1940s Vanities

Osvaldo Borsani for Arredamenti Borsani Varedo, dressing table, model '6142', maple, brass, mirrored glass, lacquered wood, Italy, 1943 An exquisite and truly exceptional vanity table designed by the Italian Osvaldo Borsani, dating back to around 1943. This rare gem encapsulates the quintessence of Borsani's design ethos: elegant and graceful proportions, fine materials, and unique constellations. Crafted from warm-toned maple, every detail speaks of refinement, from the intricately carved legs adorned with graphic white lines to the kidney-shaped top embellished with a mirrored surface, reflecting one's cherished objects with finesse. An outstanding element is the trio of individual rectangular mirrors with softly rounded contours, equipped with built-in lamps executed within a brass framework, their crown sockets gracefully encircling the lightbulbs. These mirrors are affixed to a maple panel punctuated by three characteristic holes, a signature touch of Borsani. A discreet drawer offers practical storage while maintaining the table's sleek aesthetic. In every aspect, this table attests to Borsani's masterful ability to strike the perfect balance between the orante elegance of Art Deco and the daring approach towards materiality and streamlined functionality of Modernism. Osvaldo Borsani (1911-1985) was an Italian designer and architect, raised by a family of fine furniture makers in Varedo. At the age of 16, he joined his father’s furniture shop, the Atelier di Varedo, which was fully engaged in designing and furnishing homes inspired by the Italian Art Deco movement. The designer of the atelier was the Italian architect Gino Maggioni (1898-1955) who was known for his Viennese Jugendstil orientation of the early 20th century. In the 1930s, he graduated from the Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera and Politecnico di Milano, where he studied Fine Arts and Architecture respectively. In 1932, the family company was renamed ‘Arredamenti Borsani’ and opened its first studio in Milan. During this period, he encountered Avant-Garde artists of various artistic disciplines like Lucio Fontana (1899-1968), Agenore Fabbri (1911-1998), Aligi Sassu (1912-2000), Roberto Crippa (1921-1972), Fausto Melotti (1901-1986), Arnaldo Pomodoro (1926-) and Giò Pomodoro (1930-2002). These collaborations resulted in the creation of furniture and interior design projects with a high-level of craftsmanship and artistry. In 1953, Borsani founded together with his twin brother Fulgenzio Borsani ‘Tecno’, a design and manufacturing company that produced items based on mechanical innovations and refined technicality. The ‘P40’ adjustable lounge chair (1953) has become the ideological manifesto of Borsani's Tecno program, and still remains the best known, exemplary piece in the Tecno catalogue. Other iconic works that were produced by Tecno were created by Gio Ponti (1891-1979), Vico cham...

Dressing table, leather, glass, wood, Denmark, 1940s. With a dark blue leather surface with red lines this dressing table has a rare texture and appearance. The front with two stora...

A fine French Art Deco engraved mirrored vanity with a mahogany base and one drawer.    

1940's French Provincial Ladies Vanity/ Dresser by Thomasville. Great storage drawers. 3 drawers with one under the miiror and compartment. Beautiful vanity built with excellent qual...

A 1940s Scandinavian dressing table with its triptych mirror and its original handles. The dressing table has a set of 3 drawers, the side mirrors swivel inward and outward and the c...

1940s dressing table with a black etched glass top, its original triptych mirror and brass handles. The vanity dressing table offers plenty of sto...

Beautiful art deco vanity with book-matched flame walnut veneer over solid wood. Triptych mirror with arched top, each side pivots outwards. Two deep drawers on either side and one i...

Dressing table or vanity in solid wood with rosewood veneer, bird’s eye-maple in the interior, pink glass and nickel-plated metal handle. Protection glass. The height of the mirror c...

An Art Deco vanity made by Beautility featuring beautifully grained mahogany and a stylish flowing design. The dresser comprises of mirror, two large drawers,a jewelery drawer and t...

This rare and beautiful vanity designed by Paolo Buffa in Italy in the 1940s imparts a cosy, chic and glowing mood to a space. The warm rosewood remains looking beautiful and smooth ...

Beautiful solid lacquered walnut vanity table. Characterized by refined simple line with elegant straight legs. Practical drawer with brass handles and key. Two beautiful bronze deco...

Beautifully refinished mahogany vanity/coiffeuse by Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller with original off-white "leather cloth" (Fabrikoid) top and padded drawers. Kneehole: 26" high x 22" wide x 17.5" deep See our separate listings for other pieces from this same collection. See pages from original 1941 Herman Miller catalog.

French Art Deco writing table or desk with two side drawers, maple parquet top, rounded (subtly octagonal) oak legs with elegant feet, in...

We are delighted to offer for sale a lovely circa 1940’s light Walnut Dressing table made by The Walnut Cabinet Works which is part of a large suite This piece is part of a suite as mentioned, I have in total the dressing table, two wardrobes, one of which is very large the other is large with internal storage, the headboard with built in side tables and lastly a chest of drawers. This sale is for the piece mentioned above only. This piece is well made, decorative and very nice in the light walnut. The mirrors are trifold so you can adjust them to see the side of your head, the middle drawer has a hidden jewellery...

Midcentury vanity with matching stool by Paul Frankl for Brown Saltman company features his trademark combed wood sides with curled brass pulls. Professionally restored with mirror.

Impressively sized Italian vanity with large mirror and console Single drawer w/ intricately carved butterflies. Tapered legs with brass feet Incredible piece. Table Height...

This exceptional French 19th century Empire mahogany dressing table is complete with its original mercury glass mirror and white Carrara marble top. The oval mirror is framed with be...

Stunning French burled walnut dressing table with beveled mirror having side mounted bronze candelabras and acorn finial mirror supports. Beauti...

Very rare freestanding vanity designed by Carl-Johan Boman. Produced by Boman Oy in Finland. Dimensions (W x D x H): 106 x 50 x 113,5 ( 65 ) cm.

Original vanitie and its Art Deco stool in sycamore, circa 1940-1950.

Paolo Buffa was a prolific Italian designer who worked for Gio Ponti, his success with Milanese upper classes pushed him to open his own studio where he could create unique furniture combining high quality techniques and finest materials due to his collaboration with talented ebenists. Streamline movement, opulent touches and modern vision of Art where Buffa main principles. This elegant vanity table or console (dual use item )is made of Maple wood with three large hand carved leaves holding the table top. There is a single drawer and a creamy parchment around the free form shape. Full of sensuality ,graciousness: this piece represents Buffa sensitivity for avant garde form and lighter Art Deco...

Bronze mounted two-drawer and one door dressing table with large center mirror and mirror topped "drawer" stacks.

Very rare vanity attributed to Frode Holm. Produced by Illums Bolighus in Denmark. Measure: Height 128 (70.5) cm.

Maison Jansen, Art Deco dressing table in lemon tree and gilt metal. Very good condition.

Very nice, wall/ vanity/ table mirror, Murano glass twisted /rope pattern with yellow bright cord inside. This mirror was designed with dual purpose, to be hang and also on a table, ...

Dressing table mirrored, a desk made of solid cherry. Adjustable bevelled glass mirror. Wide drawer with period original handles. Legs straight with foot stairways. ARCA by Gugliel...

An ebonized and polished dark mahogany telephone cabinet or vanity table having a storage drawer and an innovative fold-out bench.

C. G. Kimerly for Widdicomb Lacquered Greek key base and casing with bleached mahogany drawers and brass pulls. Dramatic large round mirror with gl...

A French circa 1950s nickel-plated vanity with black glass shelves and mirror. Measurements: Height 64 3/4" Width 39" Depth 15 1/4".

A sculptural vanity by Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller. Floating top with leatherette covered 'wings'. Angled base cabinets contain three drawers with original padded leatherette cov...

A signed Tommi Parzinger console/vanity for Charak Modern in mahogany with two drawers and storage compartment (with lift up glass cover). Elegant form with curved legs. Polished br...

Original vanity, sycamore wood, three drawers, one with parchment and a crystal handle, brass buttons, brass and frosted glass sconce. France, circa 1940.

A sycamore, gilt bronze and parchment vanity with mirror by Maxime Old (1910-1991,) created, circa 1940. Only three examples of this design have ever ...

Original 1940s midcentury mahogany vanity with rattan accents. The vanity features an extensive rattan trim along the mahogany surface and custom made rattan pulls. Restored to new ...

Iconic Art Deco dressing table designed by Jindrich Halabala for UP Zavody in 1940s. Original mirror in condition according to age. No cracks. Wood finish with age patina visible on ...

Mid Century Modern Heywood Wakefield Crescendo Vanity with Mirror and Vanity Stool/Poof Offered is a Mid Century Modern Vanity with Mirror a...

This antique mirrored vanity features hardwood construction, beautiful mahogany veneer, two dovetailed drawers with brass hardware and locks, wheeled feet, mounted three panel antique mirror...

French burled walnut dressing table with beveled mirror - in great shape! Beautifully turned reeded legs and marquetry detail. Measures: H desk...

Murano Art Deco console of 1940s. All covered in mirror. The shape of the top is in demilune shape, and above it is placed a mirror of the same shape. The small band of the top is c...