Gio Ponti

Bought at Artek in Helsinki in 1950's.

Gio (Giovanni) Ponti was an Italian architect and designer. He trained as an architect in Milan and graduated there in 1921. Ponti set up an architectural office early on with Emilio Lancia and Mino Fiocchi, while at the same time working on designing porcelain for the Richard-Ginori firm in a classicist modern style. Ponti's buildings were furnished with furniture and textiles designed by him. The furniture was executed by several different producers, for example Giordano Chiesa, cabinetmaker Angelo Magnoni and Cassina. In 1928, Ponti started the architecture and interior design magazine "Domus", which is still an important source today. Ponti also designed glass for the company Venini on Murano outside Venice. In Sweden, Ponti (together with Swedish architect Ture Wennerholm) designed the Italian Cultural Institute in Stockholm, where building and interior design are in harmony in a way that is significant for Ponti. The institute was built between the years 1957-1958.