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.
Eugenio Gerli, Trolley bar mod. B106, prod. Techno, 1966
By Eugenio Gerli, Tecno
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
Steel
$1,772
H 73.5 in W 225 in D 40 in
Eugenio Gerli for Tecno — Black Lacquered Sideboard, Six Doors, Italy, 1960s
By Eugenio Gerli, Tecno
Located in bari, IT
Designed by Eugenio Gerli for Tecno, this six-door sideboard dates from the mature phase of the designer’s long collaboration with Osvaldo and Fulgenzio Borsani, the Milan-based firm...
Walnut
Bar cabinet by Eugenio Gerli
By Eugenio Gerli, Tecno
Located in Berlin, DE
This elegant bar cabinet on castors with its beautiful grain was designed by Eugenio Gerli for Tecno in 1966. It became known as the 'B106' model. When closed, the two sides of the o...
Formica, Walnut, Plywood
$5,317
H 30.32 in W 20.48 in D 20.48 in
Jamaica Portable Bar Design Eugenio Gerli for Tecno 1965 Style Bar Cart
By Eugenio Gerli
Located in taranto, IT
Wonderful and rare bar and card play openable cart , in all equal to the "jamaica" eugenio gerli one, perhaps more beautuful, if this is possible. Make in wood on wheels, it has bot...
Brass
Vintage brass bar food trolley
By Mice di rugiano domenico e c. s.n.c.
Located in Cantù, IT
Vintage brass food trolley
Brass
Trolley bar inlaid Italian vintage 2000
By Mice di rugiano domenico e c. s.n.c.
Located in Cantù, IT
Inlaid bar cart Italian vintage 2000 - Private Collection Domenico Rugiano
Brass
Precioso Brass Bar Trolley 1970s
By Mice di rugiano domenico e c. s.n.c.
Located in Cantù, IT
Precioso Carrelo bar in Brass 70s production and design Mice by Domenico di Rugiano
Brass
Fermob - LUXEMBOURG Side Bar / Trolley Bar - Nutmeg
By Fermob
Located in Varedo, MB
Fermob - LUXEMBOURG Side Bar / Trolley Bar Design: Frédéric Sofia This Luxembourg Side Bar / Trolley Bar is the perfect companion for serving guests with style and ease. Featuring a...
Aluminum
Fermob - LUXEMBOURG Side Bar / Trolley Bar - Deep blue
By Fermob
Located in Varedo, MB
Fermob - LUXEMBOURG Side Bar / Trolley Bar Design: Frédéric Sofia This Luxembourg Side Bar / Trolley Bar is the perfect companion for serving guests with style and ease. Featuring a removable tray and two wheels, it moves effortlessly from one space to another, making it ideal for outdoor entertaining. Combining visual appeal with a practical and clever design, it includes a removable tabletop, bottle storage compartment, and functional details that enhance everyday use. Made entirely from aluminum, this trolley bar is lightweight, easy to handle, and built to withstand even the toughest outdoor conditions. Designed to perfectly complement the Luxembourg table-and-chair sets, it is available in a wide range of colors to suit any setting. Structure: Aluminium tubular frame Removable aluminum sheet tabletop Aluminium wheels with flexible PVC tread Painted aluminum wheel bodies Silencing pads included Additional Details: Removable tray included Removable tray dimensions: 53 × 46.5 × 5.5 cm (20.9 × 18.3 × 2.2 in) Dimensions: W 49 × D 91 × H 67 cm W 19.3 × D 35.8 × H 26.4 in Key Features: Outdoor trolley...
Aluminum
Fermob - LUXEMBOURG Side Bar / Trolley Bar - Tonka
By Fermob
Located in Varedo, MB
Fermob - LUXEMBOURG Side Bar / Trolley Bar Design: Frédéric Sofia This Luxembourg Side Bar / Trolley Bar is the perfect companion for serving guests with style and ease. Featuring a...
Aluminum
Fermob - LUXEMBOURG Side Bar / Trolley Bar - Pesto
By Fermob
Located in Varedo, MB
Fermob - LUXEMBOURG Side Bar / Trolley Bar Design: Frédéric Sofia This Luxembourg Side Bar / Trolley Bar is the perfect companion for serving guests with style and ease. Featuring a removable tray and two wheels, it moves effortlessly from one space to another, making it ideal for outdoor entertaining. Combining visual appeal with a practical and clever design, it includes a removable tabletop, bottle storage compartment, and functional details that enhance everyday use. Made entirely from aluminum, this trolley bar is lightweight, easy to handle, and built to withstand even the toughest outdoor conditions. Designed to perfectly complement the Luxembourg table-and-chair sets, it is available in a wide range of colors to suit any setting. Structure: Aluminium tubular frame Removable aluminum sheet tabletop Aluminium wheels with flexible PVC tread Painted aluminum wheel bodies Silencing pads included Additional Details: Removable tray included Removable tray dimensions: 53 × 46.5 × 5.5 cm (20.9 × 18.3 × 2.2 in) Dimensions: W 49 × D 91 × H 67 cm W 19.3 × D 35.8 × H 26.4 in Key Features: Outdoor trolley...
Aluminum
$1,037 / item
H 26.38 in W 35.83 in D 19.3 in
Fermob - LUXEMBOURG Side Bar / Trolley Bar - Latte beige
By Fermob
Located in Varedo, MB
Fermob - LUXEMBOURG Side Bar / Trolley Bar Design: Frédéric Sofia This Luxembourg Side Bar / Trolley Bar is the perfect companion for serving guests with style and ease. Featuring a...
Aluminum
$1,037 / item
H 26.38 in W 35.83 in D 19.3 in
Fermob - LUXEMBOURG Side Bar / Trolley Bar - Cotton White
By Fermob
Located in Varedo, MB
Fermob - LUXEMBOURG Side Bar / Trolley Bar Design: Frédéric Sofia This Luxembourg Side Bar / Trolley Bar is the perfect companion for serving guests with style and ease. Featuring a removable tray and two wheels, it moves effortlessly from one space to another, making it ideal for outdoor entertaining. Combining visual appeal with a practical and clever design, it includes a removable tabletop, bottle storage compartment, and functional details that enhance everyday use. Made entirely from aluminum, this trolley bar is lightweight, easy to handle, and built to withstand even the toughest outdoor conditions. Designed to perfectly complement the Luxembourg table-and-chair sets, it is available in a wide range of colors to suit any setting. Structure: Aluminium tubular frame Removable aluminum sheet tabletop Aluminium wheels with flexible PVC tread Painted aluminum wheel bodies Silencing pads included Additional Details: Removable tray included Removable tray dimensions: 53 × 46.5 × 5.5 cm (20.9 × 18.3 × 2.2 in) Dimensions: W 49 × D 91 × H 67 cm W 19.3 × D 35.8 × H 26.4 in Key Features: Outdoor trolley...
Aluminum
Mobile Bar "Jamaica" designed by Eugenio Gerli for Tecno
By Tecno, Eugenio Gerli
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Openable bar cabinet on wheels designed in 1966 by Eugenio Gerli and manufactured by Tecno. The cabinet is in excellent condition and possibly needs only polishing of the outer shell...
Laminate, Wood
Vintage Italian Drinks Cabinet by Eugenio Gerli for Tecno
By Eugenio Gerli, Tecno
Located in London, GB
A very stylish and extremely rare vintage Italian drinks cabinet by Eugenio Gerli for Tecno. It was made in Italy, and dates from the 1960-70’s. ...
Steel
Sold
H 28.5 in W 35 in D 21.25 in
Jamaica Portable Dry Bar on Casters by Eugenio Gerli for Tecno, 1960s
By Eugenio Gerli, Tecno
Located in Kansas City, MO
"Jamaica" dry bar / bar cart by Eugenio Gerli for Tecno. From what we can tell this may have never been used. The inside looks practically new. No signs of use or wear inside. We had...
Aluminum, Steel
"Jamaica" Dry Bar by Eugenio Gerli for Tecno
By Eugenio Gerli, Tecno
Located in Milan, IT
Jamaica dry bar by Eugenio Gerli for Tecno. Sleek unit on wheels with plywood shells hiding a capable storage area. 4 shelves with steel edges.
Metal
Splendid Eugenio Gerli Mod.B106 Bar Cabinet for Tecno
By Tecno, Eugenio Gerli
Located in Milan, IT
Eugenio Gerli Mod.B106 bar cabinet for Tecno.
Wood, Plywood