From his early start at his father’s boutique furniture and cabinetry atelier — Arredamenti Borsani (ABV) — Italian designer Osvaldo Borsani began to steadily dream to life the movement-inducing pieces that would eventually lead to him founding his innovative furniture company, Tecno, with his twin brother, Fulgenzio.
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. He first worked for the family furniture-making firm, ABV, an atelier influenced by the more expressive and curvaceous wing of Art Deco design. Borsani took over Arredamenti Borsani in 1937.
With his stylish and technically innovative furniture, 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.
While he is today recognized as a master of mid-century modernist Italian furniture, Borsani is most famous these days for cofounding Tecno. (He and Fulgenzio also created Villa Borsani, a visionary mid-century estate cherished for its modern lines and exquisite custom furnishings.)
When Borsani opened Tecno, an office-focused maker of industrial design, his design sensibilities had evolved toward furnishings with strong, simple forms enhanced by mechanical innovations, as with the P40 adjustable armchair.
When they were originally released, Tecno pieces like the P40 and the award-winning D70 sofa bed were acclaimed as cutting-edge, and they are still considered groundbreaking in their adaptability and functionality. The firm quickly garnered widespread acclaim for its tech-forward designs and quality craftsmanship.
Borsani would be Tecno’s lead designer for 30 years, while partnering on projects with the likes of architect Eugenio Gerli and fostering work by Vico Magistretti, Carlo De Carli, Robin Day and others.
Borsani designed pieces for Tecno until shortly before his death in 1985, when his daughter Valeria and her husband, Marco Fantoni, took over the creative work.
Today, the family’s legacy is preserved by Borsani’s architect grandson Tommaso Fantoni, who, along with Norman Foster, curated a blockbuster retrospective of Osvaldo Borsani’s work at Milan’s Triennale Design Museum in 2018.
Find vintage Tecno chairs, tables, desks and other furniture on 1stDibs.
"Living" Black Leather Lounge Chair by Bensiger and Verm for Costi, Italy, 1980s
Located in Milan, IT
"Living" lounge chair by S.L. Bensinger and Claude Verm for Costi. Four squared leather covered blocks on a wood base with round feet. Also available a matching settee.
Leather, Wood
"Living" Leather Sqquared Settee by Bensiger and Verm for Costi, Italy, 1980s
Located in Milan, IT
Living settee by S.L. Bensinger and Claude Verm for Costi. Four squared leather covered blocks on a wood base with round feet. Also available a matching armchair.
Leather, Wood
"Vivalda" Leather Lounge Chair by Claudio Salocchi for Sormani, Italy 1970s
By Sormani, Claudio Salocchi
Located in Milan, IT
"Vivalda" lounge chair by Claudio Salocchi for Sormani. White lacquered wood frame supporting a black leather seat.
Leather, Wood
"Bacone" Corner Leather Lounge Chair by Cini Boeri for Arflex, Italy, 1970s
By Cini Boeri, Arflex
Located in Milan, IT
Rare Bacone lounge chair by Cini Boeri for Arflex. Extra large piece with generous squared proportions.
Leather
Leather Settee Model 919 by Ico Parisi for Cassina, Italy, 1960s
By Cassina, Ico Parisi
Located in Milan, IT
Scarce leather settee model 919 by Ico Parisi for Cassina. The piece was manufactured by Cassina upon commission for interiors projects by Ico Parisi. Sold together with a certificat...
Leather
Armchair model "PS142" by Eugenio Gerli for Tecno, Italy, 1960s
By Eugenio Gerli, Tecno
Located in Milan, IT
Armchair model "PS142" by Eugenio Gerli for Tecno. Fully blue velvet upholstered frame on wheels. A second piece with different green emerald fabric available
Velvet
Italian Leather Armchair by Claudio Salocchi, 1970s Modern Design
By Claudio Salocchi, Rossi di Albizzate
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This unique armchair with its 1970s design by Claudio Salocchi is characterized by the rotating headrest and adjustable supports. Very unusual is also the abstract leather embossing...
Leather
Cassina Model 684 "Tentazione" Leather Armchair Design by Mario Bellini in 1973
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in IT
Cassina Model 684 "Tentazione" leather armchair design by Mario Bellini in 1973. Good conditions, wears coherent with prior use and age. Measurements: D 66 cm x H 84 cm x L 81 cm.
Leather
Leather "Palmaria" Lounge Chiar by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, Italy, 1980
By Vico Magistretti, Cassina
Located in DE MEERN, NL
Leather "Palmaria" lounge chair by Vico Magistretti for cassina, Italy, 1970s The "Palmaria" Lounge Chair designed by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, Italy in 1980, is a true masterpiece of leather craftsmanship. With its elegant and timeless design, this lounge chair has become an icon of Italian design. Note: Pictures 1 to 4 feature an AI generated background, while all other photos remain unaltered. Crafted from high-quality leather, the "Palmaria" Lounge Chair is both stylish and comfortable. The leather has been expertly treated to enhance its natural beauty and texture, and the chair's shape has been carefully designed to provide maximum comfort and support. Whether you're relaxing in your living room, reading a book in your home office, or simply enjoying a quiet moment alone, the "Palmaria" Lounge Chair is the perfect place to sit back and unwind. Its classic design and luxurious materials make it a true statement piece that will add a touch of elegance to any space. At Cassina, they pride themselves on their commitment to quality craftsmanship and attention to detail. Each "Palmaria" Lounge Chair is meticulously crafted by our skilled artisans, ensuring that every piece is of the highest possible quality. Invest in the timeless elegance of the "Palmaria" Lounge Chair today, and experience the ultimate in Italian luxury and craftsmanship. Rare lounge chair and less well known then the protovenere or maralungas and therefore a unique FOUND ICON...
Leather
De Sede. Armchair and ottoman in black leather. 1970s
By De Sede
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
De Sede Armchair and ottoman in black grooved leather. Spacious armchair with a sliding seat. Square-shaped ottoman. Work realized in the 1970s. Dimensions: Armchair: H 70 x...
Leather
Wittmann Black Leather Armchair Model Ducale Cube Design by Paolo Piva
By Paolo Piva, Wittmann
Located in Munich, Bavaria
Leather Armchair by Austrian - Italian architect Paolo Piva. Model Ducale manufactured by Wittmann. Black Semianiline leather. The design is a cube design with little curves. 2 ch...
Leather, Upholstery, Wood
Matteo Grassi Korium Leather Armchair or Chair Korium by Tito Agnoli
By Matteo Grassi, Tito Agnoli
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This leather armchair Korium KM 3/1 was designed by Tito Agnoli for Matteo Grassi. It is upholstered in thick black leather. The frame is made of sadddle leather. Great Italian de...
Leather
