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.
$4,330Sale Price|20% Off
Rare T92 table by Eugenio Gerli for Tecno
By Eugenio Gerli, Tecno
Located in Munich, DE
rare table by tecno. by turning the table top the metal in the middle goes down and you can open the leaves. very clever mechanism and wonderful piece of mid-century-design....
Metal
Vintage round marble dining table model T69 by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, 1970s
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Gorgeous vintage dining table model T69 designed by Osvaldo Borsani made from a brushed metal and black coated base and a round white marble top. Good overall condition. Timeless d...
Marble, Metal
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
Eugenio Gerli for Tecno "T97" Extendable Dining Table, Italy 1960s
By Tecno, Eugenio Gerli
Located in Naples, IT
Tavolo estensibile Mod. 'T97' disegnato da Eugenio Gerli per la Ditta Tecno 1963. Il tavolo e' allungabile, il piano in legno teak, la stuttura in legno di faggio tinto, metallo ve...
Wood
T69 XL Table by Osvaldo Borsani and Eugenio Gerli for Tecno SPA
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Conversano, IT
Extremely rare T69 XL table with five legs, designed by Osvaldo Borsani in collaboration with Eugenio Gerli in the late 1950s for Tecno SPA. While the standard T69 tables (types A an...
Aluminum, Brass
$10,240Sale Price|20% Off
Big stainless steel dinning Tecno table
By Tecno
Located in grand Lancy, CH
Large dinning table in stainless steel with metal base signed Tecno , little scratches on the top see photo
Metal, Stainless Steel
Osvaldo Borsani Round Dining / Center / Game Table with Travertine Top, Signed
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Kansas City, MO
Osvaldo Borsani dining table or center table or game table with the original one inch thick travertine top with a slightly tapered edge. Black steel base with aluminum panels. The t...
Travertine, Aluminum, Steel
$6,118Sale Price|20% Off
Large Dining Table by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Milano, IT
Experience the epitome of Italian design and craftsmanship with this strikingly large dining table by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, dating back to the 1970s. Meticulously designed and e...
Iron
Round Dining Table Nomos by Sir Norman Foster & Partner
By Tecno, Sir Norman Foster
Located in Madrid, ES
Round table, model Nomos, design by Sir Norman Foster & Partner for Tecno, Italy. Designed in 1986. Black painted metal, plastic. Loose clear glass plate. Manufacturer's mark. Mi...
Steel
Osvaldo Borsani and Eugenio Gerli for Tecno Round Dining Table in Walnut & Steel
By Eugenio Gerli, Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Almelo, NL
Osvaldo Borsani and Eugenio Gerli for Tecno round dining table in Walnut and Steel Italy, 1965. This is a round dining table made from walnut and steel by Osvaldo Borsani and Euge...
Steel
Italian Modern Glass Aluminum Dining Table by Bruce Burdick for Tecno, 1980s
By Tecno, Bruce Burdick
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern glass and aluminum dining table by Bruce Burdick for Tecno, 1980s Dining table with rectangular glass top. The structure is composed by a central part in aluminum wi...
Metal, Aluminum
Osvaldo Borsani T69 Round Dining Table by Tecno, Italy, circa 1960
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Iconic T69 dining table by Osvaldo Borsani for TECNO, Italy – circa 1960. Designer: Osvaldo Borsani Country: Italy Model: T69 dining table Design period: circa 1960 Date of manu...
Metal, Brass
Mid-Century Modern Vintage Glass Metal Dining Table Osvaldo Borsani Tecno, Italy
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Vienna, AT
A Mid-Century Modern vintage dining table, which was designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Italy, 1963. The base with curved legs was made of black lacquered cast aluminum with bru...
Metal
Jean-Michel Wilmotte “Grand Louvre” Table for Tecno, 1993
By Tecno, Jean-Michel Wilmotte
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Jean-Michel Wilmotte “Grand Louvre” Table for Tecno, wood, brass and glass, Italy, 1993 A striking example of Italian modern design from the early 1990s, the “Grand Louvre” table wa...
Glass, Wood
Norman Foster Black Aluminium and Glass Nomos Round Table for Tecno, 1988
By Sir Norman Foster, Tecno
Located in Vicenza, IT
Nomos round table, designed in 1986 by Sir Norman Foster and produced in 1988 by Tecno. Its gleaming glass tabletop, supported by a black lacquered aluminum structure, offers an unp...
Aluminum
Osvaldo Borsani and Eugenio Gerli 'T69' Table for Tecno, Italy, circa 1963
By Eugenio Gerli, Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in New York, NY
Osvaldo Borsani and Eugenio Gerli for Tecno, 'T69' Circular Center or Dining Table, Italy, circa 1963. The circular center or dining table features a rich walnut top and a steel b...
Metal
Détabilisation Table by François and Fréder Morellet for Tecno
By Tecno, Francois and Frederic Morellet
Located in Milan, Italy
This table was created through collaboration with Francois Morellet, the eclectic French artist (painter, sculptor and light artist). Born in 1926, he was an exponent of minimalist a...
Crystal, Steel
$8,039Sale 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
1970s Norman Foster Glass Table Model Nomos for Tecno, Italy
By Sir Norman Foster
Located in Praha, CZ
- good /very good condition with minor signs of use.
Metal
$5,720Sale Price|20% Off
H 29.53 in W 78.75 in D 39.38 in
Pia Manu Dining Table in Marble & Steel, 1990s
By Pia Manu
Located in Antwerp, BE
Pia Manu Dining Table in Marble & Steel, 1990s Belgian post-modern marble sculptural dining table created by Pia Manu in the 1990s. A sculptural design featuring six cylindrical ste...
Marble, Steel
Art Deco Dinning Table
By De Coene Frères
Located in London, Park Royal
Art Deco table by De Coene Freres made in a striking flame mahogany of spicy brunette and cinnamon red wood tones accentuated by a highly polished lacquer finish, traditional to the ...
Bronze
$6,850
H 26.5 in Dm 47.25 in
Osvaldo Borsani Round Dining / Center / Game Table with Travertine Top, Signed
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Kansas City, MO
Osvaldo Borsani dining table or center table or game table with the original one inch thick travertine top with a slightly tapered edge. Black steel base with aluminum panels. The t...
Travertine, Aluminum, Steel
Acier Black Dinning Table in Handcrafted Steel
Located in Paris, FR
Raw steel dinning table, black-dark finish, French manufacture, colorless varnished. Chairs not included. Available on request in: L 200 x D 100 x H 75 cm, price: € 7900.00 L 250 x D...
Steel
$7,473
H 28.35 in W 78.75 in D 39.38 in
Italian Glass Top on Chrome Executive 'Nomos' Desk by Norman Foster for Tecno
By Tecno, Sir Norman Foster
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
$4,683
H 28.35 in W 82.68 in D 45.28 in
Folding / Extendable dining Table by Silvio Coppola for Bernini, Italy, 1960s
By Silvio Coppola, Bernini
Located in amstelveen, NL
Walnut wood Folding table designed by Silvio Coppola for Bernini, Italy, circa 1960s. This sophisticated piece exemplifies the refined craftsmanship and functional innovation of pos...
Walnut
Danish Modern Teak Extendable Dining Table, 1960s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Danish modern extendable teak dining table was designed and manufactured in Denmark 1960s. This exquisite dining table boasts a sturdy and elegant teak frame, which adds a touch of s...
Teak
Osvaldo Borsani desk mod T333 for Tecno
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in bari, IT
The T333 desk, designed by the famous designer Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, is a masterpiece of elegance and functionality. It is an iconic piece from the 1950s, characterised by clean...
Metal
1960s extendable Dining Table, CJ Rosengaarden
By CJ Rosengaarden
Located in Neuss, NW
Classic extendable dining table from the 1960s. Solid frame and table top with two extension leaves in teak. Quality Features: very good workmanship high-quality materials Made in D...
Teak
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
Vintage Italian Mid Century Modern Dining Table frame Tecno Borsani
By Eugenio Gerli, Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Milano, IT
Designed in the 1960s by Eugenio Gerli and Osvaldo Borsani, two heavyweights of Italian Mid-Century Modern design, the T69 is a table with a strong visual identity: its elegant curve...
Aluminum
Sold
H 28.75 in W 78.75 in D 39.38 in
Nomos Esstisch Norman Foster Glastisch Tecno Schreibtisch Design
By Tecno
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten einen wunderschönen Konferenz-/ Schreib- und/oder Esstisch mit einer großen Kristallglasplatte des italienischen Herstellers Tecno zum Verkauf an. Der Tisch mit dem Modell...
Crystal, Steel, Chrome
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
Osvaldo Borsani Dining Table for Tecno
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Brussel, BE
Osvaldo Borsani wood dining table on metallic black legs for Tecno.
Metal
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
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
T102 marble table by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Italy, 1964
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Lyon, FR
Gorgeous dining table mod. T102, designed in 1964 by Osvaldo Borsani and Eugenio Gerli for Tecno, in Italy. Large oval Carrara marble top, on two crossed C-shaped metal legs, with pl...
Carrara Marble, Metal
Eugenio Gerli Italian extending table for Tecno T92, LABEL
By Tecno, Eugenio Gerli
Located in Milano, IT
The extending table model T92, designed in 1960 by Eugenio Gerli and Mario Cristiani and produced by Tecno, is an emblematic example of the excellence of postwar Italian design. This...
Metal, Brass
Borsani dining table
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Brussel, BE
Beautiful Italian dining table by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno. Black metallic legs.
Metal
System table by Osvaldo Borsani pour Tecno, Italy, 1970s
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Lyon, FR
System table designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, from the 1970s, with its iconic piston system allowing it to transform into a coffee table or a dining table in 2 seconds. Blond o...
Metal
T69 Dining Table by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Italy, 1963
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani, Eugenio Gerli
Located in Barcelona, ES
T69 table designed in 1963 by Osvaldo Borsani and Eugenio Gerli for Tecno, Italy. Lacquered aluminium and polished steel base with teak wood top.
Aluminum, Steel
Osvaldo Borsani and Eugenio Gerli for Tecno T69 Dining Table, 1968
By Eugenio Gerli, Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Naples, IT
T69 round dining table, designed by Osvaldo Borsani and Eugenio Gerli in the 1960s and produced by TECNO. Characteristic feature of the table is the supporting structure built by the...
Aluminum, Steel