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.
Osvaldo Borsani, Wall Mirror, Wood, Italy, 1940s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in High Point, NC
A wood wall mirror designed by Osvaldo Borsani and produced by ABV Arredamenti Borsani Varedo, Italy, c. 1940s. Minimal wear consistent with age and use. Overall Dimensions (inch...
Wood
Art Deco Hand-Carved Walnut Mirror, by Osvaldo Borsani, Bevelled, Wax Polished
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Large Italian 1930s Art Deco hand carved walnut Osvaldo Borsani mirror, bevelled mirror. This was a mirror of a Osvaldo Borsani branded sideboa...
Mirror, Walnut
Osvaldo Borsani Painted and Gilded Wall Mirror, Italy, circa 1940
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in New York, NY
Osvaldo Borsani Painted and Gilded Wall Mirror, Milan, Italy, circa 1940 An exquisitely carved and gilded wood mirror from the 1940's with an intricately carved wood frame with gildi...
Glass, Wood
Osvaldo Borsani lacquered and gilded frame mirror, Italy, 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
A splendid trapezoidal mirror with a lacquered and gilded frame is an authentic Italian creation from the 1950s, designed by Osvaldo Borsani. This impressive full-length mirror is c...
Brass
Osvaldo Borsani, Shield mirror
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in London, GB
Attributed to designer c.1950s Brass H78 x W56 x D4cm
Mirror
$7,600Sale Price|20% Off
Italian Mirror Timber Console Attributed to Osvaldo Borsani 1950
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Striking Osvaldo Borsani hand curved wood console with mirror. Osvaldo Borsani was an Italian designer who was active in the mid-20th century. He is known for his innovative furnit...
Wood
Italian 1940s Pair of Gesso Sculpted Mirrors
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in CA, CA
An Italian pair of wall mirrors from the 1940s, made of sculpted wood and gesso, cream matt lacquered.
Gesso, Wood
$6,043 / set
H 27.17 in W 16.34 in D 2.37 in
Two Wall Mirrors in the style of Osvaldo Borsani, Italy, 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Argelato, BO
Two Rare Mid-Century mirrors in lacquered carved wood, mirrored glass, in the style of the great Italian architect and designer Osvaldo Borsani. 1940s. The works come from an import...
Mirror, Wood
$1,301Sale Price|20% Off
H 47.25 in W 33.86 in D 1.97 in
Lacquered and gilded wooden mirror, carved, Italy
Located in Cuneo, Italy (CN)
Antique mirror in lacquered and gilded wood, richly carved both in the frame and in the upper arch, It has sculptures and a face moulding. Original from the 19th century and of Itali...
Mirror
Floating Marble & Giltwood Console & Mirror by Osvaldo Borsani
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Hanover, MA
An exceptional and rare floating marble and giltwood console & mirror by Osvaldo Borsani, Italy, 1946. This listing is for one mirror and console but we do have a pair available, lis...
Marble
Osvaldo Borsani Att. Glass and Wood Wall Mirror, circa 1940
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in New York, NY
A very fine glass and carved wood wall mirror Att. to Osvaldo Borsani, circa 1940. The glass border is segmented and surrounds the interior rectangular mirror plate which has a carv...
Glass, Walnut
$39,995 / set
H 47 in W 59 in D 14 in
Pair Osvaldo Borsani Wall Mirrors with Floating Marble & Giltwood Consoles
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Hanover, MA
An exceptional and extremely rare pair of trapezoidal mirrors and floating giltwood and marble consoles designed by Osvaldo Borsani 1946. Authenticated by the Borsani Archives. Hand ...
Marble
Art Deco Wall Mirror by Osvaldo Borsani, Carved Maple, Italy, 1945
By Osvaldo Borsani, Arredamenti Borsani
Located in New York, NY
A grand scale shaped maple wood mirror with elegant carving, designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Arredamenti Borsani Varedo; with maker's label affixed to the back. Italy, circa mid-la...
Glass, Maple
Gilded Italian Rope Tassle Wall Mirror, circa 1950
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This striking Italian gilded rope and tassel wall mirror, circa 1950, captures the elegance and craftsmanship of mid-20th century decorative arts. The mirror features an oval beveled...
Beech
Italian 1940's Deco Wall Mirror
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in North Miami, FL
This is a fantastic 1940's era Italian Deco wall mirror with a floating mirror over wood frame, held by brass clips to top and bottom. The wa...
Brass
Italian Carved and Gilt Tall Console Mirror
Located in Rochester, NY
Antique carved and gilt paneled mirror. Side panels are smoked mirror glass. Great quality, early 20th century. Measures: 58.5" high. See our other...
Mirror, Giltwood
Italian Art Deco oval wall mirror in wood, 1940s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian Art Deco oval wall mirror in wood, 1940s Oval shaped wall mirror with wooden frame. There is a decorative embossment on the circumference of the glass. There is a triangular ...
Mirror, Wood
Gilded Mirror 1940s
Located in London, GB
1940s Wall gilded wood mirror probably from Spain with some French Influences.
Mirror, Giltwood
Italian Modernist Mirror by Osvaldo Borsani
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Austin, TX
Grand mirror in the Italian Modernist style by iconic designer Osvaldo Borsani.
Gold Leaf
Modernist Italian Mirror by Osvaldo Borsani
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Austin, TX
Grand mirror in the Italian Modernist style by iconic designer Osvaldo Borsani.
Mirror, Wood
Osvaldo Borsani Mirror Wood “Noce” 1950 italy
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Milano, IT
Specchiera in Noce 1950. Osvaldo Borsani
Walnut
Sold
H 40 in W 91 in D 1.5 in
20th Century Italian Modern Vintage Walnut Wall Glass Mirror by Osvaldo Borsani
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A large, vintage Mid-Century modern Italian rectangular wall mirror made of hand crafted ebonized Walnut designed by Osvaldo Borsani, in good condition. The mirror is consisting its original mirrored glass, enhanced by detailed brass décor. Wear consistent with age and use. Circa 1950 - 1960, Italy. Osvaldo Borsani was born in 1911, in Varedo, Italy and passed away in 1985, in Milan, Italy. He was an Italian architect and designer. Borsani started working at an early age...
Metal, Brass
Osvaldo Borsani Large Curved Gilded Wood Mirror, Italy, 1954
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Naples, IT
With its strong geometric design, this gilded wooden mirror was designed by the Italian designer Osvaldo Borsani around 1953 - 1954. The curved wooden details are simply fantastic, i...
Mirror, Giltwood
Osvaldo Borsani Wall Mirror Wood Glass 1930 Italy
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Milano, IT
Mirror.
Wood
Osvaldo Borsani Large Italian Curved Gilded Wood Mirror, 1954
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Brussels, BE
Osvaldo Borsani large Italian curved gilded wood mirror, 1954.
Wood
Mid-Century Modern Brass Mirror by Olsvaldo Borsani, 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern brass mirror by Olsvaldo Borsani, 1950s.
Brass
Osvaldo Borsani Large Italian Curved Gilded Wood Mirror 1954
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Paris, IDF
With its strong geometric design, this statement gilded wood mirror was designed by Italian designer Osvaldo Borsani around 1953 - 1954. The curved wood details are just amazing, fig...
Gold Leaf
Sold
H 47.75 in W 31.5 in D 2.5 in
Osvaldo Borsani Rare Pair of Large Ivory Painted and Gilded Wood Mirrors, 1940s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in New York, NY
Osvaldo Borsani 1940s rare exquisite pair of large mirrors with hand-carved ivory painted and gilded wood frames. These lovely mirrors have a beautiful ivory painted and gilt carved rope border with a central gilt carved leaf decoration on frame top. They are a fine example of Borsani's designs of the 1940s in which he used soft organic lines and sculptural elements in his classical carved wood furniture...
Mirror, Wood
Rare Osvaldo Borsani Mirror, 1949, Carved Wood
By Osvaldo Borsani, Atelier Borsani Varedo
Located in Vienna, AT
Rare Italian carved wood mirror designed by Osvaldo Borsani in the 1940s. What appears to be intertwined rope is in fact entirely made of hand-carved wood, lacquered in off-white and...
Mirror, Wood
Osvaldo Borsani Mirror with Wooden Golden Frame ABV, 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Cascina, Pisa
Osvaldo Borsani, mirrored crystal with a wooden golden frame. ABV production, the 1950s.
Crystal