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.
to
9
77
15
62
27
5
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
64
43
19
30
19
31
18
28
18
26
18
28
84
5
1
61
32
58
2
3
33
10
1
48
43
28
24
21
91
87
2
1
1
94
67
67
180
1,540
1,231
1,052
969
Creator: Franco Albini
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
Franco Albini Midcentury Brazilian Dining Chair jacaranda and fabric
By Forma Brazil, Franco Albini
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 6 Franco Albini "Luisa" Chairs, Production Carlo Poggi, 1950s
By Succ. Carlo Poggi, Franco Albini
Located in Wolfurt, AT
Set of 6 Italian wood and fabric chairs armchairs Model "Luisa" designed by the Italian designer Franco Albini and produced by Poggi Pavia 1955.
Bibliographie: Italien 1950er Jahre,...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood
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
$3,075 / item
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
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
$971 Sale Price
40% Off
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 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
Mid-Century Modern Vintage Rattan Pouf Stool Franco Albini Italy, 1950s
By Franco Albini
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid Century Modern Organic vintage rattan pouf or stool design attributed to Franco Albini. Italy 1950s.
A charming rattan stool or foot stool in beautiful shape.
Stable and sturdy...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Rattan
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
$12,111 / item
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
$11,007 / item
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
$4,856 / item
Two 'Luisa' Armchairs by Franco Albini in Oak, Metal and Fabric, Italy, 1949
By Poggi, Franco Albini
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 Italian Rattan Pouf / Ottoman
By Franco Albini
Located in Queens, NY
Italian mid-century rattan pouf / ottoman with an open design and rounded shape. (FRANCO ALBINI)
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Wood, Rattan
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 Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Bamboo, Cane
$877 Sale Price
35% Off
Set of Four 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 exploratio...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Arflex Fiorenza Armchair in Steelcut Red Fabric and Black Frame by Franco Albini
By Franco Albini, Arflex
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
$6,159 Sale Price / item
15% 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
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
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 ...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Metal
$13,655 / 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 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
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 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
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
$398 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
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
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
Mid-Century Franco Albini Fiorenza Gray Wool and Ash Wood Italian 1950 Armchair
By Franco Albini
Located in Madrid, ES
The Fiorenza armchair, designed by Franco Albini in the early 1950s, is a hallmark of post-war Italian design and was first produced by Arflex in 1952.
The chair’s elegant frame is...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Wool, Wood, Ash
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 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
Franco Albini Split Reed ottoman or pouf collection (6) Classic Mid Century
By Franco Albini, Mauro Bonacina 1
Located in Buffalo, NY
Franco Albini, Large vintage mid-century rattan cane 'Lobster Pot' Ottoman stool ... airy appearance sturdy and stable . . Split reed ottoman/pouf with solid maple legs that extend ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Seating
Materials
Wicker, Rattan, Reed
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
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 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.
Creators Similar to Franco Albini
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Franco Albini Furniture
Franco Albini Tables
Franco Albini Mirrors
Franco Albini Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Franco Albini Lighting
Franco Albini Decorative Objects
Franco Albini Wall Decorations
Franco Albini Wall Mirrors
Franco Albini Bookcases
Franco Albini Tables
Franco Albini Racks and Stands
Franco Albini Desks and Writing Tables
Franco Albini Side Tables