Osvaldo Borsani

Italian, 1911-1985

With his stylish and technically innovative furniture, Osvaldo 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.

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. Borsani first worked for his father’s furniture-making firm, Arredamenti Borsani, an atelier influenced by the more expressive and curvaceous wing of Art Deco design.

By 1953, when, along with his twin brother, Fulgenzio — the pair also created this visionary mid-century villa — Borsani opened the furniture company Tecno, his design sensibilities had evolved toward furnishings with strong, simple forms enhanced by mechanical innovations, as with the P40 adjustable armchair. Borsani would be the firm’s lead designer for 30 years, while fostering work by Vico Magistretti, Carlo De Carli, Robin Day and others.

Similar to Gio Ponti in the earliest years of his career, Borsani first created designs marked by lush and buoyant lines: tables with voluptuous curved legs, sofas with undulating backrests.

But Borsani’s best-known and most novel pieces date from Tecno’s initial furniture lines: the adjustable D70 sofa, which folds open to make a daybed, and the P40 recliner. The latter — now included in the collections of the Museum of Modern Art and the Victoria & Albert Museum — is an articulated lounger with a back, seat and leg rest that can be moved into 486 different positions. Not only is it extremely comfortable, it is also enduringly chic.

Find a collection of vintage Osvaldo Borsani tables, dining chairs and other furniture on 1stDibs.

Average Sold Price

$6,360

Styles

Materials

Related Creators

Iconic Designs from Osvaldo Borsani

Explore timeless pieces that have earned their place in history.

Osvaldo Borsani P40 Chair

Osvaldo Borsani D70 Sofa

Osvaldo Borsani P31 Chair

Rare Osvaldo Borsani for Arredamenti Borsani Varedo Easy Chair in Pierre Frey Lilac Mohair

$39,700

H 47.25 in W 32.68 in D 36.23 in

Rare Osvaldo Borsani for Arredamenti Borsani Varedo Easy Chair in Pierre Frey Lilac Mohair

By Osvaldo Borsani

Located in Waalwijk, NL

Osvaldo Borsani for Arredamenti Borsani Varedo, lounge chair, variation on model '4949', stained teak, reupholstered in Pierre Frey Bold 'Piggy' mohair, Italy, late 1930s/1940s A b...

Category

1930s Italian Art Deco Vintage Osvaldo Borsani

Materials

Mohair, Teak

Unique Osvaldo Borsani Highboard in Cherry with Romantic Painted Panels

$38,500

H 69.69 in W 94.49 in D 22.45 in

Unique Osvaldo Borsani Highboard in Cherry with Romantic Painted Panels

By Osvaldo Borsani

Located in Waalwijk, NL

Osvaldo Borsani for Arredamenti Borsani Varedo, wardrobe, cherry, paint, lacquered wood, brass, glass, Italy, circa 1950 A truly exceptional piece designed custom for a private cli...

Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Osvaldo Borsani

Materials

Brass

Rare Osvaldo Borsani Vanity Table in Maple with Mirrors and Built-in Lights

$23,500

H 52.37 in W 50.4 in D 24.02 in

Rare Osvaldo Borsani Vanity Table in Maple with Mirrors and Built-in Lights

By Osvaldo Borsani

Located in Waalwijk, NL

Osvaldo Borsani for Arredamenti Borsani Varedo, dressing table, model '6142', maple, brass, mirrored glass, lacquered wood, Italy, 1943 An exquisite and truly exceptional vanity tab...

Category

1940s Italian Art Deco Vintage Osvaldo Borsani

Materials

Brass

Art Deco Style Vintage Sideboard by Osvaldo Borsani, 1950s

$6,993Sale Price|20% Off

H 36.23 in W 109.06 in D 18.9 in

Art Deco Style Vintage Sideboard by Osvaldo Borsani, 1950s

By Atelier Borsani Varedo, Osvaldo Borsani

Located in Ceglie Messapica, IT

Italian Midcentury Modern Big Sideboard in Art Deco Style, Osvaldo Borsani for Atelier Borsani Varedo, Italy 1950s Beautiful large sideboard crafted from solid poplar wood, beautifu...

Category

1950s Italian Art Deco Vintage Osvaldo Borsani

Materials

Brass

Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno 'Canada' Lounge Chairs and Ottoman

$24,500 / set

H 31.7 in W 32.68 in D 35.63 in

Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno 'Canada' Lounge Chairs and Ottoman

By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno

Located in Waalwijk, NL

Osvaldo Borsani, Valeria Borsani, and Marco Fantoni for Tecno, 'Canada' lounge chairs and ottoman, model 'T110', leather, mahogany, cherry, Italy, design 1966 The Canada series was ...

Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Osvaldo Borsani

Materials

Leather, Cherry, Mahogany

1970s Walnut Starburst Oval Dining Table by Osvaldo Borsani for Stow Davis

$6,500

H 29 in W 48.5 in D 78.5 in

1970s Walnut Starburst Oval Dining Table by Osvaldo Borsani for Stow Davis

By Osvaldo Borsani, Stow Davis

Located in Cedar Falls, IA

Beautiful dining table with starburst pattern walnut top designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Stow Davis, circa 1970s. Incredible walnut top sits on heavy black enameled steel and polish...

Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Osvaldo Borsani

Materials

Stainless Steel

Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno 'D70' Sofa in Red Upholstery

$8,450

H 33.27 in W 76.78 in D 35.83 in

Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno 'D70' Sofa in Red Upholstery

By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno

Located in Waalwijk, NL

Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, sofa or daybed, model D70, steel, brass, fabric, Italy, 1954. Osvaldo Borsanis sofa 'D70' was presented at the Triennale of Milan in 1954 where it won the Gold Medal for design. Not only the design is extraordinary, because so is the technology. With a single twist the back and seating are positioned upwards or down, all to create the highest comfort for the sofa or daybed. This eccentric sofa...

Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Osvaldo Borsani

Materials

Brass, Steel

Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno 'E22' Wall Unit or Bookcase

$12,000

H 110.24 in W 56.3 in D 19.3 in

Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno 'E22' Wall Unit or Bookcase

By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno

Located in Waalwijk, NL

Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, bookcase or wall unit, model 'E22', lacquered steel, lacquered aluminum, wood, glass, Italy, design 1957. This sleek, wall-mounted shelving unit, crafted ...

Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Osvaldo Borsani

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

Browse all Furniture from Osvaldo Borsani

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Osvaldo Borsani Sale Prices

Sold Date

Sold Price

Category

Material

Creation Year

2026	$5,780	Dry Bars	Pearwood, Patent Leather, Walnut	circa 1953
2026	$4,000	Cabinets	Walnut	1950
2026	$5,000	Desks	Glass, Iron, Wood	1950
2026	$2,500	Cabinets	Glass, Wood	1940s
2026	$12,633	Cabinets	Brass, Wood	1950
2026	$5,120	Office Chairs and Desk Chairs	Brass, Steel, Leather, Upholstery	1957
2026	$4,241	Console Tables	Wood	1940s
2026	$5,950	Chairs	Bouclé, Walnut	1950
2026	$5,400	Commodes and Chests of Drawers	Brass, Wood	1960
2026	$4,188	Lounge Chairs	Leather, Plastic, Wood	1965
2026	$5,000	Dining Room Tables	Aluminum, Brass, Smoked Glass	1950
2026	$2,900	Tables	Walnut	1930s
2026	$1,200	Dry Bars	Wood	1940
2026	$3,600	Lounge Chairs	Metal, Brass, Leather	1969
2026	$1,400	Console Tables	Wood	1950
2026	$8,506	Desks	Brass, Ebony	1940
2026	$5,131	Side Tables	Brass, Glass	1950
2026	$7,686	Sideboards	Brass, Wood, Walnut	1950s
2026	$2,000	Coffee and Cocktail Tables, Gueridon		circa 1960's
2026	$14,850	Center Tables	Marble, Wood, Brass	1950s

$6,360

Average sold price of items in the past 12 months

$409-$30,912

Sold price range of items in the past 12 months

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More Osvaldo Borsani Designs

Osvaldo Borsani P40 Chair

Average Price

$8,949

Number Available

Osvaldo Borsani P40 Chair

By Osvaldo Borsani

Materials

Metal, Brass, Fabric, Steel, Plastic

Styles

Mid Century Modern

Shop All

Osvaldo Borsani D70 Sofa

Average Price

$8,983

Number Available

Osvaldo Borsani D70 Sofa

By Osvaldo Borsani

Materials

Fabric, Brass, Metal, Steel

Styles

Mid Century Modern

Shop All

Osvaldo Borsani P31 Chair

Average Price

$14,520

Number Available

Osvaldo Borsani P31 Chair

By Osvaldo Borsani

Materials

Metal, Wood, Bentwood, Plywood

Styles

Mid Century Modern

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Osvaldo Borsani’s Elegant Cabinet Is Meant for Merrymaking

The 1940s home bar unites lively design with clever engineering.

Mid-Century Master Osvaldo Borsani Gets His Due at Donzella

The New York City gallery has devoted its latest show to the work of the modernist Italian designer.

Peek inside Osvaldo Borsani’s Mod Italian Villa

The iconic mid-century estate outside of Milan opens its doors to the public for a very special homage.

Osvaldo Borsani furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Osvaldo Borsani furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Osvaldo Borsani furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Osvaldo Borsani 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 furniture by Ico Parisi, Gianfranco Frattini, and B&B Italia. Prices for Osvaldo Borsani furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $330 and can go as high as $397,156, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $7,205.