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.
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 ...
Upholstery, Jacaranda
Set of 6 Franco Albini "Luisa" Chairs, Production Carlo Poggi, 1950s
By Franco Albini, Succ. Carlo Poggi
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,...
Fabric, Wood
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
$4,250Sale Price / set|50% Off
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
$3,237 / set
H 49.22 in W 19.69 in D 21.66 in
Pair of High Back Golem Chairs by Vico Magistretti for Poggi, Italy 1969
By Vico Magistretti, Mario Bellini, Poggi, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Grand Cayman, KY
Pair of stunning high-back SD51 Golem chairs by Vico Magistretti for Poggi, 1969 Italy. This Post Modern chair plays on the Mid-Century Modern aesthetic of Carlo, Afra and Tobia Scar...
Leather, Wood, Bentwood, Paint
Custom Set of Eight Baker Furniture Ebonized Dining Chairs
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Two arm and six side chairs in a midcentury style with curved and open X form backs. The frames were custom ebonized, raised on square tapering legs, splayed in the back. The seats u...
Fabric, Wood
$18,000 / set
H 32.09 in W 17.33 in D 17.33 in
Set of Brazilian Rosewood and Straw Dining Chairs. Brazilian Midcentury Design
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in New York, NY
The set of six Brazilian Mid-Century Modern dining chairs are made of rosewood (Jacaranda) and cane seat. The structure has a square section design with four feet, made in solid ros...
Straw, Rosewood
$2,975Sale Price / set|30% Off
H 29 in W 24 in D 17 in
Midcentury Jano Chairs by Kazuhide Takahama Cassina
By Kazuhide Takahama, Simon Gavina Editions
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
For your consideration are these wonderful Jano chairs designed by Kazuhide Takahama. Featuring original upholstery on chrome steel frame. These are original and produced by Simon Gavina and now Cassina. Fits perfectly in any midcentury or Postmodern home...
Chrome
$34,000
H 30.75 in W 63.75 in D 27.5 in
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. Wear consistent with age and use. Pr...
Cotton, Cord, Sycamore
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
$1,738
H 32.29 in W 20.48 in D 25.2 in
1958 Ray and Charles Eames, Fabric, Adjust, Tilt, Office Chair 4 Wheels No Arms
By Charles and Ray Eames, Vitra
Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL
This item is part of the private collection of Casey Godrie and is situated in his private house. Ask him for competitive shipping quotes. His incredible Dune Villa, Amsterdam Beach...
Aluminum
$660Sale Price|20% Off
H 30.5 in W 17.5 in D 20.5 in
Dining or Desk Chair by Ernest Farmer for George Nelson and Associates
By Herman Miller, Ernest Farmer, George Nelson
Located in Littleton, CO
A rare birch dining or desk chair by Ernest Farmer of George Nelson and Associates for Herman Miller. Professional reupholstery available at pass-thro...
Upholstery, Birch
Walnut & Leather Dining Chair
Located in Ballard, CA
The solid walnut classic dining or desk chair is hand-crafted with traditional joinery and is presented with matching leather and leather stretcher that matches the Jean-Pierre desk....
Leather, Walnut
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
$3,705 / set
H 49.22 in W 19.69 in D 21.66 in
Set of Four SD51 "Golem" Chairs by Vico Magistretti for Poggi, Italy, 1960s
By Poggi, Vico Magistretti
Located in Lucija, SI
Mid-Century Modern black Lacquered wooden dining chairs Golem by Vico Magistretti, Italy 1969. Nice set of 4 dining chairs „Golem SD51“ designed by Vico Magistretti for Poggi in 1969...
Leather, Wood
Pair of Luisa Chairs by Franco Albini
Located in San Francisco, CA
Two rosewood Luisa chairs with seats and backs upholstered in a patinated and weathered leather. These examples are the versions for Poggi, rather than the reissued Cassina versio...
Brass
Sold
H 29.93 in W 21.46 in D 22.05 in
Franco Albini Set of Eight 'Luisa' Dining Chairs in Red Upholstery
By Franco Albini
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Franco Albini, set of 8 'Luisa' dining chairs, walnut, red velvet upholstery, Italy, design 1949-1955 The 'Luisa' armchair by Franco Albini, designed between 1949 and 1955, won th...
Velvet, Walnut
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
Sold
H 29.75 in W 21.75 in D 21 in
Franco Albini Luisa Dining Chairs for Poggi, set of 6, Italy, 1950's
By Poggi, Franco Albini
Located in New York, NY
Luisa dining chairs by Franco Albini for Poggi, Italy, 1950's This set of iconic minimalist Luisa chairs retains their original green wool upholstery and patina. They have not been...
Wool, Walnut
Sold
H 30.32 in W 18.12 in D 22.05 in
Set of 6 SD9 "Luisella" Chairs by Franco Albini for Poggi, Italy, 60's
By Poggi, Franco Albini
Located in Padova, IT
Born in Milan in 1905, Franco Albini is an Italian architect, urban planner and furniture designer, active between the 1930s and 1960s. He studied at the Milan Polytechnic and completed his apprenticeship under the guidance of the architect and designer Gio Ponti, and played a key role in the formulation of the Italian Rationalist movement in the years before the Second World War. Albini works with several well-known mid-century manufacturers, among which Cassina, Arflex, Poggi, Arteluce, Brionvega, and Knoll stand out, and many of his designs are still in production today. He has received many honors for his work, including three Compasso d'Oro. The professional story of the furniture maker Roberto...
Faux Leather, Wood
Set of 4, Cassina “Luisa” Dining Chairs Black Leather
By Franco Albini
Located in Philadelphia, PA
SET OF 4 Chair designed by Franco Albini in 1953. Relaunched in 2013. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. Each chair is signed with Cassina stamp. Floating back seat, similar to Pier...
Leather
Sold
H 30.71 in W 22.05 in D 22.05 in
Franco Albini Italian Wood and Fabric Armchair Model Luisa for Poggi, 1950s
By Poggi, Franco Albini
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Set of five famous and amazing solid wood and fabric chairs armchair model Luisa designed by Italian designer Franco Albini and produced by Poggi Pavia from 1955. Solid wood structu...
Fabric, Wood
Sold
H 30.5 in W 11 in D 22 in
Franco Albini Luisa Dining Chairs Italian Design for Poggi Set of 6 Circa 1950
By Franco Albini
Located in Chicago, IL
A set of 6 Luisa chairs designed by Franco Albini for Poggi, Pavia. The chairs have all have been reupholstered and are mahoghany and red Cassina fabric...
Fabric, Mahogany
Sold
H 29.93 in W 22.05 in D 22.84 in
Franco Albini Italian Wood and Leather Armchair Model Luisa for Poggi, 1950s
By Poggi, Franco Albini
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Couple of famous and amazing walnut wood and leather armchair model Luisa designed by Italian designer Franco Albini and produced by Poggi Pavia from 1955. Please note that the item...
Leather, Wood
Sold
H 31.5 in W 21.66 in D 21.66 in
Franco Albini Italian Wood and Leather Armchairs Model Luisa for Poggi, 1950s
By Poggi, Franco Albini
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Couple of famous and amazing wood and leather armchairs model Luisa designed by Italian designer Franco Albini and produced by Poggi Pavia from 1955. Please note that the items are ...
Leather, Wood
Franco Albini "Model 48" Armchairs, Knoll, 1952
By Knoll, Franco Albini
Located in Chicago, IL
Set of 6 Franco Albini dining chairs. Produced by Knoll in 1952. Frames have been refinished, original upholstery in excellent shape.
Walnut
Margherita Rattan Armchair by Franco Albini for Bonacina, 1950s
By Franco Albini
Located in Brussels, BE
Margherita rattan armchair by Franco Albini for Bonacina, 1950s.
Wood
Sold
H 30 in W 22 in D 23 in
Set of Ten Fully Restored Vintage Franco Albini Dining Chairs produced by Knoll
By Franco Albini, Knoll
Located in Dallas, TX
From the estate of a local architect, this set of ten Franco Albini dining chairs was produced by Knoll and is quite rare to see in a such an impressive number. New foam, new lacquer...
Maple