20 - Attributed to GIO PONTI (Milan, 1891–1979) for Italbed.

Attributed to GIO PONTI (Milan, 1891–1979) for Italbed. Divan, 1950s, Cherry wood and 100% cotton. The wooden frame has been professionally restored and shows slight signs of aging and previous use. The plywood base and cylindrical cushions are newly made. The mattress includes a removable cover. Measurements: 77 x 210 x 87 cm; 42 cm (seat height); 18 x 190 cm (cushion); 190 x 25 cm (cushions, x2). This single divan, with its elegant lines and cherry wood frame, is in the tradition of mid-20th-century Italian design. Its composition is structured around two end panels with vertical posts and openwork crossbars, which lend the piece a sense of visual lightness, while the slightly splayed legs and the continuous profile of the frame reinforce its balance and stability. The piece is attributed to Gio Ponti and is associated with Italbed, a manufacturer known for producing Italian furniture. Its design reflects a philosophy of furniture in which functionality is combined with attention to proportions, the quality of materials, and the integration of architectural elements into the domestic environment. The two cylindrical cushions, placed at either end, accentuate its versatile nature, halfway between a single bed and a lounge chair. The contemporary redesign by FORME adapts the piece to today’s needs without altering its formal language. The original metal-spring bed base has been replaced with a plywood platform, which provides a uniform support surface. Additionally, a custom-made mattress upholstered in 100% organic cotton in an off-white shade with cream undertones has been incorporated. Architect, designer, publisher, and a key figure in Italian visual culture, Gio Ponti (Milan, 1891–1979) made a decisive contribution to defining 20th-century modernity. Following his early work as artistic director at Richard-Ginori, he founded the magazine *Domus* in 1928, an essential platform for the dissemination of architecture and design. His career spanned everything from the design of objects and furniture to large-scale architectural projects, including the Pirelli Tower in Milan, which opened in 1960. His advocacy for a modernity attuned to craftsmanship, industry, and everyday life made his work an international benchmark for Italian design.