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.
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
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
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
Aldo Londi Bitossi Horse Sculpture, Ceramic, Italy, 1960s
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in New York, NY
Aldo Londi Bitossi Horse Sculpture, Ceramic, Italy, 1960s. Medium scale horse with white glaze over a coarse matte brown raw clay. Small indentation to r...
Ceramic
$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
$410
H 5.91 in W 6.3 in D 6.3 in
Italian mid-century Orange ceramic Vase by Bettonica for Gabbianelli, 1970s
By Franco Bettonica, Gabbianelli
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
$392Sale Price|20% Off
H 15.74 in Dm 6.29 in
1970s Blue Vase by Jean Close for Michielotto, Italy - Excellent
Located in Milano, IT
1970s Astonishing blue vase by Jean Close' for Michielotto. Made in Italy. The item is in excellent condition and signed with the Jean Close' Atelier label. Dimension: diam 6,29 x 15...
Glass
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
$2,200
H 32.75 in W 35 in D 15 in
Early 20th Century Continental Carousel Galloping Horse Mounted on Metal Stand
Located in Atlanta, GA
An exquisite continental foal baby horse from the early 20th century mounted on iron base. This joyful foal is caught in mid leap as it’s possibly just lear...
Metal
$554Sale Price|20% Off
H 30 in W 8 in D 8 in
Brutalist Italian Steel Vase in the Style of Luciano Frigerio, Italy 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Sculptural vase from the 70s in a brutalist style. The structure of the vase develops on two levels. The first level is a parallelepiped with a quadrangular section; It has a smoo...
Steel
$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 Highwood, 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
$295
H 4.75 in W 13 in D 8 in
Mid Century Tin Litho Friction Police Highway Patrol Helicopter, C1960, Japan
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous friction helicopter from Japan C 1960. Toy works great, push copter and the blades start spinning. Does not fly, nor was it intended to. Great graph...
Tin
Italian 1950s Wicker and Bamboo Basket with Lid
By Tito Agnoli, Bonacina
Located in Milan, IT
Italian 1950s Wicker and Bamboo Basket with Lid.
Bamboo, Wicker
Vintage Carved Wood Articulated Clown Figure
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Chunky hand carving with simple facial detailing a pointed hat. Found in the southern US. Presented on a custom museum stand.
Wood
Mid-Century Italian Albini-Style Bamboo Magazine Basket
By Franco Albini
Located in Troy, MI
This Italian mid-century magazine basket is a distinctive example of the bamboo and rattan work associated with Franco Albini and his contemporaries. A large rounded rectangular hand...
Bamboo, Rattan
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 Bonacina, Franco Albini
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 Bonacina, Franco Albini
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury basket in rattan made by the Italian Franco Albini for Bonacina.
Rattan, Bamboo