Italian Mid-Century Collectible Armchair, Dining Chair, Luisa by Franco Albini
About the Item
- Creator:Poggi (Manufacturer),Franco Albini (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 30.32 in (77 cm)Width: 22.05 in (56 cm)Depth: 21.66 in (55 cm)Seat Height: 17.72 in (45 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor fading.
- Seller Location:Milano, IT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU7782237956022
Franco Albini
While working under the polymath Gio Ponti — arguably the most important figure in 20th-century Italian modernism — furniture designer Franco Albini nurtured a love for modern forms combined with traditional craft techniques.
Albini is widely known for working with organic materials such as rattan and cane for his chairs and other seating, but he also played a pivotal role in the Italian rationalist movement of the early 20th century, which saw architects and furniture makers applying a strict emphasis on geometry in their work. Rationalists drew on Ancient Roman architecture but rejected ornament, much in the way that Le Corbusier and celebrated Bauhaus figures such as Ludwig Mies van der Rohe had in their modernist furniture.
Albini received his degree in architecture from the Polytechnic University of Milan in 1929, and, in 1931, he founded his practice in Milan, where he tackled workers’ housing and other reconstruction projects. A gifted urban planner, he also developed the Palazzo Bianco, Palazzo Rosso and Tesoro di San Lorenzo museums in Genoa. While Albini is revered for his Margherita chair — a Triennale Milano award winner created for Bonacina in 1951 — he also collaborated with manufacturers Poggi and Cassina in the 1940s on seating, tables and more that embodied his artistic vision. Of that mid-century work, the one piece that perhaps best captures this vision is the iconic Luisa chair.
With its cherry red upholstery and sinuous wooden legs that seem to float aboveground, the Luisa is a genuine masterpiece. It is also a testament to Albini’s perfectionism, as it endured several prototypes — including one made by Knoll in the late 1940s — and took approximately 15 years to design. Poggi launched the final version of the armchair in 1955, earning Albini the prestigious Compasso d’Oro from Italy’s Association for Industrial Design. It is produced today by Cassina. Albini named the chair for someone who likely saw the process firsthand: his personal secretary of two decades, Luisa Colombini.
Find vintage Franco Albini furniture on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Milano, Italy
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- Rare Vintage Monk Dining Chairs by Afra and Tobia Scarpa, Italian CollectibleBy Molteni & C, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Milano, ITOffered for sale is a rare set of four "Monk" dining chairs, designer by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Italian furniture brand Molteni and launched in 1973. With a wood frame and a raw can...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Canvas, Wood
- 14 Mid Century Italian Dining Chairs, By Gio Ponti - Wood And Blue Leather -By Gio Ponti, CassinaLocated in Milano, ITGiò Ponti probably needs no introduction: he’s been arguably the most influential personality in Italian design and architecture for almost three decades, from the Fifties throughout...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Wood, Walnut
- Leggera Mid Century Dining Chair by Gio Ponti for CassinaBy Gio Ponti, CassinaLocated in Milano, ITPrice for chair, 8 chairs available. Giò Ponti needs no introduction: He's been arguably the most influential personality in Italian design and architecture for almost three decades...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Wood
- Set of six Italian Mid Century Collectible Medea Wood Dining Chairs by TagliabueBy Vittorio NobiliLocated in Milano, ITSet of six very rare and highly collectible "Medea" wood dining chairs, designed by Vittorio Nobili for Italian manufacturer Tagliabue. The present version is the most elegant and ic...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Set of Four Dining Chairs / Occasional Chairs by G.S in White Bouclé By DedarBy Giotto StoppinoLocated in Milano, ITSet of four rare dining chairs, made in Italy in the 1960s and designed by Giotto Stoppino just been redone in a beautiful white bouclé fabric by Dedar Milano. Crafted in chromed me...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Space Age Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsMetal, Steel, Chrome
- Leggera Dining Chairs by Gio Ponti for Cassina - Set of FourBy Cassina, Gio PontiLocated in Milano, ITGiò Ponti needs no introduction: He's been arguably the most influential personality in Italian design and architecture for almost three decades, from the Fifties throughout the Seve...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsFaux Leather, Wood
- Set of Six "Luisa” Chairs by Franco Albini for PoggiBy Poggi, Franco AlbiniLocated in Madrid, ESA set of six "Luisa" chairs designed by Franco Albini for Poggi, Italy, 1950. Beautifully reupholstered in pale rose color Patricia Urquiola fabrics. Excellent condition. Prix "Comp...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- Set of 2 Franco Albini, "Luisa" chairs, Production Poggi, PaviaBy Poggi, Franco AlbiniLocated in Wolfurt, ATThis set of two Italian chairs was designed by Franco Albini for Poggi in the 1950s. The "Luisa" model is a simple, timeless design and is made of walnut wood and red fabric on the b...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- Pair of Cassina “Luisa” Dining Chairs by Franco AlbiniBy Franco AlbiniLocated in New York, NYOriginal design by Franco Albini from the 1950s. Reissued by Cassina in the early 2000s. Elegant black leather chairs with floating back design and detailed joinery on the armrest...Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Harewood
- Early Franco Albini Pair of Oak "Luisa"/ N°48 Dining Chair by Knoll, ca. 1949By Franco AlbiniLocated in Geneva, CHEarly pair of black naugahyde and oak N°48 chair by Franco Albini produced by Knoll between 1948 and 1952. Good condition, 2 little damages on corners of the seat cushion ( picture ...Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsNaugahyde, Oak
- Set of 6 Franco Albini "Luisa" Chairs, Production Carlo Poggi, 1950sBy Franco Albini, Succ. Carlo PoggiLocated in Wolfurt, ATSet of 6 Italian wood and fabric chairs armchairs Model "Luisa" designed by the Italian designer Franco Albini and produced by Poggi Pavia 1955. Bibliographie: Italien 1950er Jahre,...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- Mid-Century Modern 'Luisa' Armchair by Franco Albini, Italy, c.1955- Sold IndivBy Franco AlbiniLocated in Brussels, BEMid-Century Modern 'Luisa' Armchair by Franco Albini, Italy, c.1955 Sold IndividuallyCategory
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
