1950 Desk "Model 80" by Franco Albani for Knoll, 1949-1954
About the Item
- Creator:Franco Albini (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 28.75 in (73 cm)Width: 25.99 in (66 cm)Depth: 48.04 in (122 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1951
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Saint-Ouen, FR
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU985833601532
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: Saint-Ouen, France
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 10 days of delivery.
- Stilnovo Desk Lamp by Asahara Shigeaki, Model "Tokyo, " 1980By Shigeaki AsaharaLocated in Saint-Ouen, FRSingular Stilnovo desk lamp by Asahara Shigeaki, model "TOKYO," 1980. This lamp was designed by the Japanese creator Asahara Shigeaki for Stillovo in ...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Minimalist Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal
- 1950 Pair of Armchairs Model FS144 by Jean René Caillette Editions SteinerBy Jean Rene CailetteLocated in Saint-Ouen, FRComposed of a structure in light ash composed of two armrests resting on the ground at the back giving a slight inclination to the amchair, in front of the structure rests on two fee...Category
Vintage 1950s French Armchairs
MaterialsOak
- 1960 Pair of Armchairs by Pierre Paulin model F444 for ArtiflortBy Pierre PaulinLocated in Saint-Ouen, FROriginal pair of model F444 lounge chairs designed by Pierre Paulin and manufactured by Artifort in 1963. The armchairs feature a sturdy steel frame upholstered in beautiful cognac-c...Category
Vintage 1960s European Armchairs
MaterialsMetal
- 1960 Adjustable Desk Lamp by ArlusBy ArlusLocated in Saint-Ouen, FR1950 adjustable desk lamp by Arlus. Made of chrome and black lacquered metal. The lamp base is made of solid black painted cast iron. The height of the light can by adjusted, as the...Category
Vintage 1960s French Table Lamps
MaterialsSteel, Chrome
- 1950 Pair of "diabolo" planters by Willy Guhl and Anton Bee for Eternit SwitzerlBy Edition EternitLocated in Saint-Ouen, FRPair of "diabolo" planters for Eternit by designers Willy Guhl and Anton Bee, 1950. These planters are made of cellulose-infused cement fiber. Cold- and water-resistant materials. ...Category
Vintage 1950s Swedish Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
MaterialsCement
- 1970, Lamp by Willy Daro Brass Model AmmoniteBy Willy DaroLocated in Saint-Ouen, FRThe base of the lamp of rectangular section is out of brushed silver plated steel on which is posed a beautiful fossilized ammonite. A square section rod in silver plated metal passi...Category
Vintage 1970s Belgian Table Lamps
MaterialsStone
- Executive Desk by Franco Albini, Italy, 1950sBy Franco AlbiniLocated in Hellouw, NLLarge executive desk by Franco Albini from Italy, ca the 1950s. The desk has a small cabinet at the front of the desk with some shelves giving it a very attractive design from all si...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsWood
- Knoll Albini Desk, Vintage 1990s ModelBy Knoll, Franco AlbiniLocated in West Palm Beach, FLKnoll Albini Desk, Vintage 1990s Model A vintage 1990s Knoll Albini desk, a timeless piece of furniture that pays homage to the minimalist design ethos of Franco Albini's iconic 1928 desk. This 48-inch wide by 26-inch deep desk...Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Desks
MaterialsChrome
- Cm141 Desk by Pierre Paulin for Thonet, 1954By Pierre Paulin, ThonetLocated in Lasne, BEDesk with two wooden drawers, formica top and metal legs by Pierre Paulin. Marks of wear on the top due to the age of the desk.Category
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsMetal
- Desk by Gordon Bunshaft Manufactured by Knoll for SOM Architect Chase BankBy Gordon Bunshaft, Som AmericanLocated in Jersey City, NJDesk has a solid polished steel frame that supports a 1.25 inch marble top with thin wooden drawers on each side. The desk was made for Chase Bank Corporate...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
- Florence Knoll DeskBy Florence KnollLocated in Chicago, ILKnoll International Planed Office Group double pedestal desk with modesty panel model 1503. Features five drawers one for files. Modesty panel shows st...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsMetal
- Florence Knoll DeskBy Florence KnollLocated in Chicago, ILKnoll International Planed Office Group double pedestal desk with modesty panel model 1503. Features five drawers one for files. Modesty panel shows steel reveal details. (Ten mor...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsMetal