Franco Albini Rocking Chairs

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.

Creator: Franco Albini

Mid Century Franco Albini Bent Bamboo and Rattan Rocking Chair, Italy 1950's

$982Sale Price|40% Off

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 Rocking Chairs

Materials

Bamboo, Cane

Franco Albini, Early Rocking "PS16" Chaise Lounge, Sycamore, 1960s, Poggi, Italy

$34,000

Franco Albini, Early Rocking "PS16" Chaise Lounge, Sycamore, 1960s, Poggi, Italy

By Franco Albini, Poggi

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...

Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Rocking Chairs

Materials

Cotton, Cord, Sycamore

Franco Albini Bamboo Rocking Chair, Hand-Woven, Mid-Century Italy

$886Sale Price|35% Off

Franco Albini Bamboo Rocking Chair, Hand-Woven, Mid-Century Italy

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 Rocking Chairs

Materials

Bamboo, Cane

Red Rocking Chair Canapo by Franco Albini for Cassina, Italy

$6,327

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 Rocking Chairs

Materials

Wood

Vintage Sculptural Franco Albini Style High Back Bamboo Rocking Chair

$1,200

H 40.25 in W 23.75 in D 39 in

Vintage Sculptural Franco Albini Style High Back Bamboo Rocking Chair

By Rohe Noordwolde, Franco Albini

Located in San Jose, CA

Mid century modern rocker in the style of Franco Albini, circa 1970's. Features woven rattan details and a tall supporting backrest. Equipped with curved armrests and a sculptural ro...

Category

1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Rocking Chairs

Materials

Bamboo, Rattan

Midcentury French Riviera Rattan and Bamboo Italian Rocking Chair, 1960s

$1,054

H 42.13 in W 23.23 in D 29.93 in

Midcentury French Riviera Rattan and Bamboo Italian Rocking Chair, 1960s

Located in Roma, IT

Elegant midcentury French Riviera rattan, bamboo and hand-woven wicker rocking chair. This fantastic piece was designed and manufactured in Italy during the 1960s. This armchair has...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Rocking Chairs

Materials

Bamboo, Rattan

Midcentury Riviera Rattan and Bamboo Italian Rocking Chair for Children, 1950s

$703

H 20.87 in W 14.18 in D 26.38 in

Midcentury Riviera Rattan and Bamboo Italian Rocking Chair for Children, 1950s

Located in Roma, IT

Elegant rocking chair for children, manufactured in Italy during the 1950s. The chair is in folded rattan, with beautiful details and in very good c...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Rocking Chairs

Materials

Bamboo, Rattan, Cane

Wonderful Adrian Pearsall Curved Wave Chaise Lounge Rocker Mid-Century Modern

$3,600Sale Price|20% Off

H 31 in W 36.5 in D 66 in

Wonderful Adrian Pearsall Curved Wave Chaise Lounge Rocker Mid-Century Modern

By Adrian Pearsall

Located in Pemberton, NJ

Wonderful Adrian Pearsall curved wave chaise lounge rocker. This piece was reupholstered in the 80's and will most certainly need to be redone. Th...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Rocking Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Richard Meier for Knoll International Architectural Rocking Chaise, 1982, Signed

$33,500Sale Price|20% Off

H 26.5 in W 28.5 in D 73 in

Richard Meier for Knoll International Architectural Rocking Chaise, 1982, Signed

By Richard Meier, Knoll

Located in Los Angeles, CA

A striking and exceptionally rare rocking chaise designed by Richard Meier for Knoll International (circa 1982), this sculptural lounge piece beautifully captures Meier’s architectur...

Category

1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Franco Albini Rocking Chairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

Margherita Chair by Franco Albini for v. Bonacina, Italy, 1951

$2,285

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 ...

Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Rocking Chairs

Materials

Rattan, Glass

Italian Rocking Chair Model 572 By Cassina

$16,367

H 37.21 in W 25.6 in D 39.77 in

Italian Rocking Chair Model 572 By Cassina

By Cassina

Located in London, GB

An incredible and very rare rocking chair (has been attributed to Gio Ponti in the past and shows a strong and striking resemblance to his designs) in walnut, rubber and fabric for C...

Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Rocking Chairs

Materials

Steel

Franco Albini Style Mid-Century Bent Bamboo and Rattan Rocking Lounge Chair

$996

H 36.62 in W 24.81 in D 44.89 in

Franco Albini Style Mid-Century Bent Bamboo and Rattan Rocking Lounge Chair

By Franco Albini

Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern

Franco Albini style vintage mid-century bent bamboo & rattan high backed rocking or lounge chair. Beautiful design - very 1960s / 1970s and would make a lovely addition to any home, ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Rocking Chairs

Materials

Bamboo, Rattan

Franco Albini Style Wicker Bamboo Rocking Chair

$1,625Sale Price|25% Off

H 38.59 in W 24.41 in D 48.43 in

Franco Albini Style Wicker Bamboo Rocking Chair

Located in Antwerp, BE

A rare Franco Albini style arm rattan rocking chair. This chair features a steam bent bamboo frame. This rare rocking chair was made in the late 1950s-1970s.

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Rocking Chairs

Materials

Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan

Bamboo Rocking Chair att. to Franco Albini

$1,200

H 36.5 in W 21.5 in D 40 in

Bamboo Rocking Chair att. to Franco Albini

By Franco Albini

Located in New York, NY

Chic mid century bamboo rocking chair, made in Italy, attributed to Franco Albini. This chic chair is in very fine, original condition, showing only light cosmetic wear, normal and c...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Rocking Chairs

Materials

Bamboo

Rocking Chair Yeti by Mario Scheichenbauer for Elam, Italy, 1960s

$19,921

H 34.65 in W 45.28 in D 51.19 in

Rocking Chair Yeti by Mario Scheichenbauer for Elam, Italy, 1960s

By Elam

Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR

Rare Iconic Mid-Century Modern space age design armchair lounge rocking chair model Yeti in wood and white goat hair fur by the designer Mario Scheichenbauer for the italian editor m...

Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Rocking Chairs

Materials

Wood, Fur, Goat Hair

Vintage Mid Century Modern Bentwood Bamboo Rattan Cane Rocking Chair Rocker

$650

H 40 in W 22 in D 43 in

Vintage Mid Century Modern Bentwood Bamboo Rattan Cane Rocking Chair Rocker

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Vintage Mid Century Modern Bentwood Bamboo Rattan Cane Rocking Chair Rocker. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 40" H x 22" W x 43" D x 17.5" Seat height x 24" Arm height.

Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Rocking Chairs

Materials

Wood

Previously Available Items

Italian Mid Century Franco Albini Curvy Bamboo Rocking Chair

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H 35 in W 39 in D 23.25 in

Italian Mid Century Franco Albini Curvy Bamboo Rocking Chair

By Franco Albini

Located in Troy, MI

Circa 1960s rocking chair in bent bamboo by Italian designer Franco Albini. Compelling curvy lines with oversized, arms and rocker. Sits comfortab...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Rocking Chairs

Materials

Bamboo

Franco Albini Ps16 Rocking Chair Poggi, Italy, 1959

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H 29.53 in W 64.97 in D 27.56 in

Franco Albini Ps16 Rocking Chair Poggi, Italy, 1959

By Franco Albini, Poggi

Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant

Iconic designed rocking chair model PS16 designed by Franco Albini and manufactured by Poggi, Italy 1959. This is a beautiful, comfortable and important piece of mid 20th century modern design designed by one of the biggest designers Italy had in the mid of the 20th century. This super shaped rocking chair has a solid bent walnut structure, with canvas seating area which supports the seating cushion which we reupholstered in cream white alpaca upholstery. The canvas seating part is beautifully attached to the frame with a rope which is almost sculpturally attached to the structure. The structure of the chair is in fully original condition and has a beautiful patina to the wood and canvas where its authenticity is clearly visible. We choose not to fuly restore the piece as we think this brings character to the piece but refinishing can always be done upon request. The chair is super comforatable, and comes with its original wooden weight...

Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Rocking Chairs

Materials

Alpaca, Canvas, Teak

1960s Franco Albini Rocker Lounge Chair Cool Curves Bamboo & Rattan ITALY

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H 35 in W 22 in D 41 in

1960s Franco Albini Rocker Lounge Chair Cool Curves Bamboo & Rattan ITALY

By Franco Albini

Located in Chula Vista, CA

AMBIANIC presents Italy 1960s relaxing Rocker Rocking Lounge Chair by Franco Albini designer architect. Crafted in bentwood bamboo rattan. Unmarked. 35 tall x 22 w x 41 d Seat h 17 ...

Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Rocking Chairs

Materials

Bamboo, Rattan, Bentwood

Franco Albini Rocking Chaise Model PS16 with Kalgan Lamb and Leather Cushions

Sold

H 30 in W 64 in D 27.5 in

Franco Albini Rocking Chaise Model PS16 with Kalgan Lamb and Leather Cushions

By Franco Albini, Poggi

Located in New York, NY

Franco Albini for Poggi rocking chair model PS16 with walnut frame and newly upholstered luxurious white Kalgan lambskin cushions with saddle leather ...

Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Rocking Chairs

Materials

Leather, Fabric, Canvas, Rope, Walnut

Rocking Chaise Longue by Ico Parisi for Albini

Sold

H 23.63 in W 29.53 in D 64.97 in

Rocking Chaise Longue by Ico Parisi for Albini

By Franco Albini, Ico Parisi

Located in Brussels, BE

Rocking chaise longue by Ico Parisi for Albini.

Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Rocking Chairs

Materials

Metal

Franco Albini rocking chairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Franco Albini rocking chairs are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Franco Albini rocking chairs, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original rocking chairs by Franco Albini were created in the mid-century modern style in italy during the mid-20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider rocking chairs by Renato Zevi, Gae Aulenti, and Guido Faleschini. Prices for Franco Albini rocking chairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $995 and can go as high as $38,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $20,006.