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Tecno Bookcases

Italian

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.

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Creator: Tecno
"E22" wooden bookcase by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Italy, 1960s
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Argelato, BO
Rare and extraordinary "E22" hanging bookcase designed by the great Italian designer Osvaldo Borsani (1911 - 1985) for Tecno, Italy, 1960s. The work bears the original Tecno sticker ...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tecno Bookcases

Materials

Metal

Italian Modular Rosewood Bookcase Wall Unit by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Large modular rosewood bookcase/wall unit by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno (ca. 1960, Italy). Composed of six gold aluminum uprights forming five bays/sections. Includes: -locking bar unit with a removable (non-adjustable) shelf and glass surface -three-drawer chest, a locking cabinet with single adjustable/removable shelf -twelve shelves -all original brackets/mounting hardware and two keys. The set can also be divided to create two separate units (1 and 3 sections or 2 and 2 sections). Alternatively, we have a second six rail/five section unit, and the two can be combined to create a grand eleven bay system. Gold aluminum rails and black steel brackets/hardware are all original; rosewood has been refinished and is in very good condition with only light, age-commensurate wear. Note that the aluminum rails are included (the black backings are ledger boards that we mounted in order to work with the conduit we have running along our wall - they are not necessary for standard wall-mounting and will not be included). Decorative objects/seating are for illustration purposes only. Keep reading for more detailed dimensions. H: 108.63" x L: 139.25" x D: 14" / 40" (cabinet door open including rail). Each section measures roughly L: 28.63" including rails / 26.5" space between rails Shelves: H: 1.25" x L: 27.5" x D: 10" / 11.5" including rails Bar Cabinet: H: 27.75" x L: 55" x D: 12.25" (closed) / 25.75" (with door down discounting rail) / 27.5" (bar cabinet door...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tecno Bookcases

Materials

Metal, Aluminum, Steel

Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno White Wall Unit
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, wall-mounted wall unit, metal, white laminated wood, Italy, 1950s  This wall mounted shelving system was designed by Osvaldo Borsani. Its purpose was a co...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tecno Bookcases

Materials

Metal

Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Wall Unit in Walnut
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, wall unit 'E22', walnut, glass, polished steel, Italy, 1957 This wall-mounted shelving unit is designed by Osvaldo Borsani and is four sections large, wit...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tecno Bookcases

Materials

Steel

Osvaldo Borsani E22 Double Sided Freestanding Wall Unit for Tecno, Italy, 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
This double-sided freestanding E22 bookcase is a rare and peculiar example of Borsani's innovative design and the Tecno manufacturing expertise. Its construction of metal, wood, and ...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tecno Bookcases

Materials

Metal

Libreria E22 Osvaldo Borsani per Tecno 1960's
By Tecno, Gaetano Borsani
Located in Milano, MI
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...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tecno Bookcases

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

Eugenio Gerli for Tecno 'Domino' Bookcase
By Tecno, Eugenio Gerli
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Eugenio Gerli for Tecno ,'Domino' library, wood, black lacquered wood, Italy, 1966 Modern and attractive modular bookcase system designed by Eugenio Gerli for Tecno in 1966. This ...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tecno Bookcases

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Italian modern black wood and metal bookcase E22 by Borsani for Tecno, 1970s
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern black wood and metal bookcase E22 by Borsani for Tecno, 1970s Wall bookcase mod. E22 in wood and metal. It features three metal uprights, seven black lacquered wooden...
Category

1970s Italian Modern Vintage Tecno Bookcases

Materials

Metal

Wall Bookcase E22 by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, 1960s
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Antwerp, BE
Wall Unit; Bookcase; E22; Osvaldo Borsani; Tecno; 1960s; Italian Design; Shelves; Writing Desk; Working Desk; Table; Writing Table; Wall Piece; Modular; Italian mid-century moder...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tecno Bookcases

Materials

Metal

Libreria modulare E22, design Osvaldo BORSANI per Tecno. Anni 50
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Torino, IT
Libreria modulare E22, design Osvaldo BORSANI per Tecno. ORIGINE Italia PERIODO Anni 50 DESIGNER Osvaldo BORSANI (1911-1985) MARCA Tecno MODELLO E22 libreria a muro modulare MA...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Tecno Bookcases

Materials

Wood

Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Bookcase E22 by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, 1960s
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian Mid-Century Modern wall bookcase E22 by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, 1960s Modular composition fixed on black metal uprights, with shelves, sideboard with sliding doors and dr...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tecno Bookcases

Materials

Metal

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Wall Bookcase E22 by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, 1960s
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Previously Available Items
Osvaldo Borsani E22 Bookcase Wall Unit for Tecno, Italy, 1950s
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
This large E22 bookcase or wall unit was designed by Osvaldo Borsani and manufactured by Tecno in the 1950s. It is constructed of metal, wood, and glass and measures 5.7 metres in wi...
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E 22 Bookcase by Osvaldo Borsani from Tecno, Italy, 1955s
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Located in Lucca, IT
The bookcase E22 by osvaldo Borsani from Tecno in the 1955s is famouse model of important Italian Design of Mid-Century Modern it's a cool book case. It is easy to assemble, the h...
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Tecno E22 Bookcase Rosewood Italy 1960s
By Tecno
Located in Milano, IT
Wall bookcase that needs to be fixed to the wall, with container elements with glass doors and aluminum profiles, with hinged and retractable opening, desk top with double drawer, an...
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Tecno E22 Bookcase Rosewood Italy 1960s
Tecno E22 Bookcase Rosewood Italy 1960s
H 122.84 in W 111.82 in D 23.04 in
Italian Mid-Century Modern E22 Wall Bookcase by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, 1960s
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian Mid-Century Modern aluminum, solid wood and smoked glass E22 model wall bookcase, designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno in 1960s. Wall bookcase model E22 with aluminum uprig...
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Osvaldo Borsani Bookcase Lacquered Wood Brass Skai, 1950s-1960s
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
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Osvaldo Borsani Bookcase Lacquered Wood Brass Skai, 1950s-1960s
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Osvaldo Borsani Wall Unit E22 in Rosewood with Arnaldo Pomodoro Sculpture
By Arnaldo Pomodoro, Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Naples, IT
Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, E22 wall unit with Arnaldo Pomorodo sculpture, wood, bronze, metal, glass, Italy, 1957 Diverse wall shelf by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno. Borsani has concei...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tecno Bookcases

Materials

Metal

Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Bookcase E22 by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, 1960s
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian Mid-Century Modern wall bookcase E22 by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, 1960s Modular composition fixed on black metal uprights, with shelves, sideboard with sliding doors and dr...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tecno Bookcases

Materials

Metal

Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, E22 Modular Wall Unit, 1960s
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Naples, IT
Modular shelving system designed by Osvaldo Borsani. The system was developed by Borsani as coordinated system for furnishing either the home or the office, the E22 is composed of el...
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1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tecno Bookcases

Materials

Metal

Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Wall Unit in Rosewood
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, bookcase or wall unit E22, in metal and rosewood, Italy, 1950s. This wall-mounted shelving unit is six sections large. This system was developed by Bors...
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Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Wall Unit in Rosewood
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Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, bookcase or wall unit E22, metal, rosewood and glass, Italy, 1950s. This wall-mounted shelving unit is ten sections large, with a width of 7 metres. This system was developed by Borsani as coordinated system for furnishing either the home or the office, the E22 is composed of elements. The order and lay out of this unit is adjustable, which is in line with Osvaldo Borsani's philosophy that the home needs to be orderly, comfortable and easily rearrangeable. These wall-mounted shelves are another great example of his ideas. The shelves and cabinets are mounted on steel profiles. The wall unit contains three large cabinets with glass doors...
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1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tecno Bookcases

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Osvaldo Borsani Large Wall Unit in Rosewood
Osvaldo Borsani Large Wall Unit in Rosewood
H 118.12 in W 275.6 in D 22.84 in
Wall-Mounted Bookcase by Borsani for Tecno, Italy, 1960s
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Milano, IT
Modular wall-mounted bookcase designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, made up of open shelves, containers and double writing desk top, metal upright...
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1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tecno Bookcases

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Metal

Tecno bookcases for sale on 1stDibs.

Tecno bookcases are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Tecno bookcases, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original bookcases by Tecno were created in the mid-century modern style in italy during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider bookcases by Ico Parisi, Feal, and Vittorio Dassi. Prices for Tecno bookcases can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $5,340 and can go as high as $29,400, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $9,043.

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