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Franco Albini

Italian, 1905-1977

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.

Average Sold Price
$2,096
Styles
Materials
Related Creators
Iconic Designs from Franco Albini
Explore timeless pieces that have earned their place in history.
Luisa Chair
Luisa Chair
Franco Albini Fiorenza Chair
Franco Albini Fiorenza Chair
Franco Albini Lb7
Franco Albini Lb7
Franco Albini Rocking Chaise
Franco Albini Rocking Chaise
Franco Albini pair of 1st edition "Fiorenza" armchairs by Arflex, Italy, 1952
By Arflex, Franco Albini
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
A rare pair of 1st edition armchairs with walnut frame, brass details and upholstered parts, model Fiorenza, designed by Franco Albini, produced by Arflex, Italy, 1952 Design, form,...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini

Materials

Brass

Franco Albini Midcentury Wall Shelf in Curved Rattan and Bamboo, Italy 1960s
By Franco Albini
Located in Roma, IT
Gorgeous Mid-Century wall shelf in curved rattan and bamboo. This stylish organic shelf was designed by Franco Albini in Italy during the 1960s. In amazing conditions and with a cha...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini

Materials

Bamboo, Cane, Rattan

Franco Albini 'Fiorenza' Lounge Chair with Ottoman for Arflex 1952
By Franco Albini
Located in Tilburg, NL
Franco Albini 'Fiorenza' Lounge Chair with Ottoman for Arflex, designed in 1952. Italy. New, current production. Symbol of comfort, Fiorenza armchair appears in Pirelli's 1950s adv...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Franco Albini Midcentury Wall Shelf or Console in Rattan and Bamboo, Italy, 1960
By Franco Albini
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful midcentury large wall shelf or console in curved bamboo, rattan and hand-woven wicker. This incredibly charming piece was designed by the mastery of Franco Albini and produ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini

Materials

Bamboo, Wicker, Cane, Rattan

Franco Albini Modular Bookcase Infinito, American Walnut For Cassina
By Franco Albini
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Franco Albini Modular Bookcase Infinito, American Walnut For Cassina Designed between 1956 and 1957 by Franco Albini and Fra...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini

Materials

Wood

Franco Albini Oval Curved Rattan and Bamboo Mirror, Italy 1960s
By Franco Albini
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful Mid-Century French Riviera style oval mirro fully made in curved rattan and bamboo. The design of this delightful organic mirror is attributed to the mastery of Franco Albi...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini

Materials

Bamboo, Rattan, Mirror

Pair of 1950s Albini per Knoll Reupholstered Rosewood Chairs
By Franco Albini
Located in Florence, Tuscany
A beautiful pair of Rosewood Chairs "Luisa" by Franco Albini made and designed in the 1950s. We have reupholstered the chairs in this elegant geometric Dedar, Milano fabric. Stunning...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Franco Albini

Materials

Bouclé, Wood

Franco Albini Modular Bookcase Infinito, Black Stain Wood by Cassina
By Franco Albini
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Franco Albini Modular Bookcase Infinito, Black Stain Wood by Cassina Designed between 1956 and 1957 by Franco Albini and Franc...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini

Materials

Wood

Browse all Furniture from Franco Albini
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Franco Albini Sale Prices

Sold DateSold PriceCategoryMaterialCreation Year
2025$2,800LaddersWood1950s
2025$1,388Stools, Side TablesBamboo, Rattan, Wicker1960s
2025$4,285Lounge ChairsFabric, Wood2025
2025$1,567Wall Mirrors, More MirrorsBamboo, Mirror, Rattan, Cane, Wicker1970s
2025$998Umbrella Stands, Decorative BasketsBamboo, Wicker, Rattan, Masonite1960s
2025$5,595CabinetsCeramic, Iron, Maple1950s
2025$886Lounge ChairsBamboo, Rattan1960s
2025$495Lounge ChairsBamboo1960s
2025$2,700Dining Room Sets, Dining Room ChairsAbalone, Bamboo, Rattan, Laminatecirca 1960s
2025$1,189Wall MirrorsBamboo, Rattan, Mirror1960
2025$760More Mirrors, Wall MirrorsBamboo, Mirror, Rattan, Wicker1960s
2025$750ArmchairsRattan1950
2025$1,300Hat Racks and Stands, Coat Racks and StandsBamboo, Walnut, Wood, Rattan1960s
2025$3,536Wall Mirrors, More MirrorsBamboo, Wicker, Rattan1960s
2025$1,127More Mirrors, Wall MirrorsBamboo, Mirror, Rattan, Wicker1960s
2025$1,462Wall MirrorsBamboo, Mirror, Rattan, Cane1960s
2025$1,182Wall Mirrors, More MirrorsBamboo, Mirror, Rattan, Wicker1960s
2025$9,350Desks and Writing TablesWood1958
2025$800Wall MirrorsBamboo, Mirror, Rattan, Cane1960s
2025$1,437Ottomans and PoufsFabric, Bamboo1970-1979
$2,096
Average sold price of items in the past 12 months
$195-$24,151
Sold price range of items in the past 12 months

Creators Similar to Franco Albini

More Franco Albini Designs
Luisa Chair
Luisa Chair
Average Price
$5,988
Number Available
11
Luisa Chair
By Franco Albini
Materials
Wood, Fabric
Styles
Mid Century Modern
After working for approximately 15 years through several prototypes of the design (one of which was manufactured by Knoll in the late 1940s), the Italian designer, architect and urban planner Franco Albini (1905–77) finished what is considered to be a masterpiece: the Luisa chair. The dignified armchair is upholstered in warm red fabric and named after Luisa Colombini, Albini’s personal assistant and secretary of two decades. Lightweight and initially available in teak, mahogany and beech, th...
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Franco Albini Fiorenza Chair
Franco Albini Fiorenza Chair
Average Price
$17,045
Number Available
9
Franco Albini Fiorenza Chair
By Franco Albini
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Styles
Mid Century Modern
Shop All
Franco Albini Lb7
Franco Albini Lb7
Average Price
$23,989
Number Available
7
Franco Albini Lb7
By Franco Albini
Materials
Wood, Hardwood, Teak
Styles
Mid Century Modern
Shop All
Franco Albini Rocking Chaise
Franco Albini Rocking Chaise
Average Price
$13,710
Number Available
3
Franco Albini Rocking Chaise
By Franco Albini
Materials
Wood, Chrome, Cord, Cotton, Fabric, Glass, Hardwood, Metal, Natural Fiber, Oak, Rattan, Sycamore
Styles
Mid Century Modern, Modern
Shop All

Franco Albini furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Franco Albini furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Franco Albini furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 173 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 21 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original furniture by Franco Albini 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 Marco Zanuso, Paolo Buffa, and Arflex. Prices for Franco Albini furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $209 and can go as high as $58,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $5,981.

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