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.
Franco Albini, Serving Cart, Wood, Italy, 1960s
By Poggi, Franco Albini
Located in High Point, NC
A wood and metal serving cart or bar trolley, model CR-20 designed by Franco Albini and produced by Poggi, Italy, c. 1960s. In good vintage condition, with visible wear consistent w...
Wood
Franco Albini Cicognino Wood Side Table for Cassina, Italy, new
By Franco Albini, Cassina
Located in Berlin, DE
Prices vary dependent on the material of the table. Available in Canaletto Walnut, Natural Ash, Black Stained Ash or Amaranth stained ash. Side table designed by Franco Albini in 1...
Wood
$2,165 / item
Franco Albini Cicognino Wood Side Table by Cassina
By Franco Albini, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Side table designed by Franco Albini in 1953. Relaunched in 2008. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. Dubbed Cicognino, or “little stork”, this iconic design, is clean-cut and refi...
Wood
$1,806 / item
Franco Albini Cicognino Wood Side Table by Cassina
By Cassina, Franco Albini
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Side table designed by Franco Albini in 1953. Relaunched in 2008. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. Dubbed Cicognino, or “little stork”, this iconic design, is clean-cut and refined...
Wood
$1,806 / item
Franco Albini Cicognino Wood Side Table by Cassina
By Cassina, Franco Albini
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Side table designed by Franco Albini in 1953. Relaunched in 2008. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. Dubbed Cicognino, or “little stork”, this iconic design, is clean-cut and refined...
Wood
Cicognino by Albini per Cassina
By Franco Albini, Cassina
Located in Milano, IT
Authentic Cassina Cicognino side table designed by Franco Albini in the bordeaux lacquer finish which is now out of production. This 1953 design is characterized by its tripod struct...
Wood
$2,926Sale Price|42% Off
Franco Albini Cicognino Side Table in Wood by Poggi Pavia, 1970s Italy
By Poggi, Franco Albini
Located in Brescia, Brescia
This exquisite Cicognino side table, designed by Franco Albini and produced by Poggi Pavia in the 1970s, is a timeless piece of Italian design. Crafted from high-quality wood, this t...
Wood, Teak
Oak Side Table by Franco Albini
By Franco Albini
Located in East Hampton, NY
Franco Albini, side table Model TN6 "Cicognino", Italy, 1952 Measures" Overall height: 31.5" Height to the tabletop: 16".
Wool
$3,343Sale Price|25% Off
Franco Albini for Poggi Italian Cicognino Wood Side Table 1950s
By Franco Albini, Poggi
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Italian midcentury wood side table model TN6 Cicognino designed by Franco Albini and produced by Poggi Pavia in 1953, production Italy 1960s Bibliography: Domus 312 (November 1955),...
Wood
$1,806 / item
Franco Albini Cicognino Wood Side Table by Cassina
By Cassina, Franco Albini
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Side table designed by Franco Albini in 1953. Relaunched in 2008. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. Dubbed Cicognino, or “little stork”, this iconic design, is clean-cut and refi...
Wood
$9,602 / set
Two night stand by Franco Albini
By Franco Albini, Poggi
Located in Berlin, DE
The Italian architect and designer Franco Albini designed these two so-called ‘night stands’, model ‘CD 31’, for Poggi, using walnut veneer. The bedside tables have a drawer, an open...
Walnut
$2,000 / item
Franco Albini Cicognino Wood Side Table by Cassina
By Cassina, Franco Albini
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Side table designed by Franco Albini in 1953. Relaunched in 2008. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. Dubbed Cicognino, or “little stork”, this iconic design, is clean-cut and refi...
Wood
$2,172
H 32.29 in W 35.44 in D 17.33 in
Franco Albini Midcentury Console Table in Bamboo and Rattan, Italy, 1960s
By Franco Albini
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful mid-century console table in curved bamboo, rattan and hand-woven wicker. This stunning organic piece was designed by the mastery of Franco Albini and produced in Italy dur...
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
$2,926Sale Price / item|42% Off
H 29.53 in W 70.87 in D 33.47 in
Franco Albini TL3 Dining Table for Cassina, Glass & Wood, Italy, 2023
By Franco Albini, Cassina
Located in Berlin, DE
Prices vary dependent on the size and chosen material of the table. The base is available in solid ash wood or American walnut. The table is available in a rectangular or round version (the latter measures 130 cm in diameter and 75 cm in height) Table designed by Franco Albini in 1953. Relaunched in 2013. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. Franco Albini designed this table using the strut element that he had already employed in the design of the Veliero and Infinito bookshelves. In this instance, the legs serve as the vertical elements, solid, turned along their entire surface except for the square section onto which the horizontal table...
Glass, Wood, Ash, Walnut
$2,926Sale Price|42% Off
H 31.5 in Dm 15.75 in
Franco Albini Cicognino Side Table in Wood by Poggi Pavia, 1970s Italy
By Poggi, Franco Albini
Located in Brescia, Brescia
This exquisite Cicognino side table, designed by Franco Albini and produced by Poggi Pavia in the 1970s, is a timeless piece of Italian design. Crafted from high-quality wood, this t...
Wood, Teak
Mid-Century Italian Round Albini-Style Wicker Table
By Franco Albini
Located in Troy, MI
Found in Italy, this wicker table dates from the 1960s and the design is attributed to Franco Albino. The piece is 23” tall and just under 27” in diameter, The woven pattern and deta...
Wicker
$1,143
H 23.23 in W 19.69 in D 12.6 in
Midcentury Bamboo and Rattan Side Table Franco Albini Style, Italy 1960s
By Franco Albini
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury amazing side table in rattan and bamboo in the style of Franco Albini. These stunning bedsides feature a structure made in bamboo with rattan decorations on the sides. M...
Bamboo, Wicker, Cane, Rattan
$2,972 / set
H 15.16 in W 14.97 in D 14.97 in
Pair of Italian Bamboo Rattan Stools in the Style of Franco Albini
By Franco Albini
Located in Barcelona, ES
Italian midcentury rattan and bamboo stools / side tables, 1950s-1960s Handcrafted These eye-catching stools / footstools can be used as end tables, side tables or nightstands. They have a nice construction and a clean design inspired in Michael Thonet bentwood stools...
Bamboo, Cane, Rattan
$2,446
H 32.88 in W 35.04 in D 14.57 in
Midcentury Rattan and Bamboo Console Table Franco Albini Style, Italy 1960s
By Franco Albini
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury beautiful console table in rattan and bamboo featuring a lower shelf in the style of the Italian designer Franco Albini. Made in Italy in the 1960s.22
Bamboo, Wicker, Cane, Rattan
Table by Franco Albini
By Franco Albini, Succ. Carlo Poggi
Located in Berlin, DE
The Italian architect and designer Franco Albini designed this table, model ‘TL3’, for Carlo Poggi, Pavia, in 1953. The table features beautiful details; the frame is made of solid t...
Teak, Plywood
$4,001
H 30.71 in W 31.5 in D 16.15 in
Midcentury Rattan and Bamboo Console Table Franco Albini Style, Italy 1960s
By Franco Albini
Located in Rome, IT
Amazing unique Midcentury Console table in rattan and bamboo in the style of the Italian designer Franco Albini. Made in Italy in the 1960s. A must-have for midcentury Italian bamb...
Bamboo, Wicker, Cane, Rattan
$5,144 / item
H 29.93 in W 70.87 in D 29.93 in
Franco Albini Tl3 Table, Black Dyed Wood and Glass by Cassina
By Cassina, Franco Albini
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Table designed by Franco Albini in 1953. Relaunched in 2013. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. Franco Albini designed this table using the strut element that he had already employed in the design of the Veliero and Infinito bookshelves. In this instance, the legs serve as the vertical elements, solid, turned along their entire surface except for the square section onto which the horizontal table...
Glass, Wood
20th Century, Franco Albini for Poggi Wooden Cart mod. CR-20
By Franco Albini, Poggi
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
Vintage Boho Bent Rattan Low Table After Albini
By Franco Albini
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This exceptional vintage low table is a beautiful homage to the iconic "lobster pot" designs famously associated with Italian architect Franco Albini. Expertly crafted from hand-bent...
Wicker, Rattan
Vintage Wooden Drawer CM24 by Franco Albini, Mid-20th Century
By Franco Albini
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage Wooden Drawer CM24 realized in 1950s by Franco Albini for Poggi. Wood and metal. Very good condition.
Metal
Pair of Mid Century Wicker and Iron Tables by Franco Albini
By Franco Albini
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Unique pair of Franco Albini side tables made from wicker fishing baskets placed on iron bases with glass tops. Both tables measure 23.5" high, ...
Iron
Franco Albini for Poggi Italian Cicognino Dark Wood Side Table 1950s
By Poggi, Franco Albini
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Vintage modern antique coffee table model TN6 Cicognino designed by Franco Albini and manufactured by Poggi Pavia in 1953, production Italy 1950s. Letteratura: Domus 312 (November 1...
Wood
Pair of Franco Albini TN6 Cicognino Side Tables, Italy, 1950s
By Poggi, Franco Albini
Located in Berlin, DE
Beautiful pair of Franco Albini TN6 Cicognino Side Tables for Poggi. The height given applies to the height of the table top. Albinis iconic design reduces t...
Wood, Oak
Sold
H 20.48 in Dm 27.17 in
Rattan & Glass Occasional Side Coffee Table by Franco Albini, Italian c. 1950s
By Franco Albini
Located in London, GB
A rattan, glass and black enamelled steel circular occasional table by Franco Albini. Italian, c. 1950s.
Steel
Franco Albini, Pair of Side Tables TN6 "Cicogna" 1950s
By Franco Albini
Located in Paris, FR
"Cicogna" side tables by Franco Albini 1950s 20th century Franco Albini Pair of TN6 "Cicogna" coffee tables in wood. First edition for Poggi.
Wood
Sold
H 22.45 in W 16.15 in D 1.19 in
Rattan Wall Mirror and Bedside Tables/ Wall-Mounted Shelf Franco Albini, 1960s
By Franco Albini, Bonacina
Located in Rome, IT
Rattan wall mirror and bedside wall-mounted table shelf by the Italian designer Franco Albini. Made in Italy, circa 1960. Dimensions: Mirror measures: height 57cm, width 41cm, de...
Bamboo, Wicker, Cane, Rattan, Mirror
Mid-20th Century Italian Woven Rattan Ottoman Designed by Franco Albini
By Franco Albini, Pierre Chapo, Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Houston, TX
Mid-20th century woven rattan ottoman, pouf or stool designed by Italian designer Franco Albini. This versatile Hollywood Regency piece would make...
Rattan
Prized "Cicognino" Side Table by Franco Albini for Poggi, 1952
By Poggi, Franco Albini
Located in Milan, IT
Prized "Cicognino" side table by Franco Albini for Poggi, 1952. Part of the original production, conserved in the best of conditions.
Wood
Midcentury Round White Rattan Stool or Side Table by Franco Albini
By Franco Albini
Located in New York, NY
A Mid-Century round white rattan stool or side table by designer Franco Albini. Piece can work as a stool/round bench, footstool, pouf/ottoman, or as a side table providing there is ...
Wicker, Rattan
Pair of Franco Albini Organic Modern Rattan and Iron Side Tables
By Franco Albini
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Sculptural fish trap baskets set upside down on custom iron stands with inset glass tops. Designed by Franco Albini for Raymor. Both are solid and in excellent original condition.
Franco Albini rattan pouf or ottoman
By Franco Albini
Located in Dronten, NL
Vintage Franco Albini rattan pouf stool for Bonacina. Works well as a stool, ottoman or as a side table. We offer museum quality crating and affordabl...
Rattan, Wicker