Italian Midcentury Bookcase by Franco Albini, Italy, 1956
View Similar Items
Italian Midcentury Bookcase by Franco Albini, Italy, 1956
About the Item
- Creator:Franco Albini (Designer)
- Design:
- Dimensions:Height: 114.18 in (290 cm)Width: 102.37 in (260 cm)Depth: 13.78 in (35 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1956
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Piacenza, IT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1031636924502
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.
- Midcentury Italian Pendants by Franco Albini for Sirrah, 1968By Franca Helg, Antonio Piva and Franco Albini, SirrahLocated in Piacenza, ItalySirrah pendants designed by Franco Albini, Franca Helg and Antonio Piva. Adjustable height with "saliscendi" system. This couple of pendants is the model AM4(ss)P produced by Sirra...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsMetal
- Pair of italian midcentury wood and metal bookcases attributed to StildomusBy StildomusLocated in Piacenza, ItalyPair of italian midcentury bookcases attributed to Stildomus. Elegant black laquered metal and brass legs, wood shelves and one glass magazine rack. Adjustable shelves.Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
MaterialsBrass
- Midcentury Italian Pendant Light by Franco Albini for Sirrah, 1968By Sirrah, Franca Helg, Antonio Piva and Franco AlbiniLocated in Piacenza, ItalyStunning brass Pendant model AM4Z Designed by Franco Albini, Franca Helg e Antonio Piva. Produced by Sirrah in Italy, circa 1968-1971.Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsChrome
$5,887 Sale Price20% Off - Midcentury Italian Pendant Light by Franco Albini for Sirrah, 1968By Sirrah, Franca Helg, Antonio Piva and Franco AlbiniLocated in Piacenza, ItalyPendant light model AM4Z Designed by Franco Albini, Franca Helg e Antonio Piva. Produced by Sirrah in Italy, circa 1968-1971.Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsMetal
- Midcentury Italian Pendant Light by Franco Albini for Sirrah, 1968By Sirrah, Franca Helg, Antonio Piva and Franco AlbiniLocated in Piacenza, ItalyStunning pendant light model AM4Z Designed by Franco Albini, Franca Helg e Antonio Piva. Produced by Sirrah in Italy, circa 1968-1971.Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsChrome
- Midcentury Italian Wall Lights Designed by Franco Albini for Sirrah, 1968By Sirrah, Franca Helg, Antonio Piva and Franco AlbiniLocated in Piacenza, ItalyPair of chrome and glass wall lamps model AM30G. Designed by Franco Albini, Franca Helg e Antonio Piva Produced by Sirrah, Italy 1968-71 ca.Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsGlass
- Franco Albini Walnut Bookcase LB7 for Poggi Pavia, 1956By Franco Albini, PoggiLocated in Madrid, ESA two modular teak bookcase, Designed by Franco Albini and edited in 1956 by Poggi, Pavia, Marked. Composed of two modules with storages units an...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
MaterialsMetal
- Italian Midcentury Franco Albini's 'LB7' Ceiling-Mounted Bookcase, circa 1960By Franco AlbiniLocated in Traversetolo, ITThe iconic ceiling-mounted bookcase model 'LB7', designed by the renowned designer Franco Albini around 1960, represents a unique example of refined and functional design. This innov...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
MaterialsBrass
- Franco Albini Italian Midcentury Dark Wood Bookcase Lb7 for Poggi, 1950sBy Franco Albini, PoggiLocated in Reggio Emilia, ITItalian dark wood shelves bookcase with floor and ceiling uprights, designed by Franco Albini in 1956 for Poggi Pavia, shelves and container with wood veneer adjustable in height and...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
MaterialsMetal
- Franco Albini Infinito Modular BookcaseBy Franco AlbiniLocated in Milano, ITFranco Albini (1905-1977) Infinito original book unit. Large modular bookcase made up of 6 vertical uprights, container elements with hinged doors and lo...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
MaterialsTeak
- Franco Albini Veliero Bookcase for Cassina, Italy, newBy Franco Albini, CassinaLocated in Berlin, DEThe price given applies to the piece as seen in the first picture. Prices vary dependent on the chosen material. The shelf is available in natural ashwood or black stained ashwood wi...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
MaterialsMetal
$43,824 / item - Franco Albini Veleiro Bookcase, Wood by CassinaBy Cassina, Franco AlbiniLocated in Barcelona, BarcelonaBookcase designed by Franco Albini in 1940. Relaunched in 2011-19. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. Defying the laws of physics, going beyond what we normally understand by the ...Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
MaterialsMetal
$54,808 / item