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 for Venini Italian Morandine Art Glass Decanter & Stopper
By Gio Ponti
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stunning Italian Venini mid-century blue and green Morandine art glass decanter by the father figure of Italian design Gio Ponti (Italian, 1891-1979) and designed in 1949. Gio Po...
Blown Glass
Gio Ponti Three-Door Wardrobe by Dassi, Blond Walnut, Mid-Century
By Dassi, Gio Ponti
Located in Torino, Piemonte
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...
Wood
Decorative Art 1959/1960
By Gio Ponti, Tapio Wirkkala, Berndt Friberg
Located in New York, NY
Survey of trends in modern architecture, furniture, and decorative arts, principally from Britain, Europe, the U.S., Latin America, and Japan, covering the years 1959-1960. Contains ...
Paper
Triennale Armchair Prototypes by Gio Ponti for I.S.A. Bergamo, with certificate
By Gio Ponti
Located in Milano, IT
Pair of “Triennale” Armchairs by Gio Ponti for I.S.A. Bergamo, 1951 An important and rare pair of “Triennale” armchairs, designed by Gio Ponti and produced by I.S.A. Bergamo in 1951...
Brass
Pair of Gio Ponti Side Tables in Walnut, Italy c1950s
By Gio Ponti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of small tables by Gio Ponti, prolific Italian designer. Schirolli production, tapered legs with a slight outward splay. Sourced in Milan, Italy. Dimensions: 20”w x 12"d x 20"h...
Walnut
Gio Ponti Italian Walnut Wardrobe with Horizontal Striped Veneer, Italy, 1930s
By Gio Ponti
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
The wardrobe reads as a sequence of horizontal bands: the entire carcase, both front and sides, is veneered in walnut in a tight rhythm of lighter and darker stripes that runs withou...
Walnut
A Gio Ponti Mid-Century Silver plated Champagne or Wine Cooler, A. Krupp, Milano
By Arthur Krupp, Gio Ponti
Located in London, Fitzrovia
A Mid-Century Silver plated Gio Ponti Champagne or Wine Cooler for A. Krupp, Milano. Barely used. From a series designed for the VI triennale, 1930's to 1950's. Beautiful quality an...
Metal
Gio Ponti for Poltrona Frau Set of Four Lounge Chairs in Light Blue Leather
By Gio Ponti, Poltrona Frau
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gio Ponti for Poltrona Frau, lounge chairs, model ´Dezza´ nr. 48, leather, lacquered wood, metal, Italy, 1965. Set of four stylish lounge chairs designed by Gio Ponti for Poltrona ...
Metal
Vintage Mid Century "Model 803" Armchair by Gio Ponti
By Cassina, Gio Ponti
Located in Oxnard, CA
Here is a "Model 803" armchair by Gio Ponti produced by Cassina, circa 1950s. This stunning design by Ponti is appreciated for its angular lines, subtle curves and tapered legs. Th...
Fabric, Wood
Gio Ponti Dezza Lounge Chairs for Poltro Frau, Cowhide & Leather, Italian Design
By Gio Ponti
Located in Astoria, NY
Pair of Gio Ponti for Poltrona Frau "Dezza" Lounge Chairs, with cowhide and black leather upholstery on chrome-plated tapered legs, with "Poltrona Frau" label to underside. 36" H x ...
Chrome
Gio Ponti Fato Artemide Italian Design White Table Lamp 1967
By Artemide, Gio Ponti
Located in Brescia, IT
White square frame with folded geometric metal forms creating light and dark Iconic light object and a beautiful lamp. First production Fato lamp designed by Gio Ponti and produced ...
Metal
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 for Venini, A Canne Polychrome Vase, Murano, circa 1950s
By Gio Ponti, Venini
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A commanding example of the a canne technique by Gio Ponti for Venini, executed in a generous upright trumpet form with a gently undulating, free-formed rim. Vertical canes of colore...
Murano Glass
A pair of Black Wooden Gio Ponti Leggera Chairs with Cord Seats, Italy 1951
By Gio Ponti, Cassina
Located in Den Haag, NL
A pair of black wooden Gio Ponti Leggera chairs with cord seats, Italy 1951.
Cord, Wood
Ceramic tile by Gio Ponti for Richard Ginori 1960s with frame
By Richard Ginori, Gio Ponti
Located in taranto, IT
very rare ceramic tile , produced by Richard Ginori in 1965, designed by Gio Ponti. Published in the most important books concerning postwar Italian Ceramic production, displayed in ...
Aluminum
"Horned Mask" Gio Ponti by Sabattini Silver Plated 1970s Italian Design
By Gio Ponti
Located in Brescia, IT
"Horned Mask" Gio Ponti by Sabattini, 1978 Openwork metal sheet.
Metal
$16,906Sale Price / set|20% Off
Rare Unica Collection Dishes Gio Ponti Franco Pozzi 1960 27 Pieces Multicolor
By Gio Ponti
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Very rare collection of 27 pieces produced by Franco Pozzi Ceramiche based on a design by Gio Ponti.
Ceramic
Gio Ponti for Poltrona Frau Lounge Chair 'Dezza' in Light Blue Leather
By Gio Ponti, Poltrona Frau
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gio Ponti for Poltrona Frau, lounge chair model ´Dezza´ nr. 48, leather, lacquered beech, metal, Italy, 1965. Stylish lounge chair designed by Gio Ponti for Poltrona Frau. This cha...
Metal
Rare Gio Ponti–Style Brass and Glass Mirror with E. Müller Glas Label, 1950s
By Gio Ponti
Located in Brescia, Brescia
Rare and highly evocative Italian mid-century mirror, circa 1950s, attributed to Gio Ponti. A remarkable warehouse discovery, preserved for decades and never placed into use, this sc...
Brass
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
$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
$3,944Sale Price|30% Off
Gio Ponti N. 512 Mid-Century Modern Italian Sofa for ISA, 1950s
By ISA Bergamo, Gio Ponti
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Elegant and splendid three-seater sofa with high backrest by Gio Ponti, 1950s, for ISA Edizioni, Bergamo, model N. 512. Carved profile, refined lines, sensual and deep comfort. The u...
Beech, Fabric
Floor Lamp mod. 1967, Gio Ponti, Prod. Fontana Arte, Italy, 1950's
By Fontana Arte, Gio Ponti
Located in Piacenza, Italy
This elegant floor lamp, model 1967, was designed by Gio Ponti for Fontana Arte in the 1950's. It features a brass stem with joints, a crystal base, and a lacquered metal reflector. ...
Crystal, Aluminum, Brass
Fede Cheti Italian Velvet Loveseat
By Gio Ponti
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
An Italian loveseat designed by Gio Ponti, upholstered in its original green Fede Cheti velvet with pewter fringe, and documented by architect and designer Roberto Aloi in 1950. An i...
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
Pair of Brass Sconces "Finestra" 12664 by Gio Ponti for Arredoluce. Italy, 1950s
By Gio Ponti, Arredoluce
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Rare Mid-Century Modern pair of brass and painted lacquered metal wall lights lamps sconces lighting model "Finestra" 12664 by the italian designer Gio Ponti for the manufacture Arre...
Metal, Brass
Gio Ponti 646 "Leggera" Chairs for Cassina, Sand Beige Velvet, 1952, Set of 8
By Gio Ponti, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gio Ponti 646 “Leggera” dining chairs for Cassina, sand beige velvet, Italy, 1952, set of eight. The 646 “Leggera” is one of Gio Ponti’s most enduring chair designs—an icon defined ...
Velvet, Ash
Gio Ponti, Sofa, Velvet, Wood, Italy, 1940s
By Gio Ponti
Located in High Point, NC
A green velvet and wood sofa designed by Gio Ponti and produced by Casa e Giardino, Italy, c. 1940s. Minor scuffing of feet. Minor staining on seat and backrest cushions. Minor fr...
Velvet, Wood
$1,577Sale Price|20% Off
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
Gio Ponti style Ebonized ladder back rush seat side or desk chair with ball feet
By Gio Ponti
Located in London, GB
Gio Ponti. An ebonized ladder back rush seat side or desk chair with ball feet. Stamped Made in Italy on the back stretcher.
Rush
Gio Ponti 'Bilia' Table Lamp in Satin Nickel and Opaline Glass for Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Gio Ponti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gio Ponti 'Bilia' table lamp in satin nickel and opaline glass for Fontana Arte. In 1931, Gio Ponti and Pietro Chiesa approached the Luigi Fontana Company to manufacture their desi...
Metal
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
Gio Ponti for Singer & Sons Model 2135 Walnut Expanding Dining Table - 4 Leaves
By M. Singer & Sons, Gio Ponti
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Gio Ponti for Singer & Sons Model 2135 Mid Century Walnut Expanding Dining Table with 4 Leaves This table measures: 48 wide x 48 deep x 28.5 inches high, with a chair clearance of 2...
Walnut
Gio Ponti 646 "Leggera" Chairs for Cassina, Sand Beige Velvet, 1952, Set of 6
By Gio Ponti, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gio Ponti 646 “Leggera” dining chairs for Cassina, sand beige velvet, Italy, 1952, set of six. The 646 “Leggera” is one of Gio Ponti’s most enduring chair designs—an icon defined by...
Velvet, Ash
Iconic Italian Mid-Century Modern Brass Shield Mirror by Gio Ponti, 1950s
By Gio Ponti
Located in Nicolosi, IT
Iconic Italian Mid-Century Modern brass mirror from the 1950s, designed by Gio Ponti and distinguished by its elegant shield-shaped silhouette. The piece stands out for its refined ...
Brass
Italian Design Gio Ponti Art Glass Bottle "Morandiana (V)" Venini Murano, 1950s
By Gio Ponti, Venini
Located in Odense, DK
An exceptionally refined "Morandiana (V)" art glass bottle designed by Gio Ponti for Venini in the 1950s, exemplifying the architect-designer's celebrated exploration of pure geometr...
Blown Glass
Gio Ponti 'F.A. 33' Half Length Mirror in Black Brass for GUBI
By Gubi, Gio Ponti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gio Ponti 'F.A. 33' Half Length Mirror in Black Brass for GUBI The 'F.A. 33' Mirror was originally designed by Gio Ponti in 1933 for Fontana Arte, the period’s most prominent lamp, ...
Brass
Walnut Bench by Gio Ponti made by Fratelli Reguitti 1950
By Gio Ponti
Located in Oirlo, LI
Step back in time with this exquisite walnut bench, a testament to the timeless elegance of mid-century design. Attributed to the legendary Gio Ponti and crafted by Fratelli Reguitt...
Walnut
Gio Ponti 'F.A. 33' Half Length Mirror in Brass for GUBI
By Gio Ponti, Gubi
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gio Ponti 'F.A. 33' Half Length Mirror in Brass for GUBI The 'F.A. 33' mirror was originally designed by Gio Ponti in 1933 for Fontana Arte, the period’s most prominent lamp, glass...
Brass
Gio Ponti 'F.A. 33' Full Length Mirror in Black Brass for GUBI
By Gio Ponti, Gubi
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gio Ponti 'F.A. 33' Full Length Mirror in Black Brass for GUBI The 'F.A. 33' Mirror was originally designed by Gio Ponti in 1933 for Fontana Arte, the period’s most prominent lamp,...
Brass
Gio Ponti for Ginori Athletic Dish
By Gio Ponti
Located in New York, NY
Gio Ponti for Ginori athletic dish. Vintage Richard Ginori shaped nut dish/ small saucer from the athletic series designed by Gio Ponti featuring ...
Porcelain
$25,000 / item
Large Gio Ponti Lounge Chairs
By Gio Ponti
Located in Red Lion, PA
Rare and important pair of high back lounge chairs with wood frames and upholstered seats and backs by Gio Ponti Newly Upholstered
Fabric, Wood
Gio Ponti 'Luna Sospensione' Pendant Lamp in Brass for Tato Italia
By Gio Ponti, Tato Italia
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gio Ponti 'Luna Sospensione' Pendant Lamp in Brass for Tato Italia Designed by Italian design icon Gio Ponti, this authorized Tato Italia re-edition is executed in brushed brass har...
Brass
Gio Ponti Model 811 armchair made of walnut and rubber, Cassina, Italy, 1957
By Figli di Amadeo Cassina, Gio Ponti
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
A rare armchair Model 811, with a walnut structure and rubber bands, designed by Gio Ponti and produced in Italy by Cassina in 1957. There are artifacts from past decades that, due ...
Rubber, Walnut
Set of Two 1940s Gio Ponti Style Mid-Century Modern Solid Brass Wall Sconces
By Gio Ponti
Located in Aci Castello, IT
These exquisite wall sconces, dating from the 1940s, capture the refined elegance and sculptural fluidity characteristic of the Gio Ponti era of Italian Mid-Century Modern design. Cr...
Brass
Gio Ponti 516 Armchairs, Walnut Frame, Two-Tone Upholstery, 1950
By Gio Ponti
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Vintage 516 Armchairs by master Italian architect, publisher, and designer Gio Ponti, 1950. A timeless, architectural expression featuring a sculptural walnut frame, distinctive sl...
Walnut
Straw Holder by Broggi Milano for Hotel Europa in the manner of Gio Ponti
By Fratelli Broggi, Milano, Gio Ponti
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
A rare art deco straw holder designed by Gio Ponti for Bar Pasticceria Alemagna at Piazza Duomo in Milano. The shape is simple and sleek and elegant. ...
Silver Plate
large Gio Ponti coffee table, walnut and Fontana arte thick glass, 1940
By Gio Ponti
Located in Rome, IT
Gio Ponti coffee table with an important Fontana arte glass top, 1950 walnut, glass and brass feet very good original condition measures: height: 49cm ; 113 x 54 cm ; glass thickne...
Brass
Gio Ponti Leggera Armchair or Side Chair by Cassina in different colors
By Gio Ponti, Cassina
Located in Berlin, DE
Prices are dependent on the chosen material and model. Available with or without armrests. Frame, Seat and Coating and upholstery of the chair can be customized, please get in touch....
Upholstery, Wood
Mid Century Modern Gio Ponti Silver Plated Coffee Pot Arthur Krupp Italy 1930
By Gio Ponti, Arthur Krupp
Located in Palermo, PA
This iconic Italian coffee pot was designed by Gio Ponti for Arthur Krupp and is a beautiful example of his timeless approach to functional design. ...
Metal, Silver Plate
$319Sale Price|20% Off
Plate by Gio Ponti from 1930 small boat on the waves the blue sea San Cristoforo
By Gio Ponti
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Plate by Gio Ponti from 1930 with a small boat on the waves of the blue sea San Cristoforo
Ceramic
$999 / item
Gio Ponti Small 'Randaccio' Mirror for GUBI
By Gubi, Gio Ponti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gio Ponti Small 'Randaccio' Mirror for GUBI Ponti created the 'Randaccio' Mirror in 1925 for his home on Via Randaccio in Milan. Characterized by its atypical crown-like detailing ...
Brass
$16,500 / set
Gio Ponti, Lounge Chairs, Velvet, Wood, Italy, 1950s
By Gio Ponti
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of red, brown, blue velvet and wood lounge chairs designed by Gio Ponti and produced by Dassi, Italy, 1950s. Vintage fabric in fair to distressed condition, reupholstery reco...
Velvet, Wood
20th Century, Gio Ponti for De Poli Pair of Decorative Fish
By Paolo De Poli, Gio Ponti
Located in Torino, Piemonte
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...
Copper, Enamel
original "diamond" ceramic tiles by Gio Ponti for Joo Milano 1960s
By Gio Ponti
Located in taranto, IT
Wall panel composed of a very rare group of 6 ceramic tiles designed in 1960 by Gio Ponti for Joo Ceramiche Milano, "diamond" model, fire-red in white aluminum frame. The whole panel...
Aluminum
Set of Four Dining Chairs, Model G6G by Gio Ponti for Montina, Italy, 1969
By Gio Ponti
Located in Greding, DE
Set of four black-lacquered dining chairs featuring distinctive backrests with looped decoration. Model G6G was designed in 1969 as a development of Gio Ponti’s earlier 1936 design f...
Lacquer
Mid Century Gio Ponti Model 2140 Display Cabinet / Wall Unit for Singer & Sons
By Gio Ponti
Located in Las Vegas, NV
A very rare Gio Ponti Display Cabinet, Model 2140, produced by Singer & Sons and executed in beautifully grained Italian walnut. This m...
Walnut
Gio Ponti “ Superleggera” N. 4, Chair Wood Straw Padding, 1950, Italy
By Gio Ponti
Located in Milano, IT
N . 4 Superleggera Gio Ponti.
Wood, Straw
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 'Luna Sospensione' Pendant Lamp in Nickel for Tato Italia
By Gio Ponti, Tato Italia
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gio Ponti 'Luna Sospensione' Pendant Lamp in Nickel for Tato Italia Designed by Italian design icon Gio Ponti, this authorized Tato Italia re-edition is executed in brushed nickel h...
Nickel
An Italian cabinet designed by Gio Ponti for Dassi c. 1950
By Gio Ponti, Dassi
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A cabinet of handsome proportions and made by Gio Ponti for Dassi. A certificate of authenticity from Gio Ponti archives accompanies the piece. Classic Italian mid-century flair, wit...
Glass, Mahogany