Borsani P40 Lounge Chair with Original Fabric, Italy, 1950s
View Similar Items
Borsani P40 Lounge Chair with Original Fabric, Italy, 1950s
About the Item
- Creator:Osvaldo Borsani (Designer),Tecno (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 35.44 in (90 cm)Width: 28.35 in (72 cm)Depth: 33.86 in (86 cm)Seat Height: 15.75 in (40 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1960
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Pijnacker, NL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU171229078923
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 P40 All Original Lounge Chair for TECNO, Italy, circa 1960By Osvaldo Borsani, TecnoLocated in Pijnacker, Zuid-HollandIntroducing this excellent and still completely original P40 lounge chair by Osvaldo Borsani for TECNO Italy, circa 1960. If you are looking for a design period original in gorgeous ...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- IL Poltrone Lounge Chair by Ammanati and Vitelli for Comfort, Italy, 1973By Comfort, Italy, Titina Ammannati and Giampiero VitelliLocated in Pijnacker, Zuid-HollandModel Il Poltrone lounge chair by T. Ammanti & G.P. Vitelli for Comfort, 1973. This chair is part of the 175 series by comfort and is a model in the line ...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Fiberglass
$3,510 Sale Price20% Off - Sculptural Circle Chair in Original Mohair Velvet and Black Metal Base, 1950'sLocated in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland1950’s circle armchair in soft olive green velvet and black lacquered metal base. Designer: Unknown Manufacturer: Unknown Country: Unknown Model...Category
Vintage 1950s Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Pair of Italian Aldo Morbelli Lounge Armchairs, 1950sBy Marco ZanusoLocated in Pijnacker, Zuid-HollandGorgeous pair of Italian midcentury lounge chairs that will look best with a beautiful new fabric. Design: Aldo Morbelli Manufacturer: Unknown Country: Italy Model: Lounge wingback ...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFaux Leather
$2,632 Sale Price / set40% Off - Z Lounge Armchair by Bengt Ruda for Nordiska, Sweden, circa 1950By Nordiska Kompaniet, Bengt RudaLocated in Pijnacker, Zuid-HollandZ shaped lounge chair by Bengt Ruda for Nordiska Kompaniet, Stockholm, Sweden – circa 1950. The chair is very comfortable and has new upholstery...Category
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
$1,753 Sale Price20% Off - Elegant SOHO Lounge Chair in Velvet and Gold, 21st CenturyLocated in Pijnacker, Zuid-HollandElegant lounge chair model SOHO in slate grey velvet. Gold brass metal base. Available in two colors; turtle green and slate grey velvet. The velvet fabric is suitable for profession...Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal
$823 Sale Price50% Off
- Pair of "P40" Lounge Chair by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno 1950sBy Tecno, Osvaldo BorsaniLocated in Rovereta, SMP40 lounge chair by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno. Adjustable backrest armrests and seat, expandable footrest. Leather cover...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsSteel
- Original Osvaldo Borsani P40 Reclining Chair, Tecno, Italy, 1950s/60sBy Osvaldo BorsaniLocated in London, GBAn original Osvaldo Borsani P40 Reclining Chair, Tecno, Italy, 1950s. All hardware in working order. Reclines and adjusts into a h...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBrass, Steel
- Osvaldo Borsani "P40" Lounge Chair for Tecno S.p.A., Italy, 1950sBy Tecno, Osvaldo BorsaniLocated in Utrecht, NLThe P40, designed in 1955, is not only the most famous design of Italian architect and designer, Osvaldo Borsani, but of Italian mid-century design as well. This model is part of the...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Vintage Italian Borsani P40 Reclining Lounge Chair, Original Black LeatherBy Tecno, Osvaldo BorsaniLocated in Milano, ITOften defined as the "ultimate reclining chair", Osvaldo Borsani's P40 designed for his brand Tecno is certainly one of the most attractive, sought after and timeless lounge chairs e...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal, Steel
- Lounge Chair-Design "P40" by Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno, Italy, 1955By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno Design CentreLocated in Wolfurt, ATOsvaldo Borsani "P40" relax armchair, manufacturer Tecno, Italy, 1950s. The armchair has been completely restored and covered again with the original cover. It now only needs a new f...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsBrass, Steel
- 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
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.