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 anodized aluminum, wood, and Resinflex E60 bookshelf Italy 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
The E60 bookshelf, crafted from anodized aluminum, wood, and Resinflex, is a distinguished model designed by the renowned Osvaldo Borsani and produced by Tecno in the 1950s. Minimal...
Aluminum
Osvaldo Borsani E22 Double Sided Freestanding Wall Unit for Tecno, Italy, 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
This double-sided freestanding E22 bookcase is a rare and peculiar example of Borsani's innovative design and the Tecno manufacturing expertise. Its construction of metal, wood, and ...
Metal
Wall unit E22 by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in bruxelles, BE
Modular wall unit made of wood and metal with 8 shelves and 1 cabinet with 2 sliding doors containing one shelf. The shelves and cabinet are height adjustable. Wear due to time and a...
Metal
$23,729Sale Price|40% Off
Libreria E22 Osvaldo Borsani per Tecno 1960's
By Tecno, Gaetano Borsani
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Splendida Libreria E22 disegnata da Osvaldo Borsani per Tecno spa negli anni 60. molteplici mobili contenitori bassi e modulo bar con ribalta. E' Possibile rimuovere i pannelli poste...
Aluminum, Steel
Italian modern black wood bookcase E22 by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, 1970s
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern black wood bookcase E22 by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, 1970s Wall bookcase mod. E22 in wood and metal. It features three metal uprights, seven black lacquered wooden s...
Metal
Iron and wood wall bookcase by Osvaldo Borsani E22 production Tecno, Italy 1960s
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Milano, IT
Iron and wood wall bookcase by Osvaldo Borsani E22 production Tecno 1960s Modular wall-mounted bookcase made of wood and metal, consisting of eight shelves and a storage compartment...
Metal
Modular Bookcase Model “E 105 Prisma” by Edoardo Vittoria for Tecno, Italy, 1964
By Tecno
Located in Tel Aviv-Yafo, Tel Aviv District
An iconic modular bookcase model E 105 Prisma, designed by Edoardo Vittoria and produced by Tecno in 1964. This striking system features a lacquered wood structure combined with pain...
Iron
A Mid-Century Bookshelf, Oak, France, c. 1950s
Located in Hønefoss, 30
A unique mid-century bookshelf with compass feet in oak, designed by unknown designer in France, c. 1950s.
Oak
$4,929Sale Price|20% Off
H 98.43 in W 31.5 in D 11.82 in
Freestanding Wall unit, Bookshelves, Roomdivider, Midcentury Modern, 1950s
By Jos De Mey, Van den Berghe-Pauvers 1
Located in Antwerp, BE
Modular wall unit or room divider designed by Jos De Mey for Van den Berghe-Pauvers, Ghent Belgium. 1958. Four black metal mounted on oblique, four tapering legs, brass stretchers ad...
Metal
$13,602
H 111.42 in W 110.44 in D 12.21 in
Mid-Century Modern 22 Bookshelf by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Italy, 1960s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Brussels, BE
Desk = D: 60 cm ; W: 139,5 cm ; H: 80 cm
Wood
$5,583
H 104.34 in W 37.01 in D 17.72 in
Italian Mid Century Wall unit Bookcase with Cabinet Bar, 1960s
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Stylish wall unit bookcase in a pleasant walnut wood with warm tones, great executive quality and attention to detail, the refined line of the lateral black metal supports made up of...
Brass, Iron
$5,106
H 74.81 in W 72.45 in D 11.82 in
Libreria Modulare in Legno Laccato - Carlo De Carli per Fiarm - Italia - Anni 70
By Carlo di Carli
Located in Milano, IT
La libreria in foto, attribuita a Carlo De Carli, prodotta da Fiarm negli anni '70 del XX secolo, è composta da due corpi distinti ma offre la possibilità di unirli in un unico eleme...
Bentwood
$4,800 / set
H 98.43 in W 45.28 in D 8.67 in
Set of Four "Rialto" Wood Bookcases by Carlo Scarpa for Simon Gavina, 1970s
By Carlo Scarpa, Gavina
Located in Milan, IT
Set of four "Rialto" bookcases by Carlo Scarpa for Gavina. "In the early 1970s, Carlo Scarpa designed this model for his home. After three years of "enjoyable" discussions, Gavina ...
Wood
$11,399
H 119.69 in W 131.89 in D 15.75 in
Wall bookcase by Gunnar Nielsen for Tibergaard, Denmark, 1960s
By Gunnar Nielsen Tibergaard
Located in Vigevano, PV
Teak floor-to-ceiling bookcase by Gunnar Nielsen for Tibergaard, Denmark, 1960s. Four-bay bookcase composed of five wooden uprights, five modules, and nine shelves. The bookcase is...
Brass
Osvaldo Borsani, Bookcase model “E 22”, 1951
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Barcelona, ES
Osvaldo Borsani (1911-1985) Bookcase model “E 22” Manufactured by Tecno Varedo (Italy), 1951 Rosewood, aluminium Measurements 423 cm x 49 cm x 292 H in 166.55 in x 19.29 i...
Rosewood
$17,448
H 116.93 in W 51.19 in D 29.93 in
Vittorio Dassi Monumental Desk Wall Unit for Mobili Cantù, Italy, 1950
By Vittorio Dassi, La Permanente Mobili Cantù
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Monumental and very rare desk wall unit by Vittorio Dassi for Mobili Cantù – Italy, circa 1950. Italian walnut, birch and brass details. Corner assembly between two walls at a 90-deg...
Brass
20th Century, Italian Production Wall Wooden Bookcase 60s
By Italian school XX ct.
Located in Turin, Turin
Wall Bookcase composed of just one bay with height-adjustable shelves. Designed and produced in Italy in the 60 s. The bookcase it is made of lacquered metal structure with brass bas...
Metal, Brass
Julian Chichester Designed Wall Unit
By Paul McCobb, Julian Chichester
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Two piece wall unit designed by Julian Chichester in natural vellum and metal framing. Designed after Paul McCobb's iconic wall unit. Mid-Century Modern two piece wall unit with shelving storage and drawers. Standing room divider with storage...
Metal
$16,285
H 118.12 in W 97.25 in D 18.12 in
George Nelson per Herman Miller Libreria "CSS", italia 1960s
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Naples, IT
Libreria modulare del modello CSS disegnata da George Nelson per Herman Miller. Il sistema è un'iconica unità di scaffalatura modulare che incarna la filosofia del design moderno di ...
Steel
Sold
H 111.42 in W 56.3 in D 13.78 in
Iron and wood wall bookcase by Osvaldo Borsani E22 production Tecno, Italy 1960s
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Milano, IT
Iron and wood wall bookcase by Osvaldo Borsani E22 production Tecno 1960s Modular wall-mounted bookcase, wood and metal, composed of six shelves and a storage compartment. Designed b...
Metal
Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Wall Unit in Rosewood
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, bookcase or wall unit E22, in metal and rosewood, Italy, 1950s. This wall-mounted shelving unit is six sections large. This system was developed by Bors...
Metal
Osvaldo Borsani Large Wall Unit in Rosewood
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, bookcase or wall unit E22, metal, rosewood and glass, Italy, 1950s. This wall-mounted shelving unit is ten sections large, with a width of 7 metres. This system was developed by Borsani as coordinated system for furnishing either the home or the office, the E22 is composed of elements. The order and lay out of this unit is adjustable, which is in line with Osvaldo Borsani's philosophy that the home needs to be orderly, comfortable and easily rearrangeable. These wall-mounted shelves are another great example of his ideas. The shelves and cabinets are mounted on steel profiles. The wall unit contains three large cabinets with glass doors...
Metal
Osvaldo Borsani Wall Unit in Teak for Tecno
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Bookcase, in metal and teak, by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Italy, 1950s. According to Osvaldo Borsani the home needs to be orderly, comfortable and easily rearrangeable. These wal...
Metal, Steel
Sold
H 85.04 in W 70.87 in D 15.16 in
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...
Wood
Sold
H 113.39 in W 194.3 in D 16.93 in
Osvaldo Borsani and Agenore Fabbri E22 shelving system for Tecno, Italy, 1950s
By Agenore Fabbri, Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
This E22 modular bookcase/wall system, conceived by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, presents a remarkably poetic and functional architecture of display and storage. The composition begins...
Metal, Brass
Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Libreria Modulare E22, Italy 1960s
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Naples, IT
Bookcase model E22 produced by Tecno in the 1960s designed by Osvaldo Borsani. Black painted aluminum uprights. Two storage modules and 5 shelves made of wood veneer, a module with ...
Metal
Wall unit E22 by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, 1950s
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in bruxelles, BE
Large fully modular Wall unit in black lacquered wood and metal with 20 shelves, 1 box with 4 drawers, 2 large boxes with 2 sliding doors, 2 boxes with glass door with key. Stamped T...
Metal
Sold
H 98.43 in W 111.42 in D 18.9 in
Osvaldo Borsani & Arnaldo Pomodoro mod. E22 bookcase for Tecno, Italy 1957
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani, Arnaldo Pomodoro
Located in Rotterdam, ZH
Exclusive shelving unit mod. E22 by Osvaldo Borsani (1911 -1985) and Arnaldo Pomodoro (1926) for Tecno, Italy 1957. Luxurious version in Walnut with a bronze relief on the center cab...
Bronze
Wall unit E22 by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in bruxelles, BE
Modular wall unit in wood and metal with 12 shelves, 1 box with 4 drawers, 1 large box with double door and key to close and 1 box with 2 sliding doors containing a shelf. Model E22 ...
Metal
Osvaldo Borsani Rare Wall Bookcase with Pomodoro Artwork
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno, Arnaldo Pomodoro
Located in Milano, IT
Discover a masterpiece of mid-century Italian design with this exquisite wall bookcase by Osvaldo Borsani, created in the 1960s to 70s and proudly bearing the Tecno label. Renowned f...
Bronze, Enamel
Sold
H 108.27 in W 82.68 in D 17.72 in
Wood and metal bookcase model E 22 by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Italy, 1960s
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Milano, IT
Bookcase model E 22 by Osvaldo Borsani production Tecno, 1960s Bookcase model E 22 system of modular elements on metal rails by the great Italian designer Osvaldo Borsani, 1960s pro...
Metal