The Italian architect and designer Gae Aulenti will forever be best remembered for her work with museums, in particular her 1980–86 renovation of a Beaux Arts Paris train station to create the galleries of the Musée d’Orsay. Aulenti — whose first name, short for Gaetana, is pronounced “guy” — should also be recalled for her tough intellectual spirit and for working steadily when few women found successful architectural careers in postwar Italy.
After she graduated from the Milan Polytechic in 1954, Aulenti opened an architectural office. She also joined the staff of the progressive architectural magazine Casabella, whose editorial line was that the establishment, orthodox modernism of Le Corbusier and the Bauhaus, had outlived it usefulness. When their movement for fresh approaches to architecture and design received a sympathetic hearing, Aulenti found patrons — most prominently Gianni Agnelli, of Fiat, who later employed her to renovate the Palazzo Grassi in Venice for use as an arts exhibition space.
Commissions for showrooms and other corporate spaces brought Aulenti to furniture design. She felt that furniture should never dominate a room. Her chairs and sofas — low-slung, with rounded enameled metal frames and ample seats — and tables, particularly her 1972 marble Jumbo coffee table for Knoll, project solidity and sturdiness. In lighting design, however, Aulenti is bravura.
Each work has a marvelous sculptural presence. Pieces such as her Pipistrello table lamp and Quadrifoglio pendant are a perfect marriage of organically shaped glass and high-tech fixtures. Others have a futuristic elegance — and some even have a touch of personality. Aulenti’s Pileino and La Ruspa table lamps each look almost like little robots. Her lighting pieces are an artful grace note in the career of a woman who believed in strength.
Find vintage Gae Aulenti armchairs, coffee tables and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Stringa Two seater black leather upholstery sofa by Gae Aulenti
By Gae Aulenti
Located in London, GB
" Stringa " sofa with original black leather upholstery on tubular chrome frame, designed by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova 1965 Italy
Chrome
Stringa Sofa by Gae Aulenti, italy, 1962 - New Leather Upholstery
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Brussels, BE
Stringa Sofa by Gae Aulenti, italy, 1962 - New Leather Upholstery
Metal
2-Seater Stringa Sofa by Gae Aulenti, Black Leather, Italy, 1962
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Brussels, BE
2-Seater Stringa Sofa by Gae Aulenti, Black Leather, Italy, 1962
Metal
Orsay Sofa by Gae Aulenti for Knoll
By Knoll, Gae Aulenti
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1970s. USA. White powdercoated frame with woven white/ blue fabric.
Fabric
2-Seater Stringa Sofa by Gae Aulenti, Cognac Leather, Italy, 1962 - 2 available
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Brussels, BE
2-Seater Stringa Sofa by Gae Aulenti, Cognac Leather, Italy, 1962 - 2 available
Metal
Canapé Modèle 54 par Gae Aulenti pour Knoll – Restauration Bonjour Gallery
By Gae Aulenti, Knoll
Located in Rouen, FR
Canapé deux places Modèle 54, conçu par Gae Aulenti dans les années 1970 pour Knoll International. Icône du design post-moderniste italien, ce modèle se distingue par sa structure tu...
Metal
A 20th Century Italian Brown Leather Sofa By Gae Aulenti For Poltronova c.1962
By Gae Aulenti, Poltronova
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A superb Italian Brown leather sofa from the 20th century. Dubbed the “Stringa,” this masterpiece was crafted and conceived in Italy by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova in 1962. With its t...
Metal
$7,600Sale Price|20% Off
Three-Seater 'Arcata' by Gae Aulenti, Walnut and Burgundy Leather, Italy, 1968
By Gae Aulenti, Poltronova
Located in Antwerp, BE
Designed in 1968 by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, the Arcata three-seater sofa represents the most expansive expression of the series. The piece is defined by its solid wooden structur...
Leather, Walnut
$7,590 / set
H 29.53 in W 31.5 in D 35.44 in
Gae Aulenti for Knoll, Pair of Model 54 Lounge Chairs, Italy, 1975
By Knoll, Gae Aulenti
Located in amstelveen, NL
Pair of Model 54 lounge chairs designed by Gae Aulenti for Knoll International in 1975. These chairs perfectly capture Aulenti’s architectural approach to furniture. Bold, modern, ...
Steel
$1,987
H 35.44 in W 77.56 in D 34.85 in
LUXURY VIVA ITALIAN DESIGNER TAN LEATHER 3 SEATER SOFA ARMCHAiR ALSO AVAILABLE
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this luxury Viva Italian designer tan leather 3 seater sofa. A stunning designer collection with boastful proportions. ...
Leather
$3,200Sale Price|20% Off
H 32 in W 73 in D 32 in
Scandinavian Modern Cognac Brown Leather 3 seat sofa by Søda Galvano Norway
By Soda Galvano
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful Scandinavian Modern Tan Leather 3 seat sofa by Søda Galvano Norway for Lied Mobler. Beech frame with dark stain with beautiful cognac brown leather upholstery. Made in Norw...
Leather, Birch
$3,000 / set
H 33 in W 22.5 in D 24 in
1980s Pair of Gae Aulenti for Knoll Orsay Dining Arm Chairs with Frame & Leather
By Gae Aulenti, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a pair of Orsay Armchairs, originally designed by Gae Aulenti in 1976. These particular examples were produced by Knoll in the USA circa the 1980s. This armchair was named af...
Aluminum
Two-Seat Sofa, Denmark, 1950, New Upholstery Bouclé Fabric
Located in Paris, FR
Beautiful two-seat curved sofa manufactured in the 1950s. Lovely shape and curves. Very comfortable seat with two feather cushions covered of blue Kvadrat velvet. Perfect condition,...
Fabric, Wool, Bouclé, Upholstery, Velvet, Beech
Danish Two Seat Sofa in Cognac Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sofa, leather, mahogany, Denmark, 1960s Wonderful Danish two seat sofa. The brown leather shows a light patina and is in good condition, showin...
Leather, Wood
$1,401
H 26.38 in W 31.5 in D 67.72 in
1960s Italian Leather Sofa with Original Upholstery, Good Condition
Located in Roma, IT
Leather Sofa is a design furniture realized by italian production 1960s. Original Upholstery. Good condition except for slight stitching of the sewing thread.
Leather
Tobia Scarpa for Knoll 'Bastiano' Sofa
By Knoll, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in San Antonio, TX
Mid-Century Modern 'Bastiano' sofa by Tobia Scarpa for Knoll. This vintage three-seater sofa features a sturdy oak frame and upholstered in a beautiful turquoise fabric, Italy, 1960s...
Fabric, Oak
Italian Sofa in Cognac Leather and Aluminum
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sofa, aluminum, leather, Italy 1970s Comfortable sofa made in the 1970s. This sofa strongly represent the essence of furniture design of the 1970s, going beyond the strict conventio...
Aluminum
$3,300
H 29.93 in W 88.59 in D 27.56 in
Florence Knoll for Knoll International Sofa in Blue Upholstery and Steel
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Florence Knoll for Knoll International, sofa, model '67A', steel, fabric, United States, design 1958, production 1960s/70s This sofa model 67A is designed by Florence Knoll for Knol...
Steel
$6,773
H 30.71 in W 89.38 in D 30.71 in
Model 578 Sofa by Florence Knoll for Knoll International, 1950s
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Karis, Nyland
Elegant and architectural sofa designed by Florence Knoll, model 578, produced by Knoll International in the 1950s. The design reflects Knoll’s signature balance of clean lines and f...
Metal
$3,450
H 28 in W 81 in D 36.5 in
1980s Cognac Leather Piumotto 3 Seat Sofa by Arrigo Arrigoni for Busnelli 1980s
By Busnelli, Arrigo Arrigoni
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful cognac leather 3 seater sofa designed by Italian architect Arrigo Arrigoni for Busnelli, 1980s. The cushions are filled with low-density foam, ensuring an ultra-soft and lo...
Leather
Stringa Sofa Set by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, Italy, 1962
By Gae Aulenti, Poltronova
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
"Stringa" sofa designed by Gae Aulenti for Poltranova in 1962. A tubular chrome frame holds leather seats on top of felt upholstered cushions. The leather cushions are attached with ...
Chrome
Sold
H 28.5 in W 51.5 in D 31.5 in
Stringa' Cognac Leather + Chrome Loveseat by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Chicago, IL
An iconic ‘Stringa’ two-seat sofa designed by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova in the 1960s. This beautifully proportioned, sculptural loveseat is constructed of tubular chromed metal and ...
Chrome
Sold
H 28.35 in W 74.81 in D 30.71 in
Italian “Stringa” Chrome and Leather Sofa by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, 1969
By Gae Aulenti, Poltronova
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Italian “Stringa” Chrome and Leather Sofa by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, 1969 Italian Mid-Century Modern Chrome Sofa Design This “Stringa” sofa by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova is a str...
Chrome
Gae Aulenti for Poltronova 'Stringa' Sofa
By Gae Aulenti, Poltronova
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gae Aulenti for Poltranova, sofa model 'Stringa', leather, chromed metal, blue fabric upholstery, Italy, 1962 'Stringa' sofa designed by Gae Aulenti for Poltranova in 1962. A tubula...
Metal, Chrome
Sold
H 29.14 in W 75.99 in D 35.44 in
Three Seater Stringa Sofa by Gae Aulenti, Italy, 1962 - Original Upholstery
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Brussels, BE
Three Seater Stringa Sofa by Gae Aulenti, Italy, 1962 - Original Upholstery
Metal
Sold
H 28.75 in W 88.98 in D 35.44 in
Large wool sofa model 54A by Gae Aulenti for Knoll International, 1970s
By Gae Aulenti, Knoll
Located in Lyon, FR
Large sofa, model 54 A, by Gae Aulenti for Knoll, mid-1970s. Ultra comfortable with good back support. Cushions covered in the original speckled beige wool fabric, on a curved steel ...
Steel
Vintage sofa by Gae Aulenti for Knoll, 1970s
By Gae Aulenti, Knoll
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Beautiful vintage sofa designed by Gae Aulenti for Knoll with a black lacquered frame and original olive green fabric cushions. 1970s - Italy Dimensions: Height: 75cm Width: 150cm ...
Metal
Divano ''Stringa'' di Gae Aulenti per Poltronova, Italia, 1960s
By Poltronova, Gae Aulenti
Located in Quarrata, IT
Divano in pelle nera ''Stringa'' di Gae Aulenti per Poltronova, Italia, 1960s.
Steel
Sold
H 27.96 in W 74.81 in D 34.65 in
Stringa sofa in brown leather by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, 1960s
By Gae Aulenti
Located in amstelveen, NL
‘Stringa’ three-seat sofa designed by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova in 1962.' This beautifully proportioned, sculptural sofa is constructed of tubular chromed metal and features patina...
Chrome
Sold
H 28 in W 75 in D 36 in
Stringa' Black Leather + Chrome Sofa by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, Italy 1962
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Chicago, IL
An iconic ‘Stringa’ three-seat sofa designed by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova in 1962. This beautifully proportioned, sculptural sofa is constructed of tubular chromed metal and feature...
Chrome
Gae Aulenti Three Seat Sofa
By Gae Aulenti, Knoll
Located in New York, NY
Three seat sofa by Gae Aulenti (b. Palazzolo Dello Stella 1927 - Milano 2012). Produced by Knoll International, USA, circa 1970. Features removable Cognac faux leather seat and bac...
Metal
Sold
H 23.23 in W 78.75 in D 33.08 in
Italian modern daybed sofa Locus Solus by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, 1970s
By Poltronova, Gae Aulenti
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern daybed sofa Locus Solus by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, 1970s Daybed mod. Locus Solus with patina chromed metal structure. The structure is entirely made of tubular whi...
Metal