Giovanni Ponti (18 November 1891, Milan – 16 September 1979, Milan), usually called Giò Ponti, was one of the most important Italian architects, industrial designers, furniture designers, artists, and publishers of the twentieth century.
In 1923 Ponti made his public debut at the first Biennial Exhibition of the Decorative Arts in Monza, which was followed by his involvement in organising the subsequent Triennial Exhibitions of Monza and Milan.
From 1923 to 1930 Ponti worked at the Manifattura Ceramica Richard Ginori, in Milan and Sesto Fiorentino, changing the company's whole output. Other industrial design work includes:
a line of furnishings for the Rinascente department stores, under the name Domus Nova
ceramic objects production: maiolica vases, porcelain, sanitaryware (like sinks and toilets (e.g. those created for Richard Ginori and Ideal Standard)
the preliminary design for Reed & Barton's "The Diamond" flatware (1958), adapted for production by designer Robert H. Ramp.
chairs: among others, he worked for Cassina designing an angular armchair, named "Distex", and the very famous 1957 "Superleggera" (Superlight) chair, which was very strong but also so light that it could be lifted up by a child using just one finger. Also very famous is the "Due Foglie" sofa.
glass bottles: he designed stylish, colourful glass bottles for various companies such as Venini.
lamps: for companies such as LUMI, Artemide, Fontana Arte, and Venini, he created two types of lamps: those provided with very shining, intense colours, and those with a minimalist aesthetic, simple and essential. .
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