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.
Italian Vanity or Console Table in Bamboo and Rattan by Vivai del Sud, 1970s
By Franco Albini
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful Mid-Century vanity or console table fully made in bamboo, rattan, hand-woven wicker, and brass. This stylish and unique piece was designed by Vivai del Sud and produced in ...
Brass
$3,475
H 28.35 in W 43.31 in D 19.69 in
Early 19th Century Walnut Wood Catalan Spanish Console, Desk or Vanity Table
Located in Miami, FL
A 19th century walnut console table with a slab top above a frieze with two drawers with front decorated with and edge in each drawer and a single original iron pull . The table is s...
Iron
Midcentury Rattan and Bamboo Console Table, Italy 1970s
By Vivai del Sud
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury beautiful console table in rattan and bamboo. Made in Italy in the 1970s.
Bamboo, Wicker, Cane, Rattan
$2,679 / item
H 31.5 in W 31.5 in D 11.82 in
Handcrafted Console Vanity Table, Solid English Oak by SUM Furniture
Located in London, GB
Modernist console or vanity table designed and handmade in England using traditional furniture making techniques. Completely handcrafted from fully quarter-sawn English oak. Hand dov...
Oak
$5,400
H 31.5 in W 41.34 in D 23.63 in
Mid Century Italian Rattan and Bamboo Desk / Vanity Table Vivai del Sud C.1970
By Vivai del Sud
Located in London, GB
A Vivai del Sud pedestal table Rome, Italy, C.1970. Constructed in in rattan, bamboo and cane. Ideal as a small desk or vanity. The Knee hole width measures 39cm. In excellent condi...
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
$7,662
H 34.26 in W 63 in D 18.12 in
Mid-Century Modern Italian Rattan and Brass Center Console by Vivai del Sud, 70s
By Vivai del Sud
Located in Puglia, Puglia
This console was designed by Vivai Del Sud in Rome in the early 70s. It can be placed both as a center piece or on the wall, entirely handmade with rattan and brass and quite unique ...
Brass
Lucite, Nickel and Stainless Steel Vanity or Dressing Table
By Charles Hollis Jones
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful vanity table or hall table in Lucite and nickel designed by Charles Hollis Jones as part of the Metric collection. The table comes with a narrow Lucite top which is 1 1/...
Nickel, Stainless Steel
$3,862
H 14.97 in W 27.96 in D 18.12 in
Midcentury Coffee Table Wavy Legs in Rattan by Vivai Del Sud, Italy 1970s
By Vivai del Sud
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury amazing rectangular coffee table in wood and rattan with wavy legs by Vivai Del Sud. Made in Italy in the 1970s. Vivai del sud, Gabriella Crespi and Arpex were the three...
Bamboo, Rattan, Wood
$2,946 / set
H 82.68 in W 42.13 in D 14.97 in
Bamboo Rattan Demi-Lune Console Table and Large Mirror Italy 1970s
By Pierantonio Bonacina, Vivai del Sud, Franco Albini
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Handcrafted mid-century modern set consisting of a half-moon console and a large mirror, which features an elegant and organic design with natural materials such as bamboo and rattan...
Bamboo, Rattan
$4,314
H 30.12 in Dm 45.28 in
Bamboo Rattan and Glass Round Dinning Room Table by Vivai Del Sud, Italy, 1970s
By Vivai del Sud
Located in Rome, IT
Amazing round dinning table in bamboo, rattan and glass by Maurizio Mariani and Giusto Purini for Vivai Del Sud. Made in Italy in the 1970s. Vivai del sud, Gabriella Crespi and...
Rattan, Glass, Bamboo
$1,296
H 27.56 in W 19.89 in D 16.93 in
Midcentury Side Table in Rattan and Bamboo Vivai Del Sud Style, Italy 1970s
By Vivai del Sud
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury beautiful side table in rattan and bamboo in the style of Vivai Del Sud. Made in Italy in the 1970s. Vivai del sud, Gabriella Crespi and Arpex were the three leading des...
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
$4,915
H 29.93 in W 47.25 in D 25.99 in
Midcentury Bamboo and Rattan Desk Writing Table Vivai Del Sud Style, Italy 1970s
By Vivai del Sud
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury amazing desk writing table in bamboo, rattan and wood with one drawer in the style of Vivai Del Sud. Made in Italy in the 1970s. Vivai del sud, Gabriella Crespi and Arpe...
Metal
$3,925
H 29.73 in W 54.93 in D 20.48 in
Midcentury Console Table in Bamboo and Rattan Vivai Del Sud Style, Italy 1970s
By Vivai del Sud
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury wonderful rectangular console table in bamboo and rattan in the style of Vivai Del Sud. Made in Italy in the 1970s. Vivai del sud, Gabriella Crespi and Arpex were th...
Bamboo, Rattan, Wood