F. Albini for Poggi, "TL3" Mod. Wood Table and Set of 4 "Luisa" Chair, Italy
View Similar Items
F. Albini for Poggi, "TL3" Mod. Wood Table and Set of 4 "Luisa" Chair, Italy
About the Item
- Creator:Franco Albini (Designer),Poggi (Manufacturer)
- Design:
- Dimensions:Height: 29.14 in (74 cm)Width: 35.44 in (90 cm)Depth: 35.44 in (90 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 5
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. "Luisa" chair sizes: (cm): 55 x 55 x 76H, seat height 43 (in): 21,6 x 21,6 x 29,9, seat height 16,9 "TL3" table sizes: (cm): 90 x 90 x 74H (in): 21,6 x 21,6 x 29,9.
- Seller Location:Palermo, IT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU4535218253182
Luisa Chair
After working for approximately 15 years through several prototypes of the design (one of which was manufactured by Knoll in the late 1940s), the Italian designer, architect and urban planner Franco Albini (1905–77) finished what is considered to be a masterpiece: the Luisa chair. The dignified armchair is upholstered in warm red fabric and named after Luisa Colombini, Albini’s personal assistant and secretary of two decades. Lightweight and initially available in teak, mahogany and beech, the definitive version of the Luisa chair was put into production by Poggi in 1955.
The Luisa is often compared to the similarly minimal and sturdy Leggera chair conceived by like-minded rationalist architect and designer Giò Ponti, under whom Albini apprenticed after receiving his degree in architecture from the Polytechnic University of Milan in 1929.
Not unlike Ponti’s work, Albini’s designs often merged traditional Italian craftsmanship with the modernist flourishes that had occupied Italian rationalists. It was this blend of functionalism and style that earned Albini numerous awards, including several Compasso d’Oro prizes, a prestigious Italian award for excellence in industrial design. His first Compasso d’Oro was for the Luisa chair, which is part of the permanent collection at the Museum of Modern Art in New York and is still manufactured by Cassina.
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.
- Mid-Century Bamboo and Rattan Rocking Chair Franco Albini style, Italy 60sBy Franco Albini, BonacinaLocated in Palermo, ITBeautiful rocking chair entirely in bamboo cane with rattan weaving connecting elements. Handmade in the style of Franco Albini, Italy 1960s. Wear consistent with age and use.Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsBamboo, Rattan
- F. Albini for Bonacina Set of 2 Rattan, Bamboo and Wicker Stools 60s ItalyBy Franco Albini, BonacinaLocated in Palermo, ITIconic pair of stools by Franco Albini for Bonacina in the 1960s. Seat and structure in rattan, bamboo and wicker, with curved and hand-woven elements, supported by four legs. Wear c...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Stools
MaterialsBamboo, Wicker, Rattan
- Art Nouveau V. Ducrot Restored Inlaid and Carved Wood Table 1900 ItalyBy Vittorio DucrotLocated in Palermo, ITPrestigious rectangular wooden table, restored, in Art Nouveau with carved floral decorations, with veneer and inlays on the top. Officine Ducrot manufacturing, by Vittorio Ducrot, I...Category
Antique Early 1900s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
MaterialsWood
- Mid-Century P. Buffa for Frama Wood and Satin Armchair 60s ItalyBy Paolo Buffa, FramaLocated in Palermo, ITVery Stylish set of 2 armchairs with wooden structure and curved arms, covered in white satin with red striped pattern and gold decorations. Italian production by Paolo Buffa for Fra...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- Mid-Century Giò Ponti (attr.) for ISA Wood and Blue Fabric Armchair 50s ItalyBy Gio Ponti, ISA BergamoLocated in Palermo, ITVery stylish armchair with wooden structure, upholstered in blue fabric with white lattice pattern, and conical wooden feet. Italian production by ISA Bergamo, from the 1950s, attrib...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- Midcentury F. Knoll for Knoll Int. Wooden Folding Square Table, Italy 60sBy Florence Knoll, KnollLocated in Palermo, ITStylish folding square table, with wooden top and four tubular feet in chromed metal, with fixing supports. Attributed to Florence Knoll for Knoll International, 1960s Wear consiste...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
MaterialsMetal
$856 Sale Price35% Off
- Set of Six "Luisa” Chairs by Franco Albini for PoggiBy Franco Albini, PoggiLocated in Madrid, ESA set of six "Luisa" chairs designed by Franco Albini for Poggi, Italy, 1950. Beautifully reupholstered in pale rose color Patricia Urquiola fabrics. Excellent condition. Prix "Comp...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
$2,361 / item - Set of 2 Franco Albini, "Luisa" chairs, Production Poggi, PaviaBy Franco Albini, PoggiLocated in Wolfurt, ATThis set of two Italian chairs was designed by Franco Albini for Poggi in the 1950s. The "Luisa" model is a simple, timeless design and is made of walnut wood and red fabric on the b...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- Franco Albini Luisa Chair for Cassina, Italy, newBy Cassina, Franco AlbiniLocated in Berlin, DEChair designed by Franco Albini in 1953. Relaunched in 2013. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. The price given applies to the chair as seen in the first picture.Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsLeather, Wood, Fabric
$2,844 / item - Franco Albini Set of Two "Model PL19", Manufactured by PoggiBy Franco Albini, PoggiLocated in Wolfurt, ATSet of two "Model PL19" chairs, designed by Franco Albini, manufactured by Poggi Pavia, Italy. The chairs have a lacquered metal frame and are upholstered with red velvet. Literat...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsMetal
- FRANCO ALBINI for POGGI Folding chairBy Franco Albini, PoggiLocated in Baranzate, ITFolding chair with solid wood frame. Seat and backrest made of plywood. Prod. Poggi, Italy, 1952 Bibliography Exhibition catalog, Franco Albini & Franca Helg Design, April 30, 2009.Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsWood
- Set of 6 Franco Albini "Luisa" Chairs, Production Carlo Poggi, 1950sBy Franco Albini, Succ. Carlo PoggiLocated in Wolfurt, ATSet of 6 Italian wood and fabric chairs armchairs Model "Luisa" designed by the Italian designer Franco Albini and produced by Poggi Pavia 1955. Bibliographie: Italien 1950er Jahre,...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood