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.
D70 Sofa by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno 1954
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Bantam, CT
Extrordinary elegence in form, outstanding in a technical sense. A sofa that transforms to a daybed. Designed by Osvaldo Borsani in 1954. With a single twist, the back and seating a...
Brass, Steel
Original D70 Sofa by Osvaldo BORSANI for TECNO, 1954
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Berlin, Berlin
The 'D70' variable tilt sofa-bed, produced by Tecno, Milan, 1954. Black tubular frame with foam rubber padding and brass knobs, for changing the back and seat height of the sofa. Up...
Metal, Brass
Mid-Century Modern Italian Sofa Attributed to Osvaldo Borsani, 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Houston, TX
Attributed to Osvaldo Borsani, this refined mid-century Italian sofa exemplifies the designer’s signature balance of architectural clarity and functional elegance. Designed in the 19...
Brass, Steel
Osvaldo Borsani "D70" Sofa, Tecno, Italy 1951
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Wolfurt, AT
Sofa “Model D70” by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno – newly upholstered with original yellow vintage fabric from Tecno. Designed in 1951 in Italy.
Brass, Steel
Concha sofa by Joaquim Tenreiro
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Canapé concha by Joaquim Tenreiro circa 1950, La tapisserie n’est pas dans une belle condition.
Wool, Wood
Mid-Century Modern Sofa by Carlo Hauner, Brazil, 1960s
By Carlo Hauner
Located in Deerfield Beach, FL
Mid-Century Modern Sofa by Carlo Hauner, Brazil, 1960s Sofa with wooden stick legs and fabric-covered frame.
Fabric, Wood
Osvaldo Borsani D70 daybed sofa Tecno Italy 1954
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Beautiful D70 daybed/sofa designed by Osvaldo Borsani D70 and manufactured by Tecno in Italy in 1954. This comfortable daybed/sofa is truly unique....
Metal, Brass
$9,980
H 32 in W 75 in D 34 in
Italian Midcentury D-70 Sofa / Bed by Osvaldo Borsani & Tecno, New Upholstery
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in New York, NY
An important statement in the history of Modern design: the Italian Mid-Century Modern D 70 sofa, couch or bed by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno. Tecno was one of the ...
Brass, Steel
$1,026Sale Price|20% Off
H 28.75 in W 77.17 in D 29.53 in
Midcentury Sofa Designed by Miroslav Navrátil, 1960s
By Miroslav Navratil
Located in Praha, CZ
- Made in Czechoslovakia - Made of wood, fabric - Upholstery is in very good, original condition - Adjustable - Very good, original condition.
Fabric, Wood
$8,400Sale Price|20% Off
H 31.5 in W 73.63 in D 29.53 in
Midcentury sofa mod. D70 by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Italy 1954
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Iconic sofa "with wings" model D70 designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno. Originally born as a sofa bed, the D70 has an innovative mechanism that allows you to open the sofa until it...
Metal
Green Leather Borge Mogensen Style Sofa
By Børge Mogensen
Located in Montreal, QC
Green Leather Borge Mogensen Style Sofa
Leather
Great Leather and Hardwood Sofa by Illum Wilkkelso
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Montreal, QC
Green leather and hardwood sofa by Illum Wikkelso for Niels Eilersen.
"Jangada" Lounge Armchair in Jacaranda by Jean Guillon for by Italma Woodart
By Jean Gillon
Located in Montreal, QC
"Jangada" Lounge Armchair with Ottoman in Jacaranda Designed by Jean Guillon and made by Italma Woodart Foil manufacturer's label to ottoman ‘WoodArt J...
Jacaranda
An English Art Deco "Cloud " Shagreen Settee by Harry & Lou Epstein Furniture
By Harry & Lou Epstein Furniture Co
Located in Montreal, QC
The "cloud form" settee constructed of a wood frame with an upholstered interior, the exterior all over veneered with trapezoidal panels of stingray shagreen. Provenance: Collection ...
Shagreen
Leather Chesterfield Style Sofa
Located in Montreal, QC
Leather Chesterfield Style sofa
Leather
Luigi Tiengo Walnut Lounge Chair For Cimon
Located in Montreal, QC
Luigi Tiengo Walnut Lounge Chair For Cimon
Walnut
