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 Osvaldo Borsani Vanity Table in Maple with Mirrors and Built-in Lights
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Osvaldo Borsani for Arredamenti Borsani Varedo, dressing table, model '6142', maple, brass, mirrored glass, lacquered wood, Italy, 1943 An exquisite and truly exceptional vanity tab...
Brass
Art Deco Vanity , Sculptural Entrance Cabinet, by Osvaldo Borsani , Burl Walnut
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Vigonza, Padua
1930s Art Deco Italian sculptural entry cabinet, Vanity or Dressing Table by Osvaldo Borsani in burl walnut, wax polished. The cabinet can be sold separately from the mirror Excellen...
Walnut
A Fine French Art Deco Mirrored and Mahogany Vanity
Located in Long Island City, NY
A fine French Art Deco engraved mirrored vanity with a mahogany base and one drawer.
Mirror, Mahogany
$5,920
H 57.88 in W 68.9 in D 16.54 in
Very Large Art Deco Vanity in Blond walnut , Parchemine and Mirror
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Very large Art Deco dressing table in blond walnut, parchemine and mirror. High quality. Veneer all sides. A few lacks of parchemine on the legs. BE CAREFUL, THE MIRROR HAS GOT MOIS...
Mirror, Parchment Paper, Walnut
Swedish Art Deco Dressing Table Vanity
Located in Atlanta, GA
Unique Art Deco dressing table with foldable mirrors. Ample storage on the sides and pull-out drawer in the center.
Mirror, Teak
French Art Deco Vanity att. Jacques Adnet
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stunning vintage art deco triptych illuminated vanity features a mirror on base by Miroir-Brot, France. Attributed to French art deco modernist ...
Steel, Nickel
French Art Deco Vanity or Dressing Table, 1930s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Magnificent and rare Art Deco vanity or dressing table. Design in the style of Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann. Striking French design from the 1930s. Black lacquered walnut and burl base wit...
Granite, Marble, Brass
Art Deco Wrought Iron Vanity
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sculptural hand hammered and forged Art Deco Desk/Vanity/Console in the style of Edgar Brandt circa 1930s. Mixed materials.
Aluminum, Copper, Wrought Iron
Heywood Wakefield Sculptura Maple Vanity with Mirror
By Heywood-Wakefield Co.
Located in Oakland, CA
Beautifully restored Midcentury Heywood Wakefield Sculptura vanity with mirror crafted of solid maple with three drawers and glass shelf, a...
Cut Glass, Mirror, Maple
$3,400
H 28.35 in W 33.08 in D 15.75 in
1940s Scandinavian Vanity Dressing Table with Its Triptych Mirror
Located in London, GB
This is a classic Swedish dressing table/vanity table from the 1930s/40s, showcasing the timeless elegance of Scandinavian design. The dressing table features a distinctive curved t...
Walnut
Art Deco Mahogany Vanity Dresser With Mirror
By Beautility
Located in Pasadena, TX
An Art Deco vanity made by Beautility featuring beautifully grained mahogany and a stylish flowing design. The dresser comprises of mirror, two large drawers,a jewelery drawer and t...
Mahogany
$2,983 / set
H 31.5 in W 31.5 in D 15.36 in
Mid-Century Vanity In With Brass Details And Side-Panel Mirrors
Located in Roma, RM
Chair + Mid-Century Vanity In Wood, Bamboo, And Vienna Straw With Brass Details And Side-Panel Mirrors Product Details Vanity Dimensions: 80 W x 80 / 150 H x 39 D cm Chair Dimensions...
Brass
$4,800
H 65.5 in W 54.25 in D 23 in
Vintage Art Deco Modernist Walnut Wood Vanity with Storage Shelving and Mirror
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A vintage art deco vanity set. This lovely modernist vanity set features a large vertical rectangular mirror and ample storage across its sculpted wood base cabinet. The cabinet feat...
Wood
Art Deco Luxury Vanity Console in Walnut, Ebony and Marble
Located in Antwerp, BE
High-end walnut and ebony vanity table This eclectic and exuberant piece shows a beautiful form with stunning details such as the hand carved claw feet and flower motives The sides have a red and white marble top very solid brass door hinges...
Marble
Rare Osvaldo Borsani Desk, Italy, 1940s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A rare desk by Osvaldo Borsani, Italy, 1940s/50s. Leather, wood, glass top. Fast shipping worldwide.
Leather, Glass, Wood