally rare wingback chair was designed by Gio Ponti and produced in Italy in 1929. The elegant model was part of the furniture designed by Ponti for the Casa Giampiccoli...
Fabric, Cotton, Linen, Upholstery, Wood, Cherry
A pair of Black Wooden Gio Ponti Leggera Chairs with Cord Seats, Italy 1951
By Gio Ponti, Cassina
Located in Den Haag, NL
A pair of black wooden Gio Ponti Leggera chairs with cord seats, Italy 1951.
Cord, Wood
Gio Ponti ivory wingback armchair, model n. 512 by Cassina, 1950
By Figli di Amadeo Cassina, Gio Ponti
Located in Rome, IT
Important armchair designed by Gio Ponti 1950 model n.512 produced by F.lli Cassina recently reupholstery in white ivory velvet, walnut feet conic walnut feet and ivory velvet very ...
Velvet, Walnut
$2,800Sale Price|20% Off
Gio Ponti For Casa E Giardino Fireside Side Accent Chair Black Rush Seat 1930's
By Gio Ponti, Casa e Giardino
Located in Wayne, NJ
Black fireside chair by Gio Ponti for Casa E Giardino , Italy. Wood High back ladder chair with rush seating . Marked Made in Italy. If you are in the New Jersey, New York City Metro...
Wood
Gio Ponti for Casa E Giardino Midcentury Sofa in Bouclé Upholstery Italy 1940s
By Gio Ponti
Located in Almelo, NL
Gio Ponti For Casa E Giardino Midcentury Sofa in Bouclé upholstery Italy 1940s This midcentury Italian sofa is undeniably elegant and comfortable. Its unique design boasts a gentl...
Bouclé, Beech
Gio Ponti “ ISA” Iconica Poltrona Brass Wood Stoffa 1950 Italy
By Gio Ponti
Located in Milano, IT
Iconica Poltrona di Gio Ponti fatta per la ISA nel 1950. E stata effettuata l’imbottitura a regola d’arte per le condizioni della sua stoffa originale ma tutta rovinata, ora e perfetta.
Giltwood
Gio Ponti Chairs from Augustus Ocean Liner - Pairs X3
By Gio Ponti
Located in Hanover, MA
Three pairs of extremely rare and highly coveted chairs designed by Gio Ponti and produced by Cassina, Italy for the First Class bar of Italia Line's MV Augustus ocean liner...
Walnut
Pair of Italian Organic Modern Lounge Chairs by Gio Ponti for Casa e Giardino
By Gio Ponti, Casa e Giardino
Located in New York, NY
A Rare and Elegant Pair of Italian Mid-Century Organic Modern Armchairs / Lounge Chairs Designed by Gio Ponti for "Casa e Giardino" and Presented at the VI Triennale di Milano, 1936....
Upholstery, Walnut
Gio Ponti 646 "Leggera" Dining Chairs for Cassina, Green Velvet, 1952, Set of 8
By Gio Ponti, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gio Ponti 646 “Leggera” dining chairs for Cassina, green velvet, Italy, 1952, set of 8 The 646 “Leggera” is one of Gio Ponti’s most enduring chair designs—an icon defined by Cassina...
Ash, Velvet
Modernist Vintage Six Superleggera Chairs by Gio Ponti for Cassina 1957 Italy
By Gio Ponti, Cassina
Located in Vienna, AT
Modernist Vintage authentic set of six ( 6 ) Superleggera Dining Chairs or Chairs from black lacquered wood and light brown cane mesh designed 1957 by Gio Ponti and manufactured 199...
Wood
Set of 6 Gio Ponti Leggera Model 646 Dining Chairs for Cassina, Italy, 1950s
By Gio Ponti
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A wonderful set of six original, early Gio Ponti Leggera Model 646 dining chairs, Cassina, Italy, 1950s. In restored condition with new upholstery. All with maker’s label marked 'Fig...
Fabric, Wood
Gio Ponti 646 "Leggera" Dining Chair for Cassina, Green Velvet, 1952
By Cassina, Gio Ponti
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gio Ponti 646 “Leggera” dining chair for Cassina, green velvet, Italy, 1952 The 646 “Leggera” is one of Gio Ponti’s most enduring chair designs—an icon defined by Cassina’s refined ...
Velvet, Ash
$45,000 / set
a pair of BP 16 ‘Continuum’ armchairs by Gio Ponti
By Gio Ponti
Located in Albany, NY
Designer : Gio Ponti Item: a pair of BP 16 ‘Continuum’ armchairs Manufacturer: (Pierantonio) Bonacina Material: ...
Bamboo
Gio Ponti Armchair for Cassina. Mod. "820", Italy 1950, Hotel Royal, Naples.
By Gio Ponti, Cassina
Located in Wolfurt, AT
Gio Ponti designed this armchair especially for the Hotel Royal in Naples. The "Model 820" was produced by Cassina in the 1950s. The armchair has a wooden frame and is upholstered in...
Fabric, Wood
20th Century, Gio Ponti for Cassina Armchair mod. 807 Distex
By Cassina, 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...
Fabric, Wood
Pair of "BP16 Continuum" armchairs, design Gio Ponti for Bonacina, Italy 1963
By Gio Ponti, Bonacina
Located in Napoli, IT
Bibliography: G. Gramigna, Repertory of Italian Design 1950- 1980, p. 93, Mondadori, 1985; S. Bouilhet-Dumas, D. Forest, S. Licitra, Gio Ponti Archi-Designer, p. 14, Silvana Editoria...
Bamboo, Reed
Italian Wingback Chair in original condition, Produced by I.S.A. Bergamo, 1950s
By Gio Ponti, ISA Bergamo
Located in Wolfurt, AT
Mustard-yellow ISA Bergamo armchair, presumably designed by Gio Ponti, in original condition.
Wood, Fabric
Triennale Armchair Prototypes by Gio Ponti for I.S.A. Bergamo, with certificate
By Gio Ponti
Located in Milano, IT
Pair of “Triennale” Armchairs by Gio Ponti for I.S.A. Bergamo, 1951 An important and rare pair of “Triennale” armchairs, designed by Gio Ponti and produced by I.S.A. Bergamo in 1951...
Brass
Pair of Walnut and Leather Side Chairs by Gio Ponti, Italy, 1950s
By Gio Ponti
Located in Paris, FR
A pair of Italian side chairs by Gio Ponti, from to the 1950s mid-century period in walnut with restored in a beautiful tan leather upholstery with nailhead trim. The design is chara...
Leather, Wood
Pair Of 699 Superleggera Chairs Designed By Gio Ponti For Cassina. Italy, 1957.
By Gio Ponti
Located in Madrid, ES
Pair of Superleggera chairs designed by Gio Ponti for Figli Di Amadeo Cassina. Made of solid ash wood and rattan. Italy, 1957. Their construction challenge lies in the triangular sec...
Rattan, Wood
Pair of Gio Ponti Mid-Century Modern Velvet Armchairs for Casa e Giardino, 1950s
By Casa e Giardino, Gio Ponti
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Pair of armchairs designed by Gio Ponti, Casa e Giardino series, wooden structure, padding and covering in original textured velvet of the time, kept in excellent condition, as shown...
Velvet, Beech