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 Dining Set by Tecno with Red Chairs, 1970 Design
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in London, England
This majestic set from the 1970s, designed by Osvaldo Borsani, for Tecno is distinguished by its table measuring 85 cm x 120 cm and a height of 70 cm, accompanied by integrated swive...
Metal
Osvaldo Borsani Set of Eight Unique High Back Dining Chairs for Tecno, 1971
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Chicago, IL
Osvaldo Borsani set of eight unique high back swivel dining chairs for Tecno 1971, Original cotton velvet upholstery, aluminum with bronzed finish. A copy of the blueprint included ...
Metal
Important Complete Dining Room Set by Osvaldo Borsani, 1950s
By Fratelli Turri, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Sant'Arsenio, Campania
An exceptionally rare and remarkably complete Italian mid-century dining room set designed by Osvaldo Borsani and produced by Mobilificio Fratelli Turri in the 1950s. Unlike most su...
Marble, Brass
$6,066
H 9.06 in W 82.68 in D 21.66 in
Osvaldo Borsani wall-mounted wood and brass desk model E22 by Tecno Italy, 1950s
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
A wall-mounted desk in wood, metal, and brass, part of the E22 series, produced by Tecno, designed by Osvaldo Borsani, 1950s A wall-mounted piece of furniture, free from floor suppo...
Metal, Brass
$3,968
H 28.15 in W 39.38 in D 16.34 in
Italian Mid Century Table Desk attributed to Osvaldo Borsani, 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Italian Mid-Century Modern table desk attributed to Osvaldo Borsani, 1950s. This exceptional piece showcases the innovative design aesthetics that defined Italian furniture craftsman...
Brass
Desk by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, 1960s
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in bruxelles, BE
Wood and metal desk. Composed of a box with 3 lockable drawers with key and storage space, and another box with 3 unlockable drawers. The boxes can be turned. Stamped Tecno. Wear du...
Metal
Osvaldo Borsani Dining Table
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Highland, IN
This elegant pedestal table by Borsani has a sexy curved base in chromed and black lacquered steel which supports a walnut top with a beveled edge.
Steel
Osvaldo Borsani Style Circular Dining Table
By Osvaldo Borsani, Milo Baughman
Located in Astoria, NY
Osvaldo Borsani Style Circular Dining Table, white top over chrome base. 30.5" H x 72" Diameter. Provenance: From a New York City Collection.
Chrome
$5,950
H 29.53 in Dm 51.19 in
Osvaldo Borsani and Eugenio Gerli for Tecno Round Dining Table in Walnut & Steel
By Eugenio Gerli, Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Almelo, NL
Osvaldo Borsani and Eugenio Gerli for Tecno round dining table in Walnut and Steel Italy, 1965. This is a round dining table made from walnut and steel by Osvaldo Borsani and Euge...
Steel
$3,775
H 17.72 in W 39.38 in D 25.6 in
Italian Coffee Table in Walnut Wood by Osvaldo Borsani, c.1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in London, GB
Coffee table in walnut wood by Osvaldo Borsani, c.1950s. Walnut wood, cut and coloured glass Dimensions: W100 x D65 x H45 cm.
Wood
1950's Italian Wooden Table by Osvaldo Borsani
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Paris, FR
An Italian mid-century modern oval dining table attributed to Osvaldo Borsani, circa 1950s. Sculptural yet disciplined, it is defined by a strong pedestal base and clean Italian mode...
Wood, Cherry
$6,649
H 20.87 in Dm 28.15 in
Tripod Side Table by Osvaldo Borsani for Arredamenti Borsani, Italy, 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Brussels, BE
Tripod Side Table by Osvaldo Borsani for Arredamenti Borsani, Italy,1950s
Brass
$18,700
H 29.93 in W 118.12 in D 59.06 in
Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno ‘T96’ Executive Corner Desk in Black Lacquered Wood
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, executive desk, model ‘T96’, lacquered wood, steel, chromed metal, Italy, design 1956, produced 1958 This ‘T96’ executive desk is designed by Osvaldo Bor...
Steel, Chrome, Metal
Desk by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, 1960s
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in bruxelles, BE
White wooden desk with black metal. Consists of a cabinet with 3 drawers and storage space, and another cabinet with 3 drawers. No keys. Wear and tear due to age and use. FOR SHIPPIN...
Metal
$1,049
H 23.63 in W 27.76 in D 17.92 in
Osvaldo Borsani Rectangular C7 Cart in Steel for Tecno Varedo Italy 1960s
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Cascina, Pisa
Rectangular cart model C7 with a black painted steel rod frame, removable shelves in a light brown steel sheet designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Varedo, 1960s Literature: P. Bosoni, Osvaldo Borsani. Architect, designer, entrepreneur, Skira, Milan 2018, p. 596 In 1953, he founded the Tecno company, specialized in technology and innovation which was the best way to him to produce his own creations. The D70 sofa bed...
Steel, Sheet Metal
Sold
H 29.53 in Dm 51.19 in
Osvaldo Borsani / Eugenio Gerli T69 Dining Set for Tecno, Italy, circa 1960
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno, Eugenio Gerli
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Iconic dining table and six dining chairs by Osvaldo Borsani and Eugenio Gerli for TECNO, Italy, circa 1960. Four chairs have galvanized metal details and two chairs have brass detai...
Metal, Brass
Sold
H 29.53 in W 47.25 in D 43.31 in
Osvaldo Borsani Contemporary Table and 4 Build in Chairs for Tecno, 1970s
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in The Hague, NL
This contemporary design iconic dining room set designed by Osvaldo Borsani and manufactured for Tecno in 1970s period, Italy. White table and four integrated swivel chairs in red...
Aluminum, Steel
Sold
H 29.75 in Dm 47 in
20th Century Italian Rosewood Dining Table with Four Chairs by Osvaldo Borsani
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A dark-brown, vintage Mid-Century Modern Italian polished dining room table set with four side chairs made of hand crafted polished Rosewood, designed by Osvaldo Borsani in good cond...
Fabric, Upholstery, Rosewood
Osvaldo Borsani and Eugenio Gerli Dining or Working Set
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani, Eugenio Gerli
Located in Barcelona, ES
Dining or working set designed between 1966-69 by Osvaldo Borsani and Eugenio Gerli for Tecno, Italy. Composed of four PS142 armchairs and T69 table, the set was designed as a compac...
Metal, Steel
Sold
H 28.75 in W 47.25 in L 28.75 in
Osvaldo Borsani Contemporary Table and 4 Build in Chairs for Tecno, 1970s
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in The Hague, NL
This contemporary design iconic dining room set designed by Osvaldo Borsani and manufactured for Tecno in 1970s period, Italy. White table and four integrated swivel chairs in red...
Aluminum, Steel
Borsani Dining Room Set for Tecno, Italy, 1960s
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Antwerp, BE
Borsani Osvaldo, Tecno Italy, conference table and 10 P125 office chairs, mid-century modern, 1966 Rosewood conference table by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Camel (8) and cognac (2)...
Fruitwood
Six Art Deco Dining Room Chairs By Osvaldo Borsani 1940
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Rome, IT
Six elegant sculpted dining chairs with green original vinyl seats in a very good vintage condition. Available also a Sideboard with a dining Table of the same set.
Hardwood
Borsani T69 Dining Set, Italy, circa 1964
By Eugenio Gerli, Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
T69 dining set by Osvaldo Borsani for TECNO. The table and chairs are made of brushed aluminium. The chairs (swivel) have five aluminum feet, plastic seat shells in a Bordeaux red co...
Aluminum
Osvaldo Borsani For Tecno Table And Four England Chairs
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Pasadena, TX
A set of mid century modern dining furniture. The table was designed by Osvaldo Borsani and made by Tecno and the four chairs were designed by ...
Bronze
Osvaldo Borsani Dining Table And Chairs
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in New York, NY
First introduced at the 5th Triennial in Milan in 1933, this dining room table and six chairs were designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Cas...
Steel