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.
French Riviera Bamboo, Rattan and Brass Round Serving Bar Cart, Italy 1960s
By Franco Albini
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning Mid-Century round bar cart entirely made of curved bamboo, rattan, and hand-woven wicker, completed with brass wheels. This incredibly stylish organic cart was produced in I...
Brass
Midcentury French Riviera Bamboo and Rattan Round Bar Cart, Italy, 1960s
By Franco Albini
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning French Riviera style round serving bar cart entirely crafted in bamboo, curved rattan, and hand-woven wicker. This unique organic cart was produced in Italy during the 1960s...
Bamboo, Rattan, Wicker
French Riviera Round Serving Bar Cart in Bamboo, Rattan and Wicker, Italy, 1960s
By Franco Albini
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning French Riviera style round bar cart entirely made of curved bamboo, woven rattan and hand-woven wicker. This stylish organic cart was produced in Italy during the 1960s. In...
Metal
Italian Mid-Century Bamboo and Rattan Serving Bar Cart or Trolley, 1970
By Franco Albini
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Italian Mid-Century Bamboo and Rattan Serving Bar Cart or Trolley, 1970 Gorgeous bar cart or trolley made of curved bamboo and rattan during the Italian mid-century in the 1960s. Th...
Bamboo, Rattan
Italian Midcentury Rattan Cane and Bamboo Drinks Cart
Located in Austin, TX
A fine Italian handcrafted mid-century rattan and bamboo bar cart or drinks trolley. Featuring a two-tiered body with decorative accents - the top tier with a gallery and handle over...
Metal
$882
H 24.81 in W 20.87 in D 11.03 in
Italian Riviera Bamboo and Rattan Bar Cart Serving Trolley, 1950s
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
A highly decorative bamboo, rattan and glass serving trolley or bar cart, 1950s. Removable serving tray. Very good vintage condition with patina and sins of usage.
Bamboo, Cane, Rattan, Glass
$1,706
H 24.81 in W 31.11 in D 14.97 in
Midcentury Rattan and Black Metal Raoul Guys Trolley Bar Cart, circa 1950
By Raoul Guys
Located in Labrit, Landes
Rattan and black metal serving trolley bar cart drinks midcentury, made circa 1950. Raoul Guys is a Parisian interior designer who will produce some furniture typical of the 1950s s...
Marble, Metal
$1,600
H 26.7 in W 25 in D 15 in
Midcentury Maison Baguès Silvered Brass Faux Bamboo Bar Cart, 1960s, France
By Maison Baguès
Located in Biebergemund, Hessen
Beautiful faux bamboo serving table in heavy silvered brass with smoked grey glass plates by Maison Baguès Paris. Maison Baguès is renowned for fine brass objects and lights since its establishment in 1860. The idiosyncratic genius Armand-Albert Rateau used Maison Baguès accessories to decorate the interiors of Jeanne Lanvin’s town home...
Brass
Midcentury Bamboo and Rattan Serving Bar Cart, Italy 1960s
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury amazing serving bar cart in rattan and bamboo with three bottle holder. Made in Italy in the 1960s. A highly decorative bamboo and rattan serving cart with the taste ...
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
Vintage 1960 2 Tiers French Bamboo and Rattan Bar Cart
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage 1960 2 tiers French bamboo and rattan bar cart. Space in between 11 inches.
Bamboo, Rattan
Midcentury Italian Marble and Brass Bar or Serving Cart
Located in Water Mill, NY
Italian Mid-Century marble and brass bar or serving cart.
Marble, Brass
$1,447
H 28.35 in W 31.5 in D 19.1 in
Italian Midcentury Serving Cart or Trolley in Cesare Lacca Style, 1960s
By Cesare Lacca
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Italian Midcentury Serving Cart or Trolley in Cesare Lacca Style, 1960s Beautiful bar cart or trolley, which can be used also as side table. Made in Italy in the mid-century in the ...
Brass
$2,001
H 29.93 in W 33.86 in D 18.71 in
Midcentury Bamboo, Rattan and Glass Serving Bar Cart, Italy 1960s
By Franco Albini
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury amazing serving bar cart in bamboo, rattan and glass with three bottle holder in the style of Franco Albini. Made in Italy in the 1960s. A highly decorative bamboo and...
Metal
$2,766
H 25.79 in Dm 28.35 in
Midcentury Rattan and Bamboo Round Serving Bar Cart Trolley, Italy 1960s
Located in Rome, IT
Amazing round serving bar cart in bamboo & rattan structure featuring two shelves. The upper one is framed by a bamboo handle and the lower one features four bottle holders mounted...
Bamboo, Cane, Rattan, Wicker
Serving Bar Cart Bamboo & Rattan, France, 1960s
Located in Rome, IT
Small bamboo bar cart, two levels, with originals wheels and an elegant braided handle. Made in Franche in the 1960s.
Bamboo, Wicker, Cane, Rattan
Sold
H 26.78 in W 26.78 in D 16.15 in
Trolley 'CR20' for Poggi by Franco Albini & Franca Helg, Italy 1958
By Franca Helg, Poggi, Franco Albini
Located in Hellouw, NL
Franco Albini remains a pivotal figure in 20th-century Italian design. Together with Franca Helg, he created a body of work that blends clarity with precision. Their long-standing co...
Wood
Sold
H 27.17 in W 26.78 in D 18.12 in
Serving Trolley Model CR20 In Mahogany By Franco Albini for Poggi, Italy 1958
By Franca Helg, Poggi, Franco Albini
Located in Hellouw, NL
Franco Albini was a significant figure in modern Italian design of the twentieth century. His creations are characterized by an aesthetic that can best be described as elegant minima...
Mahogany
Serving Table / Franco Albini, 1958
By Franco Albini, Poggi
Located in Berlin, DE
This elegant serving cart (model CR20) made of solid teak as well as plywood impresses with its simplicity. The two tableau level is flanked by three struts placed on casters. Design...
Teak, Plywood
Sold
H 26.78 in W 26.38 in D 18.12 in
Tea Trolley CR20 by Franco Albini & Franca Helg, Poggi Italy 1958
By Franca Helg, Franco Albini
Located in Berlin, DE
Tea Trolley CR20 by Franco Albini & Franca Helg, Poggi Italy 1958
Plywood, Sycamore, Teak