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 wall lamp for Sirrah. Made in Italy 1960
By Franco Albini
Located in Genève, GE
Franco Albini for the Sirrah AM/AS wall lamp. Designed and manufactured in Italy in the 1960s. Chrome-plated and enameled metal. Takes 1 medium-base bulb. (See picture) The lamp is ...
Metal
"AM/AS" Adjustable Ceiling Lamp by Albini, Helg and Piva for Sirrah, Italy, 1960
By Franco Albini
Located in Milan, IT
Adjustable AM/AS ceiling light fixture by Franco Albini, Franca Helg and Antonio Piva for Sirrah. Beautiful opaline glass and chromed frame. Also a pendant lamp available from the sa...
Opaline Glass
Franco Albini for Sirrah swivel wall lamp, Italy circa 1960s
By Sirrah, Franco Albini and Franca Helg
Located in Long Island City, NY
Franco Albini for Sirrah AM/AS wall lamp. Designed and made in Italy, 1960s. Chrome plated metal and enameled metal. Takes 1 medium base bulb....
Metal
Franco Albini & Franca Helg AM/AS floor lamp Sirrah 1969
By Sirrah, Franco Albini and Franca Helg
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
This striking and early floor lamp was designed by the celebrated Italian duo Franco Albini and Franca Helg, and manufactured by Sirrah in 1969 as part of their innovative AM/AS ligh...
Metal
Midcentury Floor Lamp by Franco Albini for Sirrah, Italy 1968
By Sirrah, Franca Helg, Antonio Piva and Franco Albini
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Floor lamp designed by Franco Albini, Franca Helg and Antonio Piva. Produced by Sirrah, Italy, circa 1968–1971. This elegant floor lamp, designed by Franco Albini, Franca Helg and An...
Metal
$1,891
H 26.78 in W 19.69 in D 16.54 in
Franco Albini Franca Helg, Mod. AM/AS table lamp, Sirrah Italy 1969
By Franca Helg, Sirrah, Franco Albini
Located in Firenze, IT
Mod. AM/AS table lamp designed by Franco Albini and Franca Helg in 1969 Sirrah, Italy 1970s Structure and lampshade entirely made of chrome-plated aluminum Bibliografia: P. Cortop...
Aluminum
$4,649 / set
H 13.78 in W 11.03 in D 17.72 in
Pair of Chrome Wall Lights by Franco Albini & Franca Heig 1960's Italy
By Sirrah, Franco Albini and Franca Helg
Located in London, GB
The pair of wall lights, model AM3L, AM/AS series manufactured by Sirrah, Italy designed by Frano Albini and Franca Helg in 1969. The AM/AS series was a modular light system designed...
Metal, Chrome
$2,950
H 52.37 in W 17.72 in D 52.56 in
Franco Albini, Franca Helg and Antonio Piva ‘AM/AS’ Pendant Lamp in Metal
By Franca Helg, Franco Albini
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Franco Albini, Franc Helg and Antonio Piva for Sirrah, pendant lamp, chrome-plated metal, nickel-plated brass, Italy, 1969 This well-constructed pendant lamp is part of a series nam...
Metal
$2,751 / item
H 19.69 in Dm 15.75 in
AM/AS Table Lamp by Franco Albini and Franca Helg for Sirrah, 1967
By Franco Albini and Franca Helg, Sirrah
Located in Brescia, Brescia
Created by the esteemed Italian designers Franco Albini and Franca Helg, this lamp was produced by Sirrah in the 1960s-70s, capturing the essence of Italian craftsmanship and innovat...
Metal, Brass, Chrome
$3,668 / item
H 20.08 in Dm 11.82 in
Franco Albini & Franca Helg 'AM/AS' Table Lamps for Sirrah, Italy, 1968
By Sirrah, Franco Albini and Franca Helg
Located in Greding, DE
Pair of table lamps on round chrome-plated base and opaline glass shade with wide opening. In the base embossed "Sirrah". Franco Albini & Franca Helg for Sirrah, designed in 1968.
Chrome
$1,891 / item
H 13 in Dm 7.49 in
Chrome AM/AS Series Ceiling Spotlight by Franco Albini, Helg, Piva for Sirrah
By Franca Helg, Antonio Piva and Franco Albini, Sirrah
Located in Voorburg, NL
Rare and sophisticated ceiling spotlight, designed by Franco Albini, Franca Helg and Antonio Piva for Sirrah and produced in Italy for the AM/AS series. We have four of these beautiful large...
Chrome
$3,897
H 25.6 in W 19.69 in D 17.33 in
Table Lamp Series AM.AS. by Franco Albini and Franca Helg, 1960s
By Franco Albini, Franca Helg
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage Table Lamp Series AM.AS. realized by Franco Albini and Franca Helg for Sirrah in 1960s. Composed of a T-shaped base and a curved neck that supports a frosted glass lampshade...
Metal
Table Lamp Design Franco Albini & Franca Helg for Sirrah, 1960s
By Franca Helg, Antonio Piva and Franco Albini, Sirrah
Located in taranto, IT
Splendid 60s table lamp, Sirrah production based on a design by Franco albini & Franca Helg made of steel, with the classic base, brushed aluminum diffuser It measures 65 cm in...
Metal, Steel
$6,305 / set
H 17.33 in W 15.75 in D 20.48 in
Set of midcentury wall lights by Franco Albini for Sirrah, 1968
By Sirrah, Franca Helg, Antonio Piva and Franco Albini
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Rare set of wall lights model AS3C Designed by Franco Albini, Franca Helg e Antonio Piva. Produced by Sirrah in Italy, circa 1968-1971. The light can be mounted with the lampshade fa...
Glass
Pair of AM/AS Wall Lamps - Franco Albini for Sirrah, Italy, 1970s
By Sirrah, Franco Albini
Located in Milano, IT
Pair of AM/AS Wall Lamps - Franco Albini for Sirrah, Italy, 1970s Pair of wall lamps from the AM/AS series, designed by Franco Albini and produced by Sirrah. Featuring a steel wall b...
Aluminum
Sold
H 16.15 in W 11.82 in D 15.75 in
Franco Albini for Sirrah Italian Gold Glass Sconces Wall Lamps 19702
By Sirrah, Franco Albini
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Couple of 3500Italian sconces wall lamps designed by Franco Albini and produced by Sirrah with 24-karat gold-plated metal frame and white opaline glass spherical diffusers, Italy in ...
Gold Plate
Pair of Sconces Model AM/AS by Franco Albini, Italy, 1969
By Franca Helg, Antonio Piva and Franco Albini, Franco Albini, Sirrah
Located in Barcelona, ES
Pair of sconces in chromed steel designed by Italian architects Franco Albini, Franca Helg and Antonio Piva as part of the AM/AS lamps series for the Italian company Sirrah in 1969. ...
Metal, Steel, Chrome
Pair of Franco Albini trumpet wall lamps
By Sirrah, Franco Albini
Located in BE
Beautiful wall lamps designed by renowned Italian designer Fanco Albini. Albini designed the AM/AS series for well-known manufacturer Sirrah. This series was one of the best selling ...
Chrome
Five AM/AS Sconces by Franco Albini for Sirrah, Italy, 1969
By Franca Helg, Antonio Piva and Franco Albini, Franco Albini
Located in Barcelona, ES
Five sconces in chrome steel designed by italian architects Franco Albini, Franca Helg and Antonio Piva as part of the AM/AS lamps series for the italian company Sirrah in 1969. They...
Metal, Chrome
Unique Pendant Wall Lamp by Franco Albini for Sirrah, Italy
By Franco Albini
Located in Vlimmeren, BE
This unique hanging wall lamp was designed by Franca Helg, Antonio Piva, Franco Albini in 1969 for Sirrah, Italy. The arm is made of chromed steel and the shade is gold-plated, it i...
Chrome
Special Wall Lamp by Franco Albini for Sirrah, Italy
By Franco Albini
Located in Vlimmeren, BE
This special hanging lamp with swinging arm was designed by Franca Helg, Antonio Piva, Franco Albini in 1969 for Sirrah, Italy. The arm is made of chromed steel and the shade is gol...
Chrome