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 Lio Carminati Bonacina Wicker Armchair Mid-Century Design 1950s
By Lio Carminati, Gio Ponti
Located in Taranto, IT
Gio Ponti Lio Carminati Bonacina Wicker Armchair Mid-Century 1950s Design. Item is in good conservative condition, slight signs of time due to use and age present. (Please see phot...
Wicker, Rattan
Set of Four Model 969 Chairs by Gio Ponti for Montina, Italy, 1970s
By Gio Ponti, Montina
Located in Milan, IT
Set of four chairs by Gio Ponti for Montina. Natural finish wood frames with scroll backrest.
Wood
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
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
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
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
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
Pair of Mod. 687 Walnut Stools / Ottomans by Gio Ponti for Cassina, c.1953
By Cassina, Gio Ponti
Located in London, GB
A beautiful pair of Model '687' walnut stools / ottomans designed by Gio Ponti for Cassina, Italy, c.1953. With great sculptural lines and elegant tapered legs, these stools will mak...
Velvet, Wood, Walnut
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
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
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
Pair of Armchairs “Triennale” by Gio Ponti for ISA Bergamo, Italy
By Gio Ponti
Located in New York, NY
Pair of sculptural armchairs with smooth wooden frames, featuring subtly winged sides and trapezoidal backrests and seats. Designed by Gio Ponti and produced by I.S.A. Bergamo in 195...
Velvet, Wood
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
$1,780Sale Price|20% Off
Gio Ponti SUPERLEGGERA 499 chair by Cassina, 1970s
By Cassina, Gio Ponti
Located in Zevenaar, NL
Giò Ponti was perhaps the most influential figure in Italian design and architecture for nearly three decades, from the 1950s to the 1970s. Throughout his long career, he left his ma...
Cane, Ash
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
$14,800Sale Price / set|20% Off
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
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
Molteni&C D.153.1 Leather Armchair by Gio Ponti
By Molteni & C, Gio Ponti
Located in Boston, MA
The iconic D.153.1 armchair is a mid-century design by acclaimed Italian designer Gio Ponti. With a high backrest and slight recline, it features a lush fabric mix offering a contemp...
Brass
$8,265Sale Price / set|30% Off
Gio Ponti Leggera dining chairs Cassina, set of 6, Italy, 1956
By Gio Ponti, Figli di Amadeo Cassina
Located in Zevenaar, NL
Set of 6 blonde Leggerera chairs by Gio Ponti, designed in 1954. This set is an early verion and manufactured in 1956. (labeled) These iconic and very comforable chairs by Gio Ponti...
Straw, Beech
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
$7,999Sale 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
Gio Ponti 646 "Leggera" Dining Chairs for Cassina, 1952, Set of 6
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 six. The model 646 "Leggera" is an icon of chair d...
Rope, Ash
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 Modern Ninfea Folding Side Chair by Gio Ponti, Italy
By Gio Ponti
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A light-brown, vintage Mid-Century Modern Italian Ninfea folding side chair made of hand crafted polished Walnut, designed by Gio Ponti, in good condition. The seat backrest of singl...
Leather, Walnut
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 mod. 111 by Giò Ponti for Cassina set of 4 Wooden Chairs 1950s Italy
By Cassina, Gio Ponti
Located in Palermo, IT
Beautiful set of 4 chairs mod."111" by Giò Ponti, with a shaped wooden structure, with padded back and seat and covered in wisteria-colored fabric. Cassina production, Italy, 1950s. ...
Fabric, Wood
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
Gio Ponti & Emilio Lancia Wood and Rush Armchair for Domus Nova, Italy, 1929
By Gio Ponti, Emilio Lancia
Located in Milan, IT
Spectacular Armchair by Gio Ponti and Emilio Lancia for Domus Nova. Italy 1929. A supreme example of Italian Art Deco design.
Rush, Wood
Set of 4 Orange Leather "Leggera" Chairs by Gio Ponti for Cassina, Italy, 1950s
By Gio Ponti, Cassina
Located in Milan, IT
Four chairs model 646 by Gio Ponti for Cassina. Rare version with upholstered backrest. Set features three chairs come with same color and the fourth one in a different color.
Wood
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
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
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, 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
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
$24,048 / set
Gio Ponti Dining Chairs
By Gio Ponti
Located in Oosterbeek, NL
Six very special Gio Ponti Italian dining chairs design in the 1950s for Singer & Sons. Good condition.
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
Molteni&C D.154.2 Lounge Chair by Gio Ponti
By Gio Ponti, Molteni & C
Located in Boston, MA
This mid-century lovechair was inspired by designer Gio Ponti's trips to Latin America in the 1950s. A winner of the Wallpaper Design Award, today the armchair is one of Molteni&C's ...
Chrome
Pair of Chairs '699 Superleggera' by Gio Ponti production Cassina Anni 60
By Gio Ponti, Cassina
Located in Milano, IT
Chairs with enameled wood frame, seat made of guinea cane. Signs of wear and tear are present on the frame; there is a break in one seat.
Wood
Mid Century 1950s Model 803 Armchair by Gio Ponti
By Cassina, Gio Ponti
Located in London, London
Armchair by Gio Ponti Model 803 New upholstery Stained beech legs Made by Cassina Retailed by Illums Bolihus (label attached) Upholstered in Pierre Frey fabric with...
Fabric, Velvet, Beech
Pair of Armchair Gio Ponti Casa e Giardino, 1930s Full Restoration by Greenapple
By Casa e Giardino, Gio Ponti, Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Collectible Vintage Italian armchair designed by Gio Ponti for the Casa e Giardino manufacturing company in the late 1930s. This iconic design piece has been completely restored fro...
Brass
Gio Ponti “ Superleggera” N. 4, Chair Wood Straw Padding, 1950, Italy
By Gio Ponti
Located in Milano, IT
N . 4 Superleggera Gio Ponti.
Wood, Raffia
Gio Ponti Set of Twelve Superleggera Chairs for Cassina, Italy, 1957
By Gio Ponti, Figli di Amadeo Cassina
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
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 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
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
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
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
Gio Ponti Model 116 Dining Chair for Singer and Sons Produced By Giordano Chiesa
By Gio Ponti, Giordano Chiesa
Located in Coronado, CA
This Gio Ponti Model 116 chair was produced in the 1950s by Giordano Chiesa for Singer and Sons cabinet shops in New York City. We had this piece lovingly restored and upholstered in...
Leather, Walnut
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
Armchair by Gio Ponti for Boucher Édition
By Boucher & Co, Gio Ponti
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Rare fauteuils par Gio Ponti pour Boucher et Fils, Cet éditeur distribua quelques modèles de Ponti en France.
Fabric, Ash
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
Armchair by Gio Ponti for Cassina
By Cassina, Gio Ponti
Located in Lugo, IT
Armchair by Gio Ponti for Cassina Defects on the Vienna cane, as shown in the photo. Good condition. Thank you.
Wood
$20,200Sale Price|27% 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
110 Chair by Gio Ponti and Fornasetti for Cassina, 1953
By Gio Ponti, Cassina, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Conversano, IT
Extraordinary Model 110 chair, designed by Gio Ponti in 1951 and produced by Cassina, unanimously recognized as one of the highest and most refined expressions of Italian postwar des...
Fabric, Wood
$3,547 / item
Gio Ponti Leggera Chair For Cassina
By Gio Ponti
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Gio Ponti Leggera Chair For Cassina An icon of chair design and of Cassina’s masterful artisan craftsmanship. A tasteful and versatile piece remin...
Walnut
Set of 8 Gio Ponti Leggera Model 646 Dining Chairs for Cassina, Italy, 1950s
By Gio Ponti
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A wonderful set of eight original, early Gio Ponti Leggera Model 646 dining chairs, Cassina, Italy, 1950s. In restored condition with new upholstery. All with maker’s label marked 'F...
Fabric, Wood
20th Century, Gio Ponti Light Blue Wooden Sofa
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 for Casa E Giardino Midcentury Armchairs in Bouclé Upholstery, Italy
By Gio Ponti
Located in Almelo, NL
Gio Ponti For Casa E Giardino Midcentury Armchairs in Bouclé upholstery Italy 1940s These elegant midcentury Italian armchairs are not only comfortable but also incredibly elegan...
Bouclé, Beech
Gio Ponti Wingback Chair in Cherry Wood and Mélange Nobilis Fabric, Italy, 1929
By Gio Ponti, Nobilis
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
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