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.
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
Pair of Italian Franco Albini Rattan Margherita Chairs for Bonacina
By Bonacina, Franco Albini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A pair of Margherita rattan chairs designed by Franco Albini for Bonacina, Italy. These sculptural chairs are beautifully crafted and present a rich, desirable patina that enhances t...
Rattan
Franco Albini 'Fiorenza' Lounge Chair with Ottoman for Arflex 1952
By Franco Albini
Located in Tilburg, NL
Franco Albini 'Fiorenza' Lounge Chair with Ottoman for Arflex, designed in 1952. Italy. New, current production. Symbol of comfort, Fiorenza armchair appears in Pirelli's 1950s adv...
Fabric, Wood
Franco Albini Pair of 'Fiorenza' Lounge Chairs for Arflex 1952
By Franco Albini
Located in Tilburg, NL
Franco Albini Pair of 'Fiorenza' Lounge Chairs for Arflex, designed in 1952. Italy. New, current production. Price is for a pair in fabric group T6. Symbol of comfort, Fiorenza arm...
Fabric, Wood
Pair of Armchairs PL19 by Franco Albini for Poggi, Italy, 1960s
By Poggi, Franco Albini
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Mid-Century Modern space age Italian design pair of armchairs or lounge chairs model PL19 by Franco Albini for the editor Poggi. Famous design like Gio Ponti, Gianfranco Frattini, Ca...
Metal
Franco Albini, Lounge Chair, Wood, Fabric, Italy, 1950s
By Franco Albini
Located in High Point, NC
A wood and fabric lounge chair, model 432, designed by Franco Albini and produced by Cassina, Italy, c. 1950s. Several minor imperfections to wood frame. Vintage fabric ideally reu...
Fabric, Wood
Franco Albini 'Fiorenza' Lounge Chair with Ottoman in Leather for Arflex 1952
By Franco Albini
Located in Tilburg, NL
Franco Albini 'Fiorenza' Lounge Chair with Ottoman for Arflex, designed in 1952. Italy. New, current production. Price noted is for a Fiorenza chair + ottoman in leather. Symbol o...
Fabric, Wood
Franco Albini Set of Two "Model PL19", Manufactured by Poggi
By Poggi, Franco Albini
Located in Wolfurt, AT
Set of two "Model PL19" chairs, designed by Franco Albini, manufactured by Poggi Pavia, Italy. The chairs have a lacquered metal frame and are upholstered with red velvet. Literat...
Metal
Rare Fiorenza Lounge/Armchair by Franco Albini for Arflex, Italy, c. 1953
By Franco Albini
Located in New York City, NY
The Fiorenza Armchair was originally designed for Franco Albini's own apartment and went through several iterations between 1952 and 1967. An early example, this chair was produced ...
Bouclé, Wood
$55,641 / set
Franco Albini Fiorenza chairs Arflex Italy 1956
By Arflex, Franco Albini
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Rare early versions of Fiorenza lounge chairs designed by Franco Albini and manufactured by Arflex in Italy in 1956. These chairs are made of solid walnut and show a unique square ar...
Upholstery, Teak
Franco Albini, Lounge Chair, Fabric, Steel, Fabric, Italy, 1960s
By Franco Albini
Located in High Point, NC
A grey-enameled steel and red fabric lounge chair, model Tre Pezzi, designed by Franco Albini and produced by Poggi, Pavia, Italy, c. 1960s. Wear consistent with age and use. Fabri...
Steel
Franco Albini, Lounge Chair, Fabric, Steel, Fabric, Italy, 1960s
By Franco Albini
Located in High Point, NC
A grey-enameled steel and red fabric lounge chair, model Tre Pezzi, designed by Franco Albini and produced by Poggi, Pavia, Italy, c. 1960s. Wear consistent with age and use. Fabri...
Steel
Franco Albini 1933 Triënnale Lounge Chair, Black Frame, Natural Leather
By Franco Albini
Located in Dronten, NL
An icon of early Italian modernism, the Franco Albini Triënnale Lounge Chair (1933) exemplifies the rationalist ethos that defined the progressive design culture of interwar Italy. O...
Steel
$525
H 27.5 in W 24.25 in D 28.25 in
Mid-Century Franco Albini Inspired Bamboo Lounge Chair by Rohé Noordwolde
By Dirk Van Sliedregt, Rohe Noordwolde
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bamboo lounge chair manufactured by Rohé Noordwolde and designed by Dirk van Sliedregt. The sculptural frame features curved bamboo forming graceful loop armrests and legs, with a fa...
Fabric, Bamboo
$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
Franco Albini Gala chair by Bonacina, Italy, 1951
By Franco Albini
Located in grand Lancy, CH
Gala chair postwar Italian design, designed by renowned architect and designer Franco Albini in 1951 and produced by the historic Vittorio Bonacina & C. factory, specializing in ...
Rattan
Pair of Franco Albini Style Bamboo Lounge Chairs c. 1950's
Located in Houston, TX
Midcentury Bamboo Franco Albini Style Lounge Chairs. In Original Condition with. Amazing mid century rattan shell-shaped armchair. These pieces were produced in Italy during 1950s an...
Bamboo
$2,950
H 37.41 in W 37.01 in D 35.04 in
1950s Mid-Century Modern Italian Lounge Chair in Off-White Fabric & Wood
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pair of club chairs, fabric, beech, Italy, 1950s Classic pair of lounge chairs being a wonderful example of Italian design from the 1950s. The chairs are bold and curvy, yet very el...
Fabric, Beech
1950s Pair of Lounge Chairs in Wood and Green Fabric
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pair of lounge chairs, beech, fabric, Europe, 1950s This elegant pair of European lounge chairs from the 1950s beautifully reflects the refined comfort of mid-century design. Their ...
Fabric, Beech
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
$12,564
H 40.56 in W 28.75 in D 31.5 in
Armchair "Fiorenza" designed by Franco Albini in 1952 for Arflex, Italy.
By Arflex, Franco Albini
Located in Wolfurt, AT
Armchair "Fiorenza," designed by Franco Albini in 1952 for Arflex, Italy. A highly collectible model produced for only one year by Arflex. This stunning pair of armchairs features sc...
Fabric, Wood
$5,863
H 29.93 in W 22.05 in D 20.87 in
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...
Metal
$2,800 / set
H 31 in W 25.25 in D 26.5 in
Pair of Rattan Lounge Chairs in the style of Franco Albini, Mid Century
By Franco Albini
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of Lounge Chairs in the style of Franco Albini, Rattan, Faux Leather. Ready for a new home.
Faux Leather, Rattan
Paul McCobb, Ebonized Wood, Fabric, Lounge Chairs, USA, 1950s
By Paul McCobb
Located in Stamford, CT
Paul McCobb, American Mid-Century Modern, Ebonized Wood, Fabric, Lounge Chairs, USA, 1950s A pair of model 1322 lounge chairs designed by Paul MCobb for Directional Furniture in the...
Fabric, Wood
$9,020
H 36.62 in W 31.5 in D 31.5 in
"Tre Pezzi" Special Edition Armchair in Mohair by Franco Albini for Cassina
By Cassina, Franco Albini and Franca Helg
Located in Morazzone, Varese
"Tre Pezzi" Special Edition Armchair in Mohair by Franco Albini for Cassina Gorgeous iconic piece of design in a new interpretation of Limited Edition. Designed by Franco Albini tog...
Metal
Franco Albini, Lounge Chair, Wood, Velvet, Italy, 1950s
By Franco Albini
Located in High Point, NC
A green velvet and wood lounge chair, Model Fiorenza, designed by Franco Albini and produced by Arflex, Italy, c. 1950s. Misshapen side headrests. Considerable wear and tear (frayi...
Velvet, Wood
Franco Albini, Lounge Chairs, Wood, Fabric, Italy, 1980s
By Franco Albini
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of wood and off-white fabric "Fiorenza" lounge chairs designed by Franco Albini, likely produced by Poggi Pavia, Italy, c. 1980s. Vintage fabric in distressed condition, reup...
Fabric, Wood
Sold
H 36 in W 26 in D 25 in
Franco Albini, Italian Mid-Century Modern, Bamboo, Rattan, Lounge Chair, 1960s
By Franco Albini
Located in Stamford, CT
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...
Bamboo, Rattan
Sold
H 42.52 in W 28.35 in D 37.41 in
Franco Albini “Fiorenza” Lounge Chair in Dedar Fabric for Arflex, Italy 1952
By Arflex, Franco Albini
Located in Hellouw, NL
Franco Albini, a pioneer of Italian rationalism, was known for his modernist approach and meticulous attention to functional design. In collaboration with Arflex, a brand that revolu...
Walnut
Franco Albini, Lounge Chair model CA832, by Cassina
By Franco Albini, Cassina
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
Franco Albini for Cassina, Lounge Chair, model CA832 with Italian walnut X frame and upholstered seat, back and arms with buttons to the curved back 89cm high, 69cm wide, 85cm deep, ...
Upholstery, Walnut
Pair of Armchairs PL19 by Franco Albini for Poggi, Italy, 1960s
By Poggi, Franco Albini
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Mid-Century Modern space age Italian design pair of armchairs or lounge chairs by Franco Albini for the editor Poggi, recently reupholstered, minor fading on fabric. Famous design li...
Metal
Franco Albini Lounge chair, Knoll, 1952
By Knoll, Franco Albini
Located in Chicago, IL
Franco Albini lounge chair produced by Knoll. Frame has been refinished, original upholstery is in excellent shape.
Maple, Leather
Franco Albini armchair Margherita, 1960's
By Bonaccina, Franco Albini
Located in bari, IT
An iconic armchair in guinea cane designer Franco albini model Margherita for Bonacina 1960s. Just after the war, Albini experimented with the use of simple, low-cost materials such ...
Bamboo
Pair of Armchairs PL19 by Franco Albini for Poggi, Italy, 1960s
By Poggi, Franco Albini
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Mid-Century Modern space age Italian design pair of armchairs or lounge chairs by Franco Albini for the editor Poggi, recently reupholstered with a nice fabric probably mohair. Famou...
Metal
Sold
H 39.38 in W 35.44 in D 39.38 in
Franco Albini for Bonacina, Midcentury Rattan Chair "Gala", 1951
By Franco Albini, Bonacina
Located in Milan, IT
Franco Albini for Bonacina, midcentury rattan chair "Gala", 1951.
Rattan
Sold
H 29.5 in W 24.75 in D 25 in
Franco Albini, "Luisa" Lounge Chair 48, Maple And Fabric, Knoll, 1949
By Franco Albini, Knoll
Located in High Point, NC
A maple and cream fabric "Luisa" chair, model 48, designed by Franco Albini and produced by Knoll Associates between 1949 and 1955, Italy-USA.
Fabric, Maple
Sold
H 39.38 in W 29.53 in D 31.5 in
Franco Albini for Bonacina Rattan Margherita Chair with Bouclé Cushion
By Franco Albini, Bonacina
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Beautiful rattan chairs by Franco Albini, manufactured by Bonacina. This design won the award of the Milan Triennale in 1951. Beautiful authentic piece and an eyecatcher in any inter...
Bouclé, Rattan