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.
Vintage Osvaldo Borsani Bar
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Red Lion, PA
Very nice two piece Osvaldo Borsani vintage bar. Bottom cabinet comes with the original key Beautifully made Top of Bar Measurements Height: 50.5" Width: 16.5"
Wood
Osvaldo Borsani Mid-Century Modern Italian Sideboard with Bar Cabinet, 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Sideboard with bar mobile Osvaldo Borsani for Furniture Varedo Borsani. The locker in the center has a limelight and four drawers, in the upper part 3 folding doors and inside the co...
Brass
Osvaldo Borsani Tecno L60 shelving system secretary or bar cabinet, Italy
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Skokie, IL
Osvaldo Borsani L60 shelving system with integrated secretary or bar cabinet Osvaldo Borsani L60 shelving system with integrated secretary or bar cabinet for Tecno, Italy, designed ...
Pearwood, Patent Leather, Walnut
One Off Capable Storage Piece Manufactured by Osvaldo Borsani, Italy, 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Milan, IT
Capable storage piece by Osvaldo Borsani. Lower and top units with rolling doors and central area with four drawers and brass frame. Literature available upon request.
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
H 49.5 in W 34.5 in D 16 in
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
H 25 in W 33 in D 13 in
Mid-Century Folding Bar Cabinet, Italy circa 1950s
Located in New York, NY
An Italian modernist folding bar cabinet. Bar folds open in the middle and is finished on all sides to be free standing. Mahogany, teak, patinated...
Mahogany
H 68.5 in W 56 in D 44.5 in
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
H 40.95 in W 39.77 in D 17.72 in
1950s Art Deco Mid-Century Italian Walnut Mirror Mosaic Sideboard Bar Cabinet
By Gio Ponti, Vittorio Dassi
Located in Carimate, Como
Impressive 1950s Italian cocktail liquor bar cabinet in beautiful wood with typically shaped two front doors. Once you open the two doors the interior is lined with mirror glass mosa...
Brass
H 36.23 in W 34.65 in D 13 in
1950s Art Deco Mid-Century Italian Walnut Mirror Mosaic Sideboard Bar Cabinet
By Gio Ponti, Vittorio Dassi
Located in Carimate, Como
Impressive 1950s Italian cocktail liquor bar cabinet in beautiful wood with inlay decorated two front doors and standing on greatly decorative shaped legs. Once you open the two door...
Brass
H 71.26 in W 22.05 in D 98.43 in
Italian Mid-Century Sideboard with Mirror Attributed to Osvaldo Borsani, 1940s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Baambrugge, NL
Italian mid-century sideboard with mirror attributed to Osvaldo Borsani from the 1940s. This large 250 cm wide cabinet is made from walnut with lacquered parts and burl wood veneer has 6 door with plywood shelving...
Mirror, Stained Glass, Walnut, Burl
H 45.67 in W 48.82 in D 15.75 in
Amazing Mid-Century Italian Bar Cabinet 1940' Attributed to Osvaldo Borsani
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Rome, IT
Elegant and unusual bar cabinet. Decorated front door with geometrical inlaid. Door panels inside with mosaic mirror and brass and glass shelfs. Support w...
Wood
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
H 97.5 in W 53 in D 23 in
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Buffet Cupboard or Bar Cabinet in French Walnut
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A beautiful late 19th or early 20th century Art Nouveau buffet with the quintessential organic motifs that exemplify the Art Nouveau movement, including carved cyma curves, and flor...
Walnut
H 63.39 in W 51.19 in D 14.18 in
Breathtaking Cabinet or Bar Attributed to Andre Arbus
By André Arbus
Located in Munich, DE
Wonderful clear lines and an amazing combination of wood, goatskin and glass.
Goatskin
H 76.78 in W 108.86 in D 19.1 in
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
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
H 15.75 in Dm 15.75 in
Osvaldo Borsani Tea Table Wood Glass, 1940, Italy
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Milano, IT
Osvaldo Borsani tea table wood glass, 1940, Italy.
Wood
H 56.7 in W 70.08 in D 17.33 in
Osvaldo Borsani 1950s bar cabinet in brown wood, brass and glass
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Milano, IT
Classico arredo di Osvaldo Borsani con aperture a ribalta nella parte inferiore, a battente e libro in quella superiore e parte centrale con grissinatura. Made of exotic wood veneer,...
Brass
H 57.09 in W 70.08 in D 17.33 in
Mobile bar di Osvaldo Borsani per Mobilificio Fratelli Tutti - Carugo, 1950
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Bastia Umbra, IT
Mobile bar di Osvaldo Borsani per Mobilificio Fratelli Tutti - Carugo, Anni '50 - Made in Italy. La struttura del mobile è in legno di palissandro. La ...
Wood
H 57.49 in W 70.48 in D 18.12 in
Bar cabinet by Osvaldo Borsani for Atelier Borsani Varedo, 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Exquisite bar cabinet designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Atelier Borsani Varedo. This very elegant mid century italian bar cabinet is made of high quality mahogany wood and has brass t...
Brass
H 56.7 in W 70.08 in D 17.33 in
Osvaldo Borsani 1950s bar cabinet in brown wood, brass and glass
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Milano, IT
Classico arredo di Osvaldo Borsani con aperture a ribalta nella parte inferiore, a battente e libro in quella superiore e parte centrale con grissinatura. Made of exotic wood veneer,...
Brass
H 50.01 in W 51.19 in D 27.56 in
Rotating Cabinet , unique piece with the Expertise of Fondazione Borsani Archive
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Milano, MI
Osvaldo Borsani Rotating Cabinet bar , unique piece with the Expertise of Fondazione Borsani Archive In walnut, mirror glass, brass and parchment
Brass
H 48.25 in W 53.5 in D 16.25 in
Carved Pear Wood + Mirrored Glass Bar Cabinet by Osvaldo Borsani, Italy, 1930s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Chicago, IL
A stunning 1930s Italian bar cabinet designed by Osvaldo Borsani. This piece was constructed from bleached pear wood and stands on four rectangular legs with intricate hand carved fish...
Brass
H 55 in W 45 in D 15.75 in
Osvaldo Borsani Bar Cabinet Art Work by Lucio Fontana and Adriano Spilimbergo
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in New York, NY
A bar cabinet Osvaldo Borsani crafted by Atelier Borsani Varedo. The parchment exterior features unique art work by Adriano Spilimbergo. The interior features a glass shelf with uniq...
Brass
H 57.09 in W 70.87 in D 17.72 in
Italian Mid-Century Sideboard with Bar Cabinet by Osvaldo Borsani, 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Stylish sideboard and/or bar cabinet designed by Osvaldo Borsani in the 1950s. Its structure is characterized by a unique shape design given by its amazing curved frontal profile of...
Brass
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
H 46.07 in W 41.34 in D 15.75 in
Osvaldo Borsani Dry Bar, 1940s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Brussels, BE
Osvaldo Borsani dry bar, 1940s.
Wood
H 42.52 in W 35.44 in D 14.18 in
Osvaldo Borsani Dry Bar, 1940s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Brussels, BE
Osvaldo Borsani dry bar, 1940s.
Wood