Borsani Tecno, Pair of P38 Armchairs Covered in Fabric
About the Item
- Creator:Osvaldo Borsani (Designer)
- Design:
- Dimensions:Height: 32.29 in (82 cm)Width: 19.69 in (50 cm)Depth: 21.26 in (54 cm)Seat Height: 16.93 in (43 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950
- Condition:Reupholstered.
- Seller Location:Milano, IT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU8258233504082
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Milano, Italy
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- Osvaldo Borsani Corner Sofa Upholstered in Blue VelvetBy Osvaldo BorsaniLocated in Milano, ITOsvaldo Borsani (1911-1985) Corner sofa upholstered in velvet with elegant patellation on the back. ABV Arredamenti Borsani Varedo manufacture 1950s.Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsVelvet, Wood
- Marco Zanuso "Square" model living room setBy Marco ZanusoLocated in Milano, ITCOD-CV168 Marco Zanuso (1916-2001) "Square" model living room composed of a three-seater sofa, two armchairs and two poufs covered in velvet. Arfllex production 1962. Bibliography...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
MaterialsVelvet
- Gio Ponti, rare pair of armchairs Mod.820 in wood and upholstered fabricBy Gio PontiLocated in Milano, ITGio Ponti (1991-1979) Rare pair of armchairs Mod.820 in wood and upholstered fabric designed for the Grand Hotel Royal Continental in Naples. Cassina manufacture 1953. Bibliograph...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- ABV Borsani Large storage cabinet / bar / bookcase with painted central doorBy Osvaldo BorsaniLocated in Milano, ITCOD-Z232 ABV Borsani Large storage cabinet / bar / bookcase with central door painted on parchment by the artist Eugenio Rossi with scenes from the commedia dell'arte. Two doors in ...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vitrines
MaterialsWood
- Gianni Saibene, pair of armchairsBy Dassi Mobili ModerniLocated in Milano, ITCOD-2208 Gianni Saibene Pair of armchairs with velvet upholstery, turned feet with shaped brass tip. Italian manufacture 1950. Bibl. Franco Grigioni, ...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsVelvet
- Pair of original Ski armchairsBy Italian school XX ct.Located in Milano, ITCOD-2507xx Alberto Legnani Pair of original Ski armchairs in excellent condition. Italian manufacture, 1950's. 60 x 60 h 87Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsWood
- First Edition P32 Lounge Set by Borsani, Early Triangulated Form Wire Base, 1956By Osvaldo Borsani, TecnoLocated in bergen op zoom, NLStunning, rare early first edition 1956 "32" series lounge set by Italian designer Osvaldo Borsani for 'Tecno', Italy. This set comprises a pair of first edition 'P32' lounge and the extremely rare and rrarely seen matching first edition three seat 'D32' sofa. This early set also still retain their original solid brass 'Tecno' manufacturer's roundels (, the P'32' lounge chairs still retain their early first edition solid brass knurled spring adjusters. See image 5. A rare opportunity to acquire a complete first edition series '32' lounge set. The first edition of this series is disinguished by its elegant triangulated wire rod base which gives the base a sculptural quality that was somewhat lost in the second ediiton where the triangulated wire base was replaced by a more utilitarian and simplified three prong steel base of a heavier guage to replace the strength lost by the removal of the triangulation. This simplification of the second edition reduced overall production costs but in my opinon lost some of the visual appeal of the first edition chairs. This set have had their upholstery completely restored with new high quality Pantera foam and new rubber support webbing by the original italian manufacturer PIRELLI. The chairs and sofa have been finished in lovely high quality ' A perfect flower' fabric by italian textile manufacturer DEDAR. 'A perfect flower' by DEDAR has a hard-wearing wool texture poised between the perfect regularity of its warp and weft weaving and the natural exuberance of ondé yarn which ripples its surface. The black enamel finish on the chair bases and sofa legs have been left in their original condition to maintain some visual original period authenticity to this rare early set, these could easily be repainted should the buyer wish to do so. We have also left the brass hardware in its original patina for the same reason but these could also be polished. The 'P32' lounge chairs was presented in 'Tecno' manufacturer catalogs as a "swivel armchair with automatic repositioning mechanism, metal frame , adjustable back and spring, foam rubber padding and interchangeable covers available in a broad range of colors" This ingenious automatic repositioning mechanism means that you when sat in the seat you can swivel the chair through any angle between 0- 360 degrees for ease of conversation etc however when you stand up the seat will automatically return to its original position in order to "maintain order in the room". Dimensions: Lounge chairs:- 84 cm wide x 75 cm deep x 80 cm high, seating height 40 cm 33.1" wide x 29.5" deep x 31.5" high, seating height 15.7" Sofa:- 190 cm wide x 75 cm deep x 80 cm high, seating height 40 cm 74.8" wide x 29.5" deep x 31.5" high, seating height 15.7" LITERATURE: The 'P32' lounge chairs are published in :- 'Osvaldo Borsani', Gramigna and Irace, pg. 278-279 Domus, issue number 342, May 1958, , page 15 The 'D32' sofa is published in:- RIVISTA DELL ARREDAMENTO ,issue number 56, 1959 (original full page Tecno advert ) RIVISTA DELL ARREDAMENTO, issue number 115,1964 page 27...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- Pair of Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno P32 lounge chairBy Osvaldo BorsaniLocated in Bruxelles, BEPair of P32 designed by Osvaldo Borsani and edited by Tecno. Completely reupholstered with bouclette fabric with great craftsmanship the chair is comfortable and working properly as ...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Pair of Osvaldo Borsani 'Canada' Lounge Chairs for Tecno, Italy, 1960sBy Tecno, Osvaldo BorsaniLocated in Chicago, ILPair of Osvaldo Borsani 'Canada' Lounge Chairs for Tecno, Italy, 1960s Model P110 Molded wood painted black, with black aniline leather Molded manufacturer's mark to each fastener ‘T...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Wood
- Pair of Finn Juhl Japan Lounge Chairs in Teak and Bouclé Fabric for France & SonBy France & Søn, Finn JuhlLocated in WIJCKEL, NLThis pair of lounge chairs, ‘model 137’ designed in 1957 and manufacturerd by furniture manufacturers France & Son. The Japan serie takes inspiration from traditional Japanese building techniques. Defined by a visible, solid horizontal backrest, which sits elegantly upon the slightly tapered legs, the teak frame is a reference to a traditional Japanese temple door, with brass brackets and details. With an open, spacious seat, finished with Bouclé upholstery, the Minimalist design truly invites you to sit back and relax. A stunning addition to a contemporary living room, the Japan Lounge Chair...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Wool, Teak
- Osvaldo Borsani Pair of Green P32 Chairs for Tecno, Italy 1950sBy Osvaldo BorsaniLocated in New York, NYThe P32 is one of Osvaldo Borsani founding pieces in his line of groundbreaking designs for Tecno along the D70 & P40. The frame is of tubular design and very lightweight for ease of...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsBrass, Steel
- 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
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.