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 Coat Hanger in Glass and Brass, Italy, 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Milan, IT
Osvaldo Borsani wall coat hanger in glass and brass, Italy, 1950s Original VITREX glass The Coat Hanger needs to be Built In the wall.
Brass
Osvaldo Borsani Glass and Brass Wall Mounted Coat Hooks
By Osvaldo Borsani, Vitrex
Located in Hanover, MA
Original 1940's brass swiveling coat hooks mounted to a Vitrex tempered glass shelf designed by Osvaldo Borsani, Italy. See catalog image from the Borsani Archives. This shelf is meant to be mounted perpendicular to a wall with commercially available shelf mounting brackets or other hardware. (Shown here in a brass display stand...
Brass
Italian Designer, Coat Hanger, Teak, Metal, Italy, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A teak and metal coat hanger designed and produced by an Italian designer, Italy, 1950s. Wear consistent with age and use. Overall Dimensions (inches): 9.37"H x 32.43"W x 4.56"D&nb...
Metal
$614
H 11.82 in Dm 11.82 in
Coat Rack Osvaldo Borsani Style Mid-Century Design for Tecno, Italy, 1980s
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Andernach, DE
Wonderful 1980s coat rack in the style of Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Italy. In 1960 he designed the famous AT16, then a variant of it later this coat rack, which is attached to the w...
Chrome
$5,500 / item
H 5 in W 48 in D 3 in
Brass Coat Rack Wall Mount Custom Hand Made Sliding Hooks Bronze Patina
Located in East Hampton, NY
Custom site specific sizes available (length and quantity of hooks) Stainless steel, brass, bronze, aluminum Hand applied patina finishes Hooks slide along a 1" diameter rod.
Brass, Stainless Steel
Italian Designer, Coat Hanger, Metal, Brass, Italy, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A brass coat hanger designed and produced by an Italian designer, Italy, 1950s. Dimensions of back plate (inches) : (1.78 x 15.56 x .18).
Metal, Brass
$141 / item
H 5.91 in W 3.55 in D 3.15 in
Bosse & Baller Asymmetric Coat Brass Wall Hook, 1950s, Austria
By Herta Baller, Walter Bosse
Located in Biebergemund, Hessen
Beautiful Austrian Mid-Century Modern solid brass hooks from the "Black Gold Line" designed and manufactured by Walter Bosse and Herta Baller (Bosse Baller Company) in 1950s. Handmad...
Brass
Italian Designer, Pair of Coat Hangers, Brass, Italy, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of brass coat hangers, designed and produced by an Italian designer, Italy, 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 10.12"H x 6.12"W x 2.25"D Does not include mounting hardware....
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Coat Hanger, Italy, 1950s
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Coat Hanger, Italy, 1950s
Wood
Early 20th Century Swedish Wall-Mounted Coat Rack with Brass Hooks
Located in Atlanta, GA
This beautifully decorated antique wall-mounted coat rack originates from Sweden and dates to the early 20th century, circa 1900–1920. Crafted in painted wood with a deep black finis...
Brass
Italian Designer, Coat Hangers, Brass, Glass, Italy, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of brass and glass coat hangers, designed and produced by an Italian designer, Italy, 1940s. All items ship from High Point, North...
Brass
$1,900 / set
H 6.87 in W 3.93 in D 3.85 in
Luigi Caccia Dominioni, Coat Hangers, Nickel-plated Brass, Italy, 1950s
By Azucena, Luigi Caccia Dominioni
Located in High Point, NC
A set of 5 nickel-plated brass coat hangers designed by Luigi Caccia Dominioni and produced by Azucena, Italy, 1950s.
Brass, Nickel
$767
H 5.91 in W 17.33 in D 0.99 in
Antique Carved oak Wall mount coat rack with 3 brass angel hooks, France 1900s
Located in Meulebeke, BE
France / 1900 / coat rack / oak, brass / Antique / Rustic Beautiful small French coat rack or kitchen towel hanger with nice patina. Made of solid oak board with carved floral deco...
Brass
$5,500 / item
H 10 in W 10 in D 5 in
Fontana Arte Glass and Patinated Brass Wall Mount Coat Hook, Italy 1950s
By Fontana Arte
Located in New York, NY
A wonderful and elegant coat hook by Fontana Arte, Italy. Ideal for a front hall entry or dressing room.
Brass
Sold
H 106.3 in W 21.66 in D 21.66 in
Early Original AT16 Coat Rack Stand by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, 1961
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Aachen, NW
Amazing 'AT 16' coatrack designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno in 1961, this is an original early example still with its original black leather finish with its original stitched patt...
Leather, Wood
Sold
H 125.99 in W 27.56 in L 125.99 in
Early AT16 Sculptural 'AT 16' Coatrack in White Leather and Hardwood, Tecno 1961
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Stunning 'AT 16' sculptural coatrack designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno in 1961, this is a beautiful early example still with its original white faux leather finish with its beautiful original stitched patterning along its seam. This exact version and specification of the 'AT 16' coatrack can still be found in Borsani's own 'Villa Borsani' in Varedo, Italy which is now occasionally open to the public. Please see image 2. The 'AT 16' coatrack found pride of place on the cover of the Tecno product catalog where it was featured alongside a stunning blue relief by Italian Minimalist artist Paolo...
Aluminum, Steel
Osvaldo Borsani Rack Wall for Tecno in Brass and Glass, 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Milano, IT
Elegant wall cloth rack designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno in 1950. The hanger is in thick ground crystal with four brass hooks. It can also be used...
Crystal, Brass
Osvaldo Borsani Glass Coat Rack for Tecno
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
An unusual Osvaldo Borsani coat rack for Tecno, circa 1950s. Original "Protex" glass and brass hooks. Could be mounted on the wall or ceiling. Hooks can be pointed in different direc...