Gio ponti metal and lucite pendant light model Greson 2 for Greco, Italy, 1950s
About the Item
- Creator:Gio Ponti (Designer),Greco illuminazione (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 17.72 in (45 cm)Diameter: 23.63 in (60 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Chiavari, IT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU6764239729572
Gio Ponti
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Chiavari, Italy
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 2 days of delivery.
- Gio Ponti occasional table with drawers for BNL offices, Genoa, Italy, 1950sBy Gio PontiLocated in Chiavari, LiguriaA rare office furniture piece in wood, linoleum, and brass with compact dimensions, an original design by Gio Ponti for the Banca Nazionale del Lavoro (BNL), Italian production from ...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Gio Ponti Desk for RIMA Made in Walnut, Chromed Steel and Plastic. Italy, 1950sBy Gio Ponti, RIMALocated in Chiavari, LiguriaThis writing desk, designed by renowned architect Gio Ponti in 1956, was specifically created for the Pirelli tower offices. The desk's dimensions are H. 75.5 x 170 x 75.5 cm, offering a spacious and functional work surface. Manufactured by Rima, Padova during the 1960s, this desk boasts a sturdy construction. Its frame is meticulously crafted from tubular chromed steel, providing excellent stability and structural integrity. The desk features drawers made from painted grey plastic, offering storage for essential office supplies and documents. The use of plastic ensures durability and ease of maintenance. The table top is elegantly crafted from walnut, showcasing the natural beauty of the wood while providing a smooth and comfortable writing surface. Notably, the desk is marked with "Rima Padova Italy" on its feet, signifying its authentic origin and manufacturer. Having undergone a comprehensive restoration process, including refinishing with oil, the desk is in excellent vintage condition, retaining its original charm while showcasing a refreshed appearance. Gio Ponti's writing desk stands as a testament to his design prowess, combining practicality, quality materials, and timeless aesthetics to create a truly remarkable piece of mid-century furniture. About the designer: Gio Ponti, born in Milan, Italy in 1891, was a prolific architect, designer, and writer who became one of the most influential figures of the mid-century modern movement. With a career spanning over six decades, Ponti's contributions to the fields of architecture and design are profound and enduring. In the 1920s, Ponti co-founded the influential design magazine Domus, through which he championed modernist principles and advocated for the integration of architecture, design, and art. His architectural projects ranged from residential and commercial buildings to cultural and religious institutions, each showcasing his signature blend of rationalism, craftsmanship, and elegance. Ponti's furniture designs reflect his belief in creating harmonious living environments. He collaborated with renowned manufacturers such as Cassina, producing iconic pieces like the Superleggera chair and the Distex armchair...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsSteel
- Stilnovo Midcentury Pendant Light Made of Opal Glass, Brass & Metal, Italy 1950sBy StilnovoLocated in Chiavari, LiguriaThis elegant pendant light, attributed to the renowned Italian design company Stilnovo, is a beautiful example of Mid-Century Modern lighting design. Manufactured in the 1950s, it fe...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass, Sheet Metal
- GIo Ponti walnut occasional table for the Cavalieri Hotel in Milan, Italy, 1950sBy Gio PontiLocated in Chiavari, LiguriaA side table in walnut designed by Gio Ponti, originating from the Hotel dei Cavalieri in Milan. This refined side table is a prestigious piece of furniture conceived by Gio Ponti for the interiors of the Hotel dei Cavalieri in Milan. This structure, still admired today for its distinctly twentieth-century architecture, was built in 1949 based on the designs of Emilio Lancia, with significant contributions from Ponti. The palace, an icon of Milanese history, retains its contemporary relevance, dominating Piazza Missori with its distinctive curved facade and contributing daily to city life. Around a hundred windows adorned with diamond-shaped decorations open onto civic number...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsWalnut
- Gio Ponti Teak and Brass Desk Designed for the BNL Offices, ISA Bergamo, 1950sBy Gio Ponti, ISA BergamoLocated in Chiavari, LiguriaThis Gio Ponti Desk, designed for BNL offices and manufactured by Isa Bergamo during the 1950s, is a beautiful piece of furniture that showcases the designer's signature style. Made of solid teak wood, the desk features a sleek and elegant design with clean lines and a minimalist aesthetic. The piece also features brass feet and details, which add a touch of elegance and sophistication to the overall design. The desk top - with a dimension of 161x80.5cm (WxD) - has ample surface space for writing and working and the three drawers provide ample storage for documents and office supplies...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Two Beechwood Side Tables in the Manner of Gio Ponti, Italy, 1950sBy Gio PontiLocated in Chiavari, LiguriaThis pair of side tables is a remarkable exemplar of Italian design and craftsmanship from the 1950s. Their sleek and minimalistic design evokes the timeless aesthetic of Gio Ponti, ...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsBeech
- Gio Ponti Style Mid-Century Brass Crown Pendant Lamp Lantern, Italy, 1950sBy Gio PontiLocated in Vienna, ATA charming Italian modernist ceiling light from the 1950s. Made of polished brass, it has a conical satined lampshade with a wonderful etched Mid-century pattern on it and a nice lit...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass
- 1950s Italian Brass 10 Arm Chandelier in the Style of Gio PontiBy Gio PontiLocated in New York, NY1950s Mid-Century Modern solid brass Italian chandelier in the style of Gio Ponti, fully restored and newly professionally rewired, ready to use with minor wear and patina due to age...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass
- Italian Midcentury Gio Ponti for Fontana Art Glass Gilt Brass 8-Light ChandelierBy Fontana Arte, Gio PontiLocated in Coimbra, PTThis original brass chandelier from the 1950s is attributed to Gio Ponti (1891-1979) and Emilio Lancia (1890-1973). Made of solid polished brass, white lacquered aluminum and 8 bevel...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsAluminum, Brass
- Greco Illuminazione, Sconce / Wall Light, Brass, Glass, Italy, 1950sBy Greco illuminazioneLocated in High Point, NCA brass and white glass wall light or sconce, designed and produced by Greco Illumininazione, Italy, 1950s. Takes one lightbulb on standard m...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBrass
- Mid-Century Modern Six Arms Copper Chandelier in Gio Ponti Style, Italy 1950sBy Gio PontiLocated in Catania, CTOriginal vintage condition with patina on the copper and trace of age and use as well. It mounts six sockets for E14 lamps. Reminiscent of Gio Ponti style. Height of fixture without ...Category
Mid-20th Century Andorran Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsCopper
- Luna Suspension Light by Gio PontiBy Tato Italia, Gio PontiLocated in Los Angeles, CALuna suspension light by Gio Ponti for Tato Italia. Current production designed and manufactured in Italy 2018. Wired for US junction boxes. Brushed sa...Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass, Steel
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
Barnaba Fornasetti’s Hallucinatory House Has His Father’s Spirit
Behind a nondescript facade in northeastern Milan is the magical residence of Barnaba Fornasetti. It's a shrine to the style developed by his design-legend father, which still defies categorization.
Billy Cotton Layers His Interiors with Lived-In Comfort
The Brooklyn-based designer is adept at styles ranging from austere to over-the-top, espousing an architectural, detail-oriented approach also evident in his line of furniture and lighting.