Osvaldo Borsani Furniture
Italian, 1911-1985
With his stylish and technically innovative furniture, Osvaldo Borsani helped change the face of Italian design in the 1950s and ’60s. His sofas and chairs, featuring deeply upholstered seating and adjustable position settings, have an aura of optimism and efficiency that still seems fresh and lively today.
Born in the commune of Varedo in northern Italy’s Lombardy region, Borsani studied at the Brera Academy in Milan — the same school attended by such luminaries as designer Piero Fornasetti and artist Lucio Fontana — as well as the Polytechnic University of Milan. Borsani first worked for his father’s furniture-making firm, Arredamenti Borsani, an atelier influenced by the more expressive and curvaceous wing of Art Deco design.
By 1953, when, along with his twin brother, Fulgenzio — the pair also created this visionary mid-century villa — Borsani opened the furniture company Tecno, his design sensibilities had evolved toward furnishings with strong, simple forms enhanced by mechanical innovations, as with the P40 adjustable armchair. Borsani would be the firm’s lead designer for 30 years, while fostering work by Vico Magistretti, Carlo De Carli, Robin Day and others.
Similar to Gio Ponti in the earliest years of his career, Borsani first created designs marked by lush and buoyant lines: tables with voluptuous curved legs, sofas with undulating backrests.
But Borsani’s best-known and most novel pieces date from Tecno’s initial furniture lines: the adjustable D70 sofa, which folds open to make a daybed, and the P40 recliner. The latter — now included in the collections of the Museum of Modern Art and the Victoria & Albert Museum — is an articulated lounger with a back, seat and leg rest that can be moved into 486 different positions. Not only is it extremely comfortable, it is also enduringly chic.
Find a collection of vintage Osvaldo Borsani tables, dining chairs and other furniture on 1stDibs.
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Period: 1950s
Creator: Osvaldo Borsani
Modernist Four Door Cabinet by Oswaldo Borsani
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in New York, NY
Modernist four-door cabinet by Oswaldo Borsani
with ceramic pulls by Frederico Quatrini.
Mahogany with brass accents and ceramic pulls.
Each ceramic pu...
Category
1950s Italian Modern Vintage Osvaldo Borsani Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of Pale Pink Italian Armchairs Part of Set Model “P-35” by Osvaldo Borsani
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Barcelona, ES
Osvaldo Borsani, (1911-1985)
Pair of armchairs part of set model “P-35”
Manufactured by Arredamenti Borsani, Varedo
Italy, 1951
Walnut with fabric upholstery
A pair of pale pi...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Osvaldo Borsani Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Walnut
Umbrella Stand in Brass by Osvaldo Borsani, Italy, 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Rome, IT
An elegant umbrella stand made in brass by the Italian designer Osvaldo Borsani from the 1950s. Structure with three legs, with small cups in the part below and brass empty circle no...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Osvaldo Borsani Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Set of 3 Nesting Tables Model T61
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in New York, NY
Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno set of 3 modernist nesting tables with rosewood veneer tops on three black enamel tapering metal legs, Italy, circa 1957. The table tops consist of three st...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Osvaldo Borsani Furniture
Materials
Metal
Pair of Low Side Tables by Osvaldo Borsani
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in New York, NY
Low square tables of mahogany with fluted facing on all four sides. One small center drawer per table.
Category
1950s Italian Modern Vintage Osvaldo Borsani Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Osvaldo Borsani, Bookcase model “E 22”, 1951
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Barcelona, ES
Osvaldo Borsani (1911-1985)
Bookcase model “E 22”
Manufactured by Tecno
Varedo (Italy), 1951
Rosewood, aluminium
Measurements
423 cm x 49 cm x 292 H in
166.55 in x 19.29 i...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Osvaldo Borsani Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Desk, circa 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A classic and rare, circa 1950s Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno desk with teak top.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Osvaldo Borsani Furniture
Materials
Steel
Brass and Bronze Bed by Osvaldo Borsani and Arnaldo Pomodoro, circa 1958
By Arnaldo Pomodoro, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in London, GB
A rare and beautiful bed frame from the Italian designer, Osvaldo Borsani, and sculptor, Arnaldo Pomodoro. Produced circa 1958, the principal structure of the bed, designed by Borsan...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Osvaldo Borsani Furniture
Materials
Brass, Bronze, Steel
Lounge Chair Model 'P40' by Osvaldo Borsani
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in London, GB
Classic lounge chair Model 'P40' by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno. Upholstered in original black leather, nicely aged but in good vintage condition. The base is black lacquered metal wi...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Osvaldo Borsani Furniture
Materials
Metal
1954, Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, D70 Daybed Sofa in Original Brown Fabric
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL
This chair is part of the private collection of Casey Godrie and is situated in his private house.
Ask him for competitive shipping quotes. His incredible Dune Villa, Amsterdam Beac...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Osvaldo Borsani Furniture
Materials
Metal
1956, Osvaldo Borsani, P40 Adjustable Lounge Chair in Terra Red Fabric
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL
This chair is part of the private collection of Casey Godrie and is situated in his private house.
Ask him for competitive shipping quotes. His incredible Dune Villa, Amsterdam Beach, find more details on his family name plus eu, is for sale soon too. :-)
Beautiful P40 in a special terra brownish red color color. The upholstery is new. The chair is in good condition. The P 40 is a reclinable...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Osvaldo Borsani Furniture
Materials
Metal
Sofa Daybed D70 Designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Brussels, BE
Sofa daybed D70 designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, original brown ribbed upholstery.
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Osvaldo Borsani Furniture
Materials
Brass, Steel
1958 Italian P40 Chair by Osvaldo Borsani
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
Balancing his pieces perfectly between lines and curves, function and elegance, lightness and robustness, Osvaldo Borsani and his twin brother founded the company Tecno in 1953 that became known for its technological approach to furniture design. The Italian designer has created iconic products, such as the sofa D70, the D40 chair...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Osvaldo Borsani Furniture
Materials
Steel, Brass
Osvaldo Borsani T47 Coffee Table 1955
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Rome, IT
a rare coffe table T47 designed by Osvaldo Borsani for TECNO 1955;
Zebrawood and black laquared feet; detachable feet
Biblio:G.Bosoni "T...
Category
1950s Italian Modern Vintage Osvaldo Borsani Furniture
Materials
Zebra Wood, Walnut
Osvaldo Borsani Italian Sideboard /Display Cabinet, circa 1950
By Minagalli, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Westport, CT
Osvaldo Borsani Italian (1911-1985) unusual mahogany Burgundy red glass and decorative front Lighted mirrored interior, two hidden draws sideboard.
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Osvaldo Borsani Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair Italian Mid-Century Parchment Nightstands / Side Tables by Osvaldo Borsani
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Italian Mid-Century Modern nightstands or end tables with parchment style doors by Osvaldo Borsani.
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Osvaldo Borsani Furniture
Materials
Parchment Paper, Wood
P-31 Chairs by Osvaldo Borsani
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A pair of P31 three-legged bent plywood chairs with ebonized metal bases. Manufactured by Tecno (both bear makers mark).
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Osvaldo Borsani Furniture
Materials
Steel
Mid-Century Modern Brass Side Table T1 by Osvaldo Borsani for ABV & Tecno, 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Brass Side Table T1 by Osvaldo Borsani for ABV & Tecno, 1950s
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Osvaldo Borsani Furniture
Materials
Brass
Rare leather sideboard by Osvaldo Borsani
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Milano, IT
At the heart of vintage elegance lies a rare gem from the 1950s-60s: the Italian leather sideboard by the masterful Osvaldo Borsani. Precision crafted and imbued with timeless charm,...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Osvaldo Borsani Furniture
Materials
Brass
Italian mid-century modern wooden bedside table by Osvaldo Borsani, 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century modern wooden bedside table by Osvaldo Borsani, 1950s
Bedside table with rectangular base. The top is made of glass and has the two rounded front corners, it is a...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Osvaldo Borsani Furniture
Materials
Brass
Rare Pair of Swivel Lounge Chairs by Osvaldo Borsani for Abv
By Arredamenti Borsani, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in New York, NY
Painted aluminum, fabric. This model was an early precursor for what later became the P32 chair for Tecno. *Borsani created and patented a swivel mechanism where a chair automaticall...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Osvaldo Borsani Furniture
Materials
Aluminum
1956, Osvaldo Borsani, for Tecno, P40 Lounge Chair
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL
This chair is part of the private collection of Casey Godrie and is situated in his private house.
Ask him for competitive shipping quotes. His incredible Dune Villa, Amsterdam Beac...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Osvaldo Borsani Furniture
Materials
Metal
Osvaldo Borsani T1 Side Table for Tecno, Italy 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Milan, IT
Rare Osvaldo Borsani brass and black glass top T1 side table for Tecno, Italy 1950s.
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Osvaldo Borsani Furniture
Materials
Brass
Osvaldo Borsani furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Osvaldo Borsani furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Osvaldo Borsani furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Osvaldo Borsani were created in the mid-century modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Ico Parisi, Gianfranco Frattini, and B&B Italia. Prices for Osvaldo Borsani furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $330 and can go as high as $397,156, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $7,205.
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