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.
Rare Version of the 'T96' Boomerang Desk by Osvaldo Borsani
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Brussels, BE
Designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno in 1956, the T96 is one of the defining works of postwar Italian executive design. Its sculptural form is built around two steel pylons supporti...
Stainless Steel
$16,371
H 28.55 in W 98.43 in D 35.04 in
"T96" “Boomerang” Desk by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Italy, 1956
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Brussels, BE
"T96" “Boomerang” Desk by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Italy, 1956 Black Leather Writing Pad Two independant and multi-directional Storage Modules On the base metal tripod feet
Leather, Wood
Osvaldo Borsani T96 Executive Desk for Tecno, Italy, 1956
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
The T96 is an executive desk that organises its architecture around two chromed pylons and a boomerang-shaped top, pushed out at each end into obtuse angles that open the desk toward...
Aluminum
T96 Desk Boomerang by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in bruxelles, BE
1st edition of Wood and metal desk in the shape of a boomerang by Osvaldo Borsani. 2 modules, one with 3 drawers and another with 3 drawers and storage. No Keys. Wear due to time and...
Metal
Mid-Century Modern Desk by Olsvaldo Borsani, 1960s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Desk by Olsvaldo Borsani, 1960s
Metal
Desk By Osvaldo Borsani For Techno, 1960s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Rhode-Saint-Genèse, BE
Bureau de direction modèle T95 conçu par l'architecte et designer italien Osvaldo Borsani pour l'éditeur Techno dans les années 50/60. Design asymétrique avec caissons suspendus et p...
Metal, Steel
Boomerang Desk by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Milano, 1950s Italy
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Architectural black boomerang executive desk by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Milano. Finished with leather desktop inclusion. Floating pedestal on right side and longer return on the le...
Aluminum
Desk by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, 1960s
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in bruxelles, BE
White wooden desk with black metal. Consists of a cabinet with 3 drawers and storage space, and another cabinet with 3 drawers. No keys. Wear and tear due to age and use. FOR SHIPPIN...
Metal
$12,924
H 28.35 in W 78.75 in D 33.47 in
Mid Century Modern Desk T95 by Osvaldo Borsani, Italy, circa 1960s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid Century Modern Desk T95 by Osvaldo Borsani, Italy,circa 1960s
Metal
Osvaldo Borsani, desk T96, 1956
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Saarbrücken, SL
Osvaldo Borsani’s boomerang-shaped desk is one of the most striking and is among the most beautiful desk designs of the postwar era. Unlike many similar models, this one does not h...
Aluminum, Steel
Gio Ponti Attributed Desk
By Gio Ponti
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Rare Gio Ponti attributed desk - Italy, 1950s Gorgeous from every angle with floating top and drawers and angular scissor legs Constructed of oak wood and original black top In...
Oak, Laminate
Pierre Jeanneret Desk
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Pierre Jeanneret Desk, 1960's Rare “Writing Table for Junior Officers” in rosewood. Rectangular top supported on one side by a tripod base and on the other by a long, double-sided...
Rosewood
Pierluigi Giordani Combed Console
By Pierluigi Giordani
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Wonderful console by Pierluigi Giordani—Italy 1950's Beautiful cherry wood with six combed center wood drawers with floating glass shelf on each side Brass decorative hardware an...
Metal
Jacques Quinet Desk
By Jacques Quinet
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Incredible Jacques Quinet Executive desk, circa 1950s Rich caramel leather with contrast open stitching and fully swiveling drawers on both sides including a filing cabinet with lea...
Leather, Walnut
Jacques Adnet Table/Desk
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Wonderful Jacques Adnet table which could also be used as a desk. Beautiful slatted wood top and signature caramel leather legs with contrast stitch detail New leather beautifully...
Leather, Oak
Large Osvaldo Borsani Console Dresser, 1940s (attributed)
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Osvaldo Borsani console dresser, Italy, 1940s. Elegant silhouette featuring eight drawers, original opaque glass top, and tapered legs. Beautiful original patina.
Brass
