Occasional Table Designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno
About the Item
- Creator:Osvaldo Borsani (Designer),Tecno (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 19.69 in (50 cm)Diameter: 27.96 in (71 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Rovereta, SM
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU3757316135421
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Rovereta, San Marino
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- Osvaldo Borsani Coffee Side Table "T 61c" for TecnoBy Tecno, Osvaldo BorsaniLocated in Rovereta, SMAvailable two Osvaldo Borsani A "T 61c" coffee side table manufactured by Tecno, 1957. Varnished steel and Carrara marble top. Original label Letteratura: Giampiero Bosoni...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsCarrara Marble, Steel
- Coffee Table Osvaldo Borsani Tecno Model T61/BBy Osvaldo Borsani, TecnoLocated in Rovereta, SMRare version of coffee table Osvaldo Borsani Tecno Model T61/B.Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsWood
- 20th Century Osvaldo Borsani Low Table in Brass and Rare Sivec Marble for TecnoBy Osvaldo Borsani, TecnoLocated in Rovereta, SM20th century Osvaldo Borsani low table in brass and rare sivec marble for Tecno.Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsBrass
- AT 16 Coat Rack by Osvaldo Borsani for TecnoBy Tecno, Osvaldo BorsaniLocated in Rovereta, SMThe AT 16 was originally designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno in 1961. The size is variable from 250 cm to 320 cmCategory
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Coat Racks and Stands
MaterialsAluminum
- 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
- Side Coffee Table by Osvaldo Borsani, 1950By Osvaldo BorsaniLocated in Rovereta, SMSide coffee table by Osvaldo Borsani, 1950 top in glass opaline.Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsMahogany
- T41 table by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno 1957By Tecno, Osvaldo BorsaniLocated in JASSANS-RIOTTIER, FRTable designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno in 1957 T41 model Chrome-plated cross base, round mahogany top System to raise and lower who transform the coffee table in dining table an...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsMetal, Chrome
- Vintage Coffee Table in Wood by Osvaldo Borsani for TecnoBy Tecno, Osvaldo BorsaniLocated in Milano, ITBeautiful coffee table designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno in the 60s. The coffee table has a thick top in fine wood with a rectangular shape, which rests on the particular metal l...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsMetal
- Revolving Mobiletto T128 by Osvaldo Borsani for TecnoBy Osvaldo Borsani, TecnoLocated in Dronten, NLThis rare round cabinet on hidden wheels designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno is made out of lacquered plywood, laminate, leather and steel. The dark grey lacquered plywood interior...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Carts and Bar Carts
MaterialsSteel
- Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Set of 3 Nesting Tables Model T61By Tecno, Osvaldo BorsaniLocated in New York, NYOsvaldo Borsani for Tecno set of 3 modernist nesting tables with rosewood veneer tops on three black enamel tapering metal legs, Italy, circa 1957. The table tops consist of three st...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
MaterialsMetal
- Walnut and aluminum coffee table, by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Italy Circa 1970By Osvaldo Borsani, TecnoLocated in VÉZELAY, FROsvaldo Borsani, born August 17, 1911 in Varedo (Italy) and died April 16, 1985 in Milan (Italy), is an Italian architect, designer and entrepreneur, founder of the Tecno company. ...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsMetal, Aluminum
- Low Table White Marble on Brass Italian Design by Osvaldo Borsani for TecnoBy Tecno, Osvaldo MontiLocated in London, GBA very elegant occasional table, white Carrara marble top on a solid polished rectangular brass structure designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecn...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsCarrara Marble, Brass
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.