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.
Rare Osvaldo Borsani Floral Painted Cabinet
By Adriano Spilimbergo, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in North Miami, FL
Full documented Borsani cabinet, painted by Adriano Spilimbergo in relief pastel floral motif. Subtle yet amazingly beautiful. Cast brass hardware, original green glass interior shelf. Interior is entirely original down to the harlequin vinyl upholstery and wood carved coat rack...
Brass
$15,833
H 57.49 in W 86.23 in D 9.85 in
Osvaldo Borsani oak cabinet with doors, drawers & drop-front panel, Italy, 1945
By Arredamenti Borsani, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
A large oak storage cabinet with doors, drawers and drop-front panel design by Osvaldo Borsani, manufactured by Arredamenti Borsani Varedo, Italy, 1945 This substantial storage cabi...
Brass
$17,487
H 45.67 in W 49.22 in D 17.72 in
1930 Italian Monumental Art Deco Sideboard , Burl Elmwood by Osvaldo Borsani
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Description: a five doors 1930s monumental Italian Art Deco credenza Sideboard Buffet in burl elmwood by Atelier di Varedo Period: 1930 Sty...
Elm, Walnut, Burl
$11,343
H 56.3 in W 70.87 in D 15.36 in
Italian Art Deco Ziricote Wood and Velvet Sideboard Cabinet attr. Borsani, 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Meda, MB
A magnificent Italian design cabinet from the 1950s, crafted from fine ziricote wood, renowned for its dark and captivating grain, which adds uniqueness and depth to the piece. The ...
Velvet, Ziricote
$11,461
H 55.12 in W 35.44 in D 21.66 in
Art Deco Trumeau Cabinet in Walnut Briar by Atelier di Varedo, Gaetano Borsani
By Gaetano Borsani, Atelier Borsani Varedo
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Art Deco Trumeau Cabinet in Walnut Briar by Atelier di Varedo, Gaetano Borsani, with three external drawers, spacious upper compartment that can be opened with two doors containing t...
Walnut
Rare Octopus Cabinet by Osvaldo Borsani Milano ABV 1940s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Aachen, NW
This very rare Octopus cabinet was designed by Osvaldo Borsani in the 40s and was produced by its own workshop in Milano. The cabinet features a mirror...
Glass, Pearwood
$6,144 / item
H 74.02 in W 101.97 in D 24.02 in
'Four Seasons' sideboard with illuminated mirror in the style of Borsani - 1930s
By Osvaldo Borsani, Gaetano Borsani, La Permanente Mobili Cantù
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Impressive 'Four Seasons' Art-Deco sideboard with illuminated mirror by or in the style of father and son Gaetano and Osvaldo Borsani for La permanente Mobili Cantù (Palazzi Dell'Art...
Mirror, Wood
$19,851
H 76.38 in W 87.01 in D 24.41 in
Wooden Wardrobe in the syle of Arredamenti Borsani Varedo from the 1950s
By Arredamenti Borsani
Located in Roma, RM
Wooden wardrobe in the style of Arredamenti Borsani Varedo from the 1950s Product details Wooden cabinet with tempera decoration. Dimensions: cm 194H×221L×62D.
Brass
$13,588
H 66.93 in W 51.19 in D 19.3 in
Swedish Grace Birchwood Cabinet by Otto Schulz for BOET, Gothenburg, 1930s
By Otto Schulz, Boet
Located in Odense, DK
A refined and exceptionally well-preserved example of Swedish Grace design, this cabinet by Otto Schulz for BOET embodies the sophisticated restraint and craftsmanship that defined S...
Birch
$33,085
H 63 in W 96.46 in D 17.72 in
Italian sideboard by Gio Ponti in wood, polychrome decorative tiles, 1930s
By Gio Ponti
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian sideboard by Gio Ponti in wood, polychrome decorative tiles, 1930s Rectangular highboard or sideboard in wood. The front features light and dark wood checkerboard pattern and...
Wood
Unique Osvaldo Borsani Highboard in Cherry with Romantic Painted Panels
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Osvaldo Borsani for Arredamenti Borsani Varedo, wardrobe, cherry, paint, lacquered wood, brass, glass, Italy, circa 1950 A truly exceptional piece designed custom for a private cli...
Brass
Paolo Buffa Large Highboard or Wardrobe in Cherry 1940s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Paolo Buffa, wardrobe or large cabinet, cherry, brass, Italy, 1940s This rare wardrobe exudes subtle decorative charm and is the work of the talented Italian designer and architect ...
Brass
Rare Paolo Buffa Sideboard in Cherry
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Paolo Buffa, sideboard, cherry, brass, Italy, 1940s Crafted by the visionary Italian designer and architect Paolo Buffa (1903-1970), this rare piece exudes a refined decorative allu...
Brass
Osvaldo Borsani for ABV Arredamenti Borsani-Varedo Sideboard in Chestnut
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Osvaldo Borsani for Arredamenti Borsani Varedo, sideboard, chestnut, brass, Italy, first half of the 1930s An early and refined design by Italian visionary Osvaldo Borsani, this ra...
Chestnut
Ernesto Valabrega for Vittorio Valabrega Wardrobe in Oak
By Vittorio Valabrega
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ernesto Valabrega for Vittorio Valabrega, wardrobe, oak, maple, mirrored glass, Italy, 1930s This exceptional wardrobe, designed by Ernesto Valabrega for Vittorio Valabrega, is a d...
Mirror, Maple, Oak
Ernesto Valabrega for Vittorio Valabrega Cabinet in Oak
By Vittorio Valabrega
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ernesto Valabrega for Vittorio Valabrega, cabinet, oak, leather, brass, Italy, 1930s This exceptional sideboard, designed by Ernesto Valabrega for Vittorio Valabrega in the 1930s, ...
Brass
Established in 2006, Morentz has a team of approximately 55 restorers, upholsterers, interior advisers and art historians, making it a gallery, workshop and upholstery studio, all in one. Every day, a carefully selected array of 20th-century furniture arrives from all over the world at the firm’s warehouse, where the team thoroughly examines each piece to determine what, if any, work needs to be done. Whether that means new upholstery or a complete restoration, Morentz's aim is always to honor the designer’s intention while fulfilling the wishes of the client. The team is up to any challenge, from restoring a single piece to its original glory to furnishing a large-scale hotel project.
