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.
"SE3" Sideboard by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Italy, 1960s
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in bruxelles, BE
Wooden sideboard with black metal base and two sliding doors containing 6 shelves. Wear due to time and age. For shipping, request us for receive the best price.
Metal
Osvaldo Borsani Rosewood Sideboard Model SE3, Prod. Tecno, Italy, 1962
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Milan, IT
This rosewood sideboard model SE3 featuring two sliding doors was designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno in 1962. Functionality and essential shapes are the keywords around which th...
Metal
$4,831Sale Price|50% Off
H 58.27 in W 94.49 in D 19.69 in
After Osvaldo Borsani Midcentury Italian Sideboard Console Table, 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Spectacular sideboard console with mirror, in maple and walnut, attributed to Osvaldo Borsani, with a beautiful movement of the lines on the front, glass top, maple interior, walnut ...
Maple, Glass, Mirror, Walnut
$7,957
H 27.96 in W 98.04 in D 42.92 in
Large Desk T333 by Eugenio Gerli and Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Italy
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
This is a magnificent large vintage executive desk. Designed by Italians Osvaldo Borsani and Eugenio Gerli for Tecno, it exudes timeless prestige. The desktop is created from a singl...
Aluminum
Osvaldo Borsani Credenza
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Weesp, NL
Step into a realm of timeless elegance with this exquisite 1940s Italian credenza, designed by the legendary Osvaldo Borsani. Crafted from rich...
Brass
$22,735 / set
H 34 in W 120 in D 20 in
1930s attributed to Borsani Osvaldo design Sideboard & Cabinet, Set of 2
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Biella, IT
Title: Monumental Art Deco Streamline Twin Set (1930s) – Matching Sideboard & Bar Cabinet – Attributed to Osvaldo Borsani / Elite Brianza Craftsmanship Description: An exceptionally ...
Glass, Wood
$5,911Sale Price|20% Off
H 29.93 in W 94.49 in D 19.69 in
Sideboard Mid-century Italian design Tecno Borsani Modular multifunction
By Atelier Borsani Varedo
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Low cabinet made of fine wood , multifunctional with extractable tray, bar interior doors drawers.
Wood
Mid-Century Sideboard in the Style of Osvaldo Borsani, 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in taranto, IT
Splendid original counter-mobile sideboard from the 1950s, probable production and design by Osvaldo Borsani, equipped with four front drawers, four-footed base of which the front "s...
Gold, Brass
$18,585
H 96.46 in W 55.12 in D 19.69 in
Osvaldo Borsani and Arnaldo Pomodoro, E22 Modular Wall System for Tecno, Italy, 1960s
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani, Arnaldo Pomodoro
Located in Naples, IT
A rare and iconic E22 modular bookshelf system, designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno in the 1950s. This extraordinary piece of furniture represents the perfect fusion of cutting-edg...
Bronze
$14,209
H 59.06 in W 39.38 in D 22.05 in
1930s Art Deco Burl Walnut Borsani Sideboard Buffet Server Credenza Wax Polished
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Midcentury Gaetano or Osvaldo Borsani Art Deco burl walnut sideboard buffet with server chest, restored and wax polished Measures cm: H 150, W...
Burl
$10,117
H 35.44 in W 98.43 in D 19.69 in
Italian Art Deco Sideboard with Bar Cabinet Attributed to Osvaldo Borsani, 1940s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Osvaldo Borsani designed this beautiful Italian sideboard in the 1940s. With its unique design and excellent manufacturing quality, the sideboard stands out from the crowd. The gl...
Brass
Italian Modern Rosewood Sideboard after Osaldo Borsani
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This large-scale Mid-Century sideboard features rich Italian rosewood construction, wide grain cabinet front doors, and unique brass finish trim. Exquisi...
Brass
Mid-Century Italian Sideboard by Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Mid-Century Italian sideboard designed by Osvaldo Borsani in 1948 for Atelier Borsani Varedo. With inset original marble top and central fluted fall-front cupboard, flanked by twin ...
Mahogany
$7,900
H 71.26 in W 22.05 in D 98.43 in
Italian Mid-Century Sideboard with Mirror Attributed to Osvaldo Borsani, 1940s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Baambrugge, NL
Italian mid-century sideboard with mirror attributed to Osvaldo Borsani from the 1940s. This large 250 cm wide cabinet is made from walnut with lacquered parts and burl wood veneer has 6 door with plywood shelving...
Mirror, Stained Glass, Walnut, Burl
$9,094
H 38.59 in W 114.97 in D 21.26 in
Italian Art Deco Sideboard with Mirror in the Style of Osvaldo Borsani, 1940s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Traversetolo, IT
This elegant Italian sideboard, produced in the 1940s, is a refined example of high-end Italian decorative furniture inspired by the work of Osvaldo Borsani. Its sculptural proportio...
Marble
Boomerang Desk by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Milano, 1950s Italy
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Architectural black boomerang executive desk by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Milano. Finished with leather desktop inclusion. Floating pedestal on right side and longer return on the le...
Aluminum
$13,800
H 29.93 in W 118.12 in D 59.06 in
Osvaldo Borsani T96 Executive Corner Desk for Tecno, Italy, 1958
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Buccinasco, MI
Highly significant T96 executive desk, designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno in 1958, representing one of the most innovative expressions of postwar Italian office design. The T96 b...
Metal
SE3 Sideboard by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Italy, 1960s
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in bruxelles, BE
Wooden sideboard with black metal base and two sliding doors containing 10 drawers and a shelf. Wear due to time and age. For shipping, request us for receive the best price.
Metal
Minimalist Sideboard in Wood and Metal Parts Tecno 1970 Italia
By Tecno
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Minimalist sideboard in wood and metal parts tecno 1970 Italia, two sliding doors with two shelves inside as shown in the photo.
Metal
Sideboard SE3 by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Teak Veneer, 1960s
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Milano, IT
Sideboard with sliding doors and drawers, teak veneered wood, top with chromed metal sheets on top, legs in enamelled metal.
Teak
SE3 Sideboard by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Italy, 1962
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in bruxelles, BE
Wooden sideboard, black metal foot composed of two sliding doors. Stamped Tecno. Wear due to time and age of the sideboard.
Metal
SE3 Sideboard by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Italy, 1962
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in bruxelles, BE
Wooden sideboard, black metal foot composed of two sliding doors. Stamped Tecno. Wear due to time and age of the sideboard.
Metal
Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Sideboard, Italy, 1960s
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Naples, IT
This sideboard was produced in Italy in the 1960s by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Having a door, drawers, a bar and a pull-out tray, it is a truly complete piece of furniture.
Wood
Sold
H 30.12 in W 94.49 in D 18.9 in
Tecno Minimalist Modular Sideboard Osvalbo Borsani 1960s Mahogany Italian Design
By Tecno
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Tecno Minimalist modular sideboard Osvalbo Borsani 1960s mahogany Italian design. They have doors, drawers, tray, and bar cabinet, a combination of elements that make it very useful.
Brass
Italian Vintage Black Metal Cabinet by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, 1970s
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian vintage black metal cabinet by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, 1970s Black painted metal cabinet from 1970s, with sliding doors and 4 internal...
Metal
Osvaldo Borsani Sideboard for Tecno, Italy, 1960s
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Meda, MB
This sideboard was produced in Italy in the 1960s by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno. The sideboard composed of two modular modules of the E22 series of 1957. The furniture is also finis...
Wood
Sold
H 26.97 in W 55.12 in D 17.72 in
Rosewood and Mirror Sistema 1960s SE 3 Sideboard by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Small Rosewood sideboard with two sliding doors and three adjustable shelves designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Milan. Also available with...
Mirror, Rosewood
Sideboard/Tv Stand by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, 1960s-1970s
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made from walnut, with chromed metal parts. The previous owner used it as a Tv stand so it has holes for wires. It is labelled TECNO. In perfect condition.
Metal
Extra Large Sideboard by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Rotterdam, ZH
Rare long sideboard by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Italy 1970’s. Very minimalistic and slick design out of black lacquered wood, brushed metal top and a 2 cm thick glass plate. Contai...
Stainless Steel
Large "Sangermano" Sideboard by Marco Fantoni for Tecno, 1970
By Tecno, Marco Fantoni
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Large model "Sangermano" sideboard designed by Marco Fantoni for Tecno in the early 1970s. This is one of the three pieces ever made and it was customized for a private commission. B...
Aluminum