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.
Pair of Brass gueridons or end tables, design Osvaldo Borsani 1950, Italy.
By Osvaldo Borsani, Arredamenti Borsani
Located in Paris, Ile-de-France
Pair of gueridons, end tables or occasional tables. Tripod brass foot with stained mirror top. Design Osvaldo Borsani ( 1911-1985) Edited by Arrendamenti Borsani Varedo Biography:...
Brass
$7,800Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair Italian Mid-Century Parchment Nightstands / Side Tables by Osvaldo Borsani
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Italian Mid-Century Modern nightstands or end tables with parchment style doors by Osvaldo Borsani.
Parchment Paper, Wood
$5,500 / set
H 23 in W 24 in D 21 in
Pair of Large ‘Entretoise’ Travertine Side Tables / Nightstands by Design Frères
By Design Frères
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of large ‘Entretoise’ travertine side tables or nightstands by Design Frères.
Travertine, Iron
Pair of Borsani Style Gueridons
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A pair of elegant side tables or gueridons. Tripod bases with pie shaped tops.
Metal
$1,218Sale Price|58% Off
H 17.33 in W 27.56 in D 27.56 in
Mahogany Midcentury Table Coffe Italian Design Osvaldo Borsani Attributed
By Arredamenti Borsani
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Boomerang mahogany midcentury table coffee Italian design Osvaldo Borsani attributed. Colored mirrored glass.
Art Glass, Mahogany
Pair of Brass and Glass End or Side Tables
By Milo Baughman
Located in Redding, CT
Pair of Hollywood Regency Brass and Glass end tables with mirrored bottom shelves. Art deco 1980's post modern style. These...
Brass
$2,195 / set
H 24.5 in W 23 in D 15 in
Basic Witz Pair Mid-Century Walnut Olive-Burl Restored Nightstands or End Tables
By Basic Witz
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Pair of super elegant, professionally & fully restored, walnut cases & olive-burl handle areas with metal trim, 2-drawer nightstands or end-tables. All drawers work well and have cle...
Walnut, Burl
Mid-Century Modern Nightstands
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Modern walnut nightstands with sculpted wood handles. Two drawers with brass trim handles. Please confirm location NY of NJ.
Brass
$5,250 / set
H 23.75 in Dm 19.75 in
Pair of Steel and Ebonized Wood Circular Tables, Style of Osvaldo Borsani
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in New York City, NY
A Minimalist pair of tulip design, splay leg end tables in steel and lacquered wood. The austere and streamline design make this pair appealing...
Steel
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Nightstands by John Stuart
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stylish midcentury nightstands sold by John Stuart. Two dovetail jointed drawers on each, with open storage space beneath. Please confirm item location with dealer (NJ or NY).
Walnut
$1,600 / set
H 22.75 in W 22 in D 16 in
Mid-Century Modern Nightstands by American of Martinsville, a Pair
By American of Martinsville
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stylish pair of Mid-Century Modern nightstands manufactured by American of Martinsville. Well-built frame with walnut veneer exterior. A nice addition to any modern interior. Please ...
Walnut
$14,512
H 30.71 in Dm 46.46 in
Osvaldo Borsani Sculptural Round Dining Table in Walnut, Varedo, Italy, 1945
By Osvaldo Borsani, Arredamenti Borsani
Located in The Hague, NL
This very rare dining table was designed by Osvaldo Borsani in 1945 and produced by his company Arredamenti Borsani in Varedo, Italy. The piece is accompanied by a certificate of aut...
Wood, Walnut
$1,451 / set
H 16.93 in W 15.75 in D 17.33 in
Rattan Dal Vera Inspired pair of Side Table or End Table, Italy, 1960s
By Dal Vera, Bielecky Brothers, Franca Helg, Antonio Piva and Franco Albini
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
Amazing midcentury pair of bamboo, Rattan single drawer end or side table. This wonderful piece was designed in Italy during the 1960s. A fantastic item that will be a perfect a...
Rattan
$3,366 / set
H 22.84 in W 24.81 in D 14.18 in
Mid-Century Italian Nightstands, Walnut & Beech, Brass Details, 1950s
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
A pair of handmade midcentury Italian nightstands in marquetry style. Each nightstand has a drawer and a glass top. The wood used is walnut and beech with details in brass. The has b...
Brass
Small table mod. T44, designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Refined coffee table, model T44, with wooden top, lacquered metal legs and brass feet, designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno. Year 1958 ca. Very good condition.
Metal, Brass
Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Tavolino "T2," Italy 1980s
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Naples, IT
A rare T2 coffee table designed between 1949 and 1950 by Osvaldo Borsani for the Italian firm Tecno, it represents an exercise in purity of volume and aesthetics. It matches to any ...
Steel
Sold
H 21.66 in W 21.26 in D 21.26 in
Pair of Brass and Blue Mirror Side Tables by Osvaldo Borsani. Italy, 1940s
By Arredamenti Borsani, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Rare Mid-Century Modern Pair of set 2 brass and blue glass mirror top side end low tables or bedside tables nightstands by the italian designer Osvaldo Borsani for the manufacture Ar...
Brass
Pair of brass gueridons/ side tables, Osvaldo Borsani. Italy 1950's
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Paris, Ile-de-France
Pair of brass side tables/ end tables. tinted glass tops Edited by Arredamenti Borsani, Varedo. model created in 1948 Osvaldo Borsani ( 1911-1985) Biography G Bosoni" Osvaldo Borsan...
Brass
Pair of brass gueridons/ side tables, Osvaldo Borsani. Italy 1950's
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Paris, Ile-de-France
Pair of brass side tables/ end tables. tinted glass tops Edited by Arredamenti Borsani, Varedo. model created in 1948 Osvaldo Borsani ( 1911-1985) Biography G Bosoni" Osvaldo Borsan...
Brass
Osvaldo Borsani Table
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Osvaldo Borsani coffee or side table in wood an glass. Italy, 1950s Walnut wood frame consists of 3 legs joined together by a carved circular center. ...
Glass, Wood
1930s Osvaldo Borsani Table
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Osvaldo Borsani Italian side table - Italy, 1930s Wonderful 2 tier wood with patina and original black glass top. Heavy metal steel feet.
Steel
Osvaldo Borsani Glass Table
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Gorgeous Osvaldo Borsani glass side side table with carved scalloped base. Italy, 1950's
Glass, Wood, Mahogany
Osvaldo Borsani Rare Pair of Side Tables in Brass and Glass
By Arredamenti Borsani, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Osvaldo Borsani and manufactured by Arredamenti Borsani Varedo, Milan in 1940s, rare matched pair of round side tables with wood top and inset reverse painted deep red gl...
Brass
Osvaldo Borsani Rare Pair of T1 Side Tables
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in New York, NY
Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno rare pair of chic side tables model T1 with inset reverse painted blue beveled glass tops on brass pedestal bases wit...
Brass
Osvaldo Borsani Rare Pair of Side Tables in Brass and Blue Glass
By Osvaldo Borsani, Arredamenti Borsani
Located in New York, NY
Rare pair of stunning round side tables with brass top and inset beveled blue glass on elegant brass tripod base, designed by Osvaldo Borsa...
Brass
Osvaldo Borsani Rare Side Tables
By Osvaldo Borsani, Arredamenti Borsani
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Osvaldo Borsani and manufactured by Arredamenti Borsani Varedo, Milan in 1940s, very rare matched pair of round side tables with wood top and inset reverse painted deep r...
Brass