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.
Italian Mid-Century Bookcase by Vittorio Dassi, Italy, 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Buccinasco, MI
Refined Italian Mid-Century Modern wall unit attributed to Vittorio Dassi, dating to the 1950s. This piece exemplifies the architectural clarity and material sophistication associate...
Brass
Bookcase by Umberto Mascagni, 1950s
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Modular bookcase unique in style, design, planning and materials. The Mascagni company for the excellent quality and uniqueness of its products boasted in the 50's a reference of exc...
Aluminum, Brass, Steel
$5,541Sale Price|20% Off
H 78.75 in W 98.43 in D 16.15 in
Mid-Century Modular Bookcase by Edmondo Palutari for Dassi, Italy, 1950s
By Edmondo Palutari, Dassi
Located in Catania, CT
Good vintage condition with trace of age and use and original patina on the wood and brass details. Designed by Edmondo Palutari and produced in Italy during the 60s by Dassi Mobili ...
Brass
On Hold|$18,200
H 88.59 in W 80.71 in D 57.09 in
Italian Mid-Century Freestanding Corner Bookcase with Desk, 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani, Paolo Buffa, Vittorio Dassi
Located in Buccinasco, MI
Exceptional and highly sophisticated Italian Mid-Century freestanding corner bookcase with integrated desk, produced in the 1950s and attributable to the design language of leading f...
Glass, Wood
Bookcase by Umberto Mascagni, 1950s
By Umberto Mascagni
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Modular bookcase unique in style, design, planning and materials. The Mascagni company for the excellent quality and uniqueness of products boasted in the 50's a reference of exclusi...
Aluminum, Brass, Steel
$95,550Sale Price|25% Off
H 114.18 in W 157.49 in D 17.72 in
Bookshelf by Joaquim Tenreiro, Brazilian Midcentury, 1960s
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in New York, NY
A prolific and gifted designer, Joaquim Tenreiro (1906–1992) masterfully laid the groundwork for modern living in Brazil through his furniture and interiors. Born in Portugal and tra...
Wood, Hardwood
Wall Unit By Luigi Fornasari, 1950s
Located in bruxelles, BE
Bookcase with 6 shelves, a box with a lockable door and 3 drawers, and a box with a shelf. There is no key for the drawers. Wear due to age and time. FOR SHIPPING, REQUEST US FOR REC...
Metal
$24,031Sale Price|40% Off
H 104.34 in W 141.74 in D 19.3 in
Libreria E22 Osvaldo Borsani per Tecno 1960's
By Tecno, Gaetano Borsani
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Splendida Libreria E22 disegnata da Osvaldo Borsani per Tecno spa negli anni 60. molteplici mobili contenitori bassi e modulo bar con ribalta. E' Possibile rimuovere i pannelli poste...
Aluminum, Steel
Giovanni Offredi Saporiti bookcase in maple Italy 1978
By Saporiti, Giovanni Offredi
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
‘Crossing’ bookcase designed by Giovanni Offredi and manufactured by Saporiti Italia, Italy, 1978. This exceptional and large-scale work is a prime example of Offredi’s ability to me...
Glass, Birdseye Maple
$6,320Sale Price|20% Off
H 81.89 in W 106.3 in D 15.75 in
Mid-Century Modern Wall Unit by Eugenio Escudero, Mexico, 1960
By Eugenio Escudero
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
Spectacular wall unit attributed by the Spanish designer and fervent admirer of Gio Ponti who settled in Mexico, Eugenio Escudero. Escudero is cataloged one of the greatest icons of ...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Wall Unit by Vittorio Dassi, Italy, 1960s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern wall unit by Vittorio Dassi, Italy, 1960s.
Wood
Mid-Century Modern Wall Unit by Raffaella Crespi, Italy, 1960s
By Raffaella Crespi
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Wall Unit by Raffaella Crespi, Italy, 1960s
Metal
"LB2" Bookcase by Ignazio Gardella, Italy, 1950s
By Ignazio Gardella
Located in Brussels, BE
"LB2" Bookcase by Ignazio Gardella, Italy, 1950s
Metal
Mid-Century Bookcase by Gio Ponti for Ariberto Colombo, 1945
By Gio Ponti
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Bookcase by Gio Ponti for Ariberto Colombo, 1945
Wood
Large Bookshelf with Bench by Guiseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi, Italy
By Giuseppe Rivadossi
Located in Brussels, BE
Large Bookshelf with Bench by Guiseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi, Italy
Wood
Mid-Century Bookcase by Ilmari Tapiovaara, La Permanente Mobili Cantu, 1950s
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Bookcase by Ilmari Tapiovaara, La Permanente Mobili Cantu, 1950s
Brass
