Glazed ceramic
Italy, circa 1930
Gio Ponti (1891-1979)
Manufactured by Richard Ginori
Signed Gio Ponti on front, printed Ginori mark on back
Art Deco
Accompanied by custom made metal stands
Each tile: 5 ¾” x 5 ¾” (height x width); height on stand: 7”
Very good condition
Auctionata possesses a level of ownership in the present lot in whole or in part, or has an economic interest in the lot equivalent to an ownership interest

This pair of Gio Ponti polychrome decorated tiles represent two resting men. They are titled “Il Giardiniere Stanco” (The Tired Gardener) and “Il Pellegrino Stanco” (The Tired Pilgrim). Each depicts the same man, in mirroring poses, seated cross-legged on the ground and holding an identifying device. The gardener, for example, holds a rake, while the pilgrim holds a staff and hat. The tiles are accompanied by a pair of custom made black metal stands.

The tiles are signed by the artist on the front and printed with “Richard Ginori/ Christoforo/ Milano/ Made in Italy“ on the back. They are in very good condition. Each tile measures 5 ¾” x 5 ¾” (height x width), with a height of 7” on the stand.

Gio Ponti (1891-1979)

Gio Ponti was an Italian architect, designer, and journalist. Born in Milan, Ponti studied architecture from the Politecnico di Milano University. Disregarding the boundaries between the fields of art and design, Ponti designed architectural structures, commercial products, furniture, vascular formations, and sculptures. Ponti served as artistic director of Ginori from 1923-1930, where he produced many outstanding porcelain objects. In 1950, he won, along with Pier Luigi Nervi and Arturo Danusso, the commission to design the Pirelli Tower in Milan. Ponti also designed the Denver Art Museum, the coffee machine for La Paconi and the “Superleggera” chair for Cassina. As a prolific designer, he obtained the Accademia d’Italia Art Prize, a gold metal from the Paris Academie d’Architecture, and a Doctorate from the London Royal College of Art.