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.
20th Century Franco Albini for Poggi Wooden Cabinet mod. MB15
By Poggi, Franco Albini
Located in Torino, Piemonte
Franco Albini (1905-1977) lived in Milan where he stuied Architecture at the Politecnico. He started his career at Gio Ponti's studio, with whom he collaborated before getting in tou...
Wood
Rare Franco Albini cabinet by Poggi model Mb15
By Franco Albini
Located in Milano, MI
Rare Franco Albini cabinet, production by Poggi Italy 1950 mod. Mb15 in walnut wood.
Nutwood
Mb 48 Wood Case Piece by Franco Albini for Poggi, Italy, 1960s
By Franco Albini, Poggi
Located in Milan, IT
Mb 48 Case piece by Franco Albini for Poggi. Capable modular piece to be used standing alone or connected to more elements of the same project.
Wood
$5,283 / set
H 30.32 in W 48.04 in D 18.51 in
Franco Albini, Mid-Century "MB15" sideboard for Poggi, Italy 1957
By Poggi, Franco Albini
Located in Argelato, BO
Franco Albini, MB15 pair of sideboards for Poggi, Italy, 1957 The MB15 sideboard by Franco Albini shown in the images feature a refined and understated design, typical of the Italia...
Wood
$10,566
H 118.12 in W 35.44 in D 15.75 in
Midcentury LB7 modular bookcase designed by Franco Albini for Poggi, Italy 1957
By Franco Albini, Poggi
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Modular bookcase model LB7 designed by Franco Albini for Poggi. Marked Poggi Pavia. An extremely flexible bookcase, with different modular options, suited to being against a wall or...
Wood
Cassina Veliero Bookcase in Ash by Franco Albini
By Cassina, Franco Albini
Located in Vancouver, BC
The iconic Veliero bookcase re-invents the concept of balance, becoming the furniture poster child for the visionary work of Franco Albini. Given its ...
Brass, Stainless Steel
$974
H 11.82 in W 15.36 in D 13.39 in
Franco Albini Midcentury Wall Shelf in Curved Rattan and Bamboo, Italy 1960s
By Franco Albini
Located in Roma, IT
Gorgeous Mid-Century wall shelf in curved rattan and bamboo. This stylish organic shelf was designed by Franco Albini in Italy during the 1960s. In amazing conditions and with a cha...
Bamboo, Cane, Rattan
Italian Wood Cabinet, 1960s
Located in Palermo, PA
Italian wood cabinet, 1960s. Dimensions: H= 83 cm; W= 130 cm; D= 43 cm.
Wood
$2,500
H 66.82 in W 18.9 in D 17.92 in
Japanese antique wooden storage shelf/ Early 20th century/Wooden cabinet
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a vertical wooden storage cabinet made of Japanese cedar in the first half of the 20th century. Although it is unknown where it was used, its appearance oozes a beauty that transcends practical use. The rustic feel of the material and its quiet presence give it a nostalgic warmth not found in modern furniture. This piece is made entirely of solid Japanese cedar, and the simple and disciplined structure of the vertical cleats, especially on the doors, and the cedar planks passed horizontally and overlapping from the reverse side, bring a perfect balance and rhythm to the overall look of the piece. This kind of design reveals a uniquely Japanese sense of design. The deep candy-colored texture created by the aging process is a taste that only antique pieces can have. The subtle changes in color from suntanning and areas touched by the hand tell a quiet story of the passage of time. The doors are simple and close with small wooden stoppers, preserving the practicality and warmth of the past. The shelves are securely fastened and provide ample storage capacity. Books, clothes, daily necessities, and various other items can be beautifully organized. The backs and shelves are stained and worn from use, and there are also some holes repaired on the sides and small chips. In a modern living space, this shelf can be used as a shelf in a study, as an accent in a living room, or as a quiet corner of a room where one spends quiet time alone, bringing a sense of calmness and flavor to the entire space. These long, locker-like proportions of antique shelves...
Cedar
$7,631
H 30.32 in W 72.05 in D 18.51 in
Franco Albini MB15 Sideboard for Poggi, Mid-Century Modern, 1957
By Franco Albini
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Franco Albini for Poggi sideboards model MB 15, Italy, 1957. Well-designed sideboard by Franco Albini for Poggi, which features a simplistic design with sharp lines. This elegant sid...
Wood
$8,382Sale Price|40% Off
H 30.32 in W 95.28 in D 18.51 in
Franco Albini Italian Midcentury Dark Wood Sideboard for Poggi, 1950s
By Franco Albini, Poggi
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Italian Mid-Century Modern design credenza sideboard designed by Franco Albini and produced by Poggi Pavia from 1958, four doors with sliding shelves and a pull-out shelf / tray, sol...
Wood
Italian Franco Albini for Poggi Sideboard
By Poggi, Franco Albini
Located in Hudson, NY
An Italian model MB 51 sideboard designed by Franco Albini for Poggi. Made of solid teak with a minimalist design and sharp lines.
Teak
$21,133
H 30.32 in W 101.58 in D 18.71 in
Midcentury MB48 Sideboard by Franco Albini for Poggi, Italy 1958 ca
By Poggi, Franco Albini
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Sideboard designed by Franco Albini in the 1950s, characterized by its clean lines and balanced proportions. The structure is composed of a sequence of volumes, with slightly angled ...
Wood
$986 / item
H 9.85 in W 18.51 in D 11.82 in
Midcentury Rattan and Bamboo Wall Shelf, Franco Albini, Italy, 1960s
By Franco Albini
Located in Roma, IT
Extraordinary Mid-Century wall shelf in curved rattan, bamboo and wicker. This marvellous object was made in Italy in the 1960s and is attributed to the mastery of Franco Albini. Th...
Bamboo, Rattan, Cane, Wicker
$10,566
H 118.12 in W 35.44 in D 13.78 in
Franco Albini LB7 Bookcase in Teak Wood by Poggi Pavia 1950s Italy
By Poggi, Franco Albini
Located in Cascina, Pisa
LB7 bookcase composed of a single module with shelves and a storage unit with two doors, made in veneered solid teak wood, and black lacquered metal details. Designed by Franco Alb...
Metal
Sold
H 30.32 in W 23.63 in D 18.51 in
Franco Albini for Poggi Italian Midcdentury Dark Wood Sideboard, 1960s
By Franco Albini, Poggi
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Italian midcenturty modern design little credenza sideboard "MB48" model designed by Franco Albini and produced by Poggi with stained walnut wood and brass details, made in Italy 196...
Wood
Sold
H 28.35 in W 26.78 in D 18.12 in
20th Century, Franco Albini for Poggi Chest of Drawers mod. CM24, 50s
By Poggi, Franco Albini
Located in Torino, Piemonte
Franco Albini (1905-1977) lived in Milan where he stuied Architecture at the Politecnico. He started his career at Gio Ponti's studio, with whom he collaborated before getting in tou...
Metal
Cabinet by Franco Albini Teak Vintage Italy 1960s
By Poggi, Franco Albini
Located in Milano, IT
Cabinet designed by Franco Albini (1905-1977) for Poggi. Solid teak and teak veneer. Model: MB15. Manufactured in Italy, 1960s.
Teak