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.
$3,800Sale Price|20% Off
Franco Albini for Knoll Desk Model '1928'
By Knoll, Franco Albini
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Franco Albini for Knoll Desk Model '1928' Italy, 20th Century This 48-inch wide by 26-inch deep desk boasts a sleek and functional design, making it a per...
Chrome
1950 Desk "Model 80" by Franco Albani for Knoll, 1949-1954
By Franco Albini
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Minimalist desk Franco Albini for Knoll International, European mid-century modern desk from the 1950s. Authentic "model 80" desk - 1949 - 1954. Rare first version with the X-shaped ...
Metal
Mid-century Arne Vodder for Sibast Model 209 Executive Desk c.1955
By Arne Vodder, Sibast
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT Iconic executive desk designed by Arne Vodder for Sibast Mobelfrabrik, Denmark. Crafted of teak with dovetail joinery and raised, sculpted edges on both sides. Solid teak draw...
Teak
$14,000Sale Price|60% Off
H 79.5 in W 84 in D 108.5 in
Vintage 1949 Mid-Century Modern Custom L-Shaped Office Desk by George Nelson
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Lafayette, IN
This remarkable piece is a one-off desk/wardrobe/bar/bookcase/storage cabinet custom-designed by George Nelson in 1949 to match his Basic Cabinet Series (BCS) for Herman Miller. The desk was made specifically for a client in the Promontory Apartment Building in Chicago designed by Nelson's associate, and world-renowned architect, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. The entire apartment was outfitted in pieces from George Nelson's Basic Cabinet Series for Herman Miller that sat, untouched for nearly 70 years in their original setting! In addition to two aluminium sconces, this piece also features hidden, fluorescent lighting mounted in the upper canopy as a clever solution to Mies van der Rohe's lack of ceiling fixtures. This is a gorgeous, grandiose, and extremely rare piece of design history that will instantly outfit an entire office in striking style! Features: Desk: - Book-matched walnut veneer - Built-in Bar - Built in coat closet/wardrobe - Dual aluminum sconces - Hidden, indirect fluorescent lighting - Silver-plated Herman Miller hardware - Dual "floating" book shelves - Tapered, cantilevered peninsula desk...
Aluminum
Florence Knoll Mid Century Walnut Executive Desk
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Florence Knoll Mid Century Walnut Executive Desk This desk measures: 66 wide x 32 deep x 29 high, with a chair clearance of 27.75 inches Fair Vintage Condition - Desk has Stain Wea...
Walnut
$8,000
H 28 in W 32 in D 72 in
1960s Florence Knoll Partners Desk in Walnut and Chrome with Four Drawers
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Florence Knoll Partners Desk or Executive Table, Model 2485, designed in 1961. It was manufactured in the 1960s by Knoll International. It features a walnut top that sits o...
Steel, Chrome
1960s Florence Knoll Executive Desk in Walnut and Chrome
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Small Executive Desk, model 502B-BWM, designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll Associates in 1952. This example dates to the 1960s. The doors, sides, and back are constructed w...
Steel, Chrome
Florence Knoll Desk
By Florence Knoll
Located in Chicago, IL
Knoll International Planed Office Group double pedestal desk with modesty panel model 1503. Features five drawers one for files. Modesty pane...
Metal
Boomerang Desk by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Milano, 1950s Italy
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Architectural black boomerang executive desk by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Milano. Finished with leather desktop inclusion. Floating pedestal on right side and longer return on the le...
Aluminum
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
$23,000
H 30 in W 55 in D 18 in
Raphaël Décorateur Beka Modeled Lacquer & Bronze Desk & Vanity, France, 1950's
By Raphaël Décorateur
Located in New York, NY
Elegant vanity by Raphael. A concealed mirror, and an abundance of drawers make this piece a convenient item. Original gilt bronze hardware and lacque...
Bronze
Borge Mogensen 'Model 130' Teak Writing Desk for Soborg Mobler
By Børge Mogensen
Located in Winnipeg, MB
Stunning teak writing desk designed by Borge Mogensen for Soborg Mobler. This piece features a simple, yet elegant design characteristic of Mogensen furniture. Also typical of Mogens...
Teak
$18,995
H 29.93 in W 94.49 in D 35.44 in
Carlo Mollino “Cavour” Desk Designed 1949, Reissued by Zanotta, Italy
By Carlo Mollino, Zanotta
Located in Hellouw, NL
This “Cavour” desk was designed by Carlo Mollino in 1949 and later reissued by Italian manufacturer Zanotta. Its open construction, large glass surface and...
Glass, Wood
Richard Schultz For Knoll Rosewood and Chrome Executive Desk
By Richard Schultz, Knoll
Located in Pasadena, TX
This is a mid century modern executive desk by Knoll International. It was designed by Richard Schultz in the mid 1960's. It's made of rosewood and has chrome legs. It has 2 pull out...
Chrome
Franco Albini For Knoll, Desk, 1970s
By Franco Albini
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Franco Albini, attributed to. Knoll, edited by. Pedestal desk opening with two drawers. Chromed metal base, white marble top. Work realized in the 1970s.
Marble, Metal
1950 Desk by Franco Albani "model 80" for Knoll, 1949-1954
By Franco Albini
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Minimalist desk Franco Albini for Knoll International, European mid-century modern desk from the 1950s. Authentic "model 80" desk - 1949 - 1954. Rare first version with the X-shaped ...
Metal
Franco Albini Writing Desk Knoll International, 1949
By Franco Albini, Knoll
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Rare and early writing desk model 1928 designed by Franco Albini and manufactured by Knoll International. This desk was designed in 1949 and produced for many years by Knoll international. The early painted models are very hard to find. This desk has a white painted metal frame and black painted wooden drawer cabinet...
Metal
Sculptural X-Base Desk by Franco Albini
By Franco Albini
Located in Atlanta, GA
Sculptural X-base desk, designed by Franco Albini, Italian. This design is circa 1949, this example is probably from the early 2000s.
Glass, Pine
Early Franco Albini for Knoll Desk
By Franco Albini
Located in Dallas, TX
Early and rare desk designed by Franco Albini for Knoll, 1949. This example with X-cross beam and maple case.