Franco Albini Set of Two "Model PL19", Manufactured by Poggi
About the Item
- Creator:Poggi (Maker),Franco Albini (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 36.23 in (92 cm)Width: 31.5 in (80 cm)Depth: 36.23 in (92 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Wolfurt, AT
- Reference Number:
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Wolfurt, Austria
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- Set of 2 Franco Albini, "Luisa" chairs, Production Poggi, PaviaBy Poggi, Franco AlbiniLocated in Wolfurt, ATThis set of two Italian chairs was designed by Franco Albini for Poggi in the 1950s. The "Luisa" model is a simple, timeless design and is made of walnut wood and red fabric on the b...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- Set of 6 Franco Albini "Luisa" Chairs, Production Carlo Poggi, 1950sBy Franco Albini, Succ. Carlo PoggiLocated in Wolfurt, ATSet of 6 Italian wood and fabric chairs armchairs Model "Luisa" designed by the Italian designer Franco Albini and produced by Poggi Pavia 1955. Bibliographie: Italien 1950er Jahre,...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- Armchair "Fiorenza" designed by Franco Albini in 1952 for Arflex, Italy.By Arflex, Franco AlbiniLocated in Wolfurt, ATArmchair "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
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- Armchair "Fiorenza" in Original Red Color, by Franco Albini in 1952 for ArflexBy Franco Albini, ArflexLocated in Wolfurt, ATThis 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
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- Set of Two Gianni Moscatelli "Cheval" Chairs, Formanova, 1970sBy FormanovaLocated in Wolfurt, ATThis Italian set designed by Gianni Moscatelli from the 70s was made by Formanova. It is covered with pastel yellow leatherette, which is in good condition. The set has wheels, which...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsChrome
- Set of Two Italian Ponti Stile Armchairs from Italy, 1950sBy Gio PontiLocated in Wolfurt, ATThis pair of armchairs was made in Italy in the 1950s. The pieces of furniture have small, wooden legs on which the cosy armchair bodies with almost pointed corners rest. The armchai...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- Franco Albini PL19 Tre Pezzi Armchair for Poggi Pavia, Italy, 1960sBy Franco AlbiniLocated in Paris, FRArmchair 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 Armchairs
MaterialsMetal
- Franco Albini PL19 or Tre Pezzi Armchair in Red Fabric by Poggi 1970sBy Franco Albini and Franca Helg, PoggiLocated in Montecatini Terme, ITPL19 or Tre Pezzi armchair with frame in black lacquered tubular steel, seat and back in padded red fabric. Designed by Franco Albini and Franca Helg in 1959 for the Nuove terme Lui...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsSteel
- Franco Albini Armchair PL19 Tre Pezzi for Poggi Pavia Italy Circa 1959By Franco AlbiniLocated 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 Armchairs
MaterialsMetal
- Franco Albini PL19 or Tre Pezzi Armchair in White Wool by Poggi Pavia, 1950sBy Franco Albini and Franca Helg, PoggiLocated in Montecatini Terme, ITPL19 also known as Tre Pezzi armchair with black enameled steel tube structure, upholstered in white Mongolian goat wool. Designed by Franco Albini & Franca Helg for Poggi, Pavia...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Post-Modern Armchairs
MaterialsSteel
- Franco Albini PL19 Pair of Three Piece Armchairs for Poggi Pavia Italy Circa 1959By Franco AlbiniLocated in Rovereta, SMThe "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
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsIron
- Franco Albini Lounge ChairBy Franco AlbiniLocated in Atlanta, GAFranco 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 Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood