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.
$7,000Sale Price|20% Off
Gio Ponti Tomaso Buzzi Sofa
By Gio Ponti, Tomaso Buzzi
Located in Red Lion, PA
Truly beautiful one of a kind authorized copy of Gio Ponti and Tomaso Buzzi 1930 Sofa. Walnut frame upholstered in satin silk. Manifactured by Carpani F.ll inc Literature: Mobili De...
Satin, Silk, Walnut
Gio Ponti "807 Distex" Lounge Chair for Cassina, Camel and Brown Velvet, 1953
By Gio Ponti, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gio Ponti " 807 Distex" lounge chair for Cassina, camel and brown velvet, Italy, 1953 Designed in 1953 and presented at the X Triennale di Milano in 1954, the 807 “Distex” by Gio Po...
Velvet
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
Molteni&C D.153.1 Leather Armchair by Gio Ponti
By Gio Ponti, Molteni & C
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
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 & Emilio Lancia Wood and Rush Armchair for Domus Nova, Italy, 1929
By Emilio Lancia, Gio Ponti
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
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
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
elegant gio ponti lounge chairs for casa e giardino
By Casa e Giardino, Gio Ponti
Located in Munich, DE
wonderful pair of very cosy gio ponti lounge chairs. very low, but with great comfort. and such beauties....
Velvet, Wood
$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
High Back Sofa By Gio Ponti For ISA Bergamo in Bouclé Fabric Upholstery 1950s
By Gio Ponti, ISA Bergamo
Located in Almelo, NL
Elegant three seat high back sofa reupholstered in new bouclé fabric was designed by Gio Ponti and produced by the ISA company in Bergamo, Italy 1950s. ISA Bergamo was responsible fo...
Brass
Vintage Walnut Writing Table and Chair Set by Gio Ponti, 1950s
By Gio Ponti
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Mid-Century modern Italian freestanding writing table, desk set with two drawers and a stripped chair made of hand crafted Walnut, in good condition. The large table is com...
Metal, Brass
Gio Ponti Mid-Century Armchair – Italy, Circa 1950
By Gio Ponti
Located in NICE, FR
This sculptural armchair is a true testament to 1950s Italian design, reflecting the distinctive style of Gio Ponti for Casa & Giardino. With its soft curves, low profile, and origi...
Textile, Wood
Chair by Gio Ponti around 1952
By Gio Ponti, Cassina
Located in Berlin, DE
This simple, elegant chair was designed for Cassina around 1952 by the Italian architect and designer Gio Ponti. It is to be understood as a variant of the 'leggera' chair. The soli...
Plastic, Walnut
Gio Ponti 699 “Superleggera” Dining Chairs for Cassina, 1957, Set of 6
By Gio Ponti, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gio Ponti 699 “Superleggera” Dining Chairs for Cassina, Ash, Rope, Italy, 1957, set of six. In 1957 the Italian furniture manufacturer Amedeo Cassina added a new dining chair to its...
Rope, Wood, Ash
Gio Ponti Pair of High Back Armchairs in Ivory Bouclé, 1950s
By Gio Ponti
Located in New York, NY
Gio Ponti pair of high back armchairs or lounge chairs in white or ivory bouclé with polished walnut tapering legs. These chic armchairs have the classic shape of a wingback chair, ...
Wood, Bouclé
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
$2,800Sale Price|20% Off
Gio Ponti For Casa E Giardino Fireside Side Accent Chair Black Rush Seat 1930's
By Casa e Giardino, Gio Ponti
Located in Wayne, NJ
Black fireside chair by Gio Ponti for Casa E Giardino , Italy. Wood High back ladder chair with rush seating . Marked Made in Italy. If you are in the New Jersey, New York City Metro...
Wood
$23,333 / 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
Gio Ponti Sculptural Stool Model 687
By Gio Ponti
Located in New York, NY
Iconic Sculptural Walnut Stool Model 687 by Gio Ponti. Italy, circa 1950's
Upholstery, Walnut
Gio Ponti, Pair of fireside chairs
By Gio Ponti
Located in London, GB
Mahogany with rush seating Attributed to designer. H100 x W41 x D43 cm
Rush, Mahogany
Gio Ponti 699 Superleggera by Cassina in Black, White or Ash
By Gio Ponti, Cassina
Located in Berlin, DE
Prices are dependent on the chosen material. Gio Ponti 699 Superleggera by Cassina. Available in ASHWOOD LACQUERED BLACK or ASHWOOD LACQUERED WHITE or NATURAL ASHWOOD. Manufactured since 1957, the Superleggera wood chair is the rare combination of the architect’s innovative quest and the cutting-edge experimentation by the Meda-based company, becoming the indisputable icon and masterpiece of modernity and extreme artisanal elegance. A highlight of Cassina’s catalogue...
Cane, Ash
Gio Ponti Rare Pair of Benches in Walnut and Ivory Bouclé, Italy, 1930s
By Gio Ponti
Located in New York, NY
Gio Ponti early rare pair of benches with walnut frames and ivory bouclé fabric, Italy, 1930s. These elegant benches have a graceful frame with curved cabriole tapering legs connecte...
Bouclé, Walnut
$13,066Sale Price|20% Off
Rare Dark Goldenrod Wingback Armchair model 437 by Gio Ponti for Cassina
By Gio Ponti, Cassina
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1950s. This is a quite rare armchair designed by Giò Ponti for Cassina in the 50s. This model was originally designed as a naval piece of furniture. The high standar...
Beech, Velvet
1950s Pair of Sculpted Stools by Gio Ponti. Reupholstered in Boucle. Model 687
By Gio Ponti
Located in Florence, Tuscany
These sculptural 1950s stools by Gio Ponti for Cassina, model 687, showcase his distinctive architectural lines and beautifully tapered walnut frame. The open, Y-shaped side structur...
Fabric, Bouclé, Wood
Gio Ponti Model 116 Dining Chair for Singer and Sons Produced By Giordano Chiesa
By Giordano Chiesa, Gio Ponti
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
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
Gio Ponti 699 “Superleggera” Dining Chairs for Cassina, 1957, Set of 4
By Gio Ponti, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gio Ponti 699 “Superleggera” Dining Chairs for Cassina, Ash, Rope, Italy, 1957, Set of four. In 1957 the Italian furniture manufacturer Amedeo Cassina added a new dining chair to it...
Rope, Ash, Wood
Pair of Italian Organic Modern Lounge Chairs by Gio Ponti for Casa e Giardino
By Casa e Giardino, Gio Ponti
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
Gio Ponti for Casa E Giardino Midcentury Sofa in Bouclé Upholstery Italy 1940s
By Gio Ponti
Located in Almelo, NL
Gio Ponti For Casa E Giardino Midcentury Sofa in Bouclé upholstery Italy 1940s This midcentury Italian sofa is undeniably elegant and comfortable. Its unique design boasts a gentl...
Bouclé, Beech
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
Set of Four Gio Ponti Dining Chairs for M. Singer & Sons, 1950s
By M. Singer & Sons, Gio Ponti
Located in Hamburg, PA
This elegant set of four mid-century modern Model #602 dining chairs is designed by icon Gio Ponti and produced for M. Singer & Sons (New York / Chicago). Featuring a sleek walnut-fi...
Rush, Walnut
$13,500 / item
High Back Armchairs by Gio Ponti for Isa Bergamo
By Gio Ponti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
High Back Armchairs by Gio Ponti for Isa Bergamo, c. 1950's, Italy H 41.25" x W 29" x D 28" / Seat Ht 16.25" FDV11582 *Wear consistent with age and use.
Upholstery, Wood
Set/2 Accent Chairs Gio Ponti, 1930s Full Restoration by Greenapple
By Casa e Giardino, Greenapple, Gio Ponti
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...
Oak, Wool, Velvet
1950s Gio Ponti Super Leggera Chairs New Josef Frank Hawaii Fabric
By Gio Ponti
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
A vintage pair of 1950s Gio Ponti Superleggara Chairs. Superleggara is Italian for “super light” and these chairs are every bit of that. Weighing in at less than 4 lbs, they are physically light and with the tapered angled pieces of wood they are visually light as well. Newly upholstered in Josef Frank Hawaii...
Walnut
Pair of Armchair Gio Ponti Casa e Giardino, 1930s Full Restoration by Greenapple
By Casa e Giardino, Greenapple, Gio Ponti
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
Midcentury Italian Armchair by Gio Ponti for Casa e Giardino, 1950s
By Gio Ponti
Located in Chicago, IL
Midcentury Italian armchair by Gio Ponti for Casa e Giardino, 1950s. Elegant, curved upholstered silhouette on classic wood tapered legs...
Wool, Upholstery, 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
$8,500 / item
Gio Ponti Cane Seat Armchair for Knoll International
By Gio Ponti, Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning and rare walnut armchair by Gio Ponti for Knoll International, c.1960s, Italy, is an exquisite example of mid-century craftsmanship. This piece features a modernist and mini...
Cane, Walnut
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
Vintage Folding Chair Ninfea by Gio Ponti for Reguitti, Italy, 1958
By Gio Ponti
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage folding chair Ninfea by Gio Ponti for Reguitti, Italy 1958. Dimensions: Width 48 cm - Depth 66 cm - Height 71 cm - Seat height 33 cm. ...
Brass
Gio’ Ponti FR” Armchair Wood Brass Upholstered Seat and Back, 1960, Italy
By Gio Ponti
Located in Milano, IT
Gio’ Ponti “FR armchair wood brass upholstered seat and back 1960 Italy.
Wood
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
Pair of 2 Mid Century Italian Armchair by Gio Ponti 1960 Parco dei Principi Rome
By Gio Ponti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gio Ponti Armchairs, from the Parco dei Principi, Rome You can see more photos on the Parco Dei Principi website in Rome, regarding the armchairs. Gio Ponti's infinite compositional...
Fabric, Foam, Wood
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
Set of six black Superleggera Chairs by Giò Ponti, Italy Mid-20th Century
By Gio Ponti
Located in Greding, DE
Set of six "Superleggera" chairs designed by Giò Ponti. The chairs feature an ebonized frame that highlights the iconic lightweight design and are upholstered in yellow fabric, addin...
Fabric, Beech
Super Leggera chair designed by Gio Ponti in 1957 and produced by Cassina.
By Cassina, Gio Ponti
Located in Ravenna, IT
Superleggera 699 chair designed by Gio Ponti in 1957 and produced by Cassina. Its black lacquered ash wood frame and guinea cane seat make this seat one of the most famous design ico...
Cane, Ash
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
Elegant Matching Set of Four White Gio Ponti Livia Chairs
By Gio Ponti
Located in Dronten, NL
A matching set of four Livia chairs, originally designed by Giò Ponti in 1937 and produced as high-quality 21st-century re-editions by L'Abbate. The Livia chair was created for the ...
Beech
$8,003Sale Price|30% Off
Pair of Blu Velvet Gio Ponti Bergere Wingback Armchairs by ISA, 1950
By Gio Ponti, Arredamenti ISA
Located in Rome, IT
Pair of blu velvet GIO PONTI bergere armchair, manufactured by ISA Arredamenti Bergamo, circa 1950. This model designed by Gio Ponti in the late 40s was manufactured by Cassina with...
Brass
$19,717 / set
Set d 6 chairs Superleggera, Gio Ponti, Cassina
By Gio Ponti
Located in Milano, Lombardia
This incredible set of 6 Superleggera chairs designed by Gio Ponti for Cassina in 1950 embodies the elegance and lightness of modern aesthetics. These iconic chairs feature clean, sl...
Straw, Wood
Gio Ponti Mid-Century Modern Ashwood "Leggera 646" Italian Chairs, 1950s
By Gio Ponti
Located in Madrid, ES
Mid-century chairs model "Leggera 646" designed by Gio Ponti for Cassina. Made of solid ashwood structure with original upholstery. Discover the timeless ...
Wood, Upholstery
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
Set of 4 Vintage Leggera Dining Chairs by Gio Ponti produced by Cassina ca. 1950
By Figli di Amadeo Cassina, Gio Ponti
Located in Geneva, CH
Beautiful set of 4 "Leggera" dining chairs by Gio Ponti produced by Figli di Amadeo Cassina in Italy ca. 1950s Black lacquered wood and new papercord seat. Manufacturer label. Newly ...
Papercord, Wood
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
Pair of Armchairs, Mod. 803, Design by Gio Ponti, Cassina Production Italy, 1954
By Gio Ponti
Located in Napoli, IT
Pair of armchairs, mod. 803, designed by Gio Ponti and produced by Cassina, Italy, 1954. Full restored and newly upholster in cotton velvet rust with rust satin sides. Bibliography...
Wood
Italian Two-Seat Sofa in Red Corduroy Velvet by Grand Hotel Duomo Milano, 1950
By Melchiorre Bega, Gio Ponti
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian two-seat sofa in red corduroy velvet by Grand Hotel Duomo Milano, 1950s Extremely rare red corduroy sofa from fifties, coming from Grand Hote...
Velvet, 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
$40,000 / set
Gio Ponti Armchairs for Hotel Royal by Dassi
By Gio Ponti, Dassi
Located in New York, NY
Rare pair of wingback armchairs designed by famed architect and furniture maker Gio Ponti for the Hotel Royal in Naples, Italy in 1953. Manufactured by Das...
Fabric, Wood
$21,000 / item
Benche by Gio Ponti
By Gio Ponti
Located in Milano, Lombardia
MASTERPIECE Italy, 1930s Provided with certificate of authenticity of the Gio Ponti Archives Walnut frame, Dedar Tabularasa cotton satin upholst...
Cotton, Walnut