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 Gio Ponti Small Lounge Chairs, Presented at the Triennale, 1936
By Gio Ponti
Located in Milan, IT
A rare and highly refined pair of small lounge chairs designed by Gio Ponti for the bedroom interior of Un’Abitazione Dimostrativa, presented at the VI Triennale di Milano. These ch...
Velvet, Wood
$18,629 / set
Gio Ponti Set of 12 chairs "modello leggera"
By Gio Ponti
Located in Milano, IT
Gio Ponti Set of 12 chairs "modello leggera" with backrest and seat covered in padded fabric. Design and manufacture 1954.
Fabric
Gio Ponti Italian Midcentury Design Dining Chairs "Leggera" for Cassina 1950s
By Gio Ponti, Cassina
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Set of four dining chairs model Leggera designed by Gio Ponti for Cassina, ash wood frame and waxed rope seat, circa 1960s. Cassina adhesive label on some chairs Bibliography: Domus...
Ash, Rope
Rare Gio Ponti Corner Sofa in Pierre Frey Dual Tone Fabric
By Gio Ponti
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gio Ponti sofa, Pierre Frey fabric and walnut, Italy, 1960s Stunning sofa by Gio Ponti. This particular sofa breathes the luxurious feel of well-balanced Italian furniture designs o...
Fabric, Walnut
Gio Ponti for Poltrona Frau Set of Four Lounge Chairs in Light Blue Leather
By Poltrona Frau, Gio Ponti
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, Sofa, Velvet, Wood, Italy, 1940s
By Gio Ponti
Located in High Point, NC
A green velvet and wood sofa designed by Gio Ponti and produced by Casa e Giardino, Italy, c. 1940s. Minor scuffing of feet. Minor staining on seat and backrest cushions. Minor fr...
Velvet, Wood
$16,000 / set
Gio Ponti 516 Armchairs, Pair
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
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
$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
Set of Six Rare Chairs by Gio Ponti for Singer & Sons
By Gio Ponti
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare set of six walnut model 211 dining chairs by Gio Ponti for Singer & Sons. Beautifully restored and reupholstered in Kirby Design / Foam FR Olive fabric.
Walnut
Set of reupholstered 2 Gio Ponti Chairs, Model 803, Cassina 1950s
By Cassina, Gio Ponti
Located in Wolfurt, AT
Rare Pair of reupholstered Gio Ponti Armchairs, model «803» Manufactured by Cassina Italy, 1954 Walnut legs, wool fabric & leatherette armrests
Fabric, Faux Leather
Gio Ponti Midcentury Rare Italian Curved Armchairs "Casa E Giardino" 1936, Pair
By Casa e Giardino, Gio Ponti
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
Gio Ponti, Lounge Chair, Fabric, Walnut, Rubber, Italy, 1950s
By Gio Ponti
Located in High Point, NC
A walnut, fabric and rubber lounge chair, model 811, designed by Gio Ponti and produced by Cassina, Meda, Italy, c. 1956. Wear consistent with vintage age and normal use. Measureme...
Fabric, Rubber, Walnut
Gio Ponti N. 512 Mid-Century Modern Italian Sofa for ISA, 1950s
By Gio Ponti, ISA Bergamo
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 Lounge Chairs by Gio Ponti for Casa e Giardino
By Gio Ponti
Located in San Francisco, CA
This pair of expertly restored small-scale armchairs by Gio Ponti for Casa e Giardino features tapered oak legs and rich Sandra Jordan Prima Alpaca Suri Zibelinado upholstery in Aube...
Fabric, Oak
Gio Ponti for F.lli Montina Black Chair Mod. "969," Italy 1960s
By Gio Ponti, Montina
Located in Naples, IT
Iconica sedia pattern 969, designed by renowned Italian architect and designer Gio Ponti and produced by the historic Montina Company . La caratteristica distintiva è lo schienale...
Leather, Wood
$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
2-Seat Dezza Sofa by Gio Ponti for Poltrona Frau, 2011
By Gio Ponti, Poltrona Frau
Located in Meulebeke, BE
Two seat ''Dezza'' sofa by Gio Ponti Produced by Poltrona Frau. Designed in 1965, the Dezza sofa is some of Gio Ponti’s most important designs. The Dezza sofa is light and very comf...
Leather, Wood
Gio Ponti Rationalist Daybed, 1948
By Gio Ponti
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gio Ponti Rationalist Daybed for Fondazione Garzanti, 1948. Rationalist daybed designed by Gio Ponti in 1948. The piece reflects the architect’s search for lightness and clarity in ...
Wood
$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
1950s Gio Ponti Goodform Silver Industrial Tanker Chair Swivel Office
By Gio Ponti, GoodForm
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, an office chair produced by GOODFORM Youngstown, Ohio. 1938 Industrial Swivel Tanker Vintage Office Desk Chair design...
Metal, Aluminum, Steel
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
Gio Ponti set of twelve Leggera chairs with rope seat, Cassina, Italy, 1951
By Figli di Amadeo Cassina, Gio Ponti
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
Set of 12 ash wood chairs with hand-knotted rope seats, designed by Gio Ponti as model 646 Leggera in 1951 and manufactured by Figli di Amedeo Cassina during the late 1950s. Concept...
Cane, Ash
$22,400Sale Price / set|53% Off
Gio Ponti Velvet Lounge Chairs in Walnut & Brass for M. Singer and Sons, 1950s
By Gio Ponti, M. Singer & Sons
Located in Dallas, TX
Rare pair of lounge chairs designed by Italian architect Gio Ponti and produced for M. Singer & Sons circa 1950. Exquisitely restored to the highest possible standard.
Brass
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 Continuum BP16 Armchair, Made by Bonacina 1970s-80s
By Bonacina, Gio Ponti
Located in Brussels, BE
Continuum armchair, Designed by Gio Ponti, Made by Bonacina. This example dates to production from the 1970s-80s. Rattan, reed and original upholstery and cushion. Dimensions: 102 c...
Upholstery, Rattan, Reed
Set of 2 Armchairs and a Sofa in the style Gio Ponti for Casa E Giardino, 1940s
By Casa e Giardino, Gio Ponti
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
Modernist Vintage Six Superleggera Chairs by Gio Ponti for Cassina 1957 Italy
By Cassina, Gio Ponti
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
Pair of Gio Ponti Mid-Century Modern Velvet Armchairs for Casa e Giardino, 1950s
By Gio Ponti, Casa e Giardino
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
Gio Ponti Model 811 armchair made of walnut and rubber, Cassina, Italy, 1957
By Figli di Amadeo Cassina, Gio Ponti
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
A rare armchair Model 811, with a walnut structure and rubber bands, designed by Gio Ponti and produced in Italy by Cassina in 1957. There are artifacts from past decades that, due ...
Rubber, Walnut
Pair of Gio Ponti Mid-Century Modern Velvet High Back Armchairs by Isa, 1950s
By Gio Ponti, ISA Bergamo
Located in Puglia, Puglia
This pair of armchairs were designed by Gio Ponti and produced by the famous Italian company Isa of Bergamo, with which Gio Ponti collaborated for several years. High back, very impo...
Brass
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
Pair of Gio Ponti Armchairs from Hotel Bristol Merano, Casa e Giardino, 1954
By Casa e Giardino, Gio Ponti
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
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
Gio Ponti 646 "Leggera" Dining Chairs for Cassina, Green Velvet, 1952, Set of 4
By Cassina, Gio Ponti
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gio Ponti 646 “Leggera” dining chair for Cassina, green velvet, Italy, 1952, set of four The 646 “Leggera” is one of Gio Ponti’s most enduring chair designs—an icon defined by Cassi...
Velvet, Ash
Gio Ponti 646 "Leggera" Dining Chairs for Cassina, Blue Velvet, 1952, Set of 8
By Gio Ponti, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gio Ponti 646 “Leggera” dining chairs for Cassina, blue velvet, Italy, 1952, set of 8 The 646 “Leggera” is one of Gio Ponti’s most enduring chair designs—an icon defined by Cassina’...
Rope, Ash
Gio Ponti “Leggera” 2 Chairs by Cassina 1951 Wood Original Coating, Italy
By Gio Ponti
Located in Milano, IT
Gio Ponti “LEGGERA” Couple chairs by Cassina 1951 wood original coating, Italy.
Wood
Set of 6 Gio Ponti chairs for ISA Bergamo, white velvet, 1950
By Gio Ponti
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Set of 6 chairs designed by Gio Ponti for ISA Bergamo, circa 1950. The chairs have an elegant and light structure, typical of Ponti’s design language, with white velvet upholstery th...
Velvet, Nutwood
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
Lio Carminati & Gio Ponti Pair of Rattan Armchairs "Biancamano," Italy 1950s
By Gio Ponti, Lio Carminati
Located in Naples, IT
Biancamano armchairs designed by Gio Ponti and Lio Carminati in 1950. The name comes from the Italian liner, launched in 1925, the Conte Biancamano, which made its maiden voyage on t...
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
$26,400 / set
A rare set of Gio Ponti dining chairs. (Model #602)
By Gio Ponti
Located in Albany, NY
Manufacturer: Cassina model #601 Date made: circa 1950 Material: walnut and fabric Size: 17.5”w x 20”d x 34”h Country: Italy Literature: Gio Ponti. Ugo La Pietra. Rizzoli Milan...
Walnut
$2,355Sale Price|30% Off
Poltrona Gio Ponti Modello Dezza per Frau Italia 1970s
By Gio Ponti
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Polrona Frau Gio Ponti Dezza con tessuto originale danneggiato , macchiato e da sostituire-
Fabric, Wood
Set of 5 chairs Mod. 969, Gio Ponti, Montina, 1969 mid-century green
By Montina, Gio Ponti
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Set of 5 chairs Mod. 969, Gio Ponti, Montina, Italy, 1969 Elegant reinterpretation of the scroll chair designed by Ponti for the VI Triennale in 1936. Beech frame, curved plywood b...
Fabric, Wood
Set of 2 Gio Ponti “Leggera” Chairs for Cassina, Italy, 1957
By Gio Ponti
Located in Kampen, NL
Set of two Leggera chairs designed by Gio Ponti for Cassina, Italy, 1957. Constructed from solid ash wood and painted black, each chair features a woven straw seat for comfort and du...
Straw, Ash
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
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
"Superleggera" Chairs by Gio Ponti for Cassina, 1950s, Set of 6
By Gio Ponti, Cassina
Located in bruxelles, BE
Set of 6 black wood and wicker chairs designed by Gio Ponti for Cassina. Stamped Cassina. Seat height 46cm. Wear due to time and age. FOR SHIPPING, REQUEST US FOR RECEIVE THE BEST PR...
Wicker, Wood
Gio Ponti Leggera Outdoor Chair by Cassina - Mid-Century Modern
By Gio Ponti
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Gio Ponti Leggera Outdoor Chair For Cassina The wood chair par excellence, one of the flagship pieces in the partnership between Gio Ponti, Cesare Cassina and the company’s joinery ...
Steel
20th Century, Gio Ponti Wooden and fabric Bench
By Gio Ponti
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...
Fabric, Wood
Gio Ponti & Emilio Lancia Chair for Domus Nova, 1930, Attributed
By Emilio Lancia, Gio Ponti
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gio Ponti e Emilio Lancia Chair for Domus Nova, fabric and wood, Italy, 1930, attributed Consciously attributed to Gio Ponti and Emilio Lancia, this chair was designed in 1928 for ...
Fabric, Wood
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
Rare Early Gio Ponti Chair, Giordano Chiesa, Italy, 1950s
By Gio Ponti
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
Rare Gio Ponti Model armchair, Italy, 1950s. Manufactured by Giordano Chiesa, Milan, Italy. Ash and new green velvet fabric. Fast shipping worldwide.
Brass
Gio Ponti walnut and velvet pair of lounge chairs by Casa e Giardino, Italy 1936
By Casa e Giardino, Gio Ponti
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
A rare pair of armchairs with walnut frame and powder pink velvet upholstery, Design by Gio Ponti, "Casa e Giardino" Catalogue, Italian production. Presented at the VI Triennale di M...
Velvet, Walnut
Gio Ponti Pair of Armchairs mod. 803 by Cassina, 1950s Fabric Upholstery
By Gio Ponti, Cassina
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...
Fabric, Wood
Gio Ponti Sofa Mod. 803 by Cassina, 1950s Fabric Upholstery
By Cassina, Gio Ponti
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...
Fabric, Wood
$18,500 / set
Gio Ponti Leggera Chairs Set of Ten for Cassina
By Gio Ponti, Cassina
Located in Chicago, IL
Gio Ponti Leggera Chairs Set of Ten for Cassina Model 699 Italy, 1952 This set includes ten Leggera chairs designed by Gio Ponti for Cassina. The c...
Faux Leather, Ash
$2,450 / set
Set of Four White Gio Ponti Livia Chairs
By Gio Ponti
Located in Dronten, NL
Originally designed by design Giò Ponti in 1937, these chairs are 21st C re-editions. The Livia chair owes its name to the 'livianum' offices in the University of Padua that it was d...
Beech
Set of 12 Gio Ponti Leggera Model 646 Dining Chairs for Cassina, Italy, 1950s
By Gio Ponti, Cassina
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A wonderful set of twelve original, early Gio Ponti Leggera Model 646 dining chairs, Cassina, Italy, 1950s. In restored condition with new ...
Fabric, Wood
Rare set of six chairs by Gio Ponti model 504 circa 1943
By Gio Ponti, Cassina
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Très rare série de chaises dites 504 par Gio Ponti pour Cassina. Certificat du comité Ponti.
Fabric, Walnut