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 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
Franco Albini Midcentury Wall Shelf in Curved Rattan and Bamboo, Italy 1960s
By Franco Albini
Located in Roma, IT
Gorgeous Mid-Century wall shelf crafted from curved rattan and bamboo. This elegant organic piece was designed by Franco Albini and produced in Italy during the 1960s. In excellent ...
Bamboo, Cane, Rattan
$5,550 / item
H 10 in W 10 in D 42 in
Wall-Mounted Tidal Shelf in Black Powder-Coated Aluminum by Jonathan Nesci
By Jonathan Nesci
Located in Columbus, IN
The wall-mounted, tidal shelf is formed out of 1/4 inch thick, powder-coated aluminum. Each shelf has a welded U-channel to the reverse of the shelf and ea...
Aluminum
Large Vintage Galvanized Wall Shelf
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Large Vintage Galvanized Wall Shelf. Shelf can be powder-coated in any color per buyer request.
Iron
Italian Designer, Shelf, Bamboo, Rattan, Italy, 1960s
Located in High Point, NC
A bamboo and rattan wall shelf or small console table designed and produced in Italy, c. 1960s. Surface cracking, imperfections, and staining consistent with outdoor use. Overall D...
Bamboo, Rattan
$5,850 / item
H 11.5 in W 9.5 in D 37 in
2G Wall-Mounted Shelf in Waxed Aluminum Plate by Jonathan Nesci
By Jonathan Nesci
Located in Columbus, IN
The Minimalist wall-mounted, 37" wide, 3G shelf is sculpted out of 1/4 inch thick, wax-polished aluminum. Each shelf has an inset welded U-channel that spans the length of the shelf and easily mounts on included custom-bent steel Z-clips. Each bay of this modernist shelf...
Aluminum
Vintage Italian Folding Wall Shelf, Black Iron & Gilt, Circa 1960s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Black iron & gilt folding Italian wall shelf.
Iron
$19,950 / item
H 11.5 in W 9.5 in D 143.5 in
8G Wall-Mounted Shelf in Waxed Aluminum Plate by Jonathan Nesci
By Jonathan Nesci
Located in Columbus, IN
The Minimalist wall-mounted, 12 foot long, 8G shelf is sculpted out of 1/4 inch thick, wax-polished aluminum. Each shelf has an inset welded U-channel that spans the length of the sh...
Aluminum
$4,800
H 94.5 in W 39.5 in D 14.5 in
Dušan Jurkovič Wall Mounted Shelf or Openwork Screen in Bamboo & Rattan 1960's
By Louis Sognot
Located in North Miami, FL
This wall mounting decorative shelf / latticework screen made entirely of 1960's bamboo and rattan, featuring 5 oval shaped woven baskets for plants, art, sculpture, etc. Starburst ...
Bamboo, Rattan, Wood
$7,450 / item
H 11.5 in W 9.5 in D 54 in
3G Wall-Mounted Shelf in Waxed Aluminum Plate by Jonathan Nesci
By Jonathan Nesci
Located in Columbus, IN
The Minimalist wall-mounted, 54" wide, 3G shelf is sculpted out of 1/4 inch thick, wax-polished aluminum. Each shelf has an inset welded U-channel that spans the length of the shelf ...
Aluminum
$9,450 / item
H 11.5 in W 9.5 in D 73 in
4G Wall-Mounted Shelf in Waxed Aluminum Plate by Jonathan Nesci
By Jonathan Nesci
Located in Columbus, IN
The Minimalist wall-mounted 4G shelf is sculpted out of 1/4 inch thick, wax-polished aluminum. Each shelf has an inset welded U-channel that spans the length of the shelf and easily ...
Aluminum
Italian Designer, Shelf, Bamboo, Rattan, Italy, 1960s
Located in High Point, NC
A bamboo and rattan wall shelf designed and produced in Italy, c. 1960s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 9.375"H x 16.25"W x 9.0"D All items ship from High Point, North Carolina.
Bamboo, Rattan
$15,450 / item
H 15 in W 72 in D 11 in
G Wall-Mounted Shelf with Doors in Waxed Aluminum Plate by Jonathan Nesci
By Jonathan Nesci
Located in Columbus, IN
The Minimalist wall-mounted G shelf is sculpted out of 1/4 inch thick, wax-polished aluminum with two Minimalist pin-hinged doors. Each shelf has an inset welded U-channel that spans...
Aluminum
$9,450 / item
H 11.5 in W 9.5 in D 73 in
4G Wall-Mounted Shelf in Waxed Aluminum Plate by Jonathan Nesci
By Jonathan Nesci
Located in Columbus, IN
The Minimalist wall-mounted 4G shelf is sculpted out of 1/4 inch thick, wax-polished aluminum. Each shelf has an inset welded U-channel that spans the length ...
Aluminum
Franco Albini Rattan and Bamboo Italian Wall Shelf, Italy, 1960s
By Franco Albini
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning mid-century organic rectangular wall shelf in curved rattan, bamboo, and hand-woven wicker. This charming French Riviera–style shelf was designed by the mastery of Franco Al...
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
Franco Albini Rattan and Bamboo Italian Wall Shelf, Italy 1960s
By Franco Albini
Located in Roma, IT
Gorgeous midcentury rectangular wall shelf in curved rattan, bamboo and hand-woven wicker. This charming French Riviera style shelf was designed by Franco Albini and produced in Ita...
Bamboo, Rattan, Wicker
Franco Albini "Infinito" Wall Unit for Cassina
By Franco Albini, Cassina
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Franco Albini wall unit for Cassina, c.2010s Italy. This modular shelving system, first designed in the 1950s, was relaunched in 2008 and feat...
Teak
Mid-Century Modern Rosenthal Netter Rattan Flower Burst Mirror Made in Italy
By Franco Albini
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A flower burst or sunburst oval mirror handcrafted with rattan cane and wicker. A natural and fresh accent for any space with a taste of the Mediterranean Coast. These kind of mirror...
Wicker, Rattan