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.
Italian Modern Sculptural Table By Osvaldo Borsani
By Paolo Buffa, Gio Ponti, Vittorio Dassi, Ico Parisi, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Houston, TX
Italian Modern Sculptural Table By Osvaldo Borsani. Offered is a lovely Italian mid century modern coffee table or side table in the manner of Gio Ponti. This versatile round table o...
Fruitwood
Mid-Century Modern Brass Side Table T1 by Osvaldo Borsani for ABV & Tecno, 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Brass Side Table T1 by Osvaldo Borsani for ABV & Tecno, 1950s
Brass
Rare Osvaldo Borsani Marble and Brass Side / Coffee Table , Italy, 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
Rare Osvaldo Borsani Marble and Brass Side / Coffee Table, Italy, 1950s. Manufactured by ABV Arredamento Borsani Varedo. Ships worldwide.
Marble, Brass
Osvaldo Borsani, Side Table, Wood, Metal, Italy, 1957
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in High Point, NC
A black-painted metal and moulded veneered plywood side table, model T44, designed by Osvaldo Borsani and produced by Tecno, Italy, c. 1957. Overall Dimensions (inches): 19.25"H x 2...
Metal
1930 Oval Side Table Coffee Table Art Deco by Osvaldo Borsani in Veneered Walnut
By Osvaldo Borsani, Atelier Borsani Varedo
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Oval side table or coffee table Art Deco by Osvaldo Borsani in veneered walnut with lynx eye veneer top. Measures cm: H 63, W 70, D 50 (internal shelves H37cm).
Walnut
Rare Osvaldo Borsani for ABV '5052' Carved Side Table in Wood and Glass
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Osvaldo Borsani for Arredamenti Borsani Varedo, side table, model '5052', maple, glass, brass, Italy, 1939 A beautiful and rare design from 1939 by the acclaimed Italian designer Os...
Brass
Osvaldo Borsani Side Table in Rosewood and Brass, A.B. Varedo, Italy, 1950s
By Arredamenti Borsani, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in The Hague, NL
This very rare side table was designed by Osvaldo Borsani and produced by Arredamenti Borsani Varedo, Italy, in the early 1950s. The design is defined by its circular tabletop with ...
Brass
Red Side Table Model "T1" by Osvaldo Borsani, Italy, 1949
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Barcelona, ES
Side Table Model "T1". Manufactured by Tecno. Italy, 1949 Steel, Glass. Measurements 26 x 45h cm 10,2 x 17,7h in Literature G. Bosoni, Osvaldo Borsani. Architetto, designer, impren...
Steel
Italian Mid Century Modern Osvaldo Borsani Side Tables
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Red Lion, PA
Vintage 1950s square mahogany side tables designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Arredamenti Borsani Varedo. Mahogany wood Good vintage condition consistent with age and use
Mahogany
20th Century Osvaldo Borsani Low Table in Metal and Marble for Tecno
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Turin, Turin
Low table designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno in '50s. The table has the structure in metal and the top in marble. Good condition, patina of time in metal structure and in marble ...
Marble, Metal
Steel and Laminate Side Table by Tecno, Italy, c. 1960
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in New York City, NY
One of the quintessential designs by the Italian architect Osvaldo Borsani, crafted in Milan, Italy during the 1960s.
Steel
Osvaldo Borsani Blond Walnut Center Table, Coffee Table, Italy 1940s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Roma, IT
Marvellous round coffee table in a fantastic old walnut. This fantastic piece was design by Osvaldo Borsani in the 1940s in Italy. The coffee table, fully made in a gorgeous walnut,...
Wood, Glass, Walnut
Art Deco Walnut Veneer Coffee Table, Czechoslovakia, 1930s
Located in Praha, CZ
Beautiful Art Deco coffee table produced in Czechoslovakia during the 1930s. The piece features an impressive round tabletop finished in richly patterned walnut burl veneer, highligh...
Wood, Walnut
$47,967
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
$14,989
H 30.71 in Dm 46.46 in
Osvaldo Borsani Sculptural Round Dining Table in Walnut, Varedo, Italy, 1945
By Osvaldo Borsani, Arredamenti Borsani
Located in The Hague, NL
This very rare dining table was designed by Osvaldo Borsani in 1945 and produced by his company Arredamenti Borsani in Varedo, Italy. The piece is accompanied by a certificate of aut...
Wood, Walnut
Original Art Deco Side Table in Walnut Veneer, circa 1930
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Original Art Deco side table in walnut veneer, circa 1930.
Walnut
$4,077
H 28.15 in W 39.38 in D 16.34 in
Italian Mid Century Table Desk attributed to Osvaldo Borsani, 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Italian Mid-Century Modern table desk attributed to Osvaldo Borsani, 1950s. This exceptional piece showcases the innovative design aesthetics that defined Italian furniture craftsman...
Brass
$1,007Sale Price|20% Off
H 16.54 in W 35.44 in D 17.72 in
Vintage Brass and Marble Coffee Table, Italy 1950s
Located in Catania, CT
Good vintage condition for this brass and marble coffee or side table produced in Italy during the 1950s. Normal trace of age and use but a crack on the upper part of the brass struc...
Marble, Brass
1950s Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Italy Table Walnut
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Biella, IT
Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Italy table walnut, iron, particular brass years '54. Adjustable in height, measure diameter 48 inches, and are for 4/6 persons...
Metal, Brass
$1,942
H 21.86 in W 43.31 in D 24.81 in
Mid Century Modern Vintage Walnut Brass Coffee Table Side Table 1950s Vienna
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid Century Modern vintage coffee table bean like. designed and made in Vienna, circa 1950. A charming coffee table or side table from pressboard and walnut veneers. The solid walnut...
Walnut
$2,693Sale Price|20% Off
H 24.41 in Dm 29.53 in
Osvaldo Borsani round walnut root deco coffee table, bi shelves, glass top, 1931
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Rome, IT
round coffee table designed by Osvaldo Borsani , 1931 produced by Atelier Borsani Varedo walnut root and glass four ovoid feet, glass top good original conditions som little sig...
Glass, Walnut
$5,250 / set
H 23.75 in Dm 19.75 in
Pair of Steel and Ebonized Wood Circular Tables, Style of Osvaldo Borsani
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in New York City, NY
A Minimalist pair of tulip design, splay leg end tables in steel and lacquered wood. The austere and streamline design make this pair appealing...
Steel
Swedish Art Moderne Walnut Intarsia Coffee or Side Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
Art Moderne Deco concave table with playful matchbook walnut for use as a side or coffee table, 1930s. Inlaid with rosewood. Recently refinished and Swed...
Walnut
Osvaldo Borsani Italian Side Table T1 in Brass and Yellow Glass, 1950s
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Osvaldo Borsani Italian Side Table T1 in Brass and Yellow Glass, 1950s Iconic side table made in full brass and painted glass top in yellow color. Designed in the 1940s by Osvaldo B...
Brass
Side Table by Osvaldo Borsani, around 1960
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Berlin, DE
This elegant side table from the T61 series was designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno 1960. It has a generous drawer made of wood, the legs are made of lacquered metal.
Metal
Osvaldo Borsani Italian Side Table T1 in Brass and Red Glass, 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Osvaldo Borsani Italian Side Table T1 in Brass and Red Glass, 1950s Beautiful iconic side table made in full brass and painted glass top in red color. Designed in the 1940s by Osval...
Brass
T1 Side Table by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Los Angeles, CA
T1 beveled red glass side table by Osvaldo Borsani. Made in Italy circa 1995. Originally designed in the 1940s by Osvaldo Borsani and produced in...
Brass, Chrome
Osvaldo Borsani Italian Brass and Glass Side T1 Tables For Tecno
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Chicago, IL
Osvaldo Borsani pale bronze pink and pale gray blue beveled glass and brass pair of side tables. Original patina. T1 side table produced by Tecno. Italy c1950-1960. Can be sold as...
Brass
Italian Side Table T1 by Osvaldo Borsani in Brass and Yellow Glass
By Osvaldo Borsani, Arredamenti Borsani
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Italian Side Table T1 by Osvaldo Borsani in Brass and Yellow Glass Beautiful iconic side table made in full brass and mirrored cut glass top. Designed in the 1940s by Osvaldo Borsan...
Brass
Osvaldo Borsani walnut and glass occasional table, Italy, 1952
By Osvaldo Borsani, Atelier Borsani Varedo
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
A round walnut coffee table with mirrored glass top and brass tripod base, Arredamenti Borsani Varedo manufacture, 1950s, design by Osvaldo Borsani. A circular surface in African wa...
Glass, Walnut
Osvaldo Borsani Side Table
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Gorgeous Osvaldo Borsani side table, Italy, 1940's Two tiered table with 4 blonde legs and mahogany band and shelf. Top has original blue mirrored glass Incredible piece.
Glass, Wood, Mahogany
Sold
H 17.52 in Dm 10.44 in
Mid-Century Modern Brass Side Table T1 by Osvaldo Borsani for ABV & Tecno, 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Brass Side Table T1 by Osvaldo Borsani for ABV & Tecno, 1950s
Brass
Osvaldo Borsani Italian Brass and Glass Side T1 Table For Tecno
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Chicago, IL
Osvaldo Borsani blue beveled glass and brass side table. Original patina. T1 side table produced by Tecno. Italy c1950-1960. Similar table appears in the Literature: Osvaldo Borsani,...
Brass
Side Table by Osvaldo Borsani 1944-1947
By Atelier Borsani Varedo, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Berlin, DE
This elegant side table with curved legs by Osvaldo Borsani was made by the Borsani Varedo studio between 1944 and 1947. The construction, a dyed solid wood, ends in a brass fixture ...
Brass
Osvaldo Borsani Italian Brass and Glass Side T1 Table For Tecno
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Chicago, IL
Osvaldo Borsani blue beveled glass and brass side table. Original patina. T1 side table produced by Tecno. Italy c1950-1960. Similar table appears in the Literature: Osvaldo Borsani,...
Brass