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 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
1950s Aldo Tura Macabo Cusano Wood Basket Brass Handle Milano Italy
By Macabo, Aldo Tura
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a 1950s Aldo Tura Macabo Cusano wood basket. Designed by the legendary Italian modernist master Aldo Tura. Produced in Milan, Italy by Macabo Cusano. Features...
Brass
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
Mid-Century Franco Albini Style Round Bamboo Rolling Planter
By Franco Albini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large round bamboo basket features layers of bent bamboo creating an organically sculpted bowl form. Horizontal bamboo strips build the curved silhouette through careful bending tech...
Bamboo
$1,432
H 17.52 in W 16.54 in D 10.04 in
Italian Midcentury Rattan Bamboo Magazine Rack, Franco Albini Style
By Franco Albini
Located in Barcelona, ES
Mid-Century Modern Rattan Magazine Rack Eye-catching handcrafted bamboo and rattan basket magazine rack in the manner of Franco Albini, Italy, 1960s. This magazine stand features a c...
Rattan, Cane, Bamboo, Wicker
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
$666
H 7.09 in W 15.75 in D 13.39 in
Woven Rattan Bamboo Basket with Brass Detail & Handles, Italy, Circa 1970
Located in Pease pottage, West Sussex
Woven rattan pencil bamboo Centrepiece basket with two robust brass handles and rim. Italy, Circa 1970
Brass
Mid-Century Franco Albini Inspired Bamboo Sewing Basket with Red Lining
By Franco Albini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sewing basket showcases intricately woven bamboo construction with distinctive ribbed body and sculptural tripod base. The rattan-wrapped handle arches elegantly over the basket, whi...
Fabric, Bamboo, Rattan
Chinese Hexagonal Four-Tier Woven Bamboo Basket with Carved Handle
Located in Yonkers, NY
This Chinese four-tier basket presents a compelling mix of woven craftsmanship, lacquered structure, and small painted accents that add subtle charm. The hexagonal form gives it a cr...
Bamboo, 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
$475
H 25.6 in W 17.5 in D 11.5 in
Vintage Chinoiserie Rattan & Bamboo Basket Woven Floor Vase with Handles
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Sculptural woven rattan bamboo, urn or vase shaped basket features elongated form with twin handles; the rim is finished with the graphic multi-strand split bamboo wrap detail, and ...
Wicker, Rattan
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
Rattan and Brass Italian Centerpiece Basket with Handles, 1970s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Mid-Century Modern brass and bamboo / rattan large round basket centerpiece with handles. It has a brass trim covering the top and brass handles at both sides. Handcrafted in Italy, ...
Brass
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