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.
1930s Art Deco Burl Walnut Borsani Sideboard Buffet Server Credenza Wax Polished
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Midcentury Gaetano or Osvaldo Borsani Art Deco burl walnut sideboard buffet with server chest, restored and wax polished Measures cm: H 150, W...
Burl
SE3 Sideboard by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Italy, 1960s
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in bruxelles, BE
Wooden sideboard with black metal base and two sliding doors containing 10 drawers and a shelf. Wear due to time and age. For shipping, request us for receive the best price.
Metal
Buffet or Bar attributed to Osvaldo Borsani
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Albany, NY
Very rare piece by Osvaldo Borsani with original leather and interior pink paint.
Bronze
Mid-Century Modern Italian Mahogany Sideboard with Mirror by Osvaldo Borsani
By Fratelli Turri, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Prato, IT
Mid-Century Modern Italian mahogany sideboard with onyx top and mirror by Osvaldo Borsani for "Mobilificio Fratelli Turri", 1950s The mirro...
Brass
"SE3" Sideboard by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Italy, 1960s
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in bruxelles, BE
Wooden sideboard with black metal base and two sliding doors containing 6 shelves. Wear due to time and age. For shipping, request us for receive the best price.
Metal
Modern Burl Buffet Sideboard
Located in Westwood, NJ
Modern burl buffet sideboard with four doors framed by a beveled edge, with interior drawers and shelves and finished in a lightly distressed rustic warm h...
Wood
Art Deco buffet, Macassar Ebony and Walnut Burl, 1920-1930
Located in Langemark-Poelkapelle, BE
Art Deco buffet in exceptional quality. Solid oak with Macassar Ebony veneer and Walnut Burl veneer. The buffet has a top with the original marble slabs. The back wall has a large li...
Marble
$3,575
H 48.04 in W 63.39 in D 22.05 in
1940s Art Deco Mid-Century Italian Walnut Burl Brass Sideboard Buffet Credenza
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Carimate, Como
Unique and very elegant Italian Art Deco Mid-Century Modern sideboard credenza buffet, in beautiful veneer walnut wood, with two side doors, central drawers and antique handles and l...
Brass
Mid-Century Macassar Sideboard, France, 1960s
By Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
French Art Deco sideboard, credenza, with bar cabinet. The sideboard features stunning Macassar wood grain and rich pattern. It offers ample storage, with shelves. The case rests ...
Teak
Outstanding And Unique Bar Cabinet by Osvaldo Borsani ca' 1940's
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
An outstanding bar cabinet (bar mobile) by Osvaldo Borsani for Arredamenti Borsani, 1940's, documented. Leather covered doors reveal mirrored, lighted back with glass/brass shelves i...
Brass
$13,943
H 111.42 in W 110.44 in D 12.21 in
Mid-Century Modern 22 Bookshelf by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Italy, 1960s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Brussels, BE
Desk = D: 60 cm ; W: 139,5 cm ; H: 80 cm
Wood
Art Deco Walnut Sideboard, Czechoslovakia, 1930s
Located in Praha, CZ
Exceptional Art Deco sideboard produced in Czechoslovakia in the 1930s. Crafted from walnut wood and veneer, this piece showcases an outstanding symmetrical grain pattern across its ...
Wood, Walnut
$3,375Sale Price|55% Off
H 46 in W 54.5 in D 22.5 in
18th century French Provincial Walnut Sideboard Server
Located in Savannah, GA
French Provincial walnut cabinet or server featuring a rectangular top over a conforming case fitted with three small drawers with applied diamond design over a two cupboard doors th...
Brass
$6,500
H 29.2 in W 30.8 in D 14.4 in
Art Deco Dry Bar Cabinet by Meroni & Fossati Gio Ponti attributed, Briar of Elm
By Gio Ponti
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Small cabinet buffet, dry bar, Art Deco period 1940 , Gio Ponti attributed per Meroni & Fossati, veneered in briar of elm with interior in mahogany . Original handless of the period....
Walnut, Burl
ACO Møbler Sideboard, Gunni Omann, Denmark, 1960s
By Gunni Omann, Aco Møbler
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
This sideboard by Gunni Omann is a true classic of Danish furniture design. The representative model number 13 is made of very high quality teak and is in an exceptionally good condi...
Teak
$7,300
H 37.41 in W 90.16 in D 2,026.78 in
Gio Ponti - Inspired - Sideboard - Macassar - 1960s - Italy
By Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
Italian Macassar Sideboard with Brass Details, in the Style of Gio Ponti, Vittorio Dassi, 1960s Cinematic glamour distilled to line and sheen — a collector’s piece of Italian mid-cen...
Teak
Vintage Italian Cocktail Bar by Osvaldo Borsani, Circa 1940-1960
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A large vintage Mid-Century modern Italian cocktail bar with a counter made of hand crafted polished Mahogany and Rosewood, designed most likely by Osvaldo Borsani, in good condition...
Marble, Metal, Brass
Osvaldo Borsani buffet 1950s
By Atelier Borsani Varedo, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in bari, IT
Buffet sideboard in beech veneer and ebonized grising, brass ferrules, marble top production Atelier di Varedo designer Osvaldo Borsani 1950s. Osvaldo Borsani was born in Varedo in...
Marble, Brass
Osvaldo Borsani 50s Buffet cabinet in brown wood and mirror
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Milano, IT
Buffet cabinet with mirror wood exotic wood veneer with polyester finish, grissinized front, back-treated glass top, brass ferrules.
Brass
Furniture Buffet by Osvaldo Borsani Anni 50-60
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Milano, IT
Buffet with mirror made of wood veneer exotic wood with polyester finish, grissin and retro-treated glass top with brass ferrules; an elegant Buffet cabinet by Osvaldo Borsani, a cre...
Brass
Furniture by Osvaldo Borsani Years 50-60
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Milano, IT
Bar cabinet made of exotic wood veneer with flap openings in the lower part and hinged and book openings in the upper part, polyester finish and grising, interiors with glass and mir...
Brass
Osvaldo Borsani Mid-Century Italian Bar Cabinet, 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Austin, TX
Sideboard or buffet in the mid-century modern Italian style made by designer Osvaldo Borsani for Atelier Borsani Vardeo, circa 1950s. Originally designed as part of a full living roo...
Brass
Borsani Buffet
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Austin, TX
Italian buffet and bar by Italian designer Osvaldo Borsani. Crafted with natural and ebonized Rosewood, this fine cabinet features a mirrored and tinted...
Glass, Rosewood
Osvaldo Borsani Buffet/Bar
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Austin, TX
Italian rosewood buffet and bar by Italian designer Osvaldo Borsani. This fine cabinet features a mirrored and tinted glass upper compartment behind folding doors; on the bottom four...
Rosewood
Sold
H 57.49 in W 70.87 in D 17.72 in
Mid-Century Modern Italian Mahogany Cupboard Bar by Osvaldo Borsani, 1950s
By Fratelli Turri, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Prato, IT
Mid-Century Modern Italian mahogany splayed legs cupboard bar with maple and mirrored interiors and brass legs by Osvaldo Borsani for "Mobilificio Fratelli Turri - Carugo" This cupb...
Brass
Osvaldo Borsani Buffet
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Austin, TX
Buffet / enfilade from Italy made of rosewood and ebonized rosewood with an intact onyx stone top. The drop front doors open to a satinwood interior. Tapered compass legs with gilt brass feet. This piece was manufactured by Mobilificio Fratelli Turri, Italy 1955. Osvaldo Borsani is one of the great Italian designers from the 20th Century. He is renowned for his precision and technical during the conception process. In 1953, he founded the Tecno company, specialized in technology and innovation which was the best way to him to produce his own creations. The D70 sofa bed...
Onyx, Brass
Italian Mid-Century Buffet by Osvaldo Borsani
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Austin, TX
Buffet / credenza from Italy. This important cabinet is made of rosewood and tinted rosewood by Osvaldo Borsani. The Italian enfilade boasts cubic ...
Glass, Rosewood
SE3 Sideboard by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Italy, 1962
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in bruxelles, BE
Wooden sideboard, black metal foot composed of two sliding doors. Stamped Tecno. Wear due to time and age of the sideboard.
Metal
SE3 Sideboard by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Italy, 1962
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in bruxelles, BE
Wooden sideboard, black metal foot composed of two sliding doors. Stamped Tecno. Wear due to time and age of the sideboard.
Metal