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.
Set of 8 “969” Volute Chairs for the VI Triennale by Gio Ponti, Montina, 1970s
By Montina, Gio Ponti
Located in Brescia, Brescia
Originally conceived by Gio Ponti for the VI Triennale di Milano in 1936, this set of eight dining chairs was reissued by Montina in the 1970s, preserving the poetic force and formal...
Fabric, Foam, Ash, Birch
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
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
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
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
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
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
$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
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
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 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
"Superleggera" Chairs by Gio Ponti for Cassina, 1950s, Set of 6
By Cassina, Gio Ponti
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 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
$8,192Sale Price / set|30% Off
Gio Ponti Leggera dining chairs Cassina, set of 6, Italy, 1956
By Figli di Amadeo Cassina, Gio Ponti
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
$1,768Sale 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
$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
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
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
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
$23,904 / 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
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
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
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 646 "Leggera" Dining Chairs for Cassina, Green Velvet, 1952, Set of 2
By Cassina, Gio Ponti
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 set of twelve Leggera chairs with hand-woven rattan cane, Italy 1951
By Gio Ponti, Figli di Amadeo Cassina
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
Set of 12 black-stained ash wood chairs with hand-woven rattan cane, designed by Gio Ponti, model 646 Leggera, in 1951 and manufactured by Figli di Amedeo Cassina during the late 195...
Cane, Ash
Gio Ponti 646 "Leggera" Dining Chairs for Cassina, Blue Velvet, 1952, Set of 12
By Gio Ponti, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gio Ponti 646 “Leggera” dining chairs for Cassina, blue velvet, Italy, 1952, set of 12 The 646 “Leggera” is one of Gio Ponti’s most enduring chair designs—an icon defined by Cassina...
Ash, Velvet
Gio Ponti 646 "Leggera" Dining Chairs for Cassina, Blue Velvet, 1952, Set of 4
By Cassina, Gio Ponti
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gio Ponti 646 “Leggera” dining chairs for Cassina, blue velvet, Italy, 1952, set of 4 The 646 “Leggera” is one of Gio Ponti’s most enduring chair designs—an icon defined by Cassina’...
Rope, Ash
Gio Ponti 646 "Leggera" Dining Chairs for Cassina, Blue Velvet, 1952, Set of 6
By Cassina, Gio Ponti
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gio Ponti 646 “Leggera” dining chairs for Cassina, blue velvet, Italy, 1952, set of 6 The 646 “Leggera” is one of Gio Ponti’s most enduring chair designs—an icon defined by Cassina’...
Rope, 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
Gio Ponti 646 "Leggera" Dining Chairs for Cassina, Blue Velvet, 1952, Set of 10
By Cassina, Gio Ponti
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gio Ponti 646 “Leggera” dining chairs for Cassina, blue velvet, Italy, 1952, set of 10 The 646 “Leggera” is one of Gio Ponti’s most enduring chair designs—an icon defined by Cassina...
Rope, Ash
Gio Ponti 646 "Leggera" Dining Chairs for Cassina, 1952, Set of 4
By Gio Ponti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These four chairs are designed by the iconic Italian architect and designer Gio Ponti. They exhibit Ponti's signature minimalist style, blending simplicity with elegance. The frames ...
Wood
Gio Ponti 646 "Leggera" Dining Chair for Cassina, 1952
By Gio Ponti, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gio Ponti 646 "Leggera" dining chair for Cassina, black ash-wood and rope seat, Italy, 1952 The model 646 "Leggera" is an icon of chair design and of Cassina’s masterful artisan cra...
Rope, Ash
Gio Ponti 646 "Leggera" Dining Chairs for Cassina, Blue Velvet, 1952, Set of 14
By Cassina, Gio Ponti
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gio Ponti 646 “Leggera” dining chairs for Cassina, blue velvet, Italy, 1952, set of fourteen The 646 “Leggera” is one of Gio Ponti’s most enduring chair designs—an icon defined by C...
Velvet, Ash
Gio Ponti 699 “Superleggera” Dining Chairs for Cassina, 1957, Set of 14
By Gio Ponti, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gio Ponti 699 “Superleggera” Dining Chairs for Cassina, Ash and Rope, Italy, 1957, Set of fourteen. In 1957 the Italian furniture manufacturer Amedeo Cassina added a new dining chai...
Rope, Wood, Ash
Gio Ponti 699 “Superleggera” Dining Chairs for Cassina, 1957, Set of 12
By Cassina, Gio Ponti
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gio Ponti 699 “Superleggera” Dining Chairs for Cassina, Ash and Rope, Italy, 1957, Set of twelve. In 1957 the Italian furniture manufacturer Amedeo Cassina added a new dining chair ...
Rope, Wood, Ash
Gio Ponti 646 "Leggera" Dining Chairs for Cassina, 1952, Set of 2
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 two The model 646 "Leggera" is an icon of chair design and of Cassina’s masterfu...
Rope, Ash
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
Gio Ponti 646 "Leggera" Dining Chairs for Cassina, 1952, Set of 4
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 four. The Gio Ponti 646 "Leggera" dining chairs, d...
Rope, Ash
Gio Ponti 646 "Leggera" Dining Chairs for Cassina, 1952, Set of 10
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 ten. The Gio Ponti 646 "Leggera" dining chairs, de...
Rope, Ash
Mid-Century Gio Ponti Set of Four Leggera 646 Ashwood Italian Chairs, 1951
By Gio Ponti
Located in Ibiza, Spain
Leggera Chair by Gio Ponti: Timeless Italian Design and Craftsmanship Introducing the Leggera Chair, a stunning set of six chairs model "Leggera 646" desi...
Cotton, Wood
Gio Ponti 646 "Leggera" Dining Chairs for Cassina, Green Velvet, 1952, Set of 6
By Gio Ponti, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gio Ponti 646 “Leggera” dining chair for Cassina, green velvet, Italy, 1952, set of six The 646 “Leggera” is one of Gio Ponti’s most enduring chair designs—an icon defined by Cassin...
Velvet, Ash
20th Century, Gio Ponti for Cassina Set of 8 Chairs mod. Leggera
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 Set of four Mid-century Blue Italian Dining Chairs Model "Leggera"
By Gio Ponti, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, ES
Gio Ponti (1891-1979) Set of four dining chairs, model "leggera" Manufactured by Cassina Italy, 1951 Measurements 82.55 cm x 44.45cm x 45.72 cm. 32.55 in x 17.5 in x 18 in. Litera...
Upholstery, Wood
Gio Ponti 646 "Leggera" Dining Chairs for Cassina, Blue Velvet, 1952, Set of 2
By Cassina, Gio Ponti
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gio Ponti 646 “Leggera” dining chairs for Cassina, blue velvet, Italy, 1952, set of 2 The 646 “Leggera” is one of Gio Ponti’s most enduring chair designs—an icon defined by Cassina’...
Rope, Ash
Red Faux Leather Leggera Dining Chairs by Gio Ponti for Cassina, 1960s, Set of 6
By Gio Ponti, Cassina
Located in Vicenza, IT
Set of Six 646" Leggera" dining chairs designed by Gio Ponti and produced by Cassina in 1956. Seater upholstered with red skai faux leather. Light brown ash structure. Meaning" light...
Ash
Gio Ponti 646 "Leggera" Dining Chairs for Cassina, 1952, Set of 8
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 eight. The model 646 "Leggera" is an icon of chair...
Rope, Ash
$2,509 / set
Eden" by Gio Ponti, 1950
By Gio Ponti
Located in Grenoble, FR
Eden" by Gio Ponti, 1950. Measures: Longueur: 44 cm Hauteur: 78 cm Profondeur: 52 cm.
Beech