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 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
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
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
Set of Two Franco Albini Luisa Chairs, Wood and Fabric by Cassina
By Franco Albini, Cassina
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
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
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
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
Art Deco Sofa in Flared Glass in Walnut Root in the style of Franco Albini, 1930
By Franco Albini
Located in Montelabbate, PU
A flared goblet or lyre-shaped sofa in select walnut root. The lines echo the designs of Franco Albini, the fabrics are in the Bauhaus style. The sofa is dated 1925/30 on the back fa...
Category
1930s Italian Art Deco Vintage Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Fabric, Walnut, Burl
1950s Franco Albini Vintage Rattan Pouf Ottoman Footrest Stool from Italy
By Franco Albini
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Ottoman stool
Franco Albini ottoman large Pouf in Rattan from Italy
Unmarked
Measures: 23.5 diameter x 15.75 height inches
Preowned original unrestored v...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Rattan
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
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. The price given applies to the chair as seen in the first picture.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Leather, Wood, Fabric
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
Franco Albini Tre Pezzi Armchair for Cassina
By Cassina, Franco Albini
Located in Berlin, DE
The price given applies to the piece as shown in the first picture. Available in many variations. Please ask for pricing in other materials/colors.
In 1959, working with Franca Helg, his long-time assistant, Franco Albini designed Tre Pezzi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Metal
Franco Albini, "Luisa" Lounge Chair 48, Maple And Fabric, Knoll, 1949
By Franco Albini, Knoll
Located in High Point, NC
A maple and cream fabric "Luisa" chair, model 48, designed by Franco Albini and produced by Knoll Associates between 1949 and 1955, Italy-USA.
Category
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Fabric, Maple
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 explora...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Wood, Fabric
Mid-Century Modern Vintage Rattan Pouf Stool Franco Albini attr Italy, 1950s
By Franco Albini
Located in Vienna, AT
A mid century modern vintage rattan pouf or stool, which was designed attributed to Franco Albini. Italy 1950s.
The rattan pouf is very stable, although it looks like lightweight. F...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Rattan
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
Franco Albini, "Luisa" Lounge Chairs 48, Maple and Fabric, Knoll, 1949
By Knoll, Franco Albini
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of "Luisa" chairs in maple and cream fabric, model 48, designed by Franco Albini and produced by Knoll Associates between 1949 and 1955, Italy-USA.
Category
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Fabric, Maple
Armchair "Fiorenza" designed by Franco Albini in 1952 for Arflex, Italy.
By Arflex, Franco Albini
Located in Wolfurt, AT
Armchair "Fiorenza," designed by Franco Albini in 1952 for Arflex, Italy. A highly collectible model produced for only one year by Arflex. This stunning pair of armchairs features sc...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage 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
Franco Albini Design Large Rattan Ottoman
By Franco Albini
Located in Tourcoing, FR
Italian design by Franco Albini rattan ottoman.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Seating
Materials
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
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
Italian Design Outdoor Sofa by Franco Albini
By Franco Albini
Located in Tourcoing, FR
1950s design outdoor sofa by Franco Albini composed of a white lacquer and tubular metal structure, dressed with a light brown resin. High quality, official re-edition, elegant and t...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Aluminum
Rare "Fiorenza" Green Cashmere Armchair by Franco Albini, Italy, c. 1953
By Arflex, Franco Albini
Located in New York City, NY
Rare and Exquisite "Fiorenza" Armchair by Franco Albini, Italy, c. 1953.
This highly collectible model was manufactured by Arflex for one single year. An early variant of the iconi...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Brass
Franco Albini Armchair
By Arflex, Franco Albini
Located in New York, NY
"Fiorenza" Armchair by Franco Albini for Arflex. Walnut, brass, mohair upholstery. Early variant of this wing chair with x-cross sides, brass caps and straps. One of the earliest va...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Mohair, Walnut
Arflex Fiorenza Armchair in Steelcut Red Fabric and 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
Franco Albini Design Outdoor Sofa
By Franco Albini
Located in Tourcoing, FR
1950s design outdoor sofa Belladona model by Franco Albini composed of a white lacquer and tubular metal structure, dressed with a light brown resin. Hig...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Aluminum
Set of Six "Luisa” Chairs by Franco Albini for Poggi
By Poggi, Franco Albini
Located in Madrid, ES
A set of six "Luisa" chairs designed by Franco Albini for Poggi, Italy, 1950. Beautifully reupholstered in pale rose color Patricia Urquiola fabrics.
Excellent condition. Prix "Comp...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood
1950s Italian Franco Albini Armchair for Arflex
By Franco Albini, Arflex
Located in London, GB
An architectural wood framed armchair with beautifully shaped seat and back upholstered in brushed velour.
Published: Reportorio del design. G.Gramiguria pg.28.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Fabric, Walnut
Restored Pair of 1950s Margherita Chairs by Franco Albini for Vittorio Bonacina
By Franco Albini, Vittorio Bonacina
Located in North Miami, FL
Professionally restored pair of 1950s bamboo and rattan Margherita chairs, designed by Franco Albini for Vittorio Bonacina, in their original vintage cream painted finish with new bo...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Bamboo, Rattan
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
Franco Albini Set of Six Midcentury Brazilian Dining Chairs jacaranda and fabric
By Franco Albini, Forma Brazil
Located in Barcelona, ES
Franco Albini (1905-1977)
Set of six dining chairs with arms (Price per chair)
Manufactured by Forma Brazil
Brazil, 1950s
Solid jacaranda wood and fabric
Measurements
58 cm x 55 c...
Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Jacaranda
Franco Albini, Early Rocking "PS16" Chaise Lounge, Sycamore, 1960s, Poggi, Italy
By Poggi, Franco Albini
Located in High Point, NC
A rare and early "PS16", cotton, cord and sycamore rocking chaise lounge designed by Franco Albini and produced by Poggi, Italy, 1950s-1960s.
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Cotton, Cord, Sycamore
Franco Albini Lounge Chair
By Franco Albini
Located in Atlanta, GA
Franco Albini "Fiorenza" lounge chair, Italy, circa 1990s. This chair was originally designed by Albini in the 1950s. This example is an authorized re-edition made by Arflex, circa 1...
Category
1990s Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Pair of Italian Mid-Century Modern Rattan and Bamboo Stools by Franco Albini
By Franco Albini
Located in New York, NY
Elegant pair of Italian Mid-Century Modern rattan and bamboo stools / benches / ottomans by Franco Albini
Rare, master architectural works by Franco Albini that Revel in their pur...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern 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
Pair of Franco Albini "Luisa" teak chairs for Poggi, Italy 1955
By Poggi, Franco Albini
Located in Renens, CH
Pair of Franco Albini "Luisa" teak chairs for Poggi, Italy 1955
These timeless and minimalist dining chairs with armrests feature a structure in teak wood with stunning details and ...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Teak
Poltrona in Rattan - Mod. MARGHERITA - Franco Albini per Bonacina - Italia - '50
By Franco Albini
Located in Milano, IT
Questa non è solo una poltrona. Questo è tra i pezzi più iconici, identificativi e riconoscibili di un'epoca e di un architetto-designer. Si tratta del modello Margherita, disegnato ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Bamboo, Rattan
Midcentury Gala armchair by Franco Albini for Bonacina, 1951
By Franco Albini, Bonacina
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Gala armchairs by Franco Albini for Bonacina.
In the 1950s Franco Albini combined formal experimentation with the recovery of a "poor" material to be worked by hand, the rattan. The...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Bamboo, Rattan
Set of 6 italian midcentury chairs "Luisa" by Franco Albini
By Franco Albini
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Set of six Luisa chairs with a wooden structure reupholstered in beige fabric, designed by Franco Albini and manufactured by Poggi Pavia, c. 1950.
Luisa chair won the Compasso d'oro...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Wood
Midcentury Italian "Margherita" Rattan Armchairs by Franco Albini for Bonacina
By Franco Albini, Bonacina
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
Pair of Mid-Century Franco Albini Bamboo Stools
By Franco Albini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Mid-Century Bamboo Stools by Italian Mid-Century master Franco Albini, the visionary mind behind many of Cassina's most acclaimed furniture masterpieces. Hand woven and in or...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Bamboo
Mid-century rocking chaise longue by Franco Albini for Ar.Ar Milano, Italy 1940
By Franco Albini
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Rare mid-century rocking chaise longue by Franco Albini.
This rare piece was designed for Ar.Ar Milano in 1940 by Franco Albini.
Extraordinary shaped wood structure , original fabri...
Category
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood, Rope
Franco Albini Bonacina Mid Century Margherita Chair & Coffee Table- 2 Pieces
By Franco Albini
Located in Basel, BS
The "Margherita chair" by Franco Albini is one of the most notable pieces of furniture created by the Lombard architect and designer Franco Albini in the 1950s. He partnered with Franca Helg for various projects in years. Albini’s inspiration in creating the chair is to suspend things and people in the air. Since it is a wooden, rattan and reed chair, a garden is the perfect setting for it. Just after a year of its creation, Margherita chair won first place at the 9th Milan Triennale. Moreover, MoMA in New York City, the Museum of Art in Philadelphia, and the Triennale Design Museum in Milan showcased this beautiful and stunning wooden chair.
The name ‘Margherita’ is an Italian word meaning “daisy.” Moreover, the rattan and reed structure will give anyone who sits on it the confidence. It helps abandon every thought to the suspension of a dream or a break from reality. Franco Albini designed this wooden chair for Vittorio Bonacina.
Albini’s furniture mostly features a traditional Italian craftsmanship practice with minimal concepts...
Category
20th Century Franco Albini Seating
Materials
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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