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.
Italian Glass Top on Chrome Executive 'Nomos' Desk by Norman Foster for Tecno
By Sir Norman Foster, Tecno
Located in Llanbrynmair, GB
A Large Executive Desk, designed by Sir Norman Foster and manufactured by Tecno, Italy. This vintage example dates to late 1980s and in superb original condition. A modern and sleek ...
Aluminum, Chrome
$7,983Sale Price|20% Off
H 28.75 in W 110.24 in D 39.38 in
Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Mod. Nomos by Norman Foster for Tecno, 1970s
By Sir Norman Foster, Tecno
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian Mid-Century Modern table mod. Nomos by Norman Foster for Tecno, 1970s Chromed table mod. Nomos with chromed steel structure with support...
Metal
$2,800
H 29.5 in W 84 in D 41 in
Elusive Modernist Action Office Desk or Table by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Buffalo, NY
Rarely seen modernist action office desk or conference table by George Nelson for Herman Miller. Purchased from prominent Buffalo NY architect. Beautiful figured walnut wood top mino...
Aluminum
$1,119Sale Price|20% Off
H 28.75 in W 60.63 in D 31.5 in
Nomos Table by Sir Norman Fosterf for Tecno, 1980s Italy
By Sir Norman Foster, Tecno
Located in Debrecen, HU
Discover the elegant and functional Nomos Table by Sir Norman Foster, produced by the Italian company Tecno, is a work of art in the world of workspace design. This modern masterpi...
Steel
Desk by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, 1960s
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in bruxelles, BE
Wood and metal desk. Composed of a box with 3 lockable drawers with key and storage space, and another box with 3 unlockable drawers. The boxes can be turned. Stamped Tecno. Wear du...
Metal
Desk by Osvaldo Borsani T95 for Tecno, Italy 1956
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Fantastic office desk model T95 designed by Osvaldo Borsani and manufactured by Tecno, Italy 1960s. The desk has metal legs and rosewood veneer top and compartments. This nice sized...
Metal
Desk by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, 1960s
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in bruxelles, BE
White wooden desk with black metal. Consists of a cabinet with 3 drawers and storage space, and another cabinet with 3 drawers. No keys. Wear and tear due to age and use. FOR SHIPPIN...
Metal
Osvaldo Borsani T96 Executive Desk for Tecno, Italy, 1956
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
The T96 is an executive desk that organises its architecture around two chromed pylons and a boomerang-shaped top, pushed out at each end into obtuse angles that open the desk toward...
Aluminum
Desk by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, 1960s
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in bruxelles, BE
Wood and metal desk. Stamped Tecno. Comprises a cabinet with three lockable drawers and storage space, and another cabinet with three lockable drawers. Wear due to time and age. FOR...
Metal
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
$18,700
H 29.93 in W 118.12 in D 59.06 in
Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno ‘T96’ Executive Corner Desk in Black Lacquered Wood
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, executive desk, model ‘T96’, lacquered wood, steel, chromed metal, Italy, design 1956, produced 1958 This ‘T96’ executive desk is designed by Osvaldo Bor...
Steel, Chrome, Metal
$5,141
H 28.35 in W 74.81 in D 35.44 in
Nomos Table by Sir Norman Foster for Tecno, Glass Top & Steel Frame
By Tecno, Sir Norman Foster
Located in London, England
The Nomos table, created by Sir Norman Foster for Tecno in Italy, is distinguished by its steel and aluminum structure, offering a design that is both elegant and modern. Its glass t...
Aluminum, Steel
Nomos Dining Table by Norman Foster for Tecno, 1990s
By Tecno, Sir Norman Foster
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
This dining table was designed by Sir Norman Foster for Tecno. Originally designed for use in his London office, this design became a succes and is a classic still for sale today. ...
Chrome
Sold
H 27.56 in W 94.49 in D 43.31 in
Norman Foster for Tecno ‘Nomos’ Dining or Conference Table in White
By Tecno, Sir Norman Foster
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Norman Foster for Tecno, ‘Nomos’ dining or conference table, wood, metal, Italy, design 1986. The ‘Nomos’ table designed by Norman Forster, ma...
Metal
Osvaldo Borsani Writing Table in Rosewood for Tecno
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Writing table, in Rosewood and metal, by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Italy, 1950s. Excellent designed rosewood conference table by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno. This table is in line with the well-known 'boomerang' desk. The table's top shows the beautiful grain of the Rosewood. The frame and feet are made of steel incorporating the Classic Borsani signature...
Steel
Tecno Design Centre Large Black Conference Table
By Tecno, Tecno Design Centre
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Tecno Design Centre for Tecno, lacquered black wood and aluminum base, conference table 335a, Italy, 1975-1978. Large oversized conference table with a black top. The table is compo...
Metal, Steel
Sold
H 28.75 in W 137.8 in D 64.97 in
Italian Modern Executive Table, Black Finish - Ianus Collection by Tecno, 1994
By Luca Scacchetti, Tecno
Located in Traversetolo, IT
The collection that reconciles what seems irreconcilable. The two paths of the project, classic and modern, merge in an evocative line that conveys a sophisticated effect of importan...
Leather, Wood
Nomos XL Meeting Table by Norman Foster for Tecno 1980
By Sir Norman Foster, Tecno
Located in Conversano, IT
The Nomos Meeting is an absolute icon of contemporary design, conceived in 1980 by the British architect Norman Foster for Tecno S.p.A. It is not a simple table, but a true structura...
Steel
Sold
H 29.93 in W 137.8 in D 54.34 in
Boat-shaped "T58" Conference- or Dining Table by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Hellouw, NL
Osvaldo Borsani’s approach blends modernist ideals with industrial precision. This “T 58” conference table, designed for Tecno in the 1950s, highlights his ability to balance form an...
Metal
Osvaldo Borsani Writing Desk, Produced by Tecno, Italy, 1954
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Munster, NRW
Stunning large desk or writing table designed by Osvaldo Borsani and manufactured by Tecno, Italy 1954. The table has aluminium tripod legs for stability and the top is made of walnu...
Metal
Osvaldo Borsani conference table Tecno Italy 1962
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Very nice and refined 'T58b' conference table designed by Osvaldo Borsani and produced in Italy by Tecno in 1962. This table consists of a solid stainless steel b...
Steel
Norman Foster Nomos Dining or Conference Table for Tecno
By Tecno, Sir Norman Foster
Located in Miami, FL
Sir Norman Foster designed Nomos dining or conference table with large rectangular glass top for Tecno Spa., circa 1986. The feet are height adjustable. Glass thickness: 1/2". Perfect as a dining or conference table, this piece channels a distinct personality made of transparencies and sharp lines. The large rectangular glass tabletop reveals the intricate and dynamic supporting system in chromed metal underneath consisting of four angled legs connected to a central strut from which extend six supporting elements for the top. This iconic design piece won many awards particularly with mentioning the Compasso dóro...
Chrome
Sold
H 29.93 in W 98.43 in D 47.25 in
Osvaldo Borsani Mahogany Conference, Dining or Writing Table, Italy, 1965
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Wolfurt, AT
This Italian table was designed by Osvaldo Borsani and manufactured by Tecno in the 1960s. Apart from the table legs, which are made of polished aluminium, the table is made of rosew...
Aluminum
Sold
H 28.625 in W 110.25 in D 39.375 in
Norman Foster for Tecno "Nomos" Clear Glass Table with Chrome Legs
By Sir Norman Foster, Tecno
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Norman foster for Tecno clear glass dining or conference table with chrome legs. Frame measures 83 x 26.5, glass is 1/2" thick. Some chips and ...
Metal
Sold
H 29 in W 86.5 in D 35.25 in
1960s Osvaldo Borsani Italian Mahogany Desk / Writing Table with Technical Sheet
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in New York, NY
Iconic mid-century modern design by the Italian architect Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, model T160 provided with old original assembly sheet: light mahogany organic table of high-qualit...
Chrome, Aluminum, Metal