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.
Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno P40 Chaise Lounge, Cognac Leather, Mid-Century Italy
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Brooklyn, NY
P40 lounge chair designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno in 1955. The P40 uses a system of articulated components to move between an upright seat and a fully extended chaise. The backr...
Steel
Osvaldo Borsani Adjustable Leather L77 Daybed Chaise for Tecno, Italy 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Osvaldo Borsani Adjustable Leather L77 Daybed Chaise for Tecno, Italy, 1950s Italian Osvaldo Borsani L77 Daybed or chaise lounge for Tecno - Rare...
Steel
Osvaldo Borsani P 40 For Tecno 1960's
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Brussels, BE
The versatile and comfortable P40 lounge chair was designed by Osvaldo Borsani in 1955 for Tecno. The chair can be adjusted into over 400 positions; the back can be reclined in diffe...
Metal, Brass
1956, Osvaldo Borsani, P40 Adjustable Lounge Chair in Terra Red Fabric
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL
This chair is part of the private collection of Casey Godrie and is situated in his private house. Ask him for competitive shipping quotes. His incredible Dune Villa, Amsterdam Beach, find more details on his family name plus eu, is for sale soon too. :-) Beautiful P40 in a special terra brownish red color color. The upholstery is new. The chair is in good condition. The P 40 is a reclinable...
Metal
$18,945 / set
P40 by Osvaldo Borsani, first edition by Tecno
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Paire de fauteuils P40 par Osvaldo Borsani pour Tecno, première édition.
Metal
Osvaldo Borsani Canada chair Tecno Italy 1965
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Iconic so called 'Canada' lounge chair model P110 designed by Osvaldo Borsani and manufactured by Tecno, Italy 1965. The Canada chair is constructed by 2 moulded plywood side panels, connected with 2 bent wooden cross bars, which holds the frame in balance and a part. The thick leather upholstered cushion structure hangs in the frame and is connected with black plastic caps. The Canada seating series was developed from some rough initial sketches by Valeria Borsani and Marco Fantoni while they were still young...
Leather, Plastic, Plywood
$4,052
H 34.65 in W 28.75 in D 59.06 in
Original Osvaldo Borsani P40 Reclining Chair, Tecno, Italy, 1950s/60s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
An original Osvaldo Borsani P40 Reclining Chair, Tecno, Italy, 1950s. All hardware in working order. Reclines and adjusts into a h...
Brass, Steel
Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno D70 Reclining Sofa
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Norwalk, CT
An iconic example of Italian mid-century design, continually reproduced for its highly renowned marriage of style and functionality, this fully adjustable reclining sofa...
Leather
$14,352
H 33.47 in W 27.56 in D 47.25 in
Vintage P40 Adjustable Armchair by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, 1956
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage P40 Adjustable Armchair realized by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, 1956. First edition of this iconic armchair, in excellent condition. Today the P40, in its first edition produc...
Metal, Brass
$459
H 29.14 in W 22.45 in D 20.87 in
Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Green "Modus" Office Chair, Italy 1970s
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Naples, IT
Designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno in the 1970s, this swivel office chair consists of a green plastic shell covered in green fabric on the seat and back, together with an aluminiu...
Aluminum, Steel
Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno "Modus" Office Chair, Italy 1970s
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Naples, IT
Rare yellow Modus office chair with armrests and adjustable height, designed by Osvaldo Borsani and produced for Tecno 1970.
Aluminum, Steel
Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno 'D70' Sofa in Red Upholstery
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, sofa or daybed, model D70, steel, brass, fabric, Italy, 1954. Osvaldo Borsanis sofa 'D70' was presented at the Triennale of Milan in 1954 where it won the Gold Medal for design. Not only the design is extraordinary, because so is the technology. With a single twist the back and seating are positioned upwards or down, all to create the highest comfort for the sofa or daybed. This eccentric sofa...
Brass, Steel
P40 Lounge Chair by Osvaldo Borsani Chair for Tecno
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Dallas, TX
Early production P40 lounge chair designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Italy, 1950s. The lounge, with an extendable footrest, is designed to recline and can be set in several posit...
Brass, Steel
$10,545
H 33.08 in W 32.29 in D 33.47 in
“Canada" Leather Lounge Chair by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Italy 1960s
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Utrecht, NL
This “Canada” or model P110 chair was designed by Osvaldo Borsani in 1965 and manufactured by the Borsani brothers’ company, Tecno. The chair is enriched wi...
Leather, Wood
$7,807
H 33.08 in W 31.11 in D 35.44 in
P40 Osvaldo BORSANI, (sand colourd upholstery) Reclining Lounge Chair
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Berlin, Berlin
The 'P40' variable tilt armchair, produced by Tecno, Milan, 1956. Black tubular frame with new rubber armrests. Seat, back, and footrest upholstered in a sand-coloured wool material...
Metal, Brass
$6,889
H 37.41 in W 25.99 in D 38.98 in
Osvaldo Borsani P40/C Lounge Chair for Tecno, Second Edition, circa 1963–1965
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in BARCELONA, ES
An important P40/C adjustable lounge chair designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, dating from circa 1963–1965 and corresponding to the second edition of the model. The P40 is regard...
Metal
$1,618 / set
H 29.14 in W 20.48 in D 18.9 in
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....
Metal
Osvaldo Borsani P40 Chaise Lounge
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Sleek P40 Lounge Chair in black leather, designed by Italian architect and designer Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno. Comfortable seat reclines and fully extends into a chaise lounge, perfe...
Steel
Sold
H 26.5 in W 75 in D 27.5 in
Osvaldo Borsani Adjustable Leather L77 Daybed Chaise for Tecno, Italy, 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Culver City, CA
Step into the world of avant-garde design with this Osvaldo Borsani L77 adjustable daybed—a groundbreaking masterpiece from the 1950s. Upholstered in plush...
Steel
Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno ‘P40' Lounge Chair
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in North Miami, FL
Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, P40 lounge chair, Italy, 1955. Early edition P40 lounge chairs by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno. Adjustable backrest armrests...
Brass, Iron
Sold
H 35.44 in W 50.79 in D 27.56 in
Osvaldo Borsani Midcentury Leather and Brass "P40" Signed Italian Chaise Longue
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Madrid, ES
Signed chaise lounge model "P40" designed by Osvaldo Borsani and edited by Tecno. Structure reclining in its entirety with hidden footrest. Made of metal...
Brass
Sold
H 36.62 in W 28.35 in D 31.89 in
Pair of Early 1st Edition P40 Chairs, Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno Italy 1956 Restored
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
The December 1956 issue of the Italian design journal declared Osvaldo Borsani's new 'P40' variable tilt armchairs "un magnifico regalo per Natale", (a magnificent present for christ...
Brass, Steel
Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Lounge Chair P40
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Madrid, ES
Lounge chair P40, originally designed in 1954 by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Milan. Frame in tubular steel and sheet metal, rubber-coated steel springs, armrests in latex, foam paddin...
Brass, Steel
Osvaldo Borsani L77 Daybed for Tecno Italy, circa 1956
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Osvaldo Borsani L77 Daybed for Tecno Italy, circa 1956.
Steel
Sold
H 35.44 in W 27.56 in D 50.79 in
Osvaldo Borsani Mid-Century Modern Brass "P40" Signed Italian Chaise-Longue
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Madrid, ES
Signed chaise-lounge model "P40" designed by Osvaldo Borsani and edited by Tecno. Structure reclining in its entirety with hidden footrest. Made of metal...
Brass
Early Osvaldo Borsani P40 Lounge Chair for Tecno, 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in La Teste-de-Buch, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Early lounge chair model P40 by Italian designer Osvaldo Borsani. Designed in 1956 and edited by Tecno. The P40 armchair can be adjusted into countless different positions. The se...
Metal, Brass
Sold
H 33.47 in W 27.51 in D 48.04 in
Pair of Midcentury Italian P40 Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno First Edition, 1950
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Milano, IT
Pair of P40 Tecno armchairs by Osvaldi Borsani. The pair of armchairs are the first edition of the model P40. The seats have been restored and covered with t...
Brass, Steel, Iron
Sold
H 35.44 in W 50.79 in D 27.56 in
Osvaldo Borsani Midcentury Leather and Brass "P40" Signed Italian Chaise Longue
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Madrid, ES
Signed chaise lounge model "P40" designed by Osvaldo Borsani and edited by Tecno. Structure reclining in its entirety with hidden footrest. Made of metal...
Brass
1st Edition Borsani P40 Lounge Chair for Tecno, Italy
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
1st edition Borsani P40 lounge chair, reupholstered in black fabric. The 1st edition chairs have a round tubular base and no extendable headrest. Also the footrest is opened differ...
Metal