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.
Steel Centrepiece by Franco Albini for Sirrah, Italy, 1970s
By Sirrah, Franco Albini
Located in Milan, IT
Steel centrepiece by Franco Albini for Sirrah. Removable top with double layer of holes for flowers.
Steel
Franco Albini Bamboo Basket with Handle, Italy, circa 1950's
By Franco Albini
Located in New York, NY
A charming Franco Albini designed Italian 1950's handmade bamboo basket. The curved basket with a wonderful decorative handle has perfect proportions. Store and display your magaz...
Bamboo
Franco Albini 1960 Rattan Cane & Bamboo Rocking Horse, Animal Sculpture Italy
By Franco Albini
Located in Miami, FL
Original Franco Albini Mid-Century Modern Rattan and Bamboo Rocking Horse, Animal Sculpture. Rattan and bamboo rocking horse core with basket wea...
Bamboo, Cane, Rattan
Ventrella Bronze Centrepiece, Italy 1970s
By Ventrella
Located in Naples, IT
Large round brass and bronze centrepiece series 'Labirinti', signed Ventrella GioiellIeri in Naples.
Bronze
$670 / item
H 10 in W 8.5 in D 4.5 in
Hermanos Calavera Conquistador in Oiled Walnut by Miguel & Ilse Silva for Wooda
By Miguel Silva, Wooda, Ilse Silva
Located in Omro, WI
These handsome but quirky brothers designed by Miguel and Ilse Silva for Wooda are the result of an engaging mix of personality, love, fun and mischievousness. Los Hermanos Calavera(...
Hardwood, Maple, Oak, Walnut
$420
H 5.91 in W 6.3 in D 6.3 in
Italian mid-century Orange ceramic Vase by Bettonica for Gabbianelli, 1970s
By Gabbianelli, Franco Bettonica
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century Orange ceramic Vase by Bettonica for Gabbianelli, 1970s Vase with a helix shape in orange ceramic. Produced by Gabbianell...
Ceramic
Franco Albini Midcentury Rocking Horse
By Franco Albini
Located in New York, NY
Franco Albini midcentury rocking horse. Midcentury rattan and wicker rocking horse sculpture, Italy, circa 1960. Dimensions: H 24 in. x W 30 in. x...
Rattan
Japanese Bamboo Ikebana Basket with Handle, Showa Period
Located in Fukuoka, JP
A refined Japanese ikebana basket, expertly handwoven from split bamboo with a tall, cylindrical body and elegantly arched handle crafted to resemble natural bamboo stalks. The baske...
Bamboo
Midcentury Rattan and Bamboo Basket Franco Albini Style, Italy 1960s
By Franco Albini
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury beautiful round basket in rattan and bamboo in the style of Franco Albini. Made in Italy in the 1960.
Bamboo, Wicker, Cane, Rattan
Vintage Japanese Woven Tinted Bamboo Ikebana Basket with Handle
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage Japanese bamboo Ikebana basket was made of smoked split bamboo; sculptural, fan-like patterns at the rim were created by masterful use of tightly woven canes, emerging from t...
Bamboo, Rattan
Decorative Vase Blue Ceramic by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, Italy 1970s
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury beautiful cylindrical decorative vase in glazed blue ceramic attributed to Aldo Londi for Bitossi. Vase cylinder decorated with several bands of organic and geometric impressed patterns. Made in Italy in the 1970s. Vase also retains original "The Seahorse...
Ceramic
$2,450Sale Price|36% Off
H 51.5 in W 60 in D 21 in
Gigantic Original German Steiff Mohair Elk "Studio Animal" c1960s Five Feet Long
Located in BENSENVILLE, IL
Life-sized, mohair Steiff Elk, probably from the 1960s. Steiff referred to these life-size stuffed creatures as, “studio animals” and were very expensive when new. As I child, we wou...
Mohair, Wool
$450
H 30 in W 18 in D 20 in
Chinese Rattan and Bamboo Wedding or Lunch Basket with Brass Decor, Circa 1950s
Located in Savannah, GA
Chinese rattan and bamboo wedding or lunch basket with brass decor, Circa 1950s. Three compartment basket.
Bamboo, Rattan
Leather Horse Animal Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful all leather horse animal sculpture, in the Ralph Lauren style, circa late-20th century. This hand-crafted piece is clad in a light ...
Leather
$205 / item
H 3.83 in Dm 3.35 in
Small Cairn Elemental Spinning Top in Oiled Walnut by Alvaro Uribe for Wooda
By Alvaro Uribe, Wooda
Located in Omro, WI
The initial inspiration for the elemental top collection by Alvaro Uribe for Wooda was Wooda’s iconic logo of a tree. We felt it captured the company’s synergy for working with wood ...
Hardwood, Walnut
Sold
H 21.5 in W 18.25 in D 29.5 in
Sculptural Mid-Century Modern Italian Wicker Rattan Rocking Horse, Franco Albini
By Franco Albini
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Sculptural Mid-Century Modern Italian rattan rocking horse by Franco Albini. This decorative object is perfect for displaying in a child's room, o...
Rattan
Sold
H 20.08 in Dm 11.03 in
Franco Albini for Bonacina Umbrella Stand or Basket in Bamboo Curved Italy 1950s
By Franco Albini, Bonacina
Located in Roma, IT
Franco Albini for Bonacina, umbrella stand or basket in hot-curved bamboo, 1950s Italy Measurements: 51 x 28 cm.
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
Franco Albini for Bonacina Basket in Rattan Bamboo, Italy, 1950s
By Franco Albini, Bonacina
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury basket in rattan made by the Italian Franco Albini for Bonacina.
Rattan, Bamboo