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
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, Italian Mid-Century Modern, Bamboo, Rattan, Lounge Chair, 1960s
By Franco Albini
Located in Manhasset, NY
Franco Albini, Italian Mid-Century Modern, Bamboo, Rattan, Lounge Chair, 1960s
An organic modern rattan lounge chair by Franco Albini and produced in Italy circa 1960s. This piece f...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Bamboo, Rattan
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
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 Midcentury Brazilian Dining Chair jacaranda and fabric
By Franco Albini, Forma Brazil
Located in Barcelona, ES
Franco Albini (1905-1977)
Six dining chairs with arms (Price per chair)
Manufactured by Forma Brazil
Brazil, 1950s
Solid jacaranda wood and fabric
Measurements
58 cm x 55 cm x 77 ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Jacaranda
Set of 2 Franco Albini, "Luisa" chairs, Production Poggi, Pavia
By Poggi, Franco Albini
Located in Wolfurt, AT
This set of two Italian chairs was designed by Franco Albini for Poggi in the 1950s. The "Luisa" model is a simple, timeless design and is made of walnut wood and red fabric on the b...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage 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
Italian Wicker Lounge Chair Designed by Franco Albini for Bonacina, Italy 60s
By Franco Albini
Located in Lucija, SI
Boho rattan Lounge Chair designed by Franco Albini in Italy in the '60s.
Amazing mid century rattan shell-shaped armchair. These piece were produced in Italy during 60s and the desig...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
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
Franco Albini Split Reed ottoman or pouf
By Franco Albini
Located in Ferndale, MI
Lightweight and airy appearance sturdy and stable . . Split reed ottoman/pouf with solid maple legs that extend from floor to top of seat . Very nice original condition . Recently ac...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Rattan, Reed
20th Century, Franco Albini Sofa mod. DV33 for Poggi
By Poggi, Franco Albini
Located in Turin, Turin
Franco Albini (1905-1977) lived in Milan where he stuied Architecture at the Politecnico. He started his career at Gio Ponti's studio, with whom he collaborated before getting in tou...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Vintage rattan footstool by Franco Albini, 1970s
By Franco Albini
Located in Bastia Umbra, IT
Vintage rattan footstool by Franco Albini, Made in Italy, 1970s.
This rattan and bamboo pouf can be used as a side table or as a footstool. Original from the 1970s. This piece is the...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Bamboo, Rattan
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
Vintage Rare Bauhaus German Leather Armchair by Franco Albini for Tecta, 1950s
By Franco Albini
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
This exceptionally rare chair with arms was designed by Franco Albini in 1933 and produced by Tecta during the 1950s. The frame is made of tubular chrome-plated steel but the seat an...
Category
1950s German Bauhaus Vintage Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Chrome
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
Armchair "Fiorenza" in Original Red Color, by Franco Albini in 1952 for Arflex
By Arflex, Franco Albini
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
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
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 designed ...
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
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
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
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
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
FRANCO ALBINI per POGGI Sedia pieghevole
By Franco Albini, Poggi
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
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
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 “Canapo” rocking chair for Cassina, Italy
By Franco Albini
Located in Skokie, IL
Franco Albini Canapo rocking chair for Cassina Italy.
The Franco Albini “Canapo” rocking chair is a timeless piece designed for Cassina in Italy. This elegant rocking chair showcase...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Nylon, 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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