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
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 PL19 Tre Pezzi Armchair for Poggi Pavia, Italy, 1960s
By Franco Albini
Located in Paris, FR
Armchair designed by Franco Albini (1905-1977) and Franca Helg Model n° PL19, 'Tre pezzi'
Lacquered metal, brass and recently eupholstered in white sheep wool skin.
Early original m...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Metal
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
$3,190 Sale Price / set
20% Off
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
Round Pouf Franco Albini 1950s Italian Mid-century Design
By Franco Albini
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Detail Round pouf with cushion i ìn calfskin leather , Italy 1950.
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Bamboo
Mid Century Modern Fiorenza Italian Armchairs Designed By Franco Albini, 1950
By Franco Albini
Located in Ibiza, Spain
The structure is made of solid ash wood, steam bent, with the characteristic “X” shape that defines the side supports. They are upholstered in graphite blue wool tweed15000, with hig...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Wool, Wood
FRANCO ALBINI per POGGI Sedia pieghevole
By Poggi, Franco Albini
Located in Baranzate, IT
Sedia pieghevole con struttura in legno massello. Seduta e schienale in legno compensato.
Prod. Poggi, Italia, 1952
Bibliografia Catalogo esibizione, Franco Albini & Franca Helg Desi...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Wood
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
$11,137 / item
Set of Two Franco Albini Tre Pezzi Armchairs 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
Midcentury Italian "Margherita" Wicker Armchair by Franco Albini for Bonacina
By Bonacina, Franco Albini
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Iconic Franco Albini armchair model "Margherita" 1951, manufactured by Bonacina.
Margherita is considered the first "legless" armchair of Italian design. The piece pays homage to th...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Rattan
Franco Albini Set of Two "Model PL19", Manufactured by Poggi
By Poggi, Franco Albini
Located in Wolfurt, AT
Set of two "Model PL19" chairs, designed by Franco Albini, manufactured by Poggi Pavia, Italy. The chairs have a lacquered metal frame and are upholstered with red velvet.
Literat...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Metal
Franco Albini Tre Pezzi Armchair for Cassina
By Franco Albini, Cassina
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
$12,254 / item
Mid Century Modern Bamboo Stool by Franco Albini for Bonacina, Italy 60s
By Bonacina, Franco Albini
Located in Lucija, SI
Mid Century bamboo Stool was designed by Franco Albini for Bonacina Italy in '60s.
Stool is in top vintage condition. It is stable and ready to bring vintage, bohemian charm in your ...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Bamboo, Rattan
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini White Wicker Ottomans, Stools or Poufs
By Vittorio Bonacina, Franco Albini
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
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
Pair of rattan armchairs Margherita by Franco Albini for Bonacina, Italy, 1950s
By Franco Albini, Bonacina
Located in Milano, IT
Pair of armchairs model Margherita by Franco Albini for Bonacina, 1950s
Two specimens in two different colors, very good condition, slight signs of time.
After the war, Albini experi...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Rattan
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
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
$1,403 Sale Price
20% 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
Armchair "Fiorenza" in Original Red Color, by Franco Albini in 1952 for Arflex
By Franco Albini, Arflex
Located in Wolfurt, AT
This pair of Italian "Fiorenza" armchairs was designed by Franco Albini for Arflex. The elegantly shaped wooden frame supports the furniture body, which is covered with the original ...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood
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
$4,913 / item
Margherita Rattan Chair by Franco Albini, Bonacina Italy ca. 1950s
By Franco Albini
Located in Geneva, CH
Iconic mid-century design "Margherita" rattan chair by Franco Albini produced by Bonacina, Italy 1951
Beautiful patina, new cushion. Very good overall condition .
Won an award at th...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wicker, Rattan
Arflex Fiorenza Armchair in Steelcut Blue Fabric & Black Frame by Franco Albini
By Arflex, Franco Albini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Symbol of comfort, Fiorenza armchair appears in Pirelli's 1950s advertisement as symbol of the foam rubber potential, considered at that time the mos...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Fabric
Lovely 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
Set of Two Franco Albini Tre Pezzi Armchairs 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
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
Set of Two Franco Albini Tre Pezzi Armchairs 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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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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