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.
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...
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
Franco Albini Italian Mid Century Rattan, Cane Organic Sunburst Chair, 1950's
By Franco Albini
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Rare Franco Albini Mid Century Bamboo Organic Sunburst Chair By Janine Abraham & Dirk Jan Rol 1950's Franco Albini (17 October 1905 – 1 November 1977)...
Rattan
Franco Albini Luisa Chair, 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...
Fabric, Wood
Cassina “Luisa” Chair by Franco Albini
By Franco Albini
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Beautifully constructed chair with floating back design. Signed by Cassina. Two available. Priced individually.
Leather
Set of 8 " Luisa" Chair by Franco Albini, Italy, c.1955
By Franco Albini
Located in Brussels, BE
Set of 8 " Luisa" Chair by Franco Albini, Italy, c.1955
Fabric, Wood
Franco Albini Luisa Chair by Cassina, Modern Italian Design
By Franco Albini, Cassina
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.
Fabric, Wood, Leather
Vintage Italian "Margherita" Rattan Armchair by Franco Albini for Bonacina
By Franco Albini
Located in Oceanside, US
A sculptural icon of Italian modernism, the Margherita chair was designed by Franco Albini in 1950 and produced by Vittorio Bonacina. Handwoven from rattan over a finely crafted cane...
Cane, Rattan
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...
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...
Walnut
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...
Fabric, Wood
Franco Albini Luisa Chair, American Walnut and Fabric by Cassina
By Cassina, Franco Albini
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...
Fabric, Wood
Arflex Fiorenza Armchair in Steelcut Blue Fabric & 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...
Fabric
Margerita Rattan Chair by Franco Albini, Bonacina, 1950s
By Franco Albini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Iconic Italian mid-century design by Franco Albini, crafted for Bonacina in the 1950s. The Margherita chair features a sculptural woven rattan frame with a flaring pedestal base and ...
Rattan
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...
Fabric, Wood
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...
Fabric, Wood
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...
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...
Fabric
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 ...
Naugahyde, Oak
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...
Velvet, 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...
Steel
FRANCO ALBINI for POGGI Folding chair
By Poggi, Franco Albini
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.
Wood
H 39.38 in W 29.93 in D 31.5 in
Margherita Chair by Franco Albini for v. Bonacina, Italy, 1951
By Franco Albini, Bonacina
Located in Berlin, DE
Margherita Armchair by Franco Albini for Vittorio Bonacina. Iconic mid-century armchair with a handwoven rattan frame. Designed by Franco Albini and awarded the Gold Medal at the IX ...
Rattan, Glass
H 15.75 in Dm 14.97 in
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
H 28.5 in W 45.5 in D 26 in
Mid-Century Franco Albini Style Bamboo Loveseat, Natural Rattan
By Franco Albini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Loveseat demonstrates the sophisticated bamboo construction techniques popularized by Italian designers in the 1950s. Franco Albini pioneered the use of rattan and bamboo in modern f...
Bamboo
H 38.5 in W 28 in D 33 in
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...
Upholstery, Wood
H 36.62 in W 28.35 in D 32.29 in
Franco Albini for Vittorio Bonacina Rattan Lounge Chair, Model "Margherita"
By Vittorio Bonacina, Franco Albini
Located in Antwerp, BE
Origianal in good condition Iconic Rattan Fifties Chair designed by Franco Albini for Vittorio Bonacina, Italy.
Upholstery, Rattan
H 34.65 in W 47.25 in D 22.45 in
Rocking Chair in Bamboo and Rattan Attributed to Franco Albini, 1950’s
By Franco Albini
Located in Hastings, GB
A wonderful 1950’s bent bamboo and rattan high backed rocking chair, very much in the style of Franco Albini’s ‘Rocking Chaise’ for Poggi, all canework and rattan ties are in good co...
Bamboo, Rattan
H 38 in W 28 in D 28 in
Vintage Italian "Margherita" Rattan Armchair by Franco Albini for Bonacina
By Franco Albini
Located in Oceanside, US
A sculptural icon of Italian modernism, the Margherita chair was designed by Franco Albini in 1950 and produced by Vittorio Bonacina. Handwoven from rattan over a finely crafted cane...
Cane, Rattan
H 30.71 in W 17.33 in D 22.05 in
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...
Wood
H 14.5 in W 24 in D 24 in
Franco Albini Mid-Century Organic Modern Italian Rattan Pouf Ottoman
By Franco Albini
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous mid-century Organic Modern bent rattan pouf ottoman, footstool, or side table Designed by Franco Albini Italy, 1950s Measures: 24"W x 24"D x 14.5"H. Good original vint...
Rattan
H 15.75 in Dm 24.02 in
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
H 30.71 in W 16.15 in D 18.9 in
Luisella dining chairs by Franco Albini, ed.Poggi 1955
By Franco Albini, Poggi
Located in Renens, CH
Rare suite of six “Luisella” chairs by Franco Albini for Carlo Poggi, Pavia, Italy 1955. Teak and cotton fabric. After working for some 15 years on several prototypes of the model, Italian designer, architect and urban planner Franco Albini (1905-77) completed what is considered a masterpiece: the Luisa armchair, with armrests, and Luisella, the chair without armrests. The final teak version was put into production by Carlo Poggi in 1955. The Luisa is often compared to the equally minimal and robust Leggera chair, designed by architect and designer Giò Ponti, with whom Albini apprenticed after graduating in architecture from Milan's Polytechnic University in 1929. Albini's blend of functionalism and style earned him numerous awards, including the 1955 Compasso d'Oro, a prestigious Italian prize for excellence in industrial design. (Award created by Gio Ponti in 1954). It is also in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York. The Luisa chair, with armrests, is still produced by Cassina. The Luisella chair, without armrests, is no longer produced. The chairs has been bought by the first owner together with a Chelsea Table by Vittorio Introini for Saporiti that we have also in stock at the Galleria...
Fabric, Wood
H 35.63 in W 18.12 in D 21.66 in
5x 60s 70s Chairs Dining Chair Danish Design 60s
Located in Neuenkirchen, NI
5x 60s 70s chairs dining chair dining chairs Danish design 60s Object: 5x chair Manufacturer: Condition: good Age: around 1960-1970 Dimensions...
Fabric, Teak
H 30.71 in W 20.48 in D 20.48 in
Pair of 1950s Albini per Knoll Reupholstered Rosewood Chairs
By Franco Albini
Located in Florence, Tuscany
A beautiful pair of Rosewood Chairs "Luisa" by Franco Albini made and designed in the 1950s. We have reupholstered the chairs in this elegant geometric Dedar, Milano fabric. Stunning...
Bouclé, Wood
H 30.12 in W 21.26 in D 22.05 in
Luisa chair by Franco Albini for Poggi 1960s
By Poggi, Franco Albini
Located in Milano, IT
Chair, model 'Luisa' designed by Franco Albini and produced by Poggi from 1955. Oak wood frame, seat and back with foam padding and fabric upholstery. Fully restored.
Fabric, Oak
H 30.32 in W 22.05 in D 13.78 in
Set of six Luisa chairs mod. PT1 designed by Franco Albini for Poggi Pavia
By Poggi, Franco Albini
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Midcentury set composed by six chairs model PT1 "Luisa" designed by Franco Albini for Poggi Pavia. Original wooden frame, with black faux leather.. The Luisa model chair won the Com...
Wood
H 30.12 in W 21.86 in D 22.05 in
Gruppo quattro sedie 'Luisa' Franco Albini per Poggi 1950s
By Poggi, Franco Albini
Located in Milano, IT
Poltroncine modello 'Luisa' disegnate da Franco Albini e prodotte da Poggi a partire dal 1955. Struttura in legno, seduta e schienale con imbottitura in espanso e rivestimento in tes...
Fabric, Wood
H 29.53 in W 21.66 in D 21.66 in
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 ...
Teak
H 30.32 in W 22.05 in D 21.66 in
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...
Wood
H 30.71 in W 21.66 in D 17.33 in
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...
Fabric, Wood
H 31.5 in W 17.33 in D 20.48 in
Set of 2 Luisella chair, Franco Albini, 1950 circa
By Franco Albini
Located in Milano, Lombardia
The Luisella chair, designed by Franco Albini, is a true icon of mid-century modern furniture. The Luisella chairs by Franco Albini, now reupholstered in a luscious white bouclé fabr...
Textile, Wood
H 30.32 in W 22.05 in D 23.63 in
Set of 4 Luisa chair, Franco Albini, 1950 circa
By Franco Albini
Located in Milano, Lombardia
The Luisa chair, designed by Franco Albini, is another classic piece of mid-century modern furniture. When reupholstered in white bouclé fabric, it imparts a sense of timeless elegan...
Bouclé, Wood
H 33.86 in W 27.56 in D 19.69 in
Franco Albini Pair of Rattan Armchairs, Italy 1960s
By Franco Albini
Located in Naples, IT
Pair of armchairs designed by Franco Albini in the 1960s. Light and comfortable rattan shell-shaped seats. Black lacquered tubular metal base.
Metal
H 30.32 in W 21.66 in D 21.66 in
Mid-Century Modern 'Luisa' Chair by Franco Albini, Italy, c.1955 (10 Chairs)
By Franco Albini
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern 'Luisa' Chair by Franco Albini, Italy, c.1955 (10 Chairs)
Fabric, Wood
H 30.32 in W 22.05 in D 21.66 in
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 upholstered in beige fabric, designed by Franco Albini and manufactured by Poggi Pavia, c. 1950. Luisa chair won the Compasso d'oro ...
Wood