Franco Albini Seating
Italian, 1905-1977
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.
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Creator: Franco Albini
Luisella dining chairs by Franco Albini, ed.Poggi 1955
By Franco Albini, Poggi
Located in Renens, CH
Rare suite of six “Luisella” chairs by Franco Albini for Carlo Poggi, Pavia, Italy 1955. Teak and cotton fabric.
After working for some 15 years on several prototypes of the model, Italian designer, architect and urban planner Franco Albini (1905-77) completed what is considered a masterpiece: the Luisa armchair, with armrests, and Luisella, the chair without armrests. The final teak version was put into production by Carlo Poggi in 1955.
The Luisa is often compared to the equally minimal and robust Leggera chair, designed by architect and designer Giò Ponti, with whom Albini apprenticed after graduating in architecture from Milan's Polytechnic University in 1929.
Albini's blend of functionalism and style earned him numerous awards, including the 1955 Compasso d'Oro, a prestigious Italian prize for excellence in industrial design. (Award created by Gio Ponti in 1954).
It is also in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
The Luisa chair, with armrests, is still produced by Cassina. The Luisella chair, without armrests, is no longer produced.
The chairs has been bought by the first owner together with a Chelsea Table by Vittorio Introini for Saporiti that we have also in stock at the Galleria...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Mid-Century Modern Red Armchair Fiorenza by Franco Albini for Arflex, Italy
By Franco Albini
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Armchair Fiorenza by Franco Albini for Arflex, Italy.
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Early Franco Albini Pair of Oak "Luisa"/ N°48 Dining Chair by Knoll, ca. 1949
By Franco Albini
Located in Geneva, CH
Early pair of black naugahyde and oak N°48 chair by Franco Albini produced by Knoll between 1948 and 1952.
Good condition, 2 little damages on corners of the seat cushion ( picture ...
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Naugahyde, Oak
$4,250 Sale Price / set
50% Off
Two 'Luisa' Armchairs by Franco Albini in Oak, Metal and Fabric, Italy, 1949
By Franco Albini, Poggi
Located in Uithoorn, NL
Franco Albini, Pair of Luisa Chairs, Italy, 1949
Designed by Franco Albini in 1949 and originally produced by Poggi, the Luisa Chair is one of the most iconic works of Italian postw...
Category
1940s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Metal
Franco Albini 'Fiorenza' Lounge Chair with Ottoman in Leather for Arflex 1952
By Franco Albini
Located in Tilburg, NL
Franco Albini 'Fiorenza' Lounge Chair with Ottoman for Arflex, designed in 1952. Italy.
New, current production. Price noted is for a Fiorenza chair + ottoman in leather.
Symbol o...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Franco Albini for Poggi circa 1950, Folding Chair
By Franco Albini
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
Franco Albini for Poggi, Italy, circa 1950. A folding chair of wooden construction in completely original untouched vintage condition.
Mech...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Wood
Franco Albini, Bamboo Rocking Chair, Italy 1950's
By Franco Albini
Located in London, GB
Italian designer Franco Albini specialised in the charming and beautiful in design, his take on bamboo furniture design was innovative and filled with style as in this example of a 1...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Bamboo, Cane
Midcentury Italian "Margherita" Rattan Armchairs by Franco Albini for Bonacina
By Franco Albini, Bonacina
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Iconic Franco Albini pair of armchairs model "Margherita" 1951, manufactured by Bonacina.
Margherita is considered the first "legless" armchair of...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Rattan
Franco Albini Bonacina Margherita Armchair 1951 Design
By Franco Albini
Located in Taranto, IT
Franco Albini's Margherita armchair for Bonacina is an elegant example of 20th-century Italian design, embodying the perfect fusion of traditional craftsmanship and aesthetic innovat...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Rattan
Franco Albini 832 “Luisa” Armchair for Poggi, Italy, 1953, Set of 6
By Franco Albini, Poggi
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Franco Albini 832 “Luisa” armchair for Poggi, wood and leather, Italy, 1953, set of six.
Originally designed in 1939 and refined through multiple iterations, the 832 “Luisa” armchai...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Leather, Wood
FRANCO ALBINI for POGGI Folding chair
By Franco Albini, Poggi
Located in Baranzate, IT
Folding chair with solid wood frame. Seat and backrest made of plywood.
Prod. Poggi, Italy, 1952
Bibliography Exhibition catalog, Franco Albini & Franca Helg Design, April 30, 2009.
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Wood
1952 Franco Albini for Knoll No. 48 Desk / Dining Chair w Arms Walnut and Fabric
By Franco Albini, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is an exceptionally rare No. 48 desk/dining chair, designed by Franco Albini and produced by Knoll. This was one of Knoll's earliest designs an...
Category
1950s American Modern Vintage Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Fabric, Walnut
Franco Albini 832 “Luisa” Armchair for Poggi, Italy, 1953
By Franco Albini, Poggi
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Franco Albini 832 “Luisa” armchair for Poggi, wood and leather, Italy, 1953
Originally designed in 1939 and refined through multiple iterations, the 832 “Luisa” armchair reached its...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Leather, Wood
Italian wingback armchair by Franco Albini
By Franco Albini
Located in London, GB
A highly collectible early edition model “Fiorenza” designed by Franco Albini in collaboration with Arflex Italy in 1952 . Restored and newly upholstered in lush ochre velvet .
Publ...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Velvet, Beech
Two 'Margherita' Armchairs by Franco Albini, 1950s-60s
By Franco Albini
Located in Milano, IT
Pair of iconic armchairs model 'Margherita' winner of the gold medal at the IX Triennale; designed by Franco Albini, they feature a wooden frame, weave and weave in guinea cane. In g...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Fabric, Cane, Wood
Franco Albini Tre Pezzi Armchari For Cassina
By Franco Albini
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Franco Albini Tre Pezzi Armchari For Cassina
LEATHER Y : Softness and durability blend in these high-quality leathers, providing a distinctive...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Steel
$8,884 Sale Price / item
20% Off
Franco Albini Luisa Chair For Cassina
By Franco Albini
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Franco Albini Luisa Chair For Cassina
Luisa is a chair with armrests with a sleek minimalist design, the result of a journey of exploration that o...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Walnut
$4,915 / item
Franco Albini Tre Pezzi Armchair by Cassina
By Franco Albini, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Armchair designed by Franco Albini in 1959. Relaunched in 2009.
Manufactured by Cassina in Italy.
In 1952, working with Franca Helg, his long-time assistant, Franco Albini designed Tre Pezzi...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Metal
$8,884 Sale Price / item
27% Off
Poltrona a dondolo Mid Century in bambù e rattan, Italia, anni '60
By Franco Albini
Located in Bastia Umbra, IT
Una bellissima poltrona lounge a dondolo italiana degli anni '60 in bambù, rattan e paglia di Vienna. Nello stile della "Rocking Chaise" di Franco Albini per Poggi.
Oggetto vintage i...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Bamboo, Rattan
$1,399 Sale Price
20% Off
Bamboo stool by Franco Albini, Italy, 1960s
By Franco Albini
Located in Hannover, DE
A mid-century wicker rattan stool by Franco Albini was made in Italy in the 1960s.
This vintage stool is strong and stable. It is in good vintage condition. There are signs of wear a...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Bamboo, Rattan
Mid Century Franco Albini Bent Bamboo and Rattan Rocking Chair, Italy 1950's
By Franco Albini
Located in London, GB
This iconic Albini piece has all the aspects of beautiful Italian design sensibility of good taste and great form making the material create a form that is both beautiful and light i...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Bamboo, Cane
Vintage Rattan Stool by Franco Albini, Italy, 1960s
By Franco Albini
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
A mid-century wicker rattan stool by Franco Albini was made in Italy in the 1960s.
The vintage stool is strong, stable. In good vintage condition. There are signs of use and time, pl...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Rattan
Franco Albini Luisa Chair for Cassina, Italy, new
By Cassina, Franco Albini
Located in Berlin, DE
Chair designed by Franco Albini in 1953. Relaunched in 2013. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. Prices vary dependent on the chosen material/color.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood, Leather
$3,102 / item
1950s Franco Albini “French Riviera” Rattan Armchair, Italy
By Franco Albini
Located in Praha, CZ
- Good original condition
- Wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina
- Sturdy and stable
- Coffee Table dimensions : Height 54cm ,Diameter 70cm
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Rattan
Franco Albini Tre Pezzi Armchair by Cassina
By Cassina, Franco Albini
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Armchair designed by Franco Albini in 1959. Relaunched in 2009.
Manufactured by Cassina in Italy.
In 1952, working with Franca Helg, his long-time assistant, Franco Albini design...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Metal
$8,884 Sale Price / item
31% Off
Set of Four Franco Albini Luisa Chairs, Wood and Fabric by Cassina
By Cassina, Franco Albini
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Chair designed by Franco Albini in 1953. Relaunched in 2013.
Manufactured by Cassina in Italy.
The small armchair, dubbed Luisa, is the fruit of a fifteen-year process of exploratio...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood
$12,613 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Franco Albini Tre Pezzi Armchair by Cassina
By Cassina, Franco Albini
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Armchair designed by Franco Albini in 1959. Relaunched in 2009.
Manufactured by Cassina in Italy.
In 1952, working with Franca Helg, his long-time assistant, Franco Albini designed ...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Metal
$11,022 Sale Price / item
20% Off
Franco Albini Tre Pezzi Armchair by Cassina
By Cassina, Franco Albini
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Armchair designed by Franco Albini in 1959. Relaunched in 2009.
Manufactured by Cassina in Italy.
In 1952, working with Franca Helg, his long-time assistant, Franco Albini designed Tre Pezzi...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Metal
$8,884 Sale Price / item
27% Off
Awesome Bamboo Stool by Franco Albini, 1950s Italy
By Franco Albini
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Very good condition.
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Bamboo, Rattan
Franco Albini Tre Pezzi Armchair for Cassina
By Cassina, Franco Albini
Located in Berlin, DE
Prices vary dependent on the material.
In 1959, working with Franca Helg, his long-time assistant, Franco Albini designed Tre Pezzi, a contemporary restatem...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Metal
$12,220 / item
Set of Two Franco Albini Tre Pezzi Armchairs by Cassina
By Franco Albini, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Armchair designed by Franco Albini in 1959. Relaunched in 2009.
Manufactured by Cassina in Italy.
In 1952, working with Franca Helg, his long-time assistant, Franco Albini design...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Metal
$17,769 Sale Price / set
27% Off
Pair of Rosewood Chairs "Luisa" by Franco Albini, 1950s
By Franco Albini
Located in Roma, IT
Pair of Rosewood Chairs is an original design furniture realized in the 1950s.
Original Velvet Upholstery chairs.
In the style of Franco Alb...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Velvet, Wood
Set of Four Franco Albini Luisa Chairs, Wood and Fabric by Cassina
By Cassina, Franco Albini
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Chair designed by Franco Albini in 1953. Relaunched in 2013.
Manufactured by Cassina in Italy.
The small armchair, dubbed Luisa, is the fruit of a fifteen-year process of exploration, focused on creating an archetype of the basic elements of a chair, and its potential uses within the home. A idea-based design, where Franco Albini expressed the concept of “substance in form”, increasing the volume of the wooden parts where they join with others. Following various enhancements, the definitive version of the chair was awarded the prestigious Compasso D’Oro prize by the Italian Industrial Design Association (Associazione per il Disegno Industriale/ADI). The frame represents a synthesis where the seat and the back are two geometric planes suspended on an understated wood structure, the sides reminiscent of trestles. Luisa is a timeless piece, the outcome of skill, both in terms of technique and of materials. This world exclusive Cassina re-issue, has been made possible thanks to the company’s extraordinary...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood
$12,613 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Franco Albini Luisa Chair, American Walnut and Fabric by Cassina
By Franco Albini, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Luisa chair designed by Franco Albini in 1953. Relaunched in 2013.
Manufactured by Cassina in Italy.
The small armchair, dubbed Luisa, is the fruit of a fifteen-year process of exploration, focused on creating an archetype of the basic elements of a chair, and its potential uses within the home. A idea-based design, where Franco Albini expressed the concept of “substance in form”, increasing the volume of the wooden parts where they join with others. Following various enhancements, the definitive version of the chair was awarded the prestigious Compasso D’Oro prize by the Italian Industrial Design Association (Associazione per il Disegno Industriale/ADI). The frame represents a synthesis where the seat and the back are two geometric planes suspended on an understated wood structure, the sides reminiscent of trestles. Luisa is a timeless piece, the outcome of skill, both in terms of technique and of materials. This world exclusive Cassina re-issue, has been made possible thanks to the company’s extraordinary wood...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Set of Two Franco Albini Luisa Chairs, Wood and Fabric by Cassina
By Cassina, Franco Albini
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Chair designed by Franco Albini in 1953. Relaunched in 2013.
Manufactured by Cassina in Italy.
The small armchair, dubbed Luisa, is the fruit of a fifteen-year process of exploration, focused on creating an archetype of the basic elements of a chair, and its potential uses within the home. A idea-based design, where Franco Albini expressed the concept of “substance in form”, increasing the volume of the wooden parts where they join with others. Following various enhancements, the definitive version of the chair was awarded the prestigious Compasso D’Oro prize by the Italian Industrial Design Association (Associazione per il Disegno Industriale/ADI). The frame represents a synthesis where the seat and the back are two geometric planes suspended on an understated wood structure, the sides reminiscent of trestles. Luisa is a timeless piece, the outcome of skill, both in terms of technique and of materials. This world exclusive Cassina re-issue, has been made possible thanks to the company’s extraordinary wood...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood
$6,306 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini White Wicker Ottomans, Stools or Poufs
By Franco Albini, Vittorio Bonacina
Located in St. Louis, MO
Pair of Mid-Century modern Franco Albini round wicker ottomans, stools or side tables painted in off white. Manufactured by Vittorio Bonacina, Italy. Paint appears to be original, so...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Wicker
Rare No. 48 Armchair by Knoll International
By Franco Albini
Located in Munich, DE
Designed by Franco Albini and made by Knoll International.
Category
1950s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Wood
Set of two vintage design chairs by Franco Albini for Tecta, chrome and rattan
By Franco Albini
Located in Harderwijk, NL
These stylish vintage set of design armchairs by Franco Albini for Tecta are not only attractive to look at due to their unique design but also comfortable to sit in, partly because ...
Category
20th Century Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Chrome
$3,182 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Franco Albini Chair "47", 1949
By Franco Albini
Located in Berlin, DE
Elegant chair model "47" with renewed high quality woolen fabric, designed by Franco Albini in 1949 and manufactured by Knoll international, Belgium. Very elegant and rational design...
Category
1940s European Modern Vintage Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Steel
Red Rocking Chair Canapo by Franco Albini for Cassina, Italy
By Franco Albini
Located in Brussels, BE
Red Rocking Chair Canapo by Franco Albini for Cassina, Italy
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Wood
Franco Albini seating for sale on 1stDibs.
Franco Albini seating are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of fabric and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Franco Albini seating, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 74 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 28 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original seating by Franco Albini were created in the mid-century modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider seating by Ico Parisi, Paolo Buffa, and Carlo De Carli. Prices for Franco Albini seating can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $757 and can go as high as $58,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $5,907.
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