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.
Gio Ponti, Leggera set of 12 chairs in anthracite stained wood
By Gio Ponti
Located in Milano, IT
Gio Ponti (1891-1976) Rare set of 12 chairs in anthracite stained wood with fabric covering. Modello leggera, Cassina manufacture 1954.
Wood
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
Molteni&C D.156.3 Leather Armchair by Gio Ponti
By Molteni & C, Gio Ponti
Located in Boston, MA
The D.156.3 armchair by Gio Ponti was chosen for the 10th Milan Triennale as an exemplary model of furniture design. Defined by geometric shapes, this armchair is hand-crafted by ski...
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
Gio Ponti Beech Wood Chair, Mid-Century Modern Design, Italy, 1969
By Gio Ponti
Located in London, England
The Beech Wood Chair, designed by Gio Ponti in 1969, is a mid-century modern masterpiece. Made from durable beech wood, it features clean lines, expert craftsmanship, and a minimal...
Fabric, Beech
Pair of armchairs by Gio Ponti and Emilio Lancia for Domus Nova, Italy 1929
By Gio Ponti, Emilio Lancia
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Pair of armchairs by Gio Ponti and Emilio Lancia for Domus Nova, 1929 A rare pair of armchairs designed by Gio Ponti and Emilio Lancia for Domus Nova in 1929. Made of wood, the chair...
Fabric, Wood
Gio Ponti 646 "Leggera" Dining Chair for Cassina, Blue Velvet, 1952
By Cassina, Gio Ponti
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gio Ponti 646 “Leggera” Dining Chair for Cassina, Blue Velvet, Italy, 1952 The 646 “Leggera” is one of Gio Ponti’s most enduring chair designs—an icon defined by Cassina’s refined w...
Rope, Ash
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 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
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
Gio Ponti 646 "Leggera" Dining Chairs for Cassina, Green Velvet, 1952, Set of 2
By Gio Ponti, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gio Ponti 646 “Leggera” dining chair for Cassina, green velvet, Italy, 1952, set of 2 The 646 “Leggera” is one of Gio Ponti’s most enduring chair designs—an icon defined by Cassina’...
Velvet, Ash
Gio Ponti for ISA Rare Pair of Ivory Bouclé and Gilt Metal Armchairs 1950s
By Gio Ponti, ISA Bergamo
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Gio Ponti in 1936 and manufactured by ISA Bergamo in the 1950s, this rare and exceptional pair of upholstered armchairs or lounge chairs. A quintessential example of mid...
Metal
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
$2,858Sale Price / set|30% Off
Attributed Gio Ponti Mid-Century Modern Italian Velvet Armchairs for ISA, Pair
By Gio Ponti, ISA Bergamo
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Elegant and splendid pair of Mid-Century Modern armchairs, attributed to Gio Ponti, 1950 for ISA Editions, Bergamo. Sculpted profile, refined lines, sensual and deep comfort. The cha...
Velvet, Beech
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
Own a Museum Masterpiece: Gio Ponti’s Gabriella Chair, Edition 002/100
By Gio Ponti, Pallucco
Located in Dronten, NL
There are iconic designs. And then there are unicorns. Presenting the holy grail of Post-War Italian design: The Gabriella Chair by Gio Ponti. This is not a later reissue or a vinta...
Stainless Steel
Italian Design Classic - Gio Ponti, Superleggera Chair for Cassina, 1960s
By Gio Ponti, Cassina
Located in Renens, CH
The “699 Superleggera” chair is an iconic design created by the renowned Italian architect and designer Gio Ponti. Designed in 1957, this chair is celebrated for its lightweight (ju...
Mohair, Ash
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
20th Century, Gio Ponti for Cassina Armchair mod. 807 Distex
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
Gio Ponti, rare pair of armchairs Mod.820 in wood and upholstered fabric
By Gio Ponti
Located in Milano, IT
Gio Ponti (1991-1979) Rare pair of armchairs Mod.820 in wood and upholstered fabric designed for the Grand Hotel Royal Continental in Naples. Cassina manufacture 1953. Bibliograph...
Fabric, Wood
Armchair Biancamano in Rattan by Gio Ponti
By Gio Ponti
Located in Berlin, BE
Armchair Biancamano in rattan by Gio Ponti 1950s Gio Ponti & Lio Carminati 'Biancamano' rattan chair for Bonacina. Additional information: Material: Rattan Artist: Gio Ponti Size: ...
Wicker
"Fireside" Chair by Gio Ponti for Casa e Giardino, Italy, 1930s
By Casa e Giardino, Gio Ponti
Located in Philadelphia, PA
"Fireside" Chair Gio Ponti Manufactured for Casa E Giardino Milan, Italy 1930's Rush Seat with Oak of Beech Wood Frame. "Chair is in good "original" as foundation condition. Chair...
Rush, Hardwood
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
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 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 Leggera Chair in Black Lacquered Wood and Original Grey Seat. 1951
By Figli di Amadeo Cassina, Gio Ponti
Located in Milan, IT
Gio Ponti Leggera Chair in Black Lacquered Wood and Original Grey Seat. Italy 1951
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
Gio Ponti, Leggera Chair for Cassina, 1970s – Set of six
By Gio Ponti, Cassina
Located in Renens, CH
The 646 Leggera chair is an iconic design created by the renowned Italian architect and designer Gio Ponti; Designed in 1952, this chair is celebrated for its lightweight and elegant...
Fabric, Ash
Gio Ponti Armchair, Model 803 by Cassina, Italy, 1954
By Cassina, Gio Ponti
Located in The Hague, NL
This rare armchair was designed by Gio Ponti and produced by Cassina, Italy in 1954. The model was numbered 803 and is one of the most iconic and recognizable Ponti designs produced ...
Fabric, Upholstery, Walnut
Pair of Armchairs mod 811 by Gio Ponti for Cassina, 1957
By Gio Ponti
Located in Brussels, BE
Pair of Armchairs mod 811 by Gio Ponti for Cassina, 1957 Made in 1957, this rare lounge chair model ‘811’ is designed by Gio Ponti for Figli di Amadeo Cassina. This armchair is defi...
Fabric, Rubber, Wood
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
Gio Ponti 646 "Leggera" Dining Chairs for Cassina, 1952, Set of 12
By Gio Ponti, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gio Ponti 646 "Leggera" dining chairs for Cassina, black ash-wood and rope seat, Italy, 1952, set of twelve. The Gio Ponti 646 "Leggera" dining chairs,...
Rope, Ash
Pair of 2 Mid Century Italian Armchair by Gio Ponti 1960 Parco dei Principi Rome
By Gio Ponti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gio Ponti Armchairs, from the Parco dei Principi, Rome You can see more photos on the Parco Dei Principi website in Rome, regarding the armchairs. Gio Ponti's infinite compositional...
Fabric, Foam, Wood
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
$7,759Sale Price|30% Off
Gio Ponti Mod 572 Rocking Chair by Cassina, Hand-Carved Ash, 1955
By Cassina, Gio Ponti
Located in Milano, IT
Cassina Rocking Chair - Mod 572 - Gio Ponti Rocking chair model 572, produced by ‘Figli di Amadeo Cassina’ Milan in 1955, solid ash wood, elastic straps Pirelli, completely original...
Ash, Rubber
$12,500 / item
Pair of Gio Ponti 807 Distex Lounge Chairs
By Cassina, Gio Ponti
Located in Red Lion, PA
Model No. 807 Distex chairs designed by Gio Ponti for Cassina, featuring a distinctive low-slung, angled profile. Newly upholstered
Fabric, Wood
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
$2,613Sale Price / set|20% 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
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
Gio Ponti 699 “Superleggera” Dining Chairs for Cassina, 1957, Set of 4
By Gio Ponti, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gio Ponti 699 “Superleggera” Dining Chairs for Cassina, Ash, Rope, Italy, 1957, Set of four. In 1957 the Italian furniture manufacturer Amedeo Cassina added a new dining chair to it...
Rope, Ash, Wood
Mid-Century 1955 Vintage Gio Ponti and Cassina Pair Armchairs Mod.803
By Gio Ponti
Located in London, GB
Gio Ponti is an Italian architect, designer, writer and founder of the Domus magazine. He is widely considered one of the benchmarks for the renewal of Italian design after the Secon...
Brass
Armchair mod. BP 16 Continuum, design Giò PONTI for P. BONACINA. Italy, 60s
By Gio Ponti, Pierantonio Bonacina
Located in Torino, IT
Armchair mod. BP 16 Continuum, design Giò PONTI for P. BONACINA. Italy, 60s ORIGIN Italy PERIOD Anni 60 DESIGNER Gio PONTI (1891-1979) MARK Pierantonio BONACINE MODEL BP 16 Cont...
Rattan
$14,000 / set
Gio Ponti Dining Chairs, Model 111 for Singer & Sons
By Gio Ponti
Located in San Francisco, CA
Gio Ponti design set of eight model 111 dining chairs for Singer & Sons, Italy. Two sets of four combined for a total of eight chairs. Produced by Figli Amedeo Cassina Meda, Ital...
Upholstery, Walnut
$19,602Sale Price / set|30% Off
Pair of Gio Ponti Mid-Century Modern Italian Velvet "Alata" Lounge Chairs, 1950s
By Gio Ponti, Cassina
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Pair of bergère armchairs, Alata Mod. 820 armchairs, designed by Gio Ponti for the Royal Hotel in Naples and produced by Cassina, Italy, 1950. Completely restored and recently uphols...
Velvet, Beech
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
Gio Ponti For I.S.A Wingback Armchair, 1950s Midcentury
By Gio Ponti
Located in London, GB
A gorgeous and important wingback armchair from the design master Gio Ponti for I.S.A. Bergamo, designed in the 1940s and produced in the 1950s Italy, an innovative sleek design of m...
Fabric, Wood
$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
$8,576Sale Price|30% Off
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 699 “Superleggera” Dining Chairs for Cassina, 1957, Set of 6
By Gio Ponti, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gio Ponti 699 “Superleggera” Dining Chairs for Cassina, Ash, Rope, Italy, 1957, set of six. In 1957 the Italian furniture manufacturer Amedeo Cassina added a new dining chair to its...
Rope, Wood, Ash
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
Gio Ponti for ISA Rare Pair of Ivory Bouclé Armchairs and Ottomans 1950s
By ISA Bergamo, Gio Ponti
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Gio Ponti in 1936 and manufactured by ISA Bergamo in the 1950s, this rare and exceptional set includes a pair of upholstered armchairs or lounge chairs accompanied by mat...
Brass
$4,480Sale Price|20% Off
Isa Bergamo Gio Ponti Style Armchair Made in Italy 1950s Original Fabric
By Gio Ponti
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Isa Bergamo Gio Ponti armchair made in Italy 1950s original fabric.
Aluminum
$2,800Sale Price|20% Off
Gio Ponti For Casa E Giardino Fireside Side Accent Chair Black Rush Seat 1930's
By Casa e Giardino, Gio Ponti
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 Set of Four Painted and Gilded Iron Armchairs, 1948
By Casa e Giardino, Gio Ponti
Located in Milan, IT
Gio Ponti set of four painted and gilded Iron armchairs 1948.
Iron
$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
Gio Ponti Chair Mod. "646 Leggera" in Wood and Blue Fabric, Italy 1960s
By Gio Ponti
Located in Naples, IT
A very rare and iconic chair Mod. "646 Leggera" by Gio' Ponti, the chair is made of wood and the upholstery of blue fabric.
Fabric, 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
Pair of Gio Ponti 'Superleggera' Dining Chairs Made in Italy c.1950
By Gio Ponti
Located in London, GB
A stunning pair of 'Superleggera' dining chairs by the legendary Italian designer Gio Ponti, made in Italy circa 1950. Executed in beautifully finished ash wood with expertly hand-kn...
Straw, Wood, Ash
Gio Ponti Style Italian Mid-Century Walnut and Damask Curved Back Armchair
By Gio Ponti
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Mid-Century Walnut armchair with a curved wingback form and tapering atomic style armrests with beige damask upholstery on the seat and back (style of GIO PONTI)
Damask
Gio Ponti 699 Superleggera by Cassina in Black, White or Ash
By Gio Ponti, Cassina
Located in Berlin, DE
Prices are dependent on the chosen material. Gio Ponti 699 Superleggera by Cassina. Available in ASHWOOD LACQUERED BLACK or ASHWOOD LACQUERED WHITE or NATURAL ASHWOOD. Manufactured since 1957, the Superleggera wood chair is the rare combination of the architect’s innovative quest and the cutting-edge experimentation by the Meda-based company, becoming the indisputable icon and masterpiece of modernity and extreme artisanal elegance. A highlight of Cassina’s catalogue...
Cane, Ash