Franco Albini Armchairs
Italian, 1905-1977
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.
29
14
to
2
35
6
43
30
30
36
2
1
1
28
14
27
1
2
2
17
3
1
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
31
24
11
14
11
14
10
13
10
13
10
13
29
18
13
11
9
43
41
2
202
408
266
237
218
Creator: Franco Albini
Franco Albini Gala chair by Bonacina, Italy, 1951
By Franco Albini, Bonacina
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
A beautiful chair in bamboo and straw, Gala model, designed by Franco Albini in 1951, produced by Bonacina.
The Gala chair, designed in 1951, embodies all the desires for novelty an...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Bamboo, Straw
Pair of Iconic Margherita Rattan Armchairs by Franco Albini for Bonacina
By Franco Albini, Bonacina
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Beautiful 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
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Rattan
Franco Albini Gala Chair for Bonacina, Italy, 1950
By Franco Albini, Bonacina
Located in Argelato, BO
Franco Albini Gala Chair for Bonacina, Italy, 1950
An eye-catching "Gala Chair", designed by Franco Albini, manufactured by Bonacina in Italy, circa 1950.
This impressive piece is...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Rattan
Franco Albini for Bonacina Set Margherita Chair and Ottoman, Italy, 1950s
By Franco Albini, Bonacina
Located in Naples, IT
Iconic 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
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Bamboo, Rattan
Italian mid-century modern rattan armchair Margherita Albini for Bonacina, 1950s
By Franco Albini, Bonacina
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century modern rattan armchair Margherita Albini for Bonacina, 1950s
Round base armchair mod. Margherita with structure completely in rattan. The seat and backrest follow...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Rattan
Franco Albini armchair Margherita 1960s
By Franco Albini, Bonacina
Located in bari, IT
An iconic cane armchair designer Franco Albini model Margherita for Bonacina 1960s.
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Reed
Rare Pair "Fiorenza" First Edition Armchairs by Franco Albini, Italy, c. 1953
By Franco Albini, Arflex
Located in Rovereta, SM
Rare and Exquisite "Fiorenza" Armchair by Franco Albini, Italy, c. 1953.
This highly collectible model was manufactured by Arflex for one single year.
An early variant of the iconi...
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Antique Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Mid-Century Modern 'Luisa' Armchair by Franco Albini, Italy, c.1955- Sold Indiv
By Franco Albini
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern 'Luisa' Armchair by Franco Albini, Italy, c.1955
Sold Individually
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Vintage Rare Bauhaus German Leather Armchair by Franco Albini for Tecta, 1950s
By Franco Albini
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
This exceptionally rare chair with arms was designed by Franco Albini in 1933 and produced by Tecta during the 1950s. The frame is made of tubular chrome-plated steel but the seat an...
Category
1950s German Bauhaus Vintage Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Chrome
Franco Albini PL19 Pair of Three Piece Armchairs for Poggi Pavia Italy Circa 1959
By Franco Albini
Located in Rovereta, SM
The "Modello PL19" or "I tre Pezzi" armchairs, designed by Franco Albini and Franca Helg, manufactured by Poggi Pavia, Italy.
The chairs have a lacquered metal frame and are upholste...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Iron
Franco Albini Tre Pezzi Armchair by Cassina
By Franco Albini, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Armchair designed by Franco Albini in 1959. Relaunched in 2009.
Manufactured by Cassina in Italy.
In 1952, working with Franca Helg, his long-time assistant, Franco Albini designed ...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Metal
Triënnale Lounge Chair by Franco Albini, 1933
By Franco Albini
Located in Dronten, NL
Tubular lounge chair designed by Franco Albini for the Triennale in Milan in 1933.
The original black enameled frame emphasizes the graphic qualities of this design.
The natural leat...
Category
1930s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Steel
Set of Two Franco Albini Tre Pezzi Armchairs by Cassina
By Franco Albini, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Armchair designed by Franco Albini in 1959. Relaunched in 2009.
Manufactured by Cassina in Italy.
In 1952, working with Franca Helg, his long-time assistant, Franco Albini designed ...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Metal
Franco Albini Set of Two "Model PL19", Manufactured by Poggi
By Franco Albini, Poggi
Located in Wolfurt, AT
Set of two "Model PL19" chairs, designed by Franco Albini, manufactured by Poggi Pavia, Italy. The chairs have a lacquered metal frame and are upholstered with red velvet.
Literat...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Metal
Italian Bamboo set of 2 Franco Albini armchairs, 1960
By Franco Albini
Located in Oostrum-Venray, NL
Vintage Italian rattan armchair by designer Franco Albini.
In very good vintage condition. Let the summer begin!
The first rays of the sun have already passed, so it's time for a summery interior.
This set of rattan chairs are in perfect condition.
Ideal for restyling your living room or garden room.
Considering its age, this set is still in very good vintage condition.
Imagine yourself in a tropical atmosphere with this awesome vintage rattan lounge set!
Category
1960s Italian Bohemian Vintage Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Bamboo, Rattan
Vintage Armchairs in Walnut Burl by Franco Albini, 1930s, Set of 2
By Franco Albini
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Pair of flared goblet or lyre armchairs in select walnut root. The lines echo the designs of Franco Albini, the fabrics are in the Bauhaus style. The armchairs are datable to 1925/30...
Category
1930s Italian Art Deco Vintage Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Walnut, Burl
Margherita Rattan Chair by Franco Albini, Bonacina Italy ca. 1950s
By Franco Albini
Located in Geneva, CH
Iconic 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
1950s Italian Vintage Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Upholstery, Wicker, Rattan
Franco Albini PL19 Tre Pezzi Armchair for Poggi Pavia, Italy, 1960s
By Franco Albini
Located in Paris, FR
Armchair designed by Franco Albini (1905-1977) and Franca Helg Model n° PL19, 'Tre pezzi'
Lacquered metal, brass and recently eupholstered in white sheep wool skin.
Early original m...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Metal
Franco Albini Armchair PL19 Tre Pezzi for Poggi Pavia Italy Circa 1959
By Franco Albini
Located in Paris, FR
"Model PL19" chairs or "The Pezzi" , designed by Franco Albini and Franca Helg, manufactured by Poggi Pavia, Italy. The chairs have a lacquered metal frame and are upholstered with ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Metal
Brass and Bouclé T33-Armchair design Franco Albini edit by Officina della Scala
By Franco Albini
Located in Milano, IT
With its iconic lines, features for which it was shortlisted for the XXVI Compasso d’Oro, the T33 sofa is presented by Officina Della Scala, winner of the ADI Design Index 2019 as ex...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Brass
Franco Albini Tre Pezzi Armchair by Cassina
By Cassina, Franco Albini
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Armchair designed by Franco Albini in 1959. Relaunched in 2009.
Manufactured by Cassina in Italy.
In 1952, working with Franca Helg, his long-time assistant, Franco Albini design...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Metal
Franco Albini Tre Pezzi Armchair by Cassina
By Cassina, Franco Albini
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Armchair designed by Franco Albini in 1959. Relaunched in 2009.
Manufactured by Cassina in Italy.
In 1952, working with Franca Helg, his long-time assistant, Franco Albini designed Tre Pezzi...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Metal
Franco Albini Tre Pezzi Armchair by Cassina
By Cassina, Franco Albini
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Armchair designed by Franco Albini in 1959. Relaunched in 2009.
Manufactured by Cassina in Italy.
In 1952, working with Franca Helg, his long-time assistant, Franco Albini designed Tre Pezzi...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Metal
Set of Two Franco Albini Tre Pezzi Armchairs by Cassina
By Cassina, Franco Albini
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Armchair designed by Franco Albini in 1959. Relaunched in 2009.
Manufactured by Cassina in Italy.
In 1952, working with Franca Helg, his long-time assistant, Franco Albini design...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Metal
Franco Albini Tre Pezzi Armchair by Cassina
By Cassina, Franco Albini
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Armchair designed by Franco Albini in 1959. Relaunched in 2009.
Manufactured by Cassina in Italy.
In 1952, working with Franca Helg, his long-time assistant, Franco Albini designed Tre Pezzi...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Metal
Franco Albini Tre Pezzi Armchair by Cassina
By Cassina, Franco Albini
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Armchair designed by Franco Albini in 1959. Relaunched in 2009.
Manufactured by Cassina in Italy.
In 1952, working with Franca Helg, his long-time assistant, Franco Albini designed Tre Pezzi...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Metal
Franco Albini Luisa Chair for Cassina, Italy, new
By Franco Albini, Cassina
Located in Berlin, DE
Chair designed by Franco Albini in 1953. Relaunched in 2013. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. The price given applies to the chair as seen in the first picture.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Wood, Fabric
Franco Albini, "Luisa" Lounge Chair 48, Maple And Fabric, Knoll, 1949
By Franco Albini, Knoll
Located in High Point, NC
A maple and cream fabric "Luisa" chair, model 48, designed by Franco Albini and produced by Knoll Associates between 1949 and 1955, Italy-USA.
Category
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Maple
Franco Albini Tre Pezzi Armchair for Cassina
By Franco Albini, Cassina
Located in Berlin, DE
The price given applies to the piece as shown in the first picture. Available in many variations. Please ask for pricing in other materials/colors.
In 1959, working with Franca Helg, his long-time assistant, Franco Albini designed Tre Pezzi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Metal
Franco Albini, "Luisa" Lounge Chairs 48, Maple and Fabric, Knoll, 1949
By Knoll, Franco Albini
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of "Luisa" chairs in maple and cream fabric, model 48, designed by Franco Albini and produced by Knoll Associates between 1949 and 1955, Italy-USA.
Category
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Maple
Mid-Century Modern Red Armchair Fiorenza by Franco Albini for Arflex, Italy
By Franco Albini
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Armchair Fiorenza by Franco Albini for Arflex, Italy.
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Arflex Fiorenza Armchair in Steelcut Blue Fabric & Black Frame by Franco Albini
By Franco Albini, Arflex
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Symbol of comfort, Fiorenza armchair appears in Pirelli's 1950s advertisement as symbol of the foam rubber potential, considered at that time the mos...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Fabric
Set of Two Franco Albini Tre Pezzi Armchairs by Cassina
By Franco Albini, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Armchair designed by Franco Albini in 1959. Relaunched in 2009.
Manufactured by Cassina in Italy.
In 1952, working with Franca Helg, his long-time assistant, Franco Albini design...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Metal
Arflex Fiorenza Armchair in Steelcut Red Fabric and Black Frame by Franco Albini
By Franco Albini, Arflex
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Symbol of comfort, Fiorenza armchair appears in Pirelli's 1950s advertisement as symbol of the foam rubber potential, considered at that time the mos...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Fabric
Armchair "Fiorenza" designed by Franco Albini in 1952 for Arflex, Italy.
By Franco Albini, Arflex
Located in Wolfurt, AT
Armchair "Fiorenza," designed by Franco Albini in 1952 for Arflex, Italy. A highly collectible model produced for only one year by Arflex. This stunning pair of armchairs features sc...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Rare No. 48 Armchair by Knoll International
By Franco Albini
Located in Munich, DE
Designed by Franco Albini and made by Knoll International.
Category
1950s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Wood
1950s Italian Franco Albini Armchair for Arflex
By Franco Albini, Arflex
Located in London, GB
An architectural wood framed armchair with beautifully shaped seat and back upholstered in brushed velour.
Published: Reportorio del design. G.Gramiguria pg.28.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Walnut
Rare "Fiorenza" Green Cashmere Armchair by Franco Albini, Italy, c. 1953
By Franco Albini, Arflex
Located in New York City, NY
Rare and Exquisite "Fiorenza" Armchair by Franco Albini, Italy, c. 1953.
This highly collectible model was manufactured by Arflex for one single year. An early variant of the iconi...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Brass
Franco Albini Lounge Chair
By Franco Albini
Located in Atlanta, GA
Franco Albini "Fiorenza" lounge chair, Italy, circa 1990s. This chair was originally designed by Albini in the 1950s. This example is an authorized re-edition made by Arflex, circa 1...
Category
1990s Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Armchair "Fiorenza" in Original Red Color, by Franco Albini in 1952 for Arflex
By Franco Albini, Arflex
Located in Wolfurt, AT
This pair of Italian "Fiorenza" armchairs was designed by Franco Albini for Arflex. The elegantly shaped wooden frame supports the furniture body, which is covered with the original ...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Poltrona in Rattan - Mod. MARGHERITA - Franco Albini per Bonacina - Italia - '50
By Franco Albini
Located in Milano, IT
Questa non è solo una poltrona. Questo è tra i pezzi più iconici, identificativi e riconoscibili di un'epoca e di un architetto-designer. Si tratta del modello Margherita, disegnato ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Bamboo, Rattan
Midcentury Gala armchair by Franco Albini for Bonacina, 1951
By Franco Albini, Bonacina
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Gala armchairs by Franco Albini for Bonacina.
In the 1950s Franco Albini combined formal experimentation with the recovery of a "poor" material to be worked by hand, the rattan. The...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Bamboo, Rattan
Midcentury Italian "Margherita" Rattan Armchairs by Franco Albini for Bonacina
By Franco Albini, Bonacina
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Iconic Franco Albini armchair model "Margherita" 1951, manufactured by Bonacina.
Margherita is considered the first "legless" armchair of Italian design. The piece pays homage to th...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Rattan
Franco Albini armchairs for sale on 1stDibs.
Franco Albini armchairs are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of fabric and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Franco Albini armchairs, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 23 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 14 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original armchairs by Franco Albini were created in the mid-century modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider armchairs by Ico Parisi, Joe Colombo, and Saporiti Italia. Prices for Franco Albini armchairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $2,107 and can go as high as $34,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $9,506.
Creators Similar to Franco Albini
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Franco Albini Furniture
Franco Albini Chairs
Franco Albini Lounge Chairs
Franco Albini Stools
Franco Albini Ottomans and Poufs
Franco Albini Dining Room Chairs
Franco Albini Rocking Chairs
Franco Albini Sofas
Franco Albini Tables
Franco Albini Mirrors
Franco Albini Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Franco Albini Lighting
Franco Albini Decorative Objects