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Tecno Furniture

Italian

From his early start at his father’s boutique furniture and cabinetry atelier — Arredamenti Borsani (ABV) — Italian designer Osvaldo Borsani began to steadily dream to life the movement-inducing pieces that would eventually lead to him founding his innovative furniture company, Tecno, with his twin brother, Fulgenzio. 

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. He first worked for the family furniture-making firm, ABV, an atelier influenced by the more expressive and curvaceous wing of Art Deco design. Borsani took over Arredamenti Borsani in 1937.

With his stylish and technically innovative furniture, 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.

While he is today recognized as a master of mid-century modernist Italian furniture, Borsani is most famous these days for cofounding Tecno. (He and Fulgenzio also created Villa Borsani, a visionary mid-century estate cherished for its modern lines and exquisite custom furnishings.) 

When Borsani opened Tecno, an office-focused maker of industrial design, his design sensibilities had evolved toward furnishings with strong, simple forms enhanced by mechanical innovations, as with the P40 adjustable armchair.

When they were originally released, Tecno pieces like the P40 and the award-winning D70 sofa bed were acclaimed as cutting-edge, and they are still considered groundbreaking in their adaptability and functionality. The firm quickly garnered widespread acclaim for its tech-forward designs and quality craftsmanship.

Borsani would be Tecno’s lead designer for 30 years, while partnering on projects with the likes of architect Eugenio Gerli and fostering work by Vico Magistretti, Carlo De Carli, Robin Day and others.

Borsani designed pieces for Tecno until shortly before his death in 1985, when his daughter Valeria and her husband, Marco Fantoni, took over the creative work. 

Today, the family’s legacy is preserved by Borsani’s architect grandson Tommaso Fantoni, who, along with Norman Foster, curated a blockbuster retrospective of Osvaldo Borsani’s work at Milan’s Triennale Design Museum in 2018.

Find vintage Tecno chairs, tables, desks and other furniture on 1stDibs.

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Creator: Tecno
Osvaldo Borsani Set of Eight Unique High Back Dining Chairs for Tecno, 1971
Osvaldo Borsani Set of Eight Unique High Back Dining Chairs for Tecno, 1971

Osvaldo Borsani Set of Eight Unique High Back Dining Chairs for Tecno, 1971

By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani

Located in Chicago, IL

Osvaldo Borsani set of eight unique high back swivel dining chairs for Tecno 1971, Original cotton velvet upholstery, aluminum with bronzed finish. A copy of the blueprint included ...

Category

1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tecno Furniture

Materials

Metal

Rare modular bookcase system by Eugenio Gerli, Tecno Milano Italy 1966
Rare modular bookcase system by Eugenio Gerli, Tecno Milano Italy 1966

Rare modular bookcase system by Eugenio Gerli, Tecno Milano Italy 1966

By Eugenio Gerli, Tecno

Located in Renens, CH

A rare modular bookcase system designed by Italian architect and designer Eugenio Gerli for Tecno. Part bookcase, part storage system and part architectural feature, the Domino mode...

Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tecno Furniture

Materials

Wood

Nesting Tables by Marco Fantoni
Nesting Tables by Marco Fantoni

Nesting Tables by Marco Fantoni

By Tecno, Marco Fantoni

Located in Chicago, IL

Marco Fantoni for Tecno, these unique nesting tables were designed for Borsani Commission. Bronze painted metal with leather tops. Measures: Height of largest table 16"width 23"dept...

Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tecno Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Round glass and metal table T69 by Osvaldo Borsani Eugenio Gerli for Tecno 60s
Round glass and metal table T69 by Osvaldo Borsani Eugenio Gerli for Tecno 60s

Round glass and metal table T69 by Osvaldo Borsani Eugenio Gerli for Tecno 60s

By Eugenio Gerli, Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani

Located in Padova, IT

The series of tables T69 and T102, born in 1963 from the fruitful collaboration between Osvaldo Borsani and Eugenio Gerli, take up in their shapes some characteristic signs typical o...

Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tecno Furniture

Materials

Metal

Side Table by Osvaldo Borsani for ABV, 1950s, Italy
Side Table by Osvaldo Borsani for ABV, 1950s, Italy

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.

Category

1950s Italian Vintage Tecno Furniture

Materials

Metal

Exquisite D70 Sofa Daybed by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, 1954
Exquisite D70 Sofa Daybed by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, 1954

Exquisite D70 Sofa Daybed by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, 1954

By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani

Located in Voorburg, NL

Sofa/ Daybed ‘D70’, designed by Osvaldo Borsani and manufactured by Tecno, Italy 1954. This customizable D70 sofa has two pivoting wings, a very stable metal frame, and a beautiful f...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tecno Furniture

Materials

Brass, Steel

Minimal Leather Armchair Model "D101" by Tecno, Italy, 1980s
Minimal Leather Armchair Model "D101" by Tecno, Italy, 1980s

Minimal Leather Armchair Model "D101" by Tecno, Italy, 1980s

By Tecno

Located in Milan, IT

Rare leather armchair model D101 by Tecno. Originally custom-conceived by Centro Progetti Tecno for a private bank, the model was later put in serial production. Pure squared proport...

Category

1980s Vintage Tecno Furniture

Materials

Leather

T61 B coffee table by Osvaldo Borsani
T61 B coffee table by Osvaldo Borsani

T61 B coffee table by Osvaldo Borsani

By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno

Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR

Jolie table basse par Osvaldo Borsani pour tecno.

Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tecno Furniture

Materials

Metal

1991 Chip Chair by Carlo Mo for Tecno in Ebonized Oak and Enameled Steel
1991 Chip Chair by Carlo Mo for Tecno in Ebonized Oak and Enameled Steel

1991 Chip Chair by Carlo Mo for Tecno in Ebonized Oak and Enameled Steel

By Tecno, Carlo Mo

Located in Philadelphia, PA

This is a Chip Chair, designed by Carlo Mo for Tecno in 1965. This particular example hails from 1991, when Tecno relaunched the design in a very limited quantity. This avant-garde l...

Category

1990s Italian Modern Tecno Furniture

Materials

Steel

Rare Pair of Lounge Chairs Model P24 by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Italy, 1960s
Rare Pair of Lounge Chairs Model P24 by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Italy, 1960s

Rare Pair of Lounge Chairs Model P24 by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Italy, 1960s

By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani

Located in Milan, IT

Lounge chairs model P24 by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno. Surprising combination of sleek wood armrests on metal frame. Chairs can also be connected together creating a comfortable settee.

Category

1960s Italian Vintage Tecno Furniture

Materials

Metallic Thread

Square Table by Tecno, Italy, 1980s, simple form table.
Square Table by Tecno, Italy, 1980s, simple form table.

Square Table by Tecno, Italy, 1980s, simple form table.

By Tecno

Located in Tokyo, Tokyo

Clean architectural geometry, high-quality industrial materials, and precise joinery. The black lacquered metal frame supports a warm-toned wooden top, creating a balanced contrast b...

Category

1980s Italian Vintage Tecno Furniture

Materials

Wood

20th Century, Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Coffee Table mod. T61/b, '50s
20th Century, Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Coffee Table mod. T61/b, '50s

20th Century, Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Coffee Table mod. T61/b, '50s

By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno

Located in Turin, Turin

Osvaldo Borsani in 1953, together with his brother Fulgenzio, realized his most complex project: a company idea named after the "techne" of the Greeks, which means both art and techn...

Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tecno Furniture

Materials

Metal

Walnut and aluminum coffee table, by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Italy Circa 1970
Walnut and aluminum coffee table, by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Italy Circa 1970

Walnut and aluminum coffee table, by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Italy Circa 1970

By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno

Located in VÉZELAY, FR

Osvaldo Borsani, born August 17, 1911 in Varedo (Italy) and died April 16, 1985 in Milan (Italy), is an Italian architect, designer and entrepreneur, founder of the Tecno company. ...

Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tecno Furniture

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

Détabilisation Table by François and Fréder Morellet for Tecno
Détabilisation Table by François and Fréder Morellet for Tecno

Détabilisation Table by François and Fréder Morellet for Tecno

By Francois and Frederic Morellet, Tecno

Located in Milan, Italy

This table was created through collaboration with Francois Morellet, the eclectic French artist (painter, sculptor and light artist). Born in 1926, he was an exponent of minimalist a...

Category

1990s Italian Modern Tecno Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Steel

Osvaldo Borsani L150 Bed in metal, Faux leather upholstery, circa 1967
Osvaldo Borsani L150 Bed in metal, Faux leather upholstery, circa 1967

Osvaldo Borsani L150 Bed in metal, Faux leather upholstery, circa 1967

By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno

Located in Milan, IT

Designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno in 1967, this bed is a true example of postmodern design with its metal structure, polyurethane foam padding and black faux leather upholstery. The entire bed frame is held together by means of a faux leather belt. A must-have for Italian design lovers. We have two such beds on sale...

Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tecno Furniture

Materials

Metal

1980s Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Swivel Wheeled Office Chairs
1980s Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Swivel Wheeled Office Chairs

1980s Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Swivel Wheeled Office Chairs

By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno

Located in IT

Five office swivel wheeled chairs by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, made in Italy in 1980s. Stamped on the bottom and marked Tecno on the side, made of red, white and wine color plastic....

Category

1980s Italian Modern Vintage Tecno Furniture

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Modern Italian T69 Round Table by O. Borsani and E. Gerli for Tecno
Mid-Century Modern Italian T69 Round Table by O. Borsani and E. Gerli for Tecno

Mid-Century Modern Italian T69 Round Table by O. Borsani and E. Gerli for Tecno

By Eugenio Gerli, Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno

Located in Prato, IT

Mid-Century Modern Italian "T69" table with round carrara marble top and gold and black aluminum saber legs by Osvaldo Borsani and Eugenio Gerli for Tecno. 1970s The marble top pres...

Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tecno Furniture

Materials

Carrara Marble, Aluminum

Italian modern Black Office drawer unit by Borsani and Gerli for Tecno, 1970s
Italian modern Black Office drawer unit by Borsani and Gerli for Tecno, 1970s

Italian modern Black Office drawer unit by Borsani and Gerli for Tecno, 1970s

By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno, Eugenio Gerli

Located in MIlano, IT

Italian mid-century modern Black Office drawer unit by Osvaldo Borsani and Eugenio Gerli for Tecno, 1970s Office drawer unit with rectangular base in black painted metal. On the fron...

Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tecno Furniture

Materials

Metal

Italian modern Adjustable office chair Modus by Osvaldo Borsano for Tecno, 1980s
Italian modern Adjustable office chair Modus by Osvaldo Borsano for Tecno, 1980s

Italian modern Adjustable office chair Modus by Osvaldo Borsano for Tecno, 1980s

By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani

Located in MIlano, IT

Italian modern Adjustable office chair Modus by Osvaldo Borsano for Tecno, 1980s Office or desk chair mod. Modus with seat and backrest in ivory-white plastic monocoque. On the seat ...

Category

1980s Italian Modern Vintage Tecno Furniture

Materials

Metal

1 of 9 Vintage 'Modus' Office Armchair by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Italy 1970s
1 of 9 Vintage 'Modus' Office Armchair by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Italy 1970s

1 of 9 Vintage 'Modus' Office Armchair by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Italy 1970s

By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno

Located in Zagreb, HR

Iconic example of Italian modernism in the office world, these Modus chairs designed by Osvaldo Borsani come with a modular, detachable desk and armrest. In green plastic with black ...

Category

1970s Italian Modern Vintage Tecno Furniture

Materials

Metal

4 chairs Wood and leather S82 Eugenio Gerli for Tecno 1960's
4 chairs Wood and leather S82 Eugenio Gerli for Tecno 1960's

4 chairs Wood and leather S82 Eugenio Gerli for Tecno 1960's

By Tecno, Eugenio Gerli

Located in Milano, MI

set of 4 chairs with wooden frame and leather upholstery. Designed, in the early 1960s, by Eugenio Gerli for Tecno. Very elegant and sturdy chair with steel inserts and joints. The c...

Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tecno Furniture

Materials

Leather, Wood

Split Back Chair by Eugenio Gerli for Tecno
Split Back Chair by Eugenio Gerli for Tecno

Split Back Chair by Eugenio Gerli for Tecno

By Eugenio Gerli, Tecno

Located in Sagaponack, NY

A fully upholstered split barrel-back desk or cocktail chair, model 142, in original vinyl upholstery, on casters. Designed by Eugenio Gerli and Manufactured by Tecno in the 1970s. ...

Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tecno Furniture

Materials

Upholstery

Sofa Daybed D70 Designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno
Sofa Daybed D70 Designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno

Sofa Daybed D70 Designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno

By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani

Located in Brussels, BE

Sofa daybed D70 designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, original brown ribbed upholstery.

Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tecno Furniture

Materials

Brass, Steel

Eugenio Gerli, Trolley bar mod. B106, prod. Techno, 1966
Eugenio Gerli, Trolley bar mod. B106, prod. Techno, 1966

Eugenio Gerli, Trolley bar mod. B106, prod. Techno, 1966

By Tecno, Eugenio Gerli

Located in Rivoli, IT

Mobile-bar mod. B106 in lacquered wood produced by Tecno in 1966. Good condition, small signs of time on the outside

Category

1960s Italian Vintage Tecno Furniture

Materials

Steel

Osvaldo Borsani Rectangular C7 Cart in Steel for Tecno Varedo Italy 1960s
Osvaldo Borsani Rectangular C7 Cart in Steel for Tecno Varedo Italy 1960s

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...

Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tecno Furniture

Materials

Steel, Sheet Metal

Tecno furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Tecno furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Tecno furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Tecno were created in the mid-century modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Carlo De Carli, Le Corbusier, and Poltronova. Prices for Tecno furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $384 and can go as high as $58,800, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $6,657.