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.
Art Deco French Cabinet by Bouverat in Goatskin
By A. Bouverat
Located in North Miami, FL
Very beautiful petite French Early Art Deco bar cabinet in lacquered goatskin with engraved relief of aquatic scene with goldfish and sea plants. The interior is all original Japanes...
Goatskin, Mirror
Vintage Italian Three-Section Wall Unit with Hand Painted Art
Located in North Miami, FL
Signed Cesena - decorative painting of Aphrodite, Goddess of Love. Storage cabinet to right side. Glass shelves shown are a few but can take more (glass shelves are included) as well...
Metal
Italian Mid-Century Bar Cabinet/ Wall Unit
Located in North Miami, FL
This rich and warm walnut wall cabinet can be used as a bar with interior shelving and shelving space above. Two wonderful enameled metal panels to the front which are original.
Enamel
Stunning Maison Jansen Two-Door Cabinet
By Maison Jansen
Located in North Miami, FL
So pretty! This cabinet has two doors that are concave, adding to the architectural design of Maison Jansen's work. The interior has three (3) glass shelves for storage and the interior is a beautiful light fruitwood (see detail images). All original brass hardware, hinges and key. This is not a very large cabinet...
Brass
Midcentury Roger Landault French Cabinet
Located in North Miami, FL
This is design by Roger Landault in the 1960's; It is truly unique cabinet that opens on the left side to an area that can be used as a vanity or bar area, depending on where you pla...
Brass
Tall Italian Cabinet w/ Photography Print Front Doors
Located in North Miami, FL
Entirely repurposed as an elegant bar cabinet. The interior provides shelves and a cotton fabric paneling in neutral stripes which compliments beautifully the architectural photogra...
Brass
19th-Century Style Hand-Painted Floral Marriage Wardrobe Armoire, Restored
Located in SEDLEC-PRČICE, CZ
This piece is a magnificent nineteenth-century style continental European double-door antique wardrobe armoire. To someone who has not seen this antique wardrobe armoire in person, i...
Oak, Paint
Unique Osvaldo Borsani Highboard in Cherry with Romantic Painted Panels
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Osvaldo Borsani for Arredamenti Borsani Varedo, wardrobe, cherry, paint, lacquered wood, brass, glass, Italy, circa 1950 A truly exceptional piece designed custom for a private cli...
Brass
Early 19th Century Original Painted Break-Down Armoire with Flowers, Austria
Located in Round Top, TX
This original painted armoire or "Shrunk" was built in the traditional manner to "break down" into 2 sections, making it easier to transport and install, with one lower drawer all re...
Pine, Paint
Late 20th Century Painted Corner Armoire With Figural and Floral Motifs
Located in Elkton, MD
Hand-painted Marie Collette corner/media cupboard featuring decorative panels with figural landscapes, fruit and vine accents, and floral motifs. Crafted from pine beneath the paint,...
Pine
Vintage Hand Carved Wood Floral Relief Cabinet
By Phyllis Morris
Located in Las Vegas, NV
This vintage, hand carved wood relief cabinet is INCREDIBLE. So unique I have been unable to find another example of any kind. Everything from the beautifully carved floral motif t...
Wood
Wooden Bar Cabinet with Enamel Doors Decorated with Floral Motifs
Located in London, GB
Rare wooden bar cabinet with polychrome enamel wall decoration in the shape of flowers. It is a piece of furniture that can be used in a dining room...
Enamel
