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.
Rare 'Mobiletto T128' Revolving Cabinet by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Italy
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Dronten, NL
An exceptionally rare Mobiletto T128 revolving cabinet designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno. A masterful example of Borsani's innovative approach to furniture design, the T128 combi...
Steel
Osvaldo Borsani Rectangular C7 Cart in Steel for Tecno Varedo Italy 1960s
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Cascina, Pisa
Rectangular cart model C7 with a black painted steel rod frame, removable shelves in a light brown steel sheet designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Varedo, 1960s Literature: P. Bosoni, Osvaldo Borsani. Architect, designer, entrepreneur, Skira, Milan 2018, p. 596 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...
Steel, Sheet Metal
Side Table by Osvaldo Borsani for ABV, 1950s, Italy
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Milan, IT
Rare cart by Osvaldo Borsani for Atelier Borsani Varedo. Early 50s piece featuring an adjustable height from 60 to 90 cms. Original metal label.
Metal
$46,622
H 31.11 in W 94.1 in D 43.31 in
Table 30s 40s, Osvaldo Borsani for ABV 'Atelier Borsani Varedo'
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Milano, IT
Table with wooden structure and supporting sculptural elements, glass top and planter in the base.
Crystal
Osvaldo Borsani T96 Boomerang Desk For Tecno, Italy, 1956
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
T96 Boomerang executive desk, designed by Italian architect and designer Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno in 1956. The desk is defined by its generously proportioned boomerang-shaped top, ...
Walnut
$6,085
H 9.06 in W 82.68 in D 21.66 in
Osvaldo Borsani wall-mounted wood and brass desk model E22 by Tecno Italy, 1950s
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
A wall-mounted desk in wood, metal, and brass, part of the E22 series, produced by Tecno, designed by Osvaldo Borsani, 1950s A wall-mounted piece of furniture, free from floor suppo...
Metal, Brass
$3,735
H 17.72 in W 39.38 in D 25.6 in
Italian Coffee Table in Walnut Wood by Osvaldo Borsani, c.1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in London, GB
Coffee table in walnut wood by Osvaldo Borsani, c.1950s. Walnut wood, cut and coloured glass Dimensions: W100 x D65 x H45 cm.
Wood
$1,433
H 28.35 in W 31.5 in D 19.1 in
Italian Midcentury Serving Cart or Trolley in Cesare Lacca Style, 1960s
By Cesare Lacca
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Italian Midcentury Serving Cart or Trolley in Cesare Lacca Style, 1960s Beautiful bar cart or trolley, which can be used also as side table. Made in Italy in the mid-century in the ...
Brass
Desk by Osvaldo Borsani T95 for Tecno, Italy 1956
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Fantastic office desk model T95 designed by Osvaldo Borsani and manufactured by Tecno, Italy 1960s. The desk has metal legs and rosewood veneer top and compartments. This nice sized...
Metal
Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Tavolino "T1" , Italy 1960s
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Naples, IT
Rare and stunning small table model T1 by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno. The coffee table is distinguished by its silhouette, characterized by a spherical element placed in the center of...
Chrome
$6,060Sale Price|20% Off
H 25.99 in W 94.49 in D 47.25 in
Osvaldo Borsani Large Dining Table for Tecno, Italy, 1970s
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Milano, IT
Experience the epitome of Italian design and craftsmanship with this strikingly large dining table by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, dating back to the 1970s. Meticulously designed and e...
Iron
Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Desk, circa 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A classic and rare, circa 1950's Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno desk with teak top. Iron frame with signature foot glides. A minimalist design that is just as fresh and innovative today. ...
Steel
$6,643
H 20.87 in Dm 28.15 in
Tripod Side Table by Osvaldo Borsani for Arredamenti Borsani, Italy, 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Brussels, BE
Tripod Side Table by Osvaldo Borsani for Arredamenti Borsani, Italy,1950s
Brass
$1,096
H 16.93 in W 31.5 in D 31.5 in
Steel and Thick Crystal Coffee Table T113 by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno 1970s
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Steel and Thick Crystal Coffee Table T113 by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno 1970s Italian 1970s square coffee table Measures : 80cmx80cm H:43cm Materials : Steel and Thick Crystal Wear c...
Crystal, Steel
1950's Italian Wooden Table by Osvaldo Borsani
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Paris, FR
An Italian mid-century modern oval dining table attributed to Osvaldo Borsani, circa 1950s. Sculptural yet disciplined, it is defined by a strong pedestal base and clean Italian mode...
Wood, Cherry