Pistoia Daybed Sofa by Giulio Ponti for Italbed, Italy, 1966

Rare ‘Pistoia’ Daybed Sofa designed by Giulio Ponti for Italbed, Italy, 1966. This striking and rare Pistoia daybed sofa, designed by the son of legendary architect and designer Gio Ponti, is a remarkable example of Italian modernism that bridges architectural purity with playful futurism. Produced by Italbed, the Pistoia model showcases the younger Ponti’s independent voice in design, while clearly echoing the disciplined elegance and innovation associated with his family name. Crafted from white lacquered plywood, the structure is a study in modern geometry, its cut-out side panels and sharp-lined silhouette reflecting the optimism of 1960s design. The piece features a spring-supported seat base that enhances comfort without compromising its architectural clarity. Light blue reupholstered cushions provide a gentle, airy contrast to the crisp white frame, imbuing the piece with a soft, inviting presence while maintaining a sense of rigor and restraint. This early design demonstrates Giulio Ponti’s affinity for bold colors and forms, as well as for modular and multifunctional furniture. The present piece can serve as a sofa with either a high or low seat, depending on its orientation, and can even function as a bunk bed when stacked, a rare and intelligent response to the evolving needs of modern living. As with many Italbed designs by Giulio and Gio Ponti, this piece was conceived to adapt fluidly to different spatial arrangements. The Pistoia sofa was exhibited alongside Gio Ponti’s own work at the inaugural Eurodomus, an international showcase of domestic design organized by Gio Ponti himself. Just as he used Domus magazine to champion modern aesthetics, Gio envisioned Eurodomus as a platform to present high-quality, accessible design already in production or near-prototype. This rare model reflects that ethos, bridging innovation, utility, and refined taste. As Giulio Ponti was not as prolific as his father, this piece stands as a rare and important artifact of his contribution to Italian modernism, a unique opportunity for collectors and curators to acquire a design with both historical and architectural depth. Literature; “Italbed,” Domus, no. 440, July 1966, p. 42 “A Parigi ‘Domus Formes Italiennes,'” Domus, no. 450, May 1967, p. 25 Laura Falconi, ed., Gio Ponti: Interiors, Objects, Drawings, 1920-1976, Milan, 2010, p. 254