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.
Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno ‘T96’ Rosewood Desk
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Dallas, TX
A rosewood 'T96' desk designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, 1958. Both banks of drawers rotate on the legs. Original black leather inset top.
Rosewood
Boomerang Desk by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Milano, 1950s Italy
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Architectural black boomerang executive desk by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Milano. Finished with leather desktop inclusion. Floating pedestal on right side and longer return on the le...
Aluminum
$7,532Sale Price|24% Off
Large Desk T333 by Eugenio Gerli and Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Italy
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
This is a magnificent large vintage executive desk. Designed by Italians Osvaldo Borsani and Eugenio Gerli for Tecno, it exudes timeless prestige. The desktop is created from a singl...
Aluminum
Mid-Century Modern Desk by Olsvaldo Borsani, 1960s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Desk by Olsvaldo Borsani, 1960s
Metal
$5,649
H 118.12 in W 28.75 in D 30.71 in
Osvaldo Borsani E22 Double Sided Freestanding Wall Unit for Tecno, Italy, 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
This double-sided freestanding E22 bookcase is a rare and peculiar example of Borsani's innovative design and the Tecno manufacturing expertise. Its construction of metal, wood, and ...
Metal
$4,649
H 36.23 in W 109.06 in D 18.51 in
Credenza by Osvaldo Borsani for Atelier Borsani Varedo, 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Exquisite credenza or sideboard designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Atelier Borsani Varedo. This very elegant mid century italian sideboard is made of high quality mahogany wood, a whit...
Brass
Custom 1950s Wall Mounted Modernist Writing Desk
Located in San Diego, CA
Unique handmade custom wall-mounted writing desk made in the 1950s. Solid birch construction with patinated brass accents and a smooth black laminate desk surface that folds up when ...
$4,472 / set
H 28.35 in W 33.08 in D 20.08 in
Italian Mid-Century Modern Small Desk and Chair Attributed to Paolo Buffa, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Cute and stylish Italian midcentury modern desk, with a graceful chair, attributed to Paolo Buffa. This teakwood desk it is a splendid example of the Italian class design of 1950. B...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Italian Writing Desk, 1960s
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Italian desk from the 1960s, restored and shellac polished. Note the brass handles and feet, the green glass top with original period adhesive paper underneath and the black painted ...
Brass, Iron
$6,826
H 77.96 in W 32.68 in D 12.21 in
Osvaldo Borsani anodized aluminum, wood, and Resinflex E60 bookshelf Italy 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
The E60 bookshelf, crafted from anodized aluminum, wood, and Resinflex, is a distinguished model designed by the renowned Osvaldo Borsani and produced by Tecno in the 1950s. Minimal...
Aluminum
$4,649
H 36.23 in W 109.06 in D 18.51 in
Credenza by Osvaldo Borsani for Atelier Borsani Varedo, 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Exquisite credenza or sideboard designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Atelier Borsani Varedo. This very elegant mid century italian sideboard is made of high quality mahogany wood, a whit...
Brass
Santos Rosewood Desk by Jensen & Valeur for Dyrlund
By Henning Jensen & Torben Valeur, Dyrlund
Located in Little Burstead, Essex
This model of desk by Valeur & Jensen rarely hang around for long and this one in particular has very nicely marked grain. It is in fantastic condition, and ready for your home ...
Hardwood
$13,770
H 111.42 in W 110.44 in D 12.21 in
Mid-Century Modern 22 Bookshelf by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Italy, 1960s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Brussels, BE
Desk = D: 60 cm ; W: 139,5 cm ; H: 80 cm
Wood
$5,179
H 31.11 in W 39.38 in D 25.6 in
Mid-Century Modern Italian Desk Table by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini, 1960s
By Bernini, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Rare and unusual desk model N°804 designed by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini. Pulling out the desk top opens the rolltop. This desk cabinet has plenty of storage space, 10 drawers a...
Ash
$24,010Sale Price|40% Off
H 104.34 in W 141.74 in D 19.3 in
Libreria E22 Osvaldo Borsani per Tecno 1960's
By Gaetano Borsani, Tecno
Located in Milano, MI
Splendida Libreria E22 disegnata da Osvaldo Borsani per Tecno spa negli anni 60. molteplici mobili contenitori bassi e modulo bar con ribalta. E' Possibile rimuovere i pannelli poste...
Aluminum, Steel
Mid-Century Modern Danish Teak Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This gorgeous vintage modern desk features a unique raised top along the back and sculpted feet. Sleek design with unusual recessed pulls and a wonderful vintage teak finish. This ca...
Teak
T-96 Boomerang desk by Oswaldo Borsani for Tecno 1956
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Boom, Vlaams Gewest
T96 ‘Boomerang’ Desk by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Italy, 1956 Designed in 1956 by acclaimed Italian architect and designer Osvaldo Borsani, the T96 ‘Boomerang’ Desk is a masterpiec...
Metal
Mid-Century Desk by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Italy, 1960s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Desk by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Italy, 1960s
Wood
Boomerang T96 Desk by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Italy, 1960s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Brussels, BE
Boomerang T96 Desk by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Italy, 1960s
Wood
Boomerang Desk by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Milano
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Architectural black boomerang executive desk by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Milano. Brought back to life in original black finish. Floating pedestal on left...
Aluminum
Osvaldo Borsani Conference Desk Table Tecno, Italy, 1954
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Fantastic large and very early conference desk designed by Osvaldo Borsani and manufactured by Tecno, Italy 1954. This large desk has a sliding table on the left and a drawer unit on...
Metal, Brass
Osvaldo Borsani Writing Desk Table Tecno, Italy, 1954
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Stunning large writing desk or desk table designed by Osvaldo Borsani and manufactured by Tecno, Italy 1954. The table has aluminium tripod legs for the stability and the top is made...
Stainless Steel
T333 Desk by Eugenio Gerli and Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno, Eugenio Gerli
Located in Dallas, TX
Oversized zebra wood executive desk by Eugenio Gerli and Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno. Features wood top, privacy panel and two pencil drawers with heavy cast aluminum legs. Includes rolling storage...
Aluminum
Osvaldo and Valeria Borsani Unique Desk
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Chicago, IL
Osvaldo and Valeria Borsani unique desk for Tecno, Italy: leather, wood, solid brass. This desk is an excellent example of elite Italian design and craft...
Brass
Italian Boomerang Rosewood Desk by Osvaldo Borsani, 1960s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Brussels, BE
Italian boomerang rosewood desk by Osvaldo Borsani, 1960s.
Wood
Osvaldo Borsani Rosewood Desk
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Fantastic rosewood desk by Osvaldo Borsani beautifully refinished in French polish. Floating desk top sits on tripod nickel bases with articulating left side storage cabinet which ...
Rosewood
Osvaldo Borsani Desk
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Fantastic desk by Osvaldo Borsani beautifully refinished in deep plum French polish. Floating desk top sits on tripod nickel bases with articulating ri...
Rosewood
Sold
H 28.75 in W 35.83 in D 98.43 in
Italian Desk by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Midcentury Design T96 Boomerang 1950s
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Italian desk designed by osvaldo borsani for tecno. Boomerang tray and a modular box. Good condition.
Chrome