Osvaldo Borsani Benches
Italian, 1911-1985
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.
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Creator: Osvaldo Borsani
Osvaldo Borsani large bench
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in London, GB
A rare bench designed by Osvaldo Borsani C1950 . The bench retains its original distressed wood in butter cream with gilded X detailing with Beautiful curves to the back . Newly upho...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Osvaldo Borsani Benches
Materials
Velvet, Wood
Bench with Seats by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Milano, IT
This extraordinary bench with seats, born from the creativity of Osvaldo Borsani for the acclaimed Tecno company of the 1980s, represents a true symbol of Italian excellence in the field of design. Osvaldo Borsani, a renowned Italian designer, brought this iconic bench to life in collaboration with Tecno, one of the leading companies in the high-quality furniture and furnishing sector. This synergy of talent and craftsmanship gave rise to a timeless design piece.
The bench boasts a sturdy black powder-coated iron structure that elegantly supports a series of welcoming seats. Two wooden slabs serve as the base for this creation, contributing to the entire design's aura of elegance and style, suitable for any environment.
The seats and backrest of the bench have been skillfully padded and covered with period-appropriate fabric, a precious dark blue cotton that adds a touch of class and sophistication. This fabric, although showing signs of wear and the passage of time due to its history, can be replaced upon request, ensuring an impeccable appearance.
This Osvaldo Borsani bench...
Category
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Osvaldo Borsani Benches
Materials
Iron
Marco Fantoni Green Fabric and Enameled Steel Italian Bench for Tecno, 1982
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Roma, IT
Amazing modern green fabric and enameled steel bench. This marvelous piece was produced by Tecno in Italy in 1982 and designed by Marco Fantoni.
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Category
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Osvaldo Borsani Benches
Materials
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Osvaldo Borsani Upholstered Bench or Stool Wood 1940 Italy
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Milano, IT
Osvaldo Borsani upholstered bench or stool wood 1940 Italy.
Category
1940s Italian Other Vintage Osvaldo Borsani Benches
Materials
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Osvaldo Borsani benches for sale on 1stDibs.
Osvaldo Borsani benches are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Osvaldo Borsani benches, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original benches by Osvaldo Borsani were created in the mid-century modern style in italy during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider benches by Ico Parisi, Giovanni Michelucci, and Poltronova. Prices for Osvaldo Borsani benches can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,617 and can go as high as $36,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,552.