With his stylish and technically innovative furniture, Osvaldo Borsani helped change the face of Italian design in the 1950s and ’60s. His sofas and chairs, featuring deeply upholstered seating and adjustable position settings, have an aura of optimism and efficiency that still seems fresh and lively today.
Born in the commune of Varedo in northern Italy’s Lombardy region, Borsani studied at the Brera Academy in Milan — the same school attended by such luminaries as designer Piero Fornasetti and artist Lucio Fontana — as well as the Polytechnic University of Milan. Borsani first worked for his father’s furniture-making firm, Arredamenti Borsani, an atelier influenced by the more expressive and curvaceous wing of Art Deco design.
By 1953, when, along with his twin brother, Fulgenzio — the pair also created this visionary mid-century villa — Borsani opened the furniture company Tecno, his design sensibilities had evolved toward furnishings with strong, simple forms enhanced by mechanical innovations, as with the P40 adjustable armchair. Borsani would be the firm’s lead designer for 30 years, while fostering work by Vico Magistretti, Carlo De Carli, Robin Day and others.
Similar to Gio Ponti in the earliest years of his career, Borsani first created designs marked by lush and buoyant lines: tables with voluptuous curved legs, sofas with undulating backrests.
But Borsani’s best-known and most novel pieces date from Tecno’s initial furniture lines: the adjustable D70 sofa, which folds open to make a daybed, and the P40 recliner. The latter — now included in the collections of the Museum of Modern Art and the Victoria & Albert Museum — is an articulated lounger with a back, seat and leg rest that can be moved into 486 different positions. Not only is it extremely comfortable, it is also enduringly chic.
Find a collection of vintage Osvaldo Borsani tables, dining chairs and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Osvaldo Borsani Tecno wooden chest of drawers, 1960
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Wooden chest of drawers by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, 1960, made of veneered wood, designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno in the Sixties. The rigorous and functional design is combine...
Wood, Oak
Italian modern Black Office drawer unit by Borsani and Gerli for Tecno, 1970s
By Eugenio Gerli, Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century modern Black Office drawer unit by Osvaldo Borsani and Eugenio Gerli for Tecno, 1970s Office drawer unit with rectangular base in black painted metal. On the fron...
Metal
$5,648
H 118.12 in W 28.75 in D 30.71 in
Osvaldo Borsani E22 Double Sided Freestanding Wall Unit for Tecno, Italy, 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
This double-sided freestanding E22 bookcase is a rare and peculiar example of Borsani's innovative design and the Tecno manufacturing expertise. Its construction of metal, wood, and ...
Metal
$13,767
H 111.42 in W 110.44 in D 12.21 in
Mid-Century Modern 22 Bookshelf by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Italy, 1960s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Brussels, BE
Desk = D: 60 cm ; W: 139,5 cm ; H: 80 cm
Wood
Solid Pine Low Drawer, Sweden, 1970s
Located in Karis, Nyland
Low drawer from Sweden made during the 1970s. The drawer is made of lacquered solid pine with a two large drawers. The drawer is in good vintage condition consistent with age and use.
Pine
Mid-Century Modern Wooden Chest of Drawers, Italy, 1960s
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Wooden Chest of Drawers, Italy, 1960s
Wood
1970s Birch Chest of Drawer, Czechoslovakia
Located in Praha, CZ
- Good/very good original conditon with minor signs of use. - High gloss finish.
Wood, Birch
$2,071Sale Price|20% Off
H 29.93 in W 41.54 in D 18.9 in
Italian 1970s Chest of Drawer with Mirror by Dal Vera in Bamboo Wicker & Brass
By Dal Vera
Located in Roma, IT
beautiful chest of drawers made in Italy in the mid-20th century by the historic company "Dal Vera Antonio e Figli", active from 1884 until 1984. This company is known for its high q...
Brass
$1,765
H 25.99 in W 37.41 in D 15.75 in
Art Deco Osvaldo Borsani MIM Walnut and Aluminum Office Chest of Drawer, 1960
By MIM Roma
Located in Roma, Lazio
Classic study dresser from MIM production by Osvaldo Borsani. Smooth and linear design as in his style. The dresser is made of walnut wood, with special aluminum finishes. It has fo...
Aluminum
$3,530
H 31.5 in W 55.12 in D 17.72 in
Osvaldo Borsani Rosewood Sideboard Model SE3, Prod. Tecno, Italy, 1962
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Milan, IT
This rosewood sideboard model SE3 featuring two sliding doors was designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno in 1962. Functionality and essential shapes are the keywords around which th...
Metal
SE3 Sideboard by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Italy, 1960s
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in bruxelles, BE
Wooden sideboard with black metal base and two sliding doors containing 10 drawers and a shelf. Wear due to time and age. For shipping, request us for receive the best price.
Metal
Boomerang Desk by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Milano, 1950s Italy
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Architectural black boomerang executive desk by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Milano. Finished with leather desktop inclusion. Floating pedestal on right side and longer return on the le...
Aluminum
$681Sale Price|56% Off
H 27.56 in W 38.98 in D 16.54 in
1960s vintage wooden chest of drawers cabinet Italian design
Located in Torino, Piemonte
Walnut chest of drawers with four drawers, Italian design, 1960s. CONDITION: In good condition, with signs of wear due to time. SIZING: Height 70 cm; width 99 cm; depth 42 cm; MAT...
Wood
"SE3" Sideboard by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Italy, 1960s
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in bruxelles, BE
Wooden sideboard with black metal base and two sliding doors containing 6 shelves. Wear due to time and age. For shipping, request us for receive the best price.
Metal
Osvaldo Borsani chest of drawers, 1960
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Milano, Lombardia
This chest of drawers by Osvaldo Borsani, dating from the 1950s, embodies the elegance and innovation of Italian design at the time. Featuring a combination of fine materials, such a...
Brass
Sold
H 53.55 in W 38.19 in D 20.48 in
Italian mid-century Wood Sideboard with flap opening by Osvaldo Borsani, 1960s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century Wood Sideboard with flap opening by Osvaldo Borsani, 1960s Chest of drawers with flap opening entirely in wood. On the front the highboard has 7 drawers, 3 small...
Wood
Sold
H 21.66 in W 23.63 in D 23.63 in
1960s Osvaldo Borsani Drawers / Cabinet in Tiger Oak for Tecno, Italy
By Tecno, Alvar Aalto, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Grand Cayman, KY
Stunning Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Mid Century Modern low chest of drawers with integrated waste paper. Doubles as an attractive side table or sideboard. Clean lines, functional and ...
Wood, Hardwood, Oak
Large Borsani Commode of Exceptional Quality
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Kent, Dover
A large Italian commode of exceptional quality by Osvaldo Borsani. In lacquered bur walnut, with brass beehive handles, six lockable drawers and its original black glass inset top. T...
Walnut
Sold
H 46.07 in W 45.67 in D 20.87 in
Chest of Drawers by Osvaldo Borsani, Arredamenti Borsani Varedo, circa 1948
By Arredamenti Borsani, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Berlin, DE
Chest of drawers by Osvaldo Borsani, Arredamenti Borsani Varedo, circa 1948.
Cherry, Maple
A pair of Borsani chest of drawers, Tecno Borsani Italy 1951
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Berlin, DE
A pair of Borsani chest of drawers, Tecno Borsani Italy 1951