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.
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
Bureau en palissandre modèle T95 par Osvaldo Borsani pour Tecno 1960's
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in TOURCOING, FR
Bureau en palissandre modèle T95 par Osvaldo Borsani pour Tecno 1960's Superbe bureau moderniste italien, au modèle T95 dessiné par Osvaldo Borsani pour Tecno. L’ensemble séduit par...
Wood
Vintage Writing Desk Model T333 by Osvaldo Borsani and Eugenio Gerli for Tecno
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Roma, IT
An elegant and architecturally refined “T333” executive desk designed by Osvaldo Borsani in collaboration with Eugenio Gerli for Tecno, one of the most influential manufacturers in t...
Steel
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
Large Executive Desk by Anonima Castelli, Italy 1950s
By Anonima Castelli
Located in Roma, IT
Wood, veneered surfaces, stained wood plinth. An elegant and architecturally balanced executive desk attributed to Anonima Castelli, Bologna, dating from the late 1940s to early 195...
Wood
$2,560Sale Price|20% Off
H 28 in W 59 in D 29 in
Mid Century Danish Modern Teak Desk by G.V. Møbler, 1960s
By G.V. Møbler
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid century Danish modern G.V. Møbler teak desk boasts a striking floating top with three dovetail drawers on the left and a deep file drawer on the r...
Birch, Teak
$5,583
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
$13,609
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
$2,240Sale Price|20% Off
H 44 in W 36 in D 21 in
Mid-Century Modern Teak Secretary Desk with Brass Hinges, 1960s
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid century teak secretary desk Featuring a flip down front with small drawers organizer slots and lower large drawers. Beautiful danish construction including brass hinges with wond...
Brass
Bureau en acier brossé par Guy Lefèvre
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Guy Lefèvre Ed. Maison Jansen France, circa 1970 Bureau avec un piètement en acier brossé, plateau et tiroirs laqués.
Steel
$1,462Sale Price|30% Off
H 30.71 in W 47.25 in D 24.81 in
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
$4,420 / 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
Art Deco Boomerang Desk Circa 1940
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Exceptional modernist desk from the Art Deco period. This superb piece of furniture is reminiscent of the desk made by Charlotte Perriand and Pierre Janneret with its curved top and ...
Ash
$2,521Sale Price|20% Off
H 51.97 in W 49.22 in D 16.93 in
Mid-Century Modern Desk Sideboard Bureau Secretaire Belgium Design, 1960s
By Jos De Mey
Located in Antwerp, BE
Vintage Mid-Century Modern desk sideboard, bureau secretaire.The honey-colored sideboard desk has been made of an ash veneer wood and brass feet. It ...
Brass
Vintage Osvaldo Borsani Bar
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Red Lion, PA
Very nice two piece Osvaldo Borsani vintage bar. Bottom cabinet comes with the original key Beautifully made Top of Bar Measurements Height: 50.5" Width: 16.5"
Wood
Osvaldo Borsani, Bookcase model “E 22”, 1951
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Barcelona, ES
Osvaldo Borsani (1911-1985) Bookcase model “E 22” Manufactured by Tecno Varedo (Italy), 1951 Rosewood, aluminium Measurements 423 cm x 49 cm x 292 H in 166.55 in x 19.29 i...
Rosewood
Osvaldo Borsani Wooden 'Boomerang' Desk
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, desk T-96 'Boomerang', in wood and metal, Italy 1956. A very nice wooden version of this well known design by Osvaldo Borsani. The two revolving cabinets are held in place by the characteristic stainless steel tripods. The top has the characteristic shape of a boomerang, which not only is very appealing for the design, but also bring much comfort. A very nice executive desk which will be the perfect addition to every modernist office...
Metal
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
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 Eugenio Gerli, Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
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