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 for Tecno P40 Chaise Lounge, Cognac Leather, Mid-Century Italy
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Brooklyn, NY
P40 lounge chair designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno in 1955. The P40 uses a system of articulated components to move between an upright seat and a fully extended chaise. The backr...
Steel
Osvaldo Borsani P 40 For Tecno 1960's
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Brussels, BE
The versatile and comfortable P40 lounge chair was designed by Osvaldo Borsani in 1955 for Tecno. The chair can be adjusted into over 400 positions; the back can be reclined in diffe...
Metal, Brass
1958 Italian P40 Chair by Osvaldo Borsani
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
Balancing his pieces perfectly between lines and curves, function and elegance, lightness and robustness, Osvaldo Borsani and his twin brother founded the company Tecno in 1953 that became known for its technological approach to furniture design. The Italian designer has created iconic products, such as the sofa D70, the D40 chair...
Steel, Brass
Vintage Lounge Chair Osvaldo Borsani, Armchair and Ottoman Canada Tecno 1965
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Biella, IT
Osvaldo Borsani design, armchair with ottoman "Canada" by Tecno Italy years 65 good general condition of the structure with little sign of use in the velvet footstool and wood arm ...
Velvet, Wood
Osvaldo Borsani Adjustable Leather L77 Daybed Chaise for Tecno, Italy 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Osvaldo Borsani Adjustable Leather L77 Daybed Chaise for Tecno, Italy, 1950s Italian Osvaldo Borsani L77 Daybed or chaise lounge for Tecno - Rare...
Steel
Beautiful Chaise Longue P40, Design Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Italy, 1970
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Napoli, IT
Beautiful chaise lounge P40 in black cotton velvet designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Italy, 1970. This long chair is very good condition and all the mechanics for the different...
Steel
$6,617Sale Price|32% Off
Osvaldo Borsani P40 Chaise Long “Tecno” Iron Brass Cloth 1955, Italy
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Milano, IT
Osvaldo Borsani P40 chaise long “Tecno” iron brass cloth 1955, Italy.
Iron, Brass
$19,156 / set
P40 by Osvaldo Borsani, first edition by Tecno
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Paire de fauteuils P40 par Osvaldo Borsani pour Tecno, première édition.
Metal
1956, Osvaldo Borsani, P40 Adjustable Lounge Chair in Terra Red Fabric
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL
This chair is part of the private collection of Casey Godrie and is situated in his private house. Ask him for competitive shipping quotes. His incredible Dune Villa, Amsterdam Beach, find more details on his family name plus eu, is for sale soon too. :-) Beautiful P40 in a special terra brownish red color color. The upholstery is new. The chair is in good condition. The P 40 is a reclinable...
Metal
Italian Chaise Longue silk
Located in Long Island, NY
Italian Chaise Longue .Elegant and Timeless. Beautiful Reds and Gold Colors in Silk .
Silk
$18,400 / set
H 40 in W 35.5 in D 38 in
Osvaldo Borsani Attribution, Lounge Chairs, Velvet, Wood, Italy, 1940s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of yellow velvet and wood lounge chairs attributed to Osvaldo Borsani for Atelier Borsani Varedo, Italy, c. 1940s. From an interior with documented period pieces by Borsani i...
Velvet, Wood
Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno D70 Reclining Sofa
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Norwalk, CT
An iconic example of Italian mid-century design, continually reproduced for its highly renowned marriage of style and functionality, this fully adjustable reclining sofa...
Leather
$4,074
H 34.65 in W 28.75 in D 59.06 in
Original Osvaldo Borsani P40 Reclining Chair, Tecno, Italy, 1950s/60s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
An original Osvaldo Borsani P40 Reclining Chair, Tecno, Italy, 1950s. All hardware in working order. Reclines and adjusts into a h...
Brass, Steel
Osvaldo Borsani Canada chair Tecno Italy 1965
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Iconic so called 'Canada' lounge chair model P110 designed by Osvaldo Borsani and manufactured by Tecno, Italy 1965. The Canada chair is constructed by 2 moulded plywood side panels, connected with 2 bent wooden cross bars, which holds the frame in balance and a part. The thick leather upholstered cushion structure hangs in the frame and is connected with black plastic caps. The Canada seating series was developed from some rough initial sketches by Valeria Borsani and Marco Fantoni while they were still young...
Leather, Plastic, Plywood
Osvaldo Borsani, Lounge Chair, Wood, Velvet, Italy, 1940s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in High Point, NC
An organic cream-lacquered wood and beige brown velvet lounge chairs designed and produced by Osvaldo Borsani, Italy, 1940s. Seat Height (i...
Velvet, Wood
Armchair by Osvaldo Borsani / Tecno Milano 1955
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Berlin, DE
Armchair 'P72A' Osvaldo Borsani 1955 Founder with his brother Fulgenzio of Tecno, the architect Osvaldo Borsani designed most of Tecno's and italian design's icons, like the working...
Leather, Rosewood
$6,037Sale Price|20% Off
H 35.44 in W 28.35 in D 35.44 in
Vintage P40 Lounge Chair by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, First Series
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Milano, IT
Borsani P40 Lounge Chair - Italian Collectible Furniture - Mid Century Armchair - Collectible Italian Mid Century Designed in 1956 by Italian architect Osvaldo Borsani, the P40 loun...
Metal, Stainless Steel
$2,591Sale Price|20% Off
H 44.49 in W 29.53 in D 27.56 in
Osvaldo Borsani P126 Executive Office Chair for Tecno, Italy, 1966
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Sant'Arsenio, Campania
The iconic P126 executive swivel chair, designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno and introduced in 1966. The iconic P126 executive swivel chair, designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno i...
Aluminum, Iron
$5,919Sale Price|43% Off
H 37.8 in W 27.96 in D 30.71 in
Italian Black Leather Adjustable P40 Relax Chair by Osvaldo Borsani Tecno.
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Oirlo, LI
Designed in 1955 by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, the P40 Lounge Chair is a masterpiece of mid-century modern design. Its sleek yet highly functional structure allows for numerous recli...
Metal, Brass
P40 Lounge Chair by Osvaldo Borsani Chair for Tecno
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Dallas, TX
Early production P40 lounge chair designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Italy, 1950s. The lounge, with an extendable footrest, is designed to recline and can be set in several posit...
Brass, Steel
Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno "Modus" Office Chair, Italy 1970s
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Naples, IT
Rare yellow Modus office chair with armrests and adjustable height, designed by Osvaldo Borsani and produced for Tecno 1970.
Aluminum, Steel
Sold
H 35.44 in W 27.56 in D 55.12 in
Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Model P40 Chaise Black Vinyl Upholstery
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Uxbridge, GB
A stunning piece of Italian design that effortlessly combines form, function, and craftsmanship. Designed by the legendary Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno in 1955, this chaise exudes moder...
Metal, Brass
Osvaldo Borsani P40 Chaise Lounge
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Sleek P40 Lounge Chair in black leather, designed by Italian architect and designer Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno. Comfortable seat reclines and fully extends into a chaise lounge, perfe...
Steel
Sold
H 26.5 in W 75 in D 27.5 in
Osvaldo Borsani Adjustable Leather L77 Daybed Chaise for Tecno, Italy, 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Culver City, CA
Step into the world of avant-garde design with this Osvaldo Borsani L77 adjustable daybed—a groundbreaking masterpiece from the 1950s. Upholstered in plush...
Steel
Osvaldo Borsani Lounge L-77 Chaise Lounge for Tecno
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Osvaldo Borsani 'L77' daybed for Tecno. The seat / back / legs can all adjust in multiple positions. The metal frame is finished with its original enameled steel and rubber straps fa...
Steel
Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chair P40 by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Doornspijk, NL
The P40 lounge chair was designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno. This iconic piece is adjustable in many ways: the headrest can be pulled out, the position of the back rest may var...
Brass, Steel
Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno ‘P40' Lounge Chair
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in North Miami, FL
Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, P40 lounge chair, Italy, 1955. Early edition P40 lounge chairs by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno. Adjustable backrest armrests...
Brass, Iron
Sold
H 35.44 in W 50.79 in D 27.56 in
Osvaldo Borsani Midcentury Leather and Brass "P40" Signed Italian Chaise Longue
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Madrid, ES
Signed chaise lounge model "P40" designed by Osvaldo Borsani and edited by Tecno. Structure reclining in its entirety with hidden footrest. Made of metal...
Brass
Sold
H 36.62 in W 28.35 in D 31.89 in
Pair of Early 1st Edition P40 Chairs, Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno Italy 1956 Restored
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
The December 1956 issue of the Italian design journal declared Osvaldo Borsani's new 'P40' variable tilt armchairs "un magnifico regalo per Natale", (a magnificent present for christ...
Brass, Steel
Daybed L77 Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, circa 1956, Italy
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Daybed L77 Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, circa 1956, Italy. Multi positional, 36" wide with movable head and foot boards, leather-strapped black metal frame with re upholstered orange m...
Metal
Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Lounge Chair P40
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Madrid, ES
Lounge chair P40, originally designed in 1954 by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Milan. Frame in tubular steel and sheet metal, rubber-coated steel springs, armrests in latex, foam paddin...
Brass, Steel
Osvaldo Borsani L77 Daybed for Tecno Italy, circa 1956
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Osvaldo Borsani L77 Daybed for Tecno Italy, circa 1956.
Steel
Pair of P40 Lounge Chairs by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Perpignan, FR
Early edition set of two P40 lounge chairs by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno. The lounge chair P40 was designed by Osvaldo B...
Metal