Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Italian Midcentury Blue Fabric Armchairs, 1960s
View Similar Items
Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Italian Midcentury Blue Fabric Armchairs, 1960s
About the Item
- Creator:Tecno (Manufacturer),Osvaldo Borsani (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 32.29 in (82 cm)Width: 29.14 in (74 cm)Depth: 29.14 in (74 cm)Seat Height: 17.33 in (44 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1960s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Reggio Emilia, IT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU3388322193022
Osvaldo Borsani
With his stylish and technically innovative furniture, Osvaldo 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.
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. Borsani first worked for his father’s furniture-making firm, Arredamenti Borsani, an atelier influenced by the more expressive and curvaceous wing of Art Deco design. By 1953, when, along with his twin brother, Fulgenzio — the pair also created this visionary mid-century villa — Borsani opened the furniture company Tecno, his design sensibilities had evolved toward furnishings with strong, simple forms enhanced by mechanical innovations, as with the P40 adjustable armchair (1953). Borsani would be the firm’s lead designer for 30 years, while fostering work by Vico Magistretti, Carlo di Carli, Robin Day and others.
Similar to Gio Ponti in the earliest years of his career, Borsani first created designs marked by lush and buoyant lines: tables with voluptuous curved legs, sofas with undulating backrests. But Borsani’s best-known and most novel pieces date from Tecno’s initial furniture lines: the adjustable D70 sofa, which folds open to make a daybed, and the P40 recliner. The latter — now included in the collections of the Museum of Modern Art and the Victoria & Albert Museum — is an articulated lounger with a back, seat and leg rest that can be moved into 486 different positions. Not only is it extremely comfortable, it is also enduringly chic.
Find a collection of vintage Osvaldo Borsani tables, dining chairs and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Tecno
Eugenio Gerli (b. 1923) is an Italian architect and industrial designer known for his long-lasting collaboration with the Italian architect-designer Osvaldo Borsani and the Italian manufacturer Tecno. In 1949, Gerli graduated with a degree in engineering and began his career a year later, opening his own architectural and industrial design practice. Architecturally, the firm focused on residential and public buildings, as well as the renovation of historic Italian buildings. Notable architectural projects include the Cardiology Clinic in Laveno-Mombello (1950), the Ambasciatori Theater in Milan (1954), the renovation and restoration of the Castiglioni Palace (1903). Gerli was joined by his two sons, Enrico and Guido, in the 1970s. In 1957, Gerli began a long and fruitful collaboration with the Borsani brothers, Fulgenzio and Osvaldo Borsani (1911–85), founders of the Italian furniture manufacturing company Tecno. In 1968, Gerli and Osvaldo Borsani exhibited their revolutionary Graphis Office System (1967) at the 14th Triennale di Milano. The system, which was made up of just three basic elements, was heralded as a revolution in office furniture design because the system’s modular components allowed unlimited and customizable combinations, which could grow (or contract) with the company. The system remained a bestseller for decades, and Tecno became synonymous for technologically-advanced design. The partnership between Gerli and Tecno lasted for more than 35 years. During the 1970s, Tecno launched its Centro Progetti Tecno (CPT), an in-house team dedicated to communications and industrial design work. The team, which included Gerli, Valeria Borsani, Kugo Toru, Borsani and his son Marco, became a driving force of technologically advanced ideas in design. Although Borsani remained in charge, the purpose of the department was to present future designs as group creations. The CPT was responsible for a number of the company’s successes, including the molded plastic Modus Office Chair (1972), which won the SMAU Prize in 1973; the steel mesh Waiting System (1983), a modular seating and table concept for large public spaces; and the rebranding of Alitalia worldwide (1982–84), for which Centro Progetti Tecno was awarded the Compasso d’Oro in 1984. Although Gerli's career as an architect-designer was prolific, his work is often overshadowed by his contemporaries and the legacy of his long-term partner, Osvaldo Borsani.
- Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Italian Blue Sofa 1970sBy Tecno, Osvaldo BorsaniLocated in Reggio Emilia, ITItalian sofa designed by Osvaldo Borsani (attributed) and produced by Tecno with original fabric and metal frame with manufacturer’s mark, production Italy ca 1970s. Please note tha...Category
Antique 1870s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsMetal
- Osvaldo Borsani Tecno Italian Midcentury Wood Leather "Canada" Armchairs 1965By Tecno, Osvaldo BorsaniLocated in Reggio Emilia, ITItalian midcentury modern design set of two armchairs model P110 Canada designed by Osvaldo Borsani and produced by Tecno, bearing frame of curved wood to which seat and backrest are...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Wood
- Ico Parisi Italian Midcentury Fabric Wood Armchair Model 814 for Cassina, 1960sBy Ico Parisi, CassinaLocated in Reggio Emilia, ITItalian Mid-Century Modern design set of two armchairs model 814 designed by Ico Parisi for Cassina in 1961, solid wood structure and new fabric covering, Italy 1960s Original Cassin...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- Vico Magistretti Carimate Midcentury Italian Black Armchair Cassina 1960sBy Vico Magistretti, CassinaLocated in Reggio Emilia, ITItalian armchair model '930 Carimate' designed by Vico Magistretti and produced by Cassina with painted wood frame and fabric cushions, Cassina adhesive l...Category
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- Italian Midcentury Modern Design Wood and Red Fabric Armchairs, 1950sLocated in Reggio Emilia, ITSet of two Italian Mid-Century Modern design armchairs with legs structure in solid wood and with new padding and upholstery, 1950s. Very excellent...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- Augusto Bozzi Midcentury Fabric and Metal Armchair for Saporiti Italia 1950sBy Augusto Bozzi, SaporitiLocated in Reggio Emilia, ITItalian Mid-Century Modern design very rare armchair designed by Augusto Bozzi for Saporiti Italia with painted metal rod frame and wooden shell upholstered in original wool fabric, ...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsMetal
- Midcentury Canada armchairs by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Italy 1965By Tecno, Osvaldo BorsaniLocated in Piacenza, ItalyIconic and rare set of 4 P110 Canada leather armchairs designed by Osvaldo Borsani. Very comfortable lounge chairs with stunning curved wooden frame and original leather cushions. Th...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsLeather, Wood
On Hold$24,103 / set - 1961 Armchair P24 by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno MidcenturyBy Tecno, Osvaldo BorsaniLocated in Saint Rémy de Provence, FRArmchair P24 by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno completely renovated. Rosewood armrest - redone strap - Kvadrat fabric - ref. Black Tonus.Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsMetal
- Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Armchair in Velvet UpholsteryBy Osvaldo Borsani, TecnoLocated in Waalwijk, NLOsvaldo Borsani for Tecno, armchair model P32, velvet, metal, brass, Italy, 1956 Osvaldo Borsani designed the "Poltrona P32" in 1956 for Tecno. The refined formed seating shell with...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFabric
- Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno "P110 Canada" Armchair, Italy 1965By Osvaldo Borsani, TecnoLocated in Naples, ITLounge chair Mod. P110 Canada" by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno. An iconic design by one of the most important Italian designers, the so-called 'Canada' lounge chair was designed by Osva...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- Armchair P40, Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno, 1950sBy Osvaldo Borsani, TecnoLocated in Milano, LombardiaArmchair P40, Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno, 1950s. An innovative armchair by Osvaldo Borsani, equipped with advanced technology to maximize the possibilities of the classic chaise longue. ...Category
Vintage 1950s Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsBrass, Steel
- Rare Variant Pair of Armchairs P32 Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Italy, 1950By Tecno, Osvaldo BorsaniLocated in Rovereta, SMRare variant pair armchairs P32 Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Italy, 1950, whit brass legs.Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsWood
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
Mid-Century Master Osvaldo Borsani Gets His Due at Donzella
The New York City gallery has devoted its latest show to the work of the modernist Italian designer.
Peek inside Osvaldo Borsani’s Mod Italian Villa
The iconic mid-century estate outside of Milan opens its doors to the public for a very special homage.