Franco Albini Furniture
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.
93
to
1
74
16
93
93
93
76
3
2
201
77
185
11
5
7
93
53
7
2
64
32
20
19
17
88
86
2
2
2
203
509
495
442
441
Period: 1950s
Creator: Franco Albini
Brown Wire Ceiling Lamp by Franco Albini and Franca Helg for Sirrah
By Franco Albini, Sirrah, Franca Helg
Located in Milano, IT
Beautiful ceiling lamp designed by Franco Albini and Franca Helg in the 1950s for the fine Sirrah manufacture. Model AM4Z.
The lamp by Franco Albini is made of totally chromed metal...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Furniture
Materials
Metal
Rare Mahogany 'TL2' Cavalletto Table / Desk by Franco Albini for Poggi, Italy
By Poggi, Franco Albini
Located in London, GB
A rare mahogany version of the Cavaletto or TL2 table designed by the great neo-rationalist designer, Franco Albini. Designed in 1950 for manufacturers Poggi...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Furniture
Materials
Steel
1950s Franco Albini Vintage Rattan Pouf Ottoman Footrest Stool from Italy
By Franco Albini
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Ottoman stool
Franco Albini ottoman large Pouf in Rattan from Italy
Unmarked
Measures: 23.5 diameter x 15.75 height inches
Preowned original unrestored v...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Furniture
Materials
Rattan
Executive Desk by Franco Albini, Italy, 1950s
By Franco Albini
Located in Hellouw, NL
Large executive desk by Franco Albini from Italy, ca the 1950s. The desk has a small cabinet at the front of the desk with some shelves giving it a very attractive design from all si...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Furniture
Materials
Wood
Mid-Century Modern Red Armchair Fiorenza by Franco Albini for Arflex, Italy
By Franco Albini
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Armchair Fiorenza by Franco Albini for Arflex, Italy.
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Mid-Century Modern TL2 Cavalletto Desk/Dining Table by Franco Albini for Poggi
By Franco Albini
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern TL2 Cavalletto desk/dining table by Franco Albini for Poggi, 1950s.
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Furniture
Materials
Wood
Cavalletto Dining or Working Table by Franco Albini for Poggi
By Poggi, Franco Albini
Located in Barcelona, ES
Cavalletto or TL2 dining or working table designed in 1950 by italian architect Franco Albini, old Poggi edition. Wood construction with beveled edges tabletop and crossed legs with ...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Furniture
Materials
Metal
Ceiling Lamp Model Am4z by Franco Albini and Franca Helg for Sirrah
By Sirrah, Franco Albini, Franca Helg
Located in Milano, IT
Beautiful ceiling lamp designed by Franco Albini and Franca Helg in the 1950s for the fine Sirrah manufacture.
The lamp is made of totally chromed metal, the hat is a half sphere in...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Furniture
Materials
Metal
Vintage Floor Lamp Attributed to Franco Albini, 1950s
By Franco Albini
Located in Milano, IT
The vintage Italian floor lamp is attributed to the great Designer Franco Albini. The lamp is from the 1950s. The vintage floor lamp has a wooden frame with V-shaped feet to make it ...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Furniture
Materials
Aluminum
Rare No. 48 Armchair by Knoll International
By Franco Albini
Located in Munich, DE
Designed by Franco Albini and made by Knoll International.
Category
1950s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Furniture
Materials
Wood
Franco Albini Armchair
By Arflex, Franco Albini
Located in New York, NY
"Fiorenza" Armchair by Franco Albini for Arflex. Walnut, brass, mohair upholstery. Early variant of this wing chair with x-cross sides, brass caps and straps. One of the earliest va...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Furniture
Materials
Mohair, Walnut
1950s Italian Franco Albini Armchair for Arflex
By Arflex, Franco Albini
Located in London, GB
An architectural wood framed armchair with beautifully shaped seat and back upholstered in brushed velour.
Published: Reportorio del design. G.Gramiguria pg.28.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Franco Albini Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Walnut
Rare "Fiorenza" Green Cashmere Armchair by Franco Albini, Italy, c. 1953
By Franco Albini, Arflex
Located in New York City, NY
Rare and Exquisite "Fiorenza" Armchair by Franco Albini, Italy, c. 1953.
This highly collectible model was manufactured by Arflex for one single year. An early variant of the iconi...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Furniture
Materials
Brass
Armchair "Fiorenza" designed by Franco Albini in 1952 for Arflex, Italy.
By Franco Albini, Arflex
Located in Wolfurt, AT
Armchair "Fiorenza," designed by Franco Albini in 1952 for Arflex, Italy. A highly collectible model produced for only one year by Arflex. This stunning pair of armchairs features sc...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Restored Pair of 1950s Margherita Chairs by Franco Albini for Vittorio Bonacina
By Franco Albini, Vittorio Bonacina
Located in North Miami, FL
Professionally restored pair of 1950s bamboo and rattan Margherita chairs, designed by Franco Albini for Vittorio Bonacina, in their original vintage cream painted finish with new bo...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Furniture
Materials
Bamboo, Rattan
Ceiling Lamp by Franco Albini, 1955
By Franco Albini, Murano 5
Located in Berlin, DE
Pendant made of hand blown opal and flashed glass in warm gray. Metal mounting.
Design: Venini Murano
Dimensions: H. 23cm, ø 24,5cm
Manufacturer: Venini Murano.
Category
1950s Italian Modern Vintage Franco Albini Furniture
Materials
Metal
Set of Six "Luisa” Chairs by Franco Albini for Poggi
By Franco Albini, Poggi
Located in Madrid, ES
A set of six "Luisa" chairs designed by Franco Albini for Poggi, Italy, 1950. Beautifully reupholstered in pale rose color Patricia Urquiola fabrics.
Excellent condition. Prix "Comp...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Armchair "Fiorenza" in Original Red Color, by Franco Albini in 1952 for Arflex
By Franco Albini, Arflex
Located in Wolfurt, AT
This pair of Italian "Fiorenza" armchairs was designed by Franco Albini for Arflex. The elegantly shaped wooden frame supports the furniture body, which is covered with the original ...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Writing Table by Franco Albini, Italy, 1950's
By Franco Albini
Located in New York, NY
Canted corners on rectangular surface with beveled edge, raised on crossed legs with H-form stretcher, and converging suspension rods of black enameled
metal. Model TL2 for Poggi. Li...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Furniture
Materials
Metal
Mid-Century Modern Vintage Rattan Pouf Stool Franco Albini attr Italy, 1950s
By Franco Albini
Located in Vienna, AT
A mid century modern vintage rattan pouf or stool, which was designed attributed to Franco Albini. Italy 1950s.
The rattan pouf is very stable, although it looks like lightweight. F...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Furniture
Materials
Rattan
Walnut Sideboard "Mb15" by Franco Albini for Poggi, Italy, 1950s
By Franco Albini
Located in Milan, IT
Walnut sideboard model "Mb15" by Franco Albini for Poggi.
Removable trays and beautiful proportions.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Franco Albini Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair of Italian 1950s Stools
By Franco Albini
Located in New York, NY
Black lacquered wood stools.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Franco Albini Furniture
Materials
Wood
Gruppo quattro sedie 'Luisa' Franco Albini per Poggi 1950s
By Franco Albini, Poggi
Located in Milano, IT
Poltroncine modello 'Luisa' disegnate da Franco Albini e prodotte da Poggi a partire dal 1955. Struttura in legno, seduta e schienale con imbottitura in espanso e rivestimento in tes...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Italian mid-century modern rattan armchair Margherita Albini for Bonacina, 1950s
By Franco Albini, Bonacina
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century modern rattan armchair Margherita Albini for Bonacina, 1950s
Round base armchair mod. Margherita with structure completely in rattan. The seat and backrest follow...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Rattan
Midcentury Gala armchair by Franco Albini for Bonacina, 1951
By Franco Albini, Bonacina
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Gala armchair by Franco Albini for Bonacina.
In the 1950s Franco Albini combined formal experimentation with the recovery of a "poor" material to be worked by hand, the rattan. The ...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Furniture
Materials
Bamboo, Rattan
Pair of Franco Albini "Luisa" teak chairs for Poggi, Italy 1955
By Poggi, Franco Albini
Located in Renens, CH
Pair of Franco Albini "Luisa" teak chairs for Poggi, Italy 1955
These timeless and minimalist dining chairs with armrests feature a structure in teak wood with stunning details and ...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Furniture
Materials
Teak
Set of 6 italian midcentury chairs "Luisa" by Franco Albini
By Franco Albini
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Set of six Luisa chairs with a wooden structure reupholstered in beige fabric, designed by Franco Albini and manufactured by Poggi Pavia, c. 1950.
Luisa chair won the Compasso d'oro...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Furniture
Materials
Wood
Mid-Century Modern "Lb7" Bookcase by Franco Albini for Poggi, Italy, 1950s
By Franco Albini
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern "Lb7" Bookcase by Franco Albini for Poggi, Italy, 1950s
Height is adjustable
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Furniture
Materials
Wood
Midcentury Italian "Margherita" Rattan Armchairs by Franco Albini for Bonacina
By Franco Albini, Bonacina
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Iconic Franco Albini armchair model "Margherita" 1951, manufactured by Bonacina.
Margherita is considered the first "legless" armchair of Italian design. The piece pays homage to th...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Furniture
Materials
Rattan
Mid-Century Stadera Desk Model 840 by Franco Albini for Poggi, Italy, 1950s
By Franco Albini
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Stadera Desk Model 840 by Franco Albini for Poggi, Italy, 1950s
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Furniture
Materials
Wood
Franco Albini rare folding chair for Poggi, Italy, 1952
By Franco Albini
Located in Skokie, IL
Franco Albini nurtured a love for modern forms combined with traditional craft techniques while working under Italian master Gio Ponti and played a pivotal role in the Italian ration...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Furniture
Materials
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Small Sideboard MB15 by Fanco Albini for Poggi, Italy, 1950s
By Franco Albini
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Small Sideboard MB15 by Fanco Albini for Poggi, Italy, 1950s
Category
1950s Vintage Franco Albini Furniture
Materials
Wood
Mid-Century Modern Sideboard MB15 by Fanco Albini for Poggi, Italy, 1950s
By Franco Albini
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Sideboard MB15 by Fanco Albini for Poggi, Italy, 1950s
Category
1950s Vintage Franco Albini Furniture
Materials
Wood
Franco Albini rare "Fiorenza" lounge chair for Arflex, Italy, 1953
By Franco Albini, Arflex
Located in Skokie, IL
This highly collectible model was manufactured by Arflex for only one year. An early variant of the iconic "Fiorenza" armchair, this stunning pair of armchairs consist of a sculptura...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Furniture
Materials
Brass
LB7, “Infinito” Bookcase by Franco Albini, Poggi
By Franco Albini
Located in Milano, Lombardia
In the LB7 library of the Poggi production (1956), we find all the principles long treated by Albini on the theme of the light upright, which in this modular syst...
Category
1950s Italian Modern Vintage Franco Albini Furniture
Materials
Wood
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.
Creators Similar to Franco Albini
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Franco Albini Furniture
Franco Albini Wall Mirrors
Franco Albini Armchairs
Franco Albini Bookcases
Franco Albini Chairs
Franco Albini Racks and Stands
Franco Albini Desks and Writing Tables
Franco Albini Tables
Franco Albini Dining Room Tables
Franco Albini Lounge Chairs
Franco Albini Side Tables
Franco Albini Stools
Franco Albini Ottomans and Poufs