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
Mid-Century Modern Italian Mahogany Sideboard with Mirror by Osvaldo Borsani
By Osvaldo Borsani, Fratelli Turri
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
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
"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
$4,837Sale Price|50% Off
H 58.27 in W 94.49 in D 19.69 in
After Osvaldo Borsani Midcentury Italian Sideboard Console Table, 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Spectacular sideboard console with mirror, in maple and walnut, attributed to Osvaldo Borsani, with a beautiful movement of the lines on the front, glass top, maple interior, walnut ...
Maple, Glass, Mirror, Walnut
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
Osvaldo Borsani Credenza
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Weesp, NL
Step into a realm of timeless elegance with this exquisite 1940s Italian credenza, designed by the legendary Osvaldo Borsani. Crafted from rich...
Brass
$7,967
H 27.96 in W 98.04 in D 42.92 in
Large Desk T333 by Eugenio Gerli and Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Italy
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
This is a magnificent large vintage executive desk. Designed by Italians Osvaldo Borsani and Eugenio Gerli for Tecno, it exudes timeless prestige. The desktop is created from a singl...
Aluminum
Mid-Century Sideboard in the Style of Osvaldo Borsani, 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in taranto, IT
Splendid original counter-mobile sideboard from the 1950s, probable production and design by Osvaldo Borsani, equipped with four front drawers, four-footed base of which the front "s...
Gold, Brass
$29,900
H 68.75 in W 107.5 in D 19 in
Mid-Century Modern Cocktail Bar Cabinet by Osvaldo Borsani, Italy
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Mid-Century modern Italian two-part cocktail bar cabinet with an elevated top made of hand crafted polished Rosewood and Walnut, designed most likely by Osvaldo Borsani in ...
Metal, Brass
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
$18,608
H 96.46 in W 55.12 in D 19.69 in
Osvaldo Borsani and Arnaldo Pomodoro, E22 Modular Wall System for Tecno, Italy, 1960s
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani, Arnaldo Pomodoro
Located in Naples, IT
A rare and iconic E22 modular bookshelf system, designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno in the 1950s. This extraordinary piece of furniture represents the perfect fusion of cutting-edg...
Bronze
$19,917
H 48.04 in W 61.82 in D 16.93 in
Mid Century Jatoba, Brass and Glass Dry Bar by Osvaldo Borsani.
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Weesp, NL
Experience the epitome of mid-century elegance with this stunning 1940s Italian dry bar, masterfully designed by the renowned Osvaldo Borsani. This exquisite piece combines the luxur...
Brass
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
$9,105
H 38.59 in W 114.97 in D 21.26 in
Italian Art Deco Sideboard with Mirror in the Style of Osvaldo Borsani, 1940s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Traversetolo, IT
This elegant Italian sideboard, produced in the 1940s, is a refined example of high-end Italian decorative furniture inspired by the work of Osvaldo Borsani. Its sculptural proportio...
Marble
$10,129
H 35.44 in W 98.43 in D 19.69 in
Italian Art Deco Sideboard with Bar Cabinet Attributed to Osvaldo Borsani, 1940s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Osvaldo Borsani designed this beautiful Italian sideboard in the 1940s. With its unique design and excellent manufacturing quality, the sideboard stands out from the crowd. The gl...
Brass
Boomerang Desk by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Milano, 1950s Italy
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Architectural black boomerang executive desk by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Milano. Finished with leather desktop inclusion. Floating pedestal on right side and longer return on the le...
Aluminum
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
$6,828Sale Price|20% Off
H 36.23 in W 109.06 in D 18.9 in
Art Deco Style Vintage Sideboard by Osvaldo Borsani, 1950s
By Atelier Borsani Varedo, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Ceglie Messapica, IT
Italian Midcentury Modern Big Sideboard in Art Deco Style, Osvaldo Borsani for Atelier Borsani Varedo, Italy 1950s Beautiful large sideboard crafted from solid poplar wood, beautifu...
Brass
Buffet cabinet by Osvaldo Borsani 50s-60s with mirror
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Milano, IT
Buffet cabinet with mirror, doors with flap opening. Made of exotic wood veneer with polyester finish, grissinated front, back-treated glass top and brass ferrules.
Mirror, Polyester, Wood
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
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 Osvaldo Borsani, Fratelli Turri
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
Sold
H 59.85 in W 20.08 in D 73.63 in
Large Italian Bar Furniture by Osvaldo Borsani in Wood and Parchment 1940, E379
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Spectacular bar furniture by Italian designer Osvaldo Borsani from the 1950s. The furniture rests on a very original base with a golden fish moulding, a black marble top and a mirror back which gives it a levitating look. It is made of solid wood and veneer, with a parchment front inlaid with six carved wooden plates...
Marble