Restored Pair of 1950s Margherita Chairs by Franco Albini for Vittorio Bonacina
About the Item
- Creator:Franco Albini (Designer),Vittorio Bonacina (Manufacturer)
- Design:
- Dimensions:Height: 39 in (99.06 cm)Width: 28.75 in (73.03 cm)Depth: 34 in (86.36 cm)Seat Height: 12 in (30.48 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor structural damages. Very good restored condition. Several splits in bamboo and breaks in rattan have been repaired. 3Please ask for additional photos.
- Seller Location:North Miami, FL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU809711392391
Franco Albini
While working under the polymath Gio Ponti — arguably the most important figure in 20th-century Italian modernism — furniture designer Franco Albini nurtured a love for modern forms combined with traditional craft techniques.
Albini is widely known for working with organic materials such as rattan and cane for his chairs and other seating, but he also played a pivotal role in the Italian rationalist movement of the early 20th century, which saw architects and furniture makers applying a strict emphasis on geometry in their work. Rationalists drew on Ancient Roman architecture but rejected ornament, much in the way that Le Corbusier and celebrated Bauhaus figures such as Ludwig Mies van der Rohe had in their modernist furniture.
Albini received his degree in architecture from the Polytechnic University of Milan in 1929, and, in 1931, he founded his practice in Milan, where he tackled workers’ housing and other reconstruction projects. A gifted urban planner, he also developed the Palazzo Bianco, Palazzo Rosso and Tesoro di San Lorenzo museums in Genoa. While Albini is revered for his Margherita chair — a Triennale Milano award winner created for Bonacina in 1951 — he also collaborated with manufacturers Poggi and Cassina in the 1940s on seating, tables and more that embodied his artistic vision. Of that mid-century work, the one piece that perhaps best captures this vision is the iconic Luisa chair.
With its cherry red upholstery and sinuous wooden legs that seem to float aboveground, the Luisa is a genuine masterpiece. It is also a testament to Albini’s perfectionism, as it endured several prototypes — including one made by Knoll in the late 1940s — and took approximately 15 years to design. Poggi launched the final version of the armchair in 1955, earning Albini the prestigious Compasso d’Oro from Italy’s Association for Industrial Design. It is produced today by Cassina. Albini named the chair for someone who likely saw the process firsthand: his personal secretary of two decades, Luisa Colombini.
Find vintage Franco Albini furniture on 1stDibs.
Vittorio Bonacina
In the 1950s, Italian furniture producer Bonacina was passed from founder Giovanni Bonacina to his son, Vittorio Bonacina. Vittorio had a finger on the pulse of modern furniture design and moved Bonacina forward through collaborations with acclaimed mid-century creators like Gio Ponti, Renzo Mongiardino, Gae Aulenti, Joe Colombo and Franco Albini. Albini’s Margherita chair endures as one of Bonacina’s most iconic designs.
For more than 130 years, Bonacina has fostered the fine art of rattan weaving. The company’s vast collection of alluring furniture pieces was developed under four generations of the Bonacina family. Bonacina is now leading a rattan resurgence with its line of beautiful and stylish chairs, including lounge chairs and armchairs.
Bonacina was founded in 1889 by Giovanni in the renowned Italian furniture-making region of Brianza. He drew on the area’s history of basketry, using local cane and reed, in addition to Southeast Asian rattan, to weave furniture. Every piece of Bonacina furniture was and continues to be handmade.
Vittorio’s son, Mario Bonacina, helmed the company in the 1980s. Mario embarked on a project to release updated versions of some of Bonacina’s historical pieces. He continued working with modern designers and encouraged a company ethos of environmental sustainability.
Mario’s son, Elia Bonacina, joined the company in 2012. In 2013, Elia designed the Eris rattan lighting fixture, bringing a fresh perspective to the company's catalogue. In 2015, he acquired the Italian furniture brand Pierantonio Bonacina, which was started by another Bonacina family branch, and established a joint venture named Bonacina1889 s.r.l.
Bonacina’s exceptional designs have earned the company accolades at international exhibitions, including top prizes at the Triennale Milano and multiple Compasso d’Oro awards. Today, Bonacina retains the use of traditional materials and techniques while looking to the future. Most recently, it expanded into the outdoor furniture market.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Vittorio Bonacina furniture.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: North Miami, FL
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Pair of Polished Aluminum Armchairs by Russell Woodard, circa 1965By Russell WoodardLocated in North Miami, FLProfessionally polished and lacquer sealed, and newly upholstered in a cream-flecked greige all-weather bouclé, these 1960s aluminum chairs by Ru...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsAluminum
- 1950's Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Edward Wormley for DunbarBy Edward Wormley, Dunbar FurnitureLocated in North Miami, FLPair of 1950s armchairs and ottomans designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar have painted walnut legs with all new foam and upholstery. Priced individually as two chair-and-ottoman sets.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
- Pair of Jens Risom Lounge ChairsBy Jens RisomLocated in North Miami, FLStylish and comfortable, these meticulously restored pair of American mid-century modern lounge chairs by Jens Risom have new silver boucle upholstery on walnut bases. Originally bor...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
- Pair of Milo Baughman Mid-Century Scoop Lounge ChairsBy Milo BaughmanLocated in North Miami, FLPair of comfortable and stylish iron-framed Scoop lounge chairs designed by Milo Baughman for James Mfg., circa 1960, newly upholstered in comfy faux shearling. An iconic Mid-Centu...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsIron
- 1940s Lounge Chair by Ernst SchwadronBy Ernst SchwadronLocated in North Miami, FLSink into the comfy down-filled cushion on this voluptuous 1940s lounge chair designed by Austrian emigré Ernst Schwadron. Produced in the workshop of Illi Kagan (Vladimir's father),...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut, Down
- Pair of 1950s Driftwood Table LampsLocated in North Miami, FLPair of vintage 1950s table lamps in natural driftwood have the well-worn patina only age can give. Measurements below are for the larger lamp.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsDriftwood
- Franco Albini for Bonacina Set Margherita Chair and Ottoman, Italy, 1950sBy Franco Albini, BonacinaLocated in Naples, ITIconic chair with pouff Mod. Margherita in curved wicker and cushion covered in ivory boucle' fabric. Designed in 1960. by Franco Albini for Bonacina .Suitable for outdoor and indoor...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsBamboo, Rattan
- Margherita Rattan Chair by Franco Albini, Bonacina Italy ca. 1950sBy Franco AlbiniLocated in Geneva, CHIconic mid-century design "Margherita" rattan chair by Franco Albini produced by Bonacina, Italy 1951 Beautiful patina, new cushion. Very good overall condition . Won an award at th...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Armchairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Wicker, Rattan
- Pair of Iconic Margherita Rattan Armchairs by Franco Albini for BonacinaBy Franco Albini, BonacinaLocated in Piacenza, ItalyBeautiful couple of Iconic Franco Albini armchairs model "Margherita" 1951, manufactured by Bonacina. Margherita is considered the first "legless" armchair of Italian design. The p...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsRattan
- Franco Albini Gala Chair for Bonacina, Italy, 1950By Franco Albini, BonacinaLocated in Argelato, BOFranco Albini Gala Chair for Bonacina, Italy, 1950 An eye-catching "Gala Chair", designed by Franco Albini, manufactured by Bonacina in Italy, circ...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsRattan
- Elegant Round Bamboo Lounge Chair in Style of Franco Albini, Italy, 1950sBy Franco AlbiniLocated in Den Haag, NLLovely bamboo lounge chair in style of Franco Albini elegant round shape that suits any interior. Measures: H 69 x B 80 x D 76 cm. Seat height 32 cm.Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBamboo
- Restored Franco Albini Style Stick Reed Rattan Lounge ChairBy Franco AlbiniLocated in Van Nuys, CAFranco Albini style stick rattan lounge chair featuring unique organic Modernist style. 1960, Italy We only purchase and sell only the best and finest rattan furniture made by the be...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsWicker, Rattan