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Gae Aulenti Sofas

Italian, 1927-2012

The Italian architect and designer Gae Aulenti will forever be best remembered for her work with museums, in particular her 1980–86 renovation of a Beaux Arts Paris train station to create the galleries of the Musée d’Orsay. Aulenti — whose first name, short for Gaetana, is pronounced “guy” — should also be recalled for her tough intellectual spirit and for working steadily when few women found successful architectural careers in postwar Italy.

After she graduated from the Milan Polytechic in 1954, Aulenti opened an architectural office. She also joined the staff of the progressive architectural magazine Casabella, whose editorial line was that the establishment, orthodox modernism of Le Corbusier and the Bauhaus, had outlived it usefulness. When their movement for fresh approaches to architecture and design received a sympathetic hearing, Aulenti found patrons — most prominently Gianni Agnelli, of Fiat, who later employed her to renovate the Palazzo Grassi in Venice for use as an arts exhibition space.

Commissions for showrooms and other corporate spaces brought Aulenti to furniture design. She felt that furniture should never dominate a room. Her chairs and sofas — low-slung, with rounded enameled metal frames and ample seats — and tables, particularly her 1972 marble Jumbo coffee table for Knoll, project solidity and sturdiness. In lighting design, however, Aulenti is bravura.

Each work has a marvelous sculptural presence. Pieces such as her Pipistrello table lamp and Quadrifoglio pendant are a perfect marriage of organically shaped glass and high-tech fixtures. Others have a futuristic elegance — and some even have a touch of personality. Aulenti’s Pileino and La Ruspa table lamps each look almost like little robots. Her lighting pieces are an artful grace note in the career of a woman who believed in strength.

Find vintage Gae Aulenti armchairs, coffee tables and other furniture on 1stDibs.

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Creator: Gae Aulenti
Lounge Sofa by Gae Aulenti for Knoll International, 1976
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Three seater sofa designed by Gae Aulenti in 1974. This sofa is part of the lounge seating line for the Aulenti Collection, manufactured by Knoll International. Aulenti first collab...
Category

1970s European Post-Modern Vintage Gae Aulenti Sofas

Materials

Metal

Stringa Sofa Set by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova
By Gae Aulenti, Poltronova
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
"Stringa" sofa designed by Gae Aulenti for Poltranova in 1962. A tubular chrome frame holds leather seats on top of felt upholstered cushions. The leather cushions are attached with ...
Category

1960s Italian Space Age Vintage Gae Aulenti Sofas

Materials

Chrome

Stringa 2-seater Leather Sofa by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, 1960s
By Gae Aulenti, Poltronova
Located in Ixelles, Bruxelles
Designer - Gae Aulenti Producer - Poltronova Model - Stringa 2-seater Sofa Design Period - Sixties Measurements - Width 132 cm x Depth 90 cm x Height 74 cm x Seat Height 40 cm Mater...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gae Aulenti Sofas

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Gae Aulenti for Poltronova 'Stringa' Sofa
By Gae Aulenti, Poltronova
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gae Aulenti for Poltranova, sofa model 'Stringa', leather, chromed metal, blue fabric upholstery, Italy, 1962 'Stringa' sofa designed by Gae Aulenti for Poltranova in 1962. A tubula...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gae Aulenti Sofas

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Three seater "Stringa" leather sofa by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova Italy 1962
By Poltronova, Gae Aulenti
Located in Renens, CH
Three seater "Stringa" leather sofa by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova Italy 1962 The Stringa three-seater leather sofa, designed by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova in Italy in 1962, stands a...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gae Aulenti Sofas

Materials

Stainless Steel

Walnut + Leather 3 Seat ‘Arcata’ Sofa by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, Italy 1968
By Gae Aulenti, Poltronova
Located in Chicago, IL
A three-seat ‘Arcata’ sofa designed by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova in 1968. This sculptural sofa features a walnut frame with an arched seat back and arms, whose curves are emphasized...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gae Aulenti Sofas

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Gae Aulenti 3 Seater Sofa for Knoll International, 1970
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Chicago, IL
Gae Aulenti 3 Seater Sofa for Knoll International, 1970. Original beautiful green leather.
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gae Aulenti Sofas

Materials

Steel

Gae Aulenti Loveseat Für Knoll 1970 Leder Sofa schwarz
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Lübeck, DE
Was ein Fund ! Dieses Sofa ist eine absolute Rarität. Liebhaber erkennen es sofort, der Love Seat von Gae Aulenti. Das Sofa befindet sich im Original Zustand und wurde 1970 herge...
Category

1970s Bauhaus Vintage Gae Aulenti Sofas

Materials

Metal

Pair of Vintage Sofas by Gae Aulenti Production Poltronova, Italy, 1965
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Biella, IT
Poltronova two sofas "stringa" from Gae Aulenti '65 design years. The two sofas are for three and two seats and have chrome structure and leather cushion in a particular and refined ...
Category

1970s Italian Modern Vintage Gae Aulenti Sofas

Materials

Chrome

Gae Aulenti, Kuka, Daybed, Zanotta, 1970s
By Zanotta, Gae Aulenti
Located in Paris, FR
Gae Aulenti Kuka A very rare square daybed covered with a light grey fabric. The removable head rest behind two rectangular cushions, the seat with two ...
Category

1970s Italian Modern Vintage Gae Aulenti Sofas

Materials

Fabric

Stringa Sofa Set by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova
By Poltronova, Gae Aulenti
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
"Stringa" sofa designed by Gae Aulenti for Poltranova in 1962. A tubular chrome frame holds leather seats on top of felt upholstered cushions. The leather cushions are attached with ...
Category

1960s Italian Space Age Vintage Gae Aulenti Sofas

Materials

Chrome

Three-Seater 'Arcata' by Gae Aulenti, Walnut and Burgundy Leather, 1968
By Poltronova, Gae Aulenti
Located in Antwerp, BE
Gae Aulenti; three-seater; Arcata; Poltronova; Italian Design; Italy; 1968; walnut; burgundy leather; Mid-Century Modern; Three-Seater 'Arcata' by Gae Aulenti, walnut and burgundy...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gae Aulenti Sofas

Materials

Leather, Walnut

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Locus Solus chair designed by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova 1964
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Gae Aulenti, Set of 6 "Orsay" Chairs for Knoll International, 1970s
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Sergio Asti for Poltronova 'Zelda' Sofa in Walnut and Leather
By Sergio Asti, Poltronova
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Sergio Asti for Poltronova, sofa model 'Zelda', leather, walnut, brass, Italy, 1962. This well-executed sofa features a sculptural wooden frame composed of cut-out angles that cont...
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Sofa Model 67A by Florence Knoll for Knoll International, USA, 1950s
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Pair of 54 L Armchairs by Gae Aulenti for Knoll International, 1970s
By Knoll, Gae Aulenti
Located in Ixelles, Bruxelles
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Gae Aulenti, Set of 3 "Orsay" Armchairs for Knoll International, 1970s
By Knoll, Gae Aulenti
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Gae Aulenti for Poltronova 'Locus Solus' Daybed in Chrome-Plated Steel
By Poltronova, Gae Aulenti
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Gae Aulenti for Poltronova Production, daybed model 'Locus Solus', chrome-plated steel, Larsen fabric, Italy, 1964 This daybed by Gae Aulenti is part of the 'Locus Solus' series cr...
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Florence Knoll for Knoll International Sofa in Blue Upholstery and Steel
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
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Florence Knoll for Knoll International, sofa, model '67A', steel, fabric, United States, design 1958, production 1960s/70s This sofa model 67A is designed by Florence Knoll for Knol...
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Pristine Florence Knoll Sofa for Knoll International
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
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Gae Aulenti, Kuka, Daybed, Zanotta, 1970s
By Zanotta, Gae Aulenti
Located in Paris, FR
Gae Aulenti Kuka A very rare square daybed covered with a light grey fabric. The removable head rest behind two rectangular cushions, the seat with two ...
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Gae Aulenti, Kuka, Daybed, Zanotta, 1970s
Gae Aulenti, Kuka, Daybed, Zanotta, 1970s
H 25.6 in W 59.06 in D 59.06 in
Previously Available Items
Gae Aulenti Three Seat Sofa
By Gae Aulenti, Knoll
Located in New York, NY
Three seat sofa by Gae Aulenti (b. Palazzolo Dello Stella 1927 - Milano 2012). Produced by Knoll International, USA, circa 1970. Features removable Cognac faux leather seat and bac...
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Gae Aulenti Three Seat Sofa
Gae Aulenti Three Seat Sofa
H 30 in W 88 in D 33 in
Italian modern daybed sofa Locus Solus by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, 1970s
By Gae Aulenti, Poltronova
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern daybed sofa Locus Solus by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, 1970s Daybed mod. Locus Solus with patina chromed metal structure. The structure is entirely made of tubular whi...
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1970s Italian Modern Vintage Gae Aulenti Sofas

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Gae Aulenti for Knoll Set Sofa and Armchair, Italy, 1975
By Gae Aulenti, Knoll
Located in Naples, IT
Set two-seater sofa mod. 54A and armchair Mod. 54S designed by Gae Aulenti for Knoll International, with bent steel frame with burgundy epoxy coating and cushions in black full-grain...
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Italian Mid-Century Leather Stringa Sofa by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, 1965
By Gae Aulenti, Poltronova
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century leather Stringa sofa by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, 1965 Stringa 3-seater sofa The tubular structure is in chromed metal. Brown leather cushions is tied to the or...
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1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gae Aulenti Sofas

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Italian Mid-Century Leather Stringa Sofa Armchair Gae Aulenti Poltronova, 1965
By Gae Aulenti, Poltronova
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century leather Stringa sofa and armchair by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, 1965 Stringa 3-seater sofa and armchair. The tubular structure is in chromed metal. Brown leathe...
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Sofa “Stringa” Chrome Plated, Platined Leather by Gae Aulenti, Italy, 1962
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Vienna, AT
Sofa “Stringa” Chrome Plated, Platined Leather by Gae Aulenti, Italy, 1962. The 'Stringa' sofa designed by Gae Aulenti for Poltranova in 1962 has a tubular chrome frame that holds ...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gae Aulenti Sofas

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Stringa Sofa by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, 1965
By Gae Aulenti
Located in London, GB
Poltronova three seater "stringa" sofa by Gae Aulenti designed in 1965. The Sofa has a structured frame in chrome and the cushions are in their original back leather and the back...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Gae Aulenti Sofas

Materials

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Stringa Sofa by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, 1965
Stringa Sofa by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, 1965
H 28.35 in W 74.81 in D 30.32 in
Gae Aulenti Model "Stringa" Sofa by Poltronova Production, 1965
By Gae Aulenti
Located in bari, IT
Gae Aulenti model "Stringa" sofa by Poltronova production 1965 three-seat. A restoration to the leather upholstery is required.
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gae Aulenti Sofas

Materials

Stainless Steel

Gae Aulenti 'Stringa' Sofa
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Antwerp, BE
Stringa 3-seat sofa in leather and chrome by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova from the 1970s. Tubular chrome metal frame, black woolen cloth, black leather. Condition: In a very good ...
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Gae Aulenti 'Stringa' Sofa
Gae Aulenti 'Stringa' Sofa
H 27.96 in W 74.81 in L 27.96 in
1960s, Leather and Chrome Lounge Sofa by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova
By Gae Aulenti, Poltronova
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
Wonderful lounge sofa designed by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova Italy. This beautiful sofa is made of a black leather seating on a chromed frame. It is in excellent condition. Period...
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Three-Seat Leather Sofa by Gae Aulenti for Knoll, 1976
By Knoll, Gae Aulenti
Located in Milan, IT
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Sofa by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Nice sofa designed by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, cavallino upholstered.
Category

1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gae Aulenti Sofas

Sofa by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova
Sofa by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova
H 28.35 in W 51.97 in D 35.44 in

Gae Aulenti sofas for sale on 1stDibs.

Gae Aulenti sofas are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Gae Aulenti sofas, although black editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original sofas by Gae Aulenti were created in the mid-century modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider sofas by Giovanni Offredi, Vivai del Sud, and Luigi Caccia Dominioni. Prices for Gae Aulenti sofas can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $2,800 and can go as high as $25,700, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $9,332.

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