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, Dresser, Walnut, Singer & Sons, America, 1950s
By M. Singer & Sons, Gio Ponti
Located in High Point, NC
A walnut dresser designed by Gio Ponti and produced by M. Singer & Sons, New York, America, 1950s. Labeled. Wear consistent with age and use. Overall Dimensions: 36.75"H x 47...
Walnut
20th Century, Gio Ponti for Giordano Chiesa Illuminated Organized Wall
By Gio Ponti, Giordano Chiesa
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...
Glass, Wood
Gio Ponti Walnut Dresser Cupboard by M. Singer & Sons, Circa 1940
By Gio Ponti, M. Singer & Sons
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A light-brown, vintage Mid-Cenutry Modern Italian, American geometric dresser cupboard made of hand crafted polished walnut, designed by Gio Ponti an...
Walnut
Gio Ponti for Singer and Sons Model 2160 Mid Century Walnut Cabinet
By M. Singer & Sons, Gio Ponti
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Gio Ponti for Singer and Sons Mid Century Model 2160 walnut cabinet This cabinet measures: 69.75 wide x 19 deep x 37.5 inches high We take our photos in a controlled lighting studi...
Walnut
Gio Ponti Display Cabinet Model 4120 for Singer & Sons
By Gio Ponti
Located in San Francisco, CA
Rare and important display cabinet by the master Gio Ponti, model 4120 for Singer & Sons. Elegant and architectural display cabinet in gorgeous Italian walnut with brass sabots and p...
Brass
Gio Ponti for M. Singer and Sons Rare Model 2160 Floating Credenza
By M. Singer & Sons, Gio Ponti
Located in Raleigh, NC
A stunning mid-century modern credenza by the legendary Italian designer Gio Ponti, crafted circa 1950–1951 for M. Singer & Sons. This exquisite Model 2160 features a sleek, low-prof...
Wood, Walnut
Italian dresser by Gio Ponti for P. Lietti, 1928
By Luigi Brusotti, Paolo Lietti & Figli, Gio Ponti
Located in Meda, MB
This dresser was produced in Italy, in Cantù (small village in the north of Italy, next to Milan), by Paolo Lietti & Figli and designed by Gio Ponti. It features a mirror manufac...
Bronze
Gio Ponti Rationalist Cabinet, 1940
By Gio Ponti
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gio Ponti Rationalist Cabinet, wood, Italy, 1940. This office cabinet, designed by Gio Ponti in the 1940s, is crafted through a meticulous study of the play of light. It balances e...
Wood
Mid-Century Modern Early Knoll Walnut 2-Door Credenza
By Florence Knoll
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Diminutive credenza from the early 1950s. Walnut top is new veneer replacing worn Formica. Leather pulls a signature Florence Knoll design mark. Two sliding doors open to reveal two ...
Steel
$57,370 / set
H 33.47 in W 39.38 in D 18.12 in
Guido Faleschini for Hermés. 20th-century French sideboard with 6 modules.
By Hermès, Guido Faleschini
Located in Palermo, IT
Amazing and very rare 6-module sideboard designed by Guido Faleschini for Hermès in 1971. The only specimen currently on the market with 6 complete elements. The cabinet has a centr...
Metal, Steel
$4,183
H 32.29 in W 38.98 in D 17.72 in
Gio Ponti style Console Table for Singer, Lacquered Oak & Iron, Italy, 1960s
By Singer, Gio Ponti
Located in Ceglie Messapica, IT
Gio Ponti style Console Table for Singer, Lacquered Oak & Iron, Italy, 1960s A rare 1960s console table manufactured by Singer. Manufactured in Italy in the 1960s, the item is made ...
Brass, Iron
$4,171
H 59.06 in W 48.04 in D 1.97 in
Pair of Gio Ponti Wardrobe Doors from the Hotel Royal, Naples, 1955
By Gio Ponti, Giordano Chiesa
Located in Rome, IT
Rare pair of Gio Ponti wardrobe doors, 1955 from the furniture of the Hotel Royal, Naples manufactured by Giordano Chiesa and produced by Dassi Lissone 2 mirrors on the verso walnut,...
Brass
Gio Ponti Style Horizontal Tambour Storage Cabinet with Key
By Gio Ponti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century storage cabinet with tambour door and key. Classic rustic style with tons of character and functionality making for a perfect addition to any space that values efficiency...
Oak
20th Century Antique French Cabinet
Located in Fullerton, CA
Large vintage cabinet with drawers and cabinets. There are 18 small drawers on the top half of the piece and three cabinet at the bottom, one of which has 2 shelves inside. The patin...
Wood
$1,338Sale Price|20% Off
H 31.3 in W 37.6 in D 17.92 in
Bar Cocktail Cabinet, Walnut & Marble France, 20th Mid-Century
Located in Labrit, Landes
Buffet cocktail bar made from a sewing machine cabinet Walnut lacquered Marble has been inlaid at the sewing-machine level, giving it a quality design that's practical for placing gl...
Wrought Iron
Børge Mogensen Teak Cabinet, Model BM57, P. Lauritsen & Sons
By Børge Mogensen
Located in Raleigh, NC
Børge Mogensen cabinet in teak with oak interior and brass hardware. The exterior case features teak with natural grain patterns and deeper red tones, showing the richer color varia...
Brass
$4,850 / set
H 70.5 in W 72 in D 18 in
True Mid-Century Classic Inlaid Rosewood Walnut Credenza Cabinet by Stanley USA
By Stanley Furniture
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a superb Mid-Century Modern credenza or sideboard by Stanley. It is mostly walnut with geometric rosewood inlays on the fronts and has turned aluminum pulls. The lower cabine...
Aluminum, Iron
20th Century Rustic Pine Cabinet
Located in Southampton, NY
20th Century Rustic Pine Cabinet A simply constructed pine cabinet with two doors and a central rail. A grey-ish painted wash gives creates a beautiful patina. Two porcelain knobs a...
Pine
Gio Ponti Console Chest with Mirror
By Gio Ponti
Located in Hanover, MA
BG GALLERIES SUMMER SALE Gio Ponti long cabinet of six drawers standing on four integrated legs and topped silvered reverse painted glass and surmounted by a large rectangular mirror and a floating glass shelf cut in Ponti's distinctive diamond form. Drawer faces have knife blade edges. Made in 1957 from ash wood and glass. Original brass keys. Perfect for bedroom or entrance hall. "Certificate of Authenticity" from the Gio Ponti Archives. Mobile da camera o da ingresso con cassetti e grande...
Ash, Glass
$2,400
H 31 in W 54 in D 18.5 in
Classic Mid-Century Walnut Dresser by Merton Gershun / American of Martinsville
By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun
Located in Buffalo, NY
Stunning walnut Modernist dresser designed by Merton Gershun ,,manufactured by American Of Martinsville. Classic aluminum x's and asymetrical pulls. Beautiful original condition. Han...
Aluminum
Pair of rare Cabinets by Gio Ponti for Domus Nova, Italy, 1930s
By Gio Ponti
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Elegant pair of high cabinets designed by Gio Ponti, Italy, circa 1930s. Each piece is crafted in burl wood and walnut, showcasing a refined geometric design enriched by a gently cur...
Wood
GIo Ponti "grissinato" bar cabinet made of oak, Italy, 1940s
By Gio Ponti
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
Bar cabinet with shelves and doors in oak wood, Italian craftsmanship from the 1940s, designed by Gio Ponti. This oak furniture, a perfect ad...
Brass
Sold
H 35.83 in W 70.87 in D 19.69 in
Italian Art Deco wooden sideboard with six drawers by Gio Ponti, 1940s
By Gio Ponti
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian Art Deco wooden sideboard with six drawers by Gio Ponti, 1940s Sideboard with rectangular wooden top. It has six striped wood drawers with each a hole with a turned wooden f...
Brass
Sold
H 63.5 in W 70 in D 18.5 in
Gio Ponti for M. Singer & Sons Italian Mid-Century Modern Walnut Cabinet
By M. Singer & Sons, Gio Ponti
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Mid-Century Modern 2-tier cabinet with three-doors and interior double-wide drawers. One door opens to reveal open shelf storage, and the base cabinet supports a floating dis...
Glass, Walnut
Gio Ponti Credenza for M.Singer & Sons
By Gio Ponti
Located in San Francisco, CA
Gio Ponti design credenza for M.Singer & Sons, Model 2184. Highly quality construction with gorgeous figured walnut case and doors on original tapered legs. Original caned doors with...
Cane, Walnut
1950s Wall Cabinet by Gio Ponti
By Gio Ponti
Located in London, England
From the 'Modern by Singer' series for Singer & Sons, early 1950s Rare tall cabinet in walnut, the shelving in the upper section backed by soft white...
Wood
Sold
H 35.44 in W 43.31 in D 20.87 in
Gio Ponti Three Drawers Green Cabinet from Hotel Parco dei Principi, Rome, 1964
By Giordano Chiesa, Gio Ponti
Located in Rome, IT
Gio Ponti cabinet from Hotel Parco dei Principi, Rome, 1964 Important cabinet by Gio Ponti produced for Hotel Parco dei Principi in Rome, 1964 Chest of drawers produced by Giordano...
Brass
Gio Ponti Sideboard in Oakwood Casa & Giardino, 1930s, Italy
By Gio Ponti, Casa e Giardino
Located in Cascina, Pisa
Very beautiful sideboard in oakwood, designed by Gio Ponti and produced by Casa & Giardino in 1930s, Italy. Available with expertise released by Gio Ponti Archives.
Oak
Gio Ponti Cabinet
By Gio Ponti, M. Singer & Sons
Located in New York, NY
Rare 3-door cabinet designed by Gio Ponti. Produced for M. Singer & Sons, model # 2160. Walnut cabinet featuring 3 front doors with knife-edge detailing, raised on tapering legs. 2 d...
Walnut
Gio Ponti Credenza for M.Singer & Sons
By Gio Ponti
Located in San Francisco, CA
Gio Ponti credenza for M.Singer & Sons, Model 2184. Highly quality construction with gorgeous figured walnut case and doors on original tapered legs. Original caned doors with a fitt...
Cane, Walnut
Sold
H 36.75 in W 72 in D 19.75 in
Gio Ponti, Rare Double Dresser, Walnut, for Singer & Sons, America, 1950s
By Gio Ponti, M. Singer & Sons
Located in High Point, NC
An iconic and rare double dresser / cabinet. Designed by Gio Ponti in his signature style where the grips of the drawers form a highly modernist ornamentation. Production of studio-l...
Walnut
Sold
H 55.12 in W 98.43 in D 17.72 in
Gio Ponti Large Sideboard in Walnut and Brass for Singer & Sons 1950s Italy
By Gio Ponti, M. Singer & Sons
Located in Cascina, Pisa
20th-Century sideboard with five doors and inner shelves in walnut veneer with brass handles and keys. Designed by Gio Ponti and manufactured by Singer & Son between the late 1940s and the early 1950s. The sideboard has accompanied the authenticity certificate n. 17090/000 released by the Gio Ponti Archives in Milan. According to the Archives study...
Brass