Pair of Lounge Chairs in the manner of Gio Ponti, Italy Mid-20th Century
Pair of Lounge Chairs in the manner of Gio Ponti, Italy Mid-20th Century
REQUEST PRICE HERE
Price category: 9,000 - 12,500 usd / eur
Gio Ponti was one of the most influential figures in 20th century Italian design, shaping the language of Italian modernism through architecture, furniture, and industrial design. Active from the 1920s onward, Ponti promoted lightness, elegance, and innovation. His work helped define postwar furniture design, where craftsmanship and experimentation accelerated modern living. This pair of lounge chairs are in the manner of the iconic designer, and combine sculptural clarity with comfort.
These chairs capture attention through their compact scale and softly curved profiles. The chairs feature gently sloping backrests that flow seamlessly into the seats, creating an inviting form. Their low stance and rounded volumes give the design a relaxed presence while maintaining a refined elegance. Upholstered in a warm, sandy fabric which emphasizes comfort without overpowering the design. Tapered wooden legs lift the bodies lightly off the ground, reinforcing the sense of airiness typical of Italian modern furniture, while also ensuring stability. The proportions are carefully balanced, each angle revealing thoughtful detailing and harmonious geometry. Blending comfort with unique charm, this pair embodies the enduring appeal of Italian mid century design.
Elegant yet versatile, these lounge chairs work equally well as living room elements, bedroom seating, or accent pieces. They offer timeless style, expert craftsmanship, and a strong decorative presence that remains relevant across contemporary and classic interiors alike.
Condition:
In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. The chairs have recently been reconditioned and reupholstered in a premium fabric. Each of our items can be reupholstered by our in-house atelier in a fabric of choice. Please reach out for more information.
Dimensions:
22.44 in W x 28.34 in D x 27.95 in H; Seat height 15.15 in; Seat depth 16.92 in
57 cm W x 72 cm D x 71 cm H; Seat height 38.5 cm; Seat depth 43 cm
REQUEST PRICE HERE
Price category: 9,000 - 12,500 usd / eur
The Italian architect, painter and furniture designer, Guglielmo Ulrich, descended from a noble family with Danish origins. He quickly became a very influential figure in modern Italian design and his models are real delicacies today.
As this pair of 1950s lounge chairs show, Ulrich’s work is elegant and rich in detail. Although his work does not quite conform with the strict norms of simplicity of the time, it fits the prevalent aesthetics of Modernism. In the case of these chairs, the fully upholstered bodies show the general mid-century modern characteristics with an ergonomic and functional design. The seats are slightly raised, and the backs tilted, creating an angle that supports the sitter and the lounging experience. The wooden arms transcending to form the back legs however, truly stand out. The sharp curvature of the armrests and front legs define the look and create an interesting effect, as if the upholstered seats and backs were connected to them without joinery. The carved, dark wood and soft upholstery make them even more pronounced. There are more, subtler features to these chairs, including the wider armrests and the curved backrests, both in service of comfortable lounging. Thanks to the quality of his furnishings, that Ulrich designed and made personally, he became the trusted architects of many upper-class Milanese families. He participates in the furnishing of the most prestigious Italian ships: Cristoforo Colombo, Raffaello, etc.
“A nobleman of yesteryear, with sudden jokes and twists, such as a pipe with an egg in his mouth and a very concrete sense of doing” is how he was often described. This pair of chairs is much like this description with a playful, elegant design completed by quality materials and craftsmanship.
Condition:
In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. The chair has been reupholstered recently in a premium fabric. Each of our items can be re-upholstered by our in-house atelier in a fabric of choice. Please reach out for more information.
Dimensions:
24.4 in W x 31.69 in D x 31.49 in H; Seat height 14.17 in; Arm height 23.42 in
62 cm W x 80.5 cm D x 80 cm H; Seat height 36 cm; Arm height 59.5 cm
About the designer:
Guglielmo Ulrich (born 1904, Milan–died 1977) was an Italian architect, furniture designer, and painter. He was born to a notable family of Danish origin. In 1924, Ulrich enrolled in the Scuola Speciale di Architettura at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera. He finished his studies at Politecnico di Milano in 1927 and soon became a very influential figure in modern Italian design.
In 1930, along with Scaglia and Wild, Guglielmo Ulrich founded and became head designer of home furnishing company Arca (Arredamento casa, or Home Furnishing), a company engaged in the creation of high-quality furnishing accessories characterized by craftsmanship and the use of premium materials. In the 1950s, he participated in several editions of the Triennale di Milano and concentrated on designing buildings, offices, and retail shops throughout Italy.
Most of Ulrich’s furniture designs from this era, and especially his chairs and chaise lounges, resemble simplified and streamlined design versions of late 19th century pieces and do not necessarily conform to modern designs prevalent in Northern Europe and the U.S. in the 1950s. In the 1960s, Ulrich focused his work toward industrial design and was able to create original and impactful objects. His talent was rewarded on many occasions. In 1961, he won the Fiera di Trieste award for his Trieste chair, produced by furniture maker Saffa.