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.
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 purit...
Bamboo, Rattan
$1,414
H 14.57 in Dm 16.15 in
Franco Albini Midcentury Rattan and Bamboo Round Ottoman Stool, Italy 1960s
By Franco Albini
Located in Roma, IT
Gorgeous mid-century round bamboo & wicker stool. Franco Albini designed this piece in Italy during the 1960s. The pouf features a beautiful combination of curved bamboo, rattan a...
Bamboo, Rattan, Wicker
$2,121Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 14.97 in Dm 14.18 in
Pair of Bamboo Rattan Round Stools or Side Tables, Franco Albini Style
By Franco Albini
Located in Barcelona, ES
Italian midcentury rattan and bamboo stools, 1950s-1960s These eye-catching stools / footstools can be used as end tables, side tables or nightstands. They were entirely made by hand and have a nice construction and a clean design inspired in Michael Thonet bentwood stools...
Bamboo, Rattan, Cane
$1,768
H 14.57 in Dm 20.87 in
Franco Albini Pouf Stool in Curved Rattan, Bamboo and Wicker, Italy 1960s
By Franco Albini
Located in Roma, IT
Spectacular Mid-Century French Riviera pouf in curved rattan, bamboo and hand-woven wicker designed by Franco Albini and made in Italy during the 1960s. The pouf is in fabulous co...
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
$2,451Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 15.16 in W 14.97 in D 14.97 in
Pair of Italian Bamboo Rattan Stools in the Style of Franco Albini
By Franco Albini
Located in Barcelona, ES
Italian midcentury rattan and bamboo stools / side tables, 1950s-1960s Handcrafted These eye-catching stools / footstools can be used as end tables, side tables or nightstands. They have a nice construction and a clean design inspired in Michael Thonet bentwood stools...
Bamboo, Cane, Rattan
Franco Albini for Bonacina Stool in Bamboo and Rattan, Italy 1960s
By Bonacina, Franco Albini
Located in Naples, IT
Mid-century round Ottoman stool made of curved rattan and bamboo. This stool was designed by Franco Albini in Italy in the 1960s.
Bamboo, Rattan
Bamboo and Rattan Stool by Franco Albini (Attr.), Italy 1960s
By Franco Albini
Located in Utrecht, NL
Franco Albini’s best known designs were made of natural materials, especially rattan and bamboo, numerous of which belong to the permanent collections of museums, such as New York’s ...
Bamboo, Rattan
Bent Bamboo & Rattan Mid Century Modern Stool by Franco Albini
By Franco Albini
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Cool midcentury modern Italian rattan and bamboo stool by Franco Albini, having woven organic materials with rounded edges and airy feel. Connie
Bamboo, Rattan
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...
Rattan
Lovely Bamboo Stool by Franco Albini, 1950s Italy
By Franco Albini
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Very good condition.
Bamboo, Rattan
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...
Rattan
Italian Round Ottoman Stool in Rattan and Bamboo, Franco Albini 1960s
By Franco Albini
Located in Roma, IT
Lovely mid-century round stool in bamboo, rattan and wicker. Franco Albini designed this piece in Italy during the 1960s. This pouf is made in a gorgeous combination of curved bambo...
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
Franco Albini Rattan Ottoman / Stool
Located in East Hampton, NY
Franco Albini woven rattan ottoman / pouf... open weave rattan with little feet...
Rattan
Rattan Bench by Franco Albini for Bonacina, 1960s, Italy
By Bonacina, Franco Albini
Located in Rome, IT
Bench made of rattan by the Italian designer Franco Albini for Bonacina. Typical Italian piece from the 1960s.
Bamboo, Wicker, Cane, Rattan
Franco Albini Mid-Century Modern Rattan Ottoman or Pouf
By Franco Albini
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Franco Albini ottoman in rattan, circa 1960s. Very well cared for through the years and ready for immediate use.