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.
Osvaldo Borsani D70 sofa Tecno edition 1960 Limited edition
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Saint-Didier, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Osvaldo Borsani D70 sofa Tecno edition 1960 Limited edition fabric and leatherette Original fabric Adjustable Fold-out sofa bed L 190 x H 81 x D 78 cm 5,900 euros Tecno Spa -...
Fabric
Osvaldo Borsani Upholstered Bench or Stool Wood 1940 Italy
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Milano, IT
Osvaldo Borsani upholstered bench or stool wood 1940 Italy.
Wood
Bertu Bench, Suelo Modern Wood Bench, Upholstered, Thick Weave
By Bertu Furniture
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Bertu Bench, Suelo® Modern Wood Bench, Upholstered, Thick Weave This upholstered Suelo® Modern Wood Bench is beautifully constructed from solid wood...
Fabric, Hardwood
Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno D70 Reclining Sofa
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Norwalk, CT
An iconic example of Italian mid-century design, continually reproduced for its highly renowned marriage of style and functionality, this fully adjustable reclining sofa...
Leather
Osvaldo Borsani P 40 For Tecno 1960's
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Brussels, BE
The versatile and comfortable P40 lounge chair was designed by Osvaldo Borsani in 1955 for Tecno. The chair can be adjusted into over 400 positions; the back can be reclined in diffe...
Metal, Brass
$2,800
H 20.5 in W 67.5 in D 19.5 in
Long Vintage Italian Style Carved Wood Bench with Upholstered Seat
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A well made carved wood bench from Italy. Fabric is original and very clean. Ready to use condition.
Fabric, Wood
$1,250 / item
H 26.25 in W 18 in D 18 in
Custom Lucite Vanity Bench or Stool with Thick Lucite Legs and Upholstered Seat
By Iconic Design Gallery
Located in Miami, FL
Custom Lucite Vanity Bench or Stool with Thick Lucite Legs and Upholstered Seat Offered for sale is a new Lucite vanity bench from our own worksho...
Fabric, Lucite
Italian 1940's Walnut Bench
Located in New York, NY
An Italian 1940's walnut bench with cabriole legs and cream cotton seat. With streamlined and elegant lines; of high quality craftsmanship and classic design. Northern Italy, circ...
Fabric, Walnut
Osvaldo Borsani Canada chair Tecno Italy 1965
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Iconic so called 'Canada' lounge chair model P110 designed by Osvaldo Borsani and manufactured by Tecno, Italy 1965. The Canada chair is constructed by 2 moulded plywood side panels, connected with 2 bent wooden cross bars, which holds the frame in balance and a part. The thick leather upholstered cushion structure hangs in the frame and is connected with black plastic caps. The Canada seating series was developed from some rough initial sketches by Valeria Borsani and Marco Fantoni while they were still young...
Leather, Plastic, Plywood
Osvaldo Borsani, Sofa, Wood, Velvet, Italy, 1940s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in High Point, NC
A dark-stained wood and red velvet sofa designed by Osvaldo Borsani and produced by Arredamenti Borsani, Italy, 1940s. Significant scratching to wood legs. Vintage fabric in distres...
Velvet, Wood
Osvaldo Borsani sofa, Italy, 1940s
By Arredamenti Borsani, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
Originating from Italy in the 1940s, the aesthetically refined sofa designed by renowned Italian designer Osvaldo Borsani epitomizes the enduring charm of mid-century Italian furnitu...
Fabric, Wood
$2,950
H 20.63 in W 20.25 in D 14.24 in
1940's Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mahogany Regency Style X Form Bench or Stool
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in St. Louis, MO
Early design for Dunbar, mahogany bench or vanity stool model 1050. Curved or X form base with classical styling, with older upholstered seat. Mahogany frame will be restored prior t...
Leather, Mahogany
Italian 1940s Bench in Wood and Yellow Velvet Upholstery
By Studio BBPR
Located in Milan, IT
Italian 1940s bench in wood and yellow velvet upholstery Attributed to Studio BBPR.
Upholstery, Wood
$1,600
H 30 in W 33 in D 17 in
Hollywood Regency Wood & Cane Sculptural Single Bench Seat, Stool or Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A sculptural wood & cane single bench. Great vintage decorator piece. Well made and in great shape for it's age.
Cane, Wood
Osvaldo Borsani large bench
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in London, GB
A rare bench designed by Osvaldo Borsani C1950 . The bench retains its original distressed wood in butter cream with gilded X detailing with Beautiful curves to the back . Newly upho...
Velvet, Wood
Bench with Seats by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Milano, IT
This extraordinary bench with seats, born from the creativity of Osvaldo Borsani for the acclaimed Tecno company of the 1980s, represents a true symbol of Italian excellence in the field of design. Osvaldo Borsani, a renowned Italian designer, brought this iconic bench to life in collaboration with Tecno, one of the leading companies in the high-quality furniture and furnishing sector. This synergy of talent and craftsmanship gave rise to a timeless design piece. The bench boasts a sturdy black powder-coated iron structure that elegantly supports a series of welcoming seats. Two wooden slabs serve as the base for this creation, contributing to the entire design's aura of elegance and style, suitable for any environment. The seats and backrest of the bench have been skillfully padded and covered with period-appropriate fabric, a precious dark blue cotton that adds a touch of class and sophistication. This fabric, although showing signs of wear and the passage of time due to its history, can be replaced upon request, ensuring an impeccable appearance. This Osvaldo Borsani bench...
Iron
Osvaldo Borsani Bench Stool Wood, 1950, Italy
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Milano, IT
Osvaldo Borsani.
Wood
Sold
H 15.75 in W 31.5 in D 16.15 in
Pouf by Osvaldo Borsani in Original Green Velvet with Bangs, 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Milano, IT
Elegant pouf made by Osvaldo Borsani in the 1950s. The pouf is in its original conditions of the time. Its original fabric is dark green velvet. To complete and make this product un...
Velvet, Wood
Sold
H 27 in W 85 in D 29 in
Bench or Sofa in Leather Steel & Granite Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Italy, 1980s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Bench or sofa in leather steel and granite Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Italy, 1980s. WS bench, seating system or sofa in cordovan leather covered black enameled steel mesh frame on a ...
Granite, Steel
Sold
H 31.5 in W 60.24 in D 22.45 in
Bench "Love-Seat" by Osvaldo Borsani, Atelier di Varedo, Wood, Velvet, 1942-1944
By Osvaldo Borsani, Atelier Borsani Varedo
Located in Berlin, DE
A lush and playful bench "Love-Seat" by Osvaldo Borsani, with a wood construction and velvet cover in a complex gelden beige shade with greenish undertones and light golden highlights. Gold painted wooden spiral detail on the back part. Both upholstery and cover are renewed Dimensions: / L. 153 cm D. 57 cm H. 80cm SH. 43 cm Manufacturer / Gaetano Borsani / Atelier di Varedo...
Velvet, Wood
Sold
H 30.32 in W 59.65 in D 21.66 in
Marco Fantoni Green Fabric and Enameled Steel Italian Bench for Tecno, 1982
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Roma, IT
Amazing modern green fabric and enameled steel bench. This marvelous piece was produced by Tecno in Italy in 1982 and designed by Marco Fantoni. This bench is unique as it is a one ...
Metal, Iron
Osvaldo Borsani Hallway Bench
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in London, GB
A fabulous and rare painted wood bench by Osvaldo Borsani. The bench is painted in buttercream color and with golden details across the frame and the legs. It has been newly upholste...
Wood
Osvaldo Borsani Bench for "Tecno"
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful architectural bench by Borsani for "Tecno".
Granite, Steel
Sold
H 31.89 in W 30.71 in D 20.48 in
LIttle Bench/ Armchair by Osvaldo Borsani for Arredamento Borsani Italy circa 1946
By Arredamenti Borsani, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Berlin, DE
LIttle Bench/ Armchair by Osvaldo Borsani. Arredamento Borsani Italy ca. 1946