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. Borsani would be the firm’s lead designer for 30 years, while fostering work by Vico Magistretti, Carlo De 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.
H 28.5 in Dm 48 in
Osvaldo Borsani Dining Table
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Highland, IN
This elegant pedestal table by Borsani has a sexy curved base in chromed and black lacquered steel which supports a walnut top with a beveled edge.
Steel
H 31.11 in W 33.47 in D 59.06 in
1950's Italian Wooden Table by Osvaldo Borsani
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Paris, FR
An Italian mid-century modern oval dining table attributed to Osvaldo Borsani, circa 1950s. Sculptural yet disciplined, it is defined by a strong pedestal base and clean Italian mode...
Wood, Cherry
H 21.66 in Dm 23.04 in
Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Italian vintage coffee table
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Baranzate, IT
Beautiful wood and brass side table designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno. The coffee table has a round curved plywood top, brass frame reaching to a black marble base from Belgium. ...
Belgian Black Marble, Brass
H 30.71 in W 74.81 in D 35.44 in
Italian Mid-Century Dining Table by Osvaldo Borsani, 1950s
By Fratelli Turri, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Buccinasco, MI
Striking Italian Mid-Century dining table designed by Osvaldo Borsani in the 1950s, showcasing the designer’s signature balance between sculptural form, refined materials, and functi...
Brass
H 28.25 in W 48 in D 48 in
Osvaldo Borsani for Stow Davis Mid Century Dining Table
By Osvaldo Borsani, Stow Davis
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Osvaldo Borsani for Stow Davis Mid Century Dining Table This dining table measures: 48 wide x 48 deep x 28.25 inches high, with a chair clearance of 26.75 inches Fair Vintage Condi...
Chrome
H 28.25 in Dm 48 in
Osvaldo Borsani Dining / Office Table / Brueton Pace
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Chicago, IL
Beautiful high end table produced in the 1970s/1980s attributed to Osvaldo Borsani. The top is easily interchangeable with another top in the event a marble top is desirable. This or...
Steel
H 31.5 in W 76.78 in D 35.44 in
Table designed by Osvaldo Borsani, produced by Fossati Attilio&Arturo from 1950
By Fossati, Attilio & Arturo, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Dining table designed by Osvaldo Borsani, produced by Fossati Attilio&Arturo from the 1950s. Its structure is characterized by a unique and elegant shape, finished with brass fee...
Brass
H 15.75 in Dm 27.56 in
Coffee table attributable to Osvaldo Borsani, Italy, 1960s.
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Palermo, PA
Iconic coffee table design that can be traced back to Osvaldo Borsani. Early 1960s Italian production, smoked glass top and lacquered wood foot covered with metal foil. Perfect for a...
Metal
H 29.14 in Dm 59.06 in
Carlo de Carli centre or dining table by Sormani, Italy
By Carlo di Carli, Sormani
Located in London, GB
Beautiful centre or dining table designed by Carlo de Carli c1964 and produced by Sormani The wood has been sympathetically restored and has a lovely warm patina. The brass band has...
Brass
H 30 in Dm 45 in
Carlo Di Carli Center Table, Italy 1950's
By Carlo di Carli
Located in New York, NY
Unusual version of this model with a grooved edge both on top and legs, solid walnut legs and sun marquetry top.
Walnut
Paul Laszlo Side Table
By Paul Laszlo
Located in New York, NY
Architectural structure in black stained wood with inset rust-colored leather top. A very rare Laszlo form, most probably a one off creation.
Wood
Paul Laszlo Cocktail Table
By Brown Saltman, Paul Laszlo
Located in New York, NY
Architectural cocktail table by Paul Laszlo for Brown Saltman. Dark stained mahogany top floating on two rectangular side supports. Recently refinished and signed on underside.
Mahogany
Lamp Table by Grosfeld House
By Grosfeld House
Located in New York, NY
Wedge shaped table of dark stained wood, with brass trim and white Carrera glass insert top. Elegant form with nice detailing.
Glass, Wood
Paul Laszlo Chair
By Paul Laszlo
Located in New York, NY
Custom designed pull-up chair by Paul Laszlo. Bleached mahogany frame, with recessed grip detail on the back. Upholstered seat and back.
Mahogany
No. 4735 Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
No. 4735 Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Bleached mahogany, fabric. A great model that rarely comes up on the se...
Fabric, Mahogany
12 "Cavour" Arm Chairs by V. Gregotti, G. Stoppino, & L. Meneghetti
By Lodovico Meneghetti, Giotto Stoppino and Vittorio Gregotti
Located in New York, NY
Bent wood, velvet upholstery. Tall back armchairs can be used as desk chair, dining chair, or side chairs. Produced by Sim and awarded an honorable mention in 1960s Compasso d’Oro. W...
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
