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
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
$553Sale 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
$2,200
H 10 in W 20 in D 20 in
Italian Vesuvio Black Ceramic Vase by Angelo Mangiarotti for Gabbianelli, 1970s
By Angelo Mangiarotti
Located in Chicago, IL
A rare ‘Vesuvio’ vase designed by Angelo Mangiarotti for Gabbianelli in the 1970s. Crafted in matte black ceramic, its modernist silhouette flares outward in a dramatic gesture, soft...
Ceramic
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 Bucci Italian White Ceramic Bottle Vase, 1970s
By Franco Bucci
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Italian ceramic vase designed by Italian artist Franco Bucci, Pesaro; white glazed ceramic, marked under the base, 1970s.
Ceramic
Vintage Vase for Guzzini, Italy, 1970s
By Guzzini
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
An acrylic vase produced by the renowned Italian brand Guzzini. While its organic, undulating wave silhouette pays homage to Alvar Aalto’s iconic Scandinavian design, this piece is c...
Acrylic
Italian Vase by Carlo Moretti, 1970s
By Carlo Moretti
Located in Palermo, PA
Italian vase by Carlo Moretti, 1970s. Dimensions: H=22 cm; D= 13 cm.
Glass
$1,464
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
$2,812
H 33.86 in Dm 17.72 in
Italian mid-century modern flowerpot by Mangiarotti for Fratelli Brambilla 1970s
By Fratelli Brambilla, Angelo Mangiarotti
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century modern brown flowerpot by Mangiarotti for Fratelli Brambilla 1970s Round base planter in dark brown glazed ceramic. The upper part is composed of a cylindrical co...
Ceramic
$3,040Sale Price|20% Off
H 3.94 in W 6.7 in D 3.15 in
Pierre Cardin Modern Red Porcelain Vase Franco Pozzi Ceramica, 1970s, Italy
By Pierre Cardin
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pierre Cardin modern red porcelain vase Franco Pozzi Ceramica, 1970s, Italy. Gorgeous modern piece. A red rainbow or rising sun, signed. Franco Po...
Ceramic, Porcelain
$1,968Sale Price|20% Off
H 12.21 in W 11.82 in D 11.82 in
Franco Bucci Italian Midcentury Modern Gres Pottery Big Vase, 1970s
By Franco Bucci
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Very big Italian gres vase designed and produced by Italian artist Franco Bucci Pesaro, logo under the base, 1970s.
Stoneware
Vintage Murano Art Glass Vase by Franco Moretti, circa 1970s
By Franco Moretti
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Murano Art Glass Vase by Franco Moretti circa. 1970s A vintage Murano art glass vase designed by Franco Moretti circa 1970s. Honey ye...
Art Glass, Murano Glass