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.
Set of 6 Italian Mid-Century Osvaldo Borsani Walnut Dining Chairs
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Queens, NY
"Set of 6 Italian Mid-Century walnut dining side chairs having a solid shield shaped back with a centered cut out and dark brown upholstered seat (OSVALDO BORSONI) (PRICED AS Set) (3...
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Set of Six Dining Chairs by Osvaldo Borsani
By Osvaldo Borsani, Arredamenti Borsani
Located in New York, NY
Set of six dining chairs by Osvaldo Borsani for Atelier Borsani Varedo. This Fine set of Chairs features elegant lines and patinated brass details.
Brass
$12,500 / set
P-31 Chairs by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno
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).
Steel
$3,900Sale Price / set|50% Off
H 31 in Dm 21 in
Set of Four Bertha Schaefer Dining Chairs Italian Mid Century
By Bertha Schaefer, M. Singer & Sons
Located in New York, NY
A set of sculptural light/medium walnut chairs by Bertha Schaefer for Singer and Son. Reupholstered in a golden cream/off white cotton/linen blend. Original Tag. Chairs were made in ...
Walnut, Cotton
Set of Two Reclining Osvaldo Borsani Chairs
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno Design Centre
Located in Wolfurt, AT
Set of two reclining chairs - very early design by Osvaldo Borsani, Italy, 1950s. The reclining chairs are in original condition and feature a fol...
Steel
$6,986 / set
H 36.62 in W 16.93 in D 20.08 in
Attributed to Osvaldo Borsani: Mid-Century Italian Dining Chairs, 1950s, Set of 6
By Atelier Borsani Varedo, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Elegant lines and a sturdy structure characterize this splendid set of six dining chairs, attributed to Osvaldo Borsani, from the 1950s. The mahogany-colored wood surfaces, as well a...
Bouclé, Walnut
$6,900 / set
H 38 in W 18 in D 17 in
Set of Five Mid-Century Modern Dining Chairs by Paolo Buffa, 1950
By Paolo Buffa
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A green, vintage Mid-Century Modern Italian set of five green, stylish Italian chairs. Designed by Paolo Buffa in good condition. Original leather seat covers, dark shellac polished ...
Leather, Walnut
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
Set of Six Period 18th Century George II Walnut Dining Chairs
Located in Essex, MA
Set of six period English walnut George II side chairs Six period Georgian side chairs in transitional form moving from Queen Anne to Ge...
Walnut
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 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
$5,000 / set
H 37 in W 18 in D 19 in
Set of Eight Dining Chairs Attributed to Osvaldo Borsani, Italy 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Miami, FL
Set of Eight Dining Chairs Attributed to Osvaldo Borsani, Italy 1950s. The chairs need to be recovered, we can help.
Fabric, Wood
$3,318
H 36.23 in W 17.72 in D 17.72 in
Set of 6 Italian Mid-Century Dining Chairs, Osvaldo Borsani, 1940s
By Osvaldo Borsani, Atelier Borsani Varedo
Located in Roma, RM
A refined set of six Italian mid-century dining chairs. From the 1940s, these chairs are likely the work of celebrated architect and designer Osvaldo Borsani and the Arredamenti Bors...
Fabric, Beech
Set of Six Mid Century Modern Chairs with Sculpted Plywood Back
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very nice set of Mid-Century Modern solid frames moulded plywood backs chairs with newly upholstered seats.
Birch
$6,054Sale Price|20% Off
H 35.44 in W 28.35 in D 35.44 in
Vintage P40 Lounge Chair by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, First Series
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Milano, IT
Borsani P40 Lounge Chair - Italian Collectible Furniture - Mid Century Armchair - Collectible Italian Mid Century Designed in 1956 by Italian architect Osvaldo Borsani, the P40 loun...
Metal, Stainless Steel
Rare Pair of Side Chairs by Osvaldo Borsani for ABV
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in New York, NY
Solid maple frames, mohair upholstery. A rare custom model that almost never turns up on the market. Wood has been refinished and seats re-upholstered.
Fabric, Mohair, Wood, Maple
Sold
H 36.23 in W 19.69 in D 21.66 in
1940s Pair of Carvers Side Chairs Italian Design by Osvaldo Borsani Cherrywood
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in London, GB
A very rare beautiful and elegant pair of chairs with arms, dark honey bent cherry wood frame and arms with tapered legs, white cotton upholst...
Fruitwood
Sold
H 38.59 in W 19.69 in D 18.9 in
Pair of Osvaldo Borsani Mahogany and Geometric Velvet Italian Chairs, 1950
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Roma, Lazio
Very elegant Italian chairs by Osvaldo Borsani, with its unmistakable design, cared for down to the last detail. The chairs are all in mahogany wood, very beautiful woodwork both ...
Fabric, Mahogany
Pink fabric Osvaldo Borsani, P40 Lounge Chair for Tecno, Italy
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Antwerp, BE
Lounge armchair, originally designed by architect Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno in 1954, with cushioned backs and seats upholstered in original pink fabric, original condition. Variab...
Metal
Osvaldo Borsani
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in New York, NY
Elegant pair of chairs with dark mahogany arms and legs. Sculptural forms with great detailing to arms and feet.
Pair of Borsani Chairs, 1950
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Roma, Lazio
Beautiful pair of Borsani chairs, 1950s. All stained beech and upholstered in velvet white crumpled.
Beech, Velvet
Set Osvaldo Borsani, P40 Lounge Chairs for Tecno
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Antwerp, BE
A pair of lounge armchairs, originally designed by architect Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno in 1954, with cushioned backs and seats upholstered in original pink fabric, Variable posit...
Metal
Osvaldo Borsani Folding Chair
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
Osvaldo Borsani folding side chair , model S88 , for Tecno Italy . 1957 . Black enameled metal frame with plywood seat and black . Chair folds flat . Tecno logo to sides . Price ...
Six Dining Room Chairs with a Matching Table by Borsani
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Six rare Borsani 50's dining room chairs upholstered with green vinyl. The chairs form a set with a dining room table Ref. #U0902088175602. Table and chairs can be sold separately. ...
Brass
P31 loungechair, designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno.
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Dronten, NL
P31 loungechair, designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno. Comfortable and beautiful 3-legged loungechair.
Plywood