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.
Midcentury Rattan and Bamboo Oval Wall Mirror by Franco Albini, Italy 1960s
By Franco Albini
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury beautiful oval wall mirror in bamboo and rattan by Franco Albini. Made in Italy in the 1960s. A highly decorative bamboo and rattan mirror with the taste of the Medit...
Bamboo, Rattan, Mirror, Wicker
French Riviera Midcentury Bamboo and Vienna Straw Rectangular Mirror, Italy 1970
By Franco Albini
Located in Roma, IT
Spectacular Mid-Century rectangular mirror in bamboo and Vienna straw. This stylish and unique mirror was produced in Italy during the 1970s. In amazing condition and with a charmin...
Bamboo, Wicker, Straw, Cane, Rattan, Mirror
Italian Riviera 1960's Rattan Oval Mirror by Franco Albini
By Franco Albini
Located in New York, NY
Italian Riviera original hand woven oval rattan mirror with burgundy velvet backing. Designed by Franco Albini, c. 1960's, mage in Italy. Rosenthal Netter label on verso, who was an ...
Rattan, Mirror
Italian wall mirror designed by Franco Albini 1960 in bamboo
By Franco Albini
Located in Palermo, PA
An exceptional Italian wall mirror designed by Franco Albini, dating from the 1960s, embodying the refined balance of modernism and artisanal craftsmanship for which the designer is ...
Bamboo, Mirror
Midcentury Rattan and Bamboo Oval Wall Mirror by Franco Albini, Italy 1960s
By Franco Albini
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury beautiful oval wall mirror in bamboo and rattan by Franco Albini. Made in Italy in the 1960s.
Bamboo, Mirror, Rattan, Wicker
Franco Albini "Spring" Rattan and Bamboo Round Mirror with Chain, Italy 1960s
By Franco Albini
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning Mid-Century round mirror with chain fully made in cvurved rattan, bamboo and hand-woven wicker. This incredibly charming French Riviera style mirror is attributed to the mas...
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan, Mirror
Franco Albini Oval Bamboo and Rattan Mirror, Italy, 1950s
By Franco Albini
Located in New York, NY
Franco Albini oval bamboo and rattan wall mirror, Italy, 1950s. This chic and iconic Italian mid-century mirror is intricately hand-woven with bamboo and rattan, then stained and lac...
Bamboo, Rattan, Mirror
Franco Albini Oval Bamboo and Rattan Mirror, Italy, 1950s
By Franco Albini
Located in New York, NY
Franco Albini oval bamboo and rattan wall mirror, Italy, 1950s. This chic and iconic mid-century Italian mirror is intricately hand-woven with bamboo and rattan including a lovely b...
Bamboo, Mirror, Rattan
An Italian 1970s oval split cane bamboo mirror by Franco Albini for Bonacina
By Franco Albini, Bonacina
Located in London, GB
An Italian 1970s oval split cane bamboo mirror by Franco Albini, for Bonacina in unusual dark stained bamboo with lighter contrasting rattan detail. It can be hung portrait or landsc...
Bamboo
Pair Of Oval Rattan Mirrors By Franco Albini Year 60
By Franco Albini
Located in Charmes, FR
pair of rattan mirrors by franco albini, in very good condition 60's period
Rattan
Franco Albini 1950 Woven Bamboo Wall Mirror
By Franco Albini
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Elegant and distinctive woven mirror made of Italian Bamboo pith from the 1950s designed by famous Architect Franco Albini.
Bamboo
Italian Circular Mirror By Franco Albini in Rattan, 1950s
By Franco Albini
Located in Barcelona, ES
Italian Mid-Century Modern spiral framed mirror in rattan by Franco Albini. Italy, 1950s-1960s This cool round mirror features a rattan woven spiral frame surrounding the central gla...
Rattan, Mirror, Wicker, Cane
An Italian 1960's Franco Albini style bamboo spiral framed mirror
By Franco Albini
Located in London, GB
An Italian 1960's Franco Albini style bamboo spiral framed mirror with bamboo hanging chain. The chain can be removed if required and height without is 50cm. The orignal mirror plate...
Bamboo
Franco Albini Oval Bamboo and Rattan Mirror, Italy, 1950s
By Franco Albini
Located in New York, NY
Franco Albini oval bamboo and rattan wall mirror, Italy, 1950s. This chic and iconic Italian mid-century mirror is intricately hand-woven with bamboo and rattan, then stained and lac...
Bamboo, Rattan, Mirror
Franco Albini Round Bamboo and Rattan Mirrors, Italy, 1950s
By Franco Albini
Located in New York, NY
Franco Albini oval bamboo and rattan wall mirrors, Italy, 1950s. These chic and iconic Italian mid-century mirrors are intricately hand-woven with bamboo and rattan, then stained and...
Bamboo, Rattan, Mirror
Franco Albini Style Bamboo Rattan Wall Mirror with Arched Top
By Franco Albini
Located in Barcelona, ES
Eye-catching Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini style handcrafted bamboo and rattan mirror with arched top. This mirror features a double bamboo f...
Bamboo, Rattan, Cane
$3,169
H 26.97 in W 18.35 in D 1.78 in
Italian Riviera Franco Albini Oval Wall Mirror in Rattan, Loop Design, 1950s
By Franco Albini
Located in Barcelona, ES
Italian Midcentury Franco Albini Rattan Oval Mirror, 1950s ___________________________________________________________ A highly decorative Mid-Century Mo...
Bamboo, Cane, Rattan, Mirror
Spanish Rattan Bamboo Round Mirror, 1960s
By Paul Frankl
Located in Barcelona, ES
Stunning Mid-Century Modern round bamboo wall mirror with wrapped rattan detail on the top. This mirror has reminiscences of Paul Frankl designs. Two concentric circular bamboo frame...
Wicker, Mirror, Bamboo, Rattan
$2,641
H 18.12 in W 18.12 in D 1.38 in
Italian Riviera Franco Albini Rattan Square Sunburst Mirror, Loop Design, 1950s
By Franco Albini
Located in Barcelona, ES
Midcentury Franco Albini Rattan Mirror ___________________________________________________________ A highly decorative squared Mid-Century Modern ...
Cane, Rattan, Mirror
$2,289
H 24.41 in W 24.41 in D 1.97 in
Italian Riviera Coastal Rattan Bamboo Wicker Wire Octagonal Wall Mirror, 1960s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Octagonal mirror with thick bamboo frame and woven wicker, Italy, 1960-1970. Elegant mid-20th century woven rattan and bamboo wall mirror in octagon shape. This beautiful mirror double framed...
Wicker, Cane, Rattan, Mirror, Bamboo
1960s Rattan and Bamboo Round Wall Mirror by Franco Albini
By Franco Albini
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
This very decorative mirror was made in Italy in 1960s. It is typical of this period design and is all original. It was all handcrafted and is in perfect condition. It has got a beau...
Bamboo, Rattan, Mirror
Pair of Interesting 1970s Italian Curved Bamboo Mirrors
Located in London, GB
A pair of interesting 1970s Italian curved bamboo mirrors which could be used for a variety of uses.
Bamboo, Mirror
$2,348 / set
H 23.63 in W 23.63 in D 1.19 in
Cristal Art Midcentury Rose Gold Faceted Wall Mirrors, 1970s, Italy
By Cristal Arte
Located in Biebergemund, Hessen
Pair of Crystal Art beautiful faceted mirrors on rose gold crystal glass mirror frame, made in 1970s, Italy. We love to create the illusion of space and decorate any room in contemporary style with such a modern frameless wall mirror...
Crystal
$1,373
H 24.61 in W 15.75 in D 1.38 in
Midcentury Rattan and Bamboo Oval Wall Mirror Franco Albini Style, Italy 1960s
By Franco Albini
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury beautiful oval wall mirror in bamboo and rattan in the style of Franco Albini. Made in Italy in the 1960s. A highly decorative bamboo and rattan mirror with the ta...
Bamboo, Rattan, Mirror
$1,174
H 23.04 in W 17.92 in D 1.19 in
Midcentury Rattan and Bamboo Oval Wall Mirror Franco Albini Style, Italy 1960s
By Franco Albini
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury beautiful oval wall mirror in bamboo and rattan in the style of Franco Albini. Made in Italy in the 1960s. A highly decorative bamboo and rattan mirror with the ta...
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan, Mirror
Large French Faux Bamboo Rectangular Mirror (H 34 1/4 x W 26)
Located in Austin, TX
A large French rectangular faux-bamboo mirror from the early 20th century, featuring a turned faux bamboo rectangular frame with intersecting corners surrounding a central mirror pla...
Faux Bamboo, Glass, Mirror, Wood
$1,491
H 25.2 in W 16.93 in D 1.42 in
Midcentury Rattan and Bamboo Oval Wall Mirror Franco Albini Style, Italy 1960s
By Franco Albini
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury beautiful oval wall mirror in bamboo and rattan in the style of Franco Albini. Made in Italy in the 1960s. A highly decorative bamboo and rattan mirror with the ta...
Bamboo, Rattan, Mirror
Sold
H 18.12 in W 31.89 in D 12.21 in
Franco Albini Set of Large Console and Mirror in Rattan and Bamboo, Italy, 1960s
By Franco Albini
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning and unique Mid-Century organic set composed of a large rectangular wall shelf or console and a round mirror, all handmade in curved rattan and bamboo. This stylish and disti...
Bamboo, Wicker, Cane, Rattan
Sold
H 27.96 in W 22.64 in D 0.79 in
An Italian oval 1970s Franco Albini style Split cane bamboo mirror
By Bonacina, Franco Albini
Located in London, GB
An Italian oval 1970s Franco Albini style Split cane bamboo mirror, It could be hung landscape or portrait
Bamboo
Sold
H 24.41 in W 20.48 in D 0.79 in
An Italian 1960s square split cane bamboo mirror by Franco Albini for Bonacina
By Bonacina, Franco Albini
Located in London, GB
An Italian 1960s square split cane bamboo mirror by Franco Albini for Bonacina, with bamboo hanging chain and red felt back. Dimensions are with hanging chain, which can easily be re...
Bamboo
Sold
H 33.86 in W 22.84 in D 1.38 in
A large Italian 1960s Spiral framed bamboo mirror by Franco Albini for Bonacina
By Bonacina, Franco Albini
Located in London, GB
A large Italian 1960s Spiral framed bamboo mirror by Franco Albini for Bonacina
Bamboo
An Italian 1970s oval split cane bamboo mirror by Franco Albini
By Franco Albini
Located in London, GB
An Italian 1970s oval split cane bamboo mirror by Franco Albini
Bamboo
Pair Of Rattan Mirrors By Franco Albini, 1960s
By Franco Albini
Located in Charmes, FR
Pair of rattan mirrors by Franco Albini in very good condition
Rattan
An Italian 1970s circular bamboo mirror by Franco Albini for Bonacina
By Bonacina, Franco Albini
Located in London, GB
An Italian 1970s circular bamboo mirror with woven pencil reed bamboo by Franco Albini for Bonacina
Bamboo
Pair Of Round Rattan And Bamboo Mirrors By Franco Albini
By Franco Albini
Located in Charmes, FR
pair of round mirrors in rattan and bamboo by designer Franco Albini published by Bonacina from the 60s, in very good condition
Rattan
Specchio Ovale in Bambù intrecciato Franco Albini 1950
By Franco Albini
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Specchio in bambù intrecciato Italia 1950 Design Franco Albini
Bamboo
Sold
H 29.93 in W 24.41 in D 1.58 in
Franco Albini Large Oval Mirror in Bamboo, Rattan and Wicker, Italy 1970s
By Franco Albini
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful French Riviera style large oval mirror, fully made of hand-woven wicker, curved rattan, and bamboo. This stunning piece was designed by the master Franco Albini and produce...
Bamboo, Wicker, Cane, Rattan, Mirror
Sold
H 34.26 in W 23.63 in D 1.78 in
Franco Albini Large Oval Mirror in Bamboo, Rattan and Wicker, Italy 1960s
By Franco Albini
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful Mid-Century large oval mirror entirely made of bamboo, curved rattan, and hand-woven wicker. This incredibly charming French Riviera style mirror was designed by Franco Alb...
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan, Mirror
Sold
H 33.47 in W 21.66 in D 1.78 in
Franco Albini Large Oval Mirror in Curved Rattan and Bamboo, Italy 1960s
By Franco Albini
Located in Roma, IT
Outstanding French Riviera style large oval mirror fully hand-made in curved rattan and bamboo. This spectacular and unique organic mirror was designed by the mastery of Franco Albin...
Bamboo, Cane, Rattan, Glass, Mirror