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.
Vintage Bentwood and Rattan Furniture Set by Franco Albini
By Franco Albini
Located in Dekalb, IL
Italian-designed bentwood furniture set. This set was designed by preeminent Italian architect and designer Franco Albini (1905-1977) and really speaks for itself. Featuring gorgeou...
Rattan, Glass, Bentwood
$1,900
H 29 in W 39 in D 21 in
Vintage Coastal Rattan Bistro Table & Chairs Set, New Tropical Fabric, 1970s
Located in Miami, FL
Bring a touch of effortless Palm Beach chic and timeless bohemian warmth into your space with this 3-piece vintage rattan "honeymoon" bistro dinette set. Dating from the late 1970s t...
Fabric, Rattan, Glass
$1,880Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 30.5 in W 38.5 in D 22.5 in
Mid Century Modern Outdoor Furniture Set by Salterini, Metal, 3 Pieces
By Salterini
Located in Cordova, SC
This three piece outdoor furniture set is a timeless piece of furniture. Composed of durable metal that has been primed and painted and ready to be used on your porch or in your gard...
Iron
$7,500 / set
H 30.5 in W 60 in D 30.5 in
1960s Rattan Dining Table and Chairs Set by Audoux and Minet, France
By Adrien Audoux and Frida Minnet
Located in Stamford, CT
Spectacular 1960s Cote D'Azur signed oval ceramic top rattan table and four rattan chairs by Adrien Audoux and Frida Minet. Modern depiction of horses and grasses ceramic tiles signe...
Ceramic, Rattan, Wood
1930s Hand-Crafted Art Deco Rattan Sofa and Club Chair Set
Located in Sheffield, MA
A highly stylish Art Deco inspired rattan sofa and club arm lounge chair. The set will make a statement on any porch or patio. Measures: Sofa: AH 23.38, SH 11 3/8 w/o cushion Chair: 31.5 H x 27 D x 23.5 W / ah 23.75 / sh 16.5 / sh 11.5 w/out cushion Rattan, wicker, bamboo, stick wicker sofa and...
Rattan
Bentwood Porch or Patio Sofa and Chair
Located in Sheffield, MA
Painted white bentwood sofa and chair with striped Sunbrella covered cushions. Measures: Arm height 22.25 Sofa length is 63".
Bentwood, Fabric
Mid Century Bamboo Side, Serving, End Table After Albini
By Franco Albini
Located in New York, NY
Chic diminutive side, or end table of bent bamboo and woven wicker. The table is circular in form, it is in very good, original condition, clean and ready to use. Circa 1970's Made i...
Bamboo
$3,600 / set
H 33.5 in W 23.5 in D 21 in
Schumacher Set of 4 Vintage Rattan Garden Chairs, made in Belgium.
By Schumacher
Located in New York, NY
Set of 4 Vintage Rattan Garden Chairs, made in Belgium. Thanks to the spare lines of the tubular black iron frames, these rattan garden c...
Rattan
Bamboo Arm Chair in the style of Franco Albini c 1950's
By Franco Albini
Located in New York, NY
Chic, stylish, sophisticated bamboo, and rattan side chair, made in Italy, circa 1950/1960's, in the style of Franco Albini. This example is in good original condition, structurally ...
Bamboo, Rattan
Vintage Woven Bamboo and Rattan Side Table or Plant Stand
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A gorgeous woven rattan wooden plant stand or side table. This piece will be fantastic used as an occasional table, side table, or on a covered patio for use as a plant stand. The fo...
Cane, Rattan, Wood
Pr Italian Mid Century Bamboo Chairs After Albini
By Franco Albini
Located in New York, NY
Chic and voguish pair of bamboo, lounge, armchairs, in very good, original condition, clean and ready to use. Made in Italy, circa 1970's in the style of Franco Albini, unsigned. Off...
Bamboo
Vintage Rattan Armchair
Located in Sheffield, MA
The vintage porch armchair is made of bent rattan bound by strips of rattan. Seat height 13.25".
Rattan
Metal and Glass Dining Set. Garden furniture. Indoor & Outdoor
Located in Miami, FL
We love how this dining set blends an aerodynamic, futuristic base with more traditional, cross back chairs, and finishes them all in an Industrial-gr...
Wrought Iron
Sold
H 28.75 in W 24.81 in D 27.56 in
Vintage bamboo egg chairs, Franco Albini, Italy 1960s, set of four
By Bonacina, Franco Albini
Located in Ceglie Messapica, IT
Set of four bamboo egg chairs designed by Franco Albini in the 1960s. Beautifully shaped bamboo and rattan structure. The chairs have been fullry restored as follows: Structure stre...
Bamboo, Rattan
Italian Mid Century Franco Albini Curvy Bamboo Rocking Chair
By Franco Albini
Located in Troy, MI
Circa 1960s rocking chair in bent bamboo by Italian designer Franco Albini. Compelling curvy lines with oversized, arms and rocker. Sits comfortab...
Bamboo