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 Franco Albini, Sirrah
Located in Milan, IT
Steel centrepiece by Franco Albini for Sirrah. Removable top with double layer of holes for flowers.
Steel
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
$413
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
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
$1,476
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...
Wicker, Rattan, Bamboo, Cane
Mid-Century Modern Stainless Steel Vase from 1970s Italy
Located in Milano, IT
1970s Astonishing Space Age Vase with 4 asymmetrical tubes of different heights in stainless steel. Made In Italy. This vase is in excellent condition. Dimension: Diam 3,93" x 10,23"...
Stainless Steel
Sommerso Vase by Flavio Poli for Seguso, Murano, Italy, 1970s
By Murano Glass Sommerso
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Sommerso Vase by Flavio Poli for Seguso, Murano, Italy, 1970s This vase features a Sommerso design, characterized by its encapsulated layers of glass. Its shape is prismatic and elon...
Art Glass
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
$1,420
H 6.7 in W 10.63 in D 9.45 in
Sculptural Murano Glass Vase by Carlo Nason for Mazzega, Italy, 1970s
By Mazzega, Carlo Nason
Located in Brussels, BE
Sculptural Murano glass vase by Carlo Nason for Mazzega, Italy, 1970s.
Glass
Large Glass Vase on Brass and Steel Pedestal by VeArt, Italy 1970s
By VeArt
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Large Glass Vase on Brass and Steel Pedestal by VeArt, Italy 1970s Large Italian Glass Vase or Votive on Brass and Steel Pedestal by VeArt Large blue tone pattern glass vase, sits in...
Steel
1970s Space Age Stainless Steel Vase, Mid-Century Modern, Italy
Located in Milano, IT
1970s Astonishing Space Age Vase with 4 asymmetrical tubes of different heights in stainless steel. Made In Italy. This vase is in excellent condition. Dimension: diam 4,33 x 9,44 H ...
Stainless Steel
Franco Bucci Italian White Ceramic Vase, 1970s
By Franco Bucci
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Italian white glazed ceramic vase bottle designed by Italian artist Franco Bucci, Pesaro; marked with a graphic symbol under the base, 1970s.
Ceramic