While working under the polymath Gio Ponti — arguably the most important figure in 20th-century Italian modernism — furniture designer Franco Albini nurtured a love for modern forms combined with traditional craft techniques.
Albini is widely known for working with organic materials such as rattan and cane for his chairs and other seating, but he also played a pivotal role in the Italian rationalist movement of the early 20th century, which saw architects and furniture makers applying a strict emphasis on geometry in their work. Rationalists drew on Ancient Roman architecture but rejected ornament, much in the way that Le Corbusier and celebrated Bauhaus figures such as Ludwig Mies van der Rohe had in their modernist furniture.
Albini received his degree in architecture from the Polytechnic University of Milan in 1929, and, in 1931, he founded his practice in Milan, where he tackled workers’ housing and other reconstruction projects. A gifted urban planner, he also developed the Palazzo Bianco, Palazzo Rosso and Tesoro di San Lorenzo museums in Genoa. While Albini is revered for his Margherita chair — a Triennale Milano award winner created for Bonacina in 1951 — he also collaborated with manufacturers Poggi and Cassina in the 1940s on seating, tables and more that embodied his artistic vision. Of that mid-century work, the one piece that perhaps best captures this vision is the iconic Luisa chair.
With its cherry red upholstery and sinuous wooden legs that seem to float aboveground, the Luisa is a genuine masterpiece. It is also a testament to Albini’s perfectionism, as it endured several prototypes — including one made by Knoll in the late 1940s — and took approximately 15 years to design. Poggi launched the final version of the armchair in 1955, earning Albini the prestigious Compasso d’Oro from Italy’s Association for Industrial Design. It is produced today by Cassina. Albini named the chair for someone who likely saw the process firsthand: his personal secretary of two decades, Luisa Colombini.
Find vintage Franco Albini furniture on 1stDibs.
$12,939
H 27.96 in W 31.5 in D 24.02 in
Vintage Rare Bauhaus German Leather Armchair by Franco Albini for Tecta, 1950s
By Franco Albini
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
This exceptionally rare chair with arms was designed by Franco Albini in 1933 and produced by Tecta during the 1950s. The frame is made of tubular chrome-plated steel but the seat an...
Chrome
$9,485 / item
H 30.5 in W 33.75 in D 38 in
ALFRED Black Lounge Chair/Armchair in Walnut/Oak with Leather Seat, Mandy Graham
By Mandy Graham
Located in Torrance, CA
ALFRED black chair by Mandy Graham ALFRED A01, chair lounge armchair Walnut / sandblasted oak and leather Measures: 33.75" W x 38" D x 30.5" H (26" seat depth) Inspired by t...
Leather, Oak, Walnut
$3,713Sale Price|20% Off
H 28.75 in W 25.99 in D 29.93 in
Andre VandenBeuck Mid-Century Modern Aluline Black Leather Lounge Chair
By Strässle International
Located in Weesp, NL
Introducing the ultimate lounge chair for the discerning collector: the 1960's Swiss high-quality designed cast aluminum and black leather Aluline lounge chair. Crafted with the high...
Aluminum
Marco Zanuso for Arflex 'Fourline' Chair in Black Leather
By Arflex, Marco Zanuso
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Marco Zanuso for Arflex, leather and chrome-plated steel, Italy, 1964. This lounge chair by Zanuso remains among the best examples of armchairs designed by the architect. It is not ...
Steel, Chrome
$2,820
H 29.73 in W 31.11 in D 27.56 in
Bauhaus Black Leather Vintage Lounge Chair Wassily by Marcel Breuer Germany
Located in Vienna, AT
Bauhaus style vintage tube steel lounge chair with black leather model Wassily was designed by Marcel Breuer 1925 - 27 and probably executed in Italy circa 1970. No manufacturer labe...
Metal
$3,177
H 30.32 in W 25.6 in D 28.35 in
Midcentury Modern Minimalist Design Leather Lounge Chair, France 1970's
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Midcentury Modern Minimalist Design Leather Low Lounge Chair. Made in France, 1970's period. Chrome steel tubular base with black thick leather seat and back. Beautiful with ...
Chrome
$7,060
H 27.96 in W 24.02 in D 25.6 in
60s Eddie Harlis Thonet ST 805 lounge chair leather sessel Mid Century Bauhaus
Located in Bremen, DE
Original 60s! Breathtaking vintage classic! Extremely rare! Incredibly beautiful and rare original Eddie Harlis for Thonet armchair from the 60s for your cottage. The armchair cons...
Leather, Teak
$8,236
H 38.19 in W 32.29 in D 28.35 in
Black Leather Lounge Chair "F444" by Pierre Paulin for Artifort Netherlands 1963
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
Located in DE MEERN, NL
A Sculptural Masterpiece by Pierre Paulin Few designers have shaped twentieth-century seating as profoundly as Pierre Paulin. His work for Artifort transformed furniture into sculpt...
Steel
$2,119
H 27.17 in W 29.53 in D 34.65 in
Åke Fribytter for Nelo "Kroken" Buffalo Black Leather Bentwood Cantilever Chair
By Ake Fribytter, Nelo
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Kroken Buffalo Black Leather Blonde Bentwood Cantilever Chair by Åke Fribytter for Nelo Sweden 1970s Extra dimensions Seat height: 38cm at...
Leather, Rope, Bentwood
Marco Zanuso for Arflex 'Fourline' Chair in Black Leather
By Arflex, Marco Zanuso
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Marco Zanuso for Arflex, lounge chair, black leather, steel, Italy, 1964 This lounge chair by Zanuso remains among the best examples of armchairs designed by the architect. It is no...
Steel
Pierre Paulin F444 Lounge Chair in Black Leather – All Original, Vintage
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Dronten, NL
A true design classic, this vintage F444 lounge chair by Pierre Paulin for Artifort embodies the relaxed, sculptural elegance of 1960s modernism. The chair features its original blac...
Steel
Italian Lounge Chair by Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Dark Brown Ash, 1960s
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Dronten, NL
Exceptional Italian lounge chair designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa, circa 1960s. Crafted in dark brown stained ash, this sculptural chair exemplifies the Scarpa partnership’s maste...
Steel
Piero Palange – G23 “Hoop” Chair in Black Saddle Leather
By Werther Toffoloni and Piero Palange, Germa
Located in Dronten, NL
A sculptural and architecturally poised G23 “Hoop” chair by Piero Palange, executed in richly patinated black saddle leather. The G23 is a masterclass in structural clarity and mate...
Leather, Maple
Bengt Ruda Triva Lounge Chair, Black Lacquered Beech, 1950
By Nordiska Kompaniet, Bengt Ruda
Located in Dronten, NL
An iconic Scandinavian modern lounge chair, the Triva Chair designed by Bengt Ruda, exemplifying the refined craftsmanship and functional elegance of mid-century Swedish design. Orig...
Fabric, Beech
Black Leather Lounge Chair by Olli Mannermaa for Finnart Ab, Finland, 1970
By Olli Mannermaa
Located in Dronten, NL
A refined and sculpturally expressive lounge chair designed by Finnish architect and designer Olli Mannermaa for Finnart AB. Executed in black leather, this chair exemplifies the cla...
Aluminum
De Sede DS-264 Lounge Chair by Mathias Hoffmann, Swiss Leather Design
By De Sede, Mathias Hoffmann
Located in Dronten, NL
An exceptional example of Swiss craftsmanship, the DS-264 lounge chair by De Sede embodies sculptural presence, tactile luxury, and uncompromising comfort. Designed with the brand’s ...
Steel
