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Osvaldo Borsani Desks and Writing Tables

Italian, 1911-1985

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.

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Creator: Osvaldo Borsani
Osvaldo Borsani Executive Desk in Exotic Wood with Sculptural Pedestals, Italy
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Miami, FL
An exceptional executive desk designed by Osvaldo Borsani, Italy, circa 1970s. Crafted in richly figured exotic wood veneer, the desk features a striking asymmetrical composition. T...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Osvaldo Borsani Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Osvaldo Borsani wall-mounted wood and brass desk model E22 by Tecno Italy, 1950s
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
A wall-mounted desk in wood, metal, and brass, part of the E22 series, produced by Tecno, designed by Osvaldo Borsani, 1950s A wall-mounted piece of furniture, free from floor suppo...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Osvaldo Borsani Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal, Brass

Boomerang Desk by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Milano, 1950s Italy
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Architectural black boomerang executive desk by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Milano. Finished with leather desktop inclusion. Floating pedestal on right side and longer return on the le...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Osvaldo Borsani Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Aluminum

Exectutive Desk by Osvado Borsani for Tecno, Italy, 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Almelo, NL
Executive desk by Osvado Borsani for Tecno, Italy, 1950s This exceptional desk was designed by the renowned Italian architect and designer Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno in 1954, showcas...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Osvaldo Borsani Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Mid-Century Modern Desk/ Table by Borsani, Italy, 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Desk/ Table by Borsani, Italy, 1950s
Category

1950s Vintage Osvaldo Borsani Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

20th Century Italian Rosewood Writing Desk by Osvaldo Borsani Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A dark-brown, vintage Mid-Century Modern Italian half-round writing desk with a clear glass top, made of hand crafted polished Rosewood, designed ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Osvaldo Borsani Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Desk by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, 1960s
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in bruxelles, BE
Wood and metal desk. Composed of a box with 3 lockable drawers with key and storage space, and another box with 3 unlockable drawers. The boxes can be turned. Stamped Tecno. Wear du...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Osvaldo Borsani Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Osvaldo Borsani desk mod T333 for Tecno
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in bari, IT
The T333 desk, designed by the famous designer Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, is a masterpiece of elegance and functionality. It is an iconic piece from the 1950s, characterised by clean...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Osvaldo Borsani Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Desk by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, 1960s
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in bruxelles, BE
White wooden desk with black metal. Consists of a cabinet with 3 drawers and storage space, and another cabinet with 3 drawers. No keys. Wear and tear due to age and use. FOR SHIPPIN...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Osvaldo Borsani Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Executive desk the Italian wood 60s Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Milano, MI
Executive desk model T96 designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno. 1960s exotic wood top and drawer units with black painted metal support frame. The drawer units are rotatable so tha...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Osvaldo Borsani Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Iron

Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno ‘T96’ Executive Corner Desk in Black Lacquered Wood
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, executive desk, model ‘T96’, lacquered wood, steel, chromed metal, Italy, design 1956, produced 1958 This ‘T96’ executive desk is designed by Osvaldo Bor...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Osvaldo Borsani Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel, Chrome, Metal

Desk by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, 1960s
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in bruxelles, BE
Desk with wood and metal leg. Stamped Tecno. Wear due to time and age of the desk. For shipping, request us for receive the best price.
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Osvaldo Borsani Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Modern T333 Desk by Oslvado Borsani and Eugenio Gerli for Tecno
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern T333 Desk by Oslvado Borsani and Eugenio Gerli for Tecno, Italy, 1975
Category

1970s Vintage Osvaldo Borsani Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

Desk, Elm Wood, Osvaldo Borsani, 1953
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Berlin, DE
Minimal and elegant desk with drawer. Solid wood construction, take top made of solid elm wood, legs with wooden screw thread. Exhibited at Trienale Milano 1954. Osvaldo Borsan...
Category

1950s Italian Modern Vintage Osvaldo Borsani Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Elm

Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Desk, circa 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A classic and rare, circa 1950's Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno desk with teak top. Iron frame with signature foot glides. A minimalist design that is just as fresh and innovative today. ...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Osvaldo Borsani Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Desk by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, 1960s
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in bruxelles, BE
Wood and metal desk. Stamped Tecno. Comprises a cabinet with three lockable drawers and storage space, and another cabinet with three lockable drawers. Wear due to time and age. FOR...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Osvaldo Borsani Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Osvaldo Borsani Wooden Desk Covered with Parchment Steel Handles 1940 Italy
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Milano, IT
Desk Wood Parchment. The plan has so esattamente shortcomings.
Category

1940s European Other Vintage Osvaldo Borsani Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Parchment Paper, Carbon Fiber

Desk, Made of Walnut by Osvaldo Borsani, 1954
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Berlin, DE
Chique and minimal, rare desk designed by Osvaldo Borsani in 1956 and manufactured by Tecno Italy. the plate and the drawers are made of walnut wood, its construction is made of bla...
Category

1950s Italian Modern Vintage Osvaldo Borsani Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Osvaldo Borsani Mid-Century Desk with Drawers in Metal Glass and Wood 1930s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Cascina, Pisa
Mid-century desk with structure in chromed tubular metal, wooden drawers, and ground glass tabletop, designed by Osvaldo Borsani; Italian manufacturer from the 1930s. This desk prese...
Category

1930s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Osvaldo Borsani Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Desk by Oslvaldo Borsani
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Paris, FR
Oak circa 1960 70 x 89 x 50 cm
Category

1960s Vintage Osvaldo Borsani Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

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Osvaldo Borsani T96 Boomerang Executive Desk by Tecno 1960s
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1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Osvaldo Borsani Desks and Writing Tables

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Metal

Osvaldo Borsani desks and writing tables for sale on 1stDibs.

Osvaldo Borsani desks and writing tables are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Osvaldo Borsani desks and writing tables, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original desks and writing tables by Osvaldo Borsani were created in the mid-century modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider desks and writing tables by Gianfranco Frattini, Ico Parisi, and Franco Albini. Prices for Osvaldo Borsani desks and writing tables can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,997 and can go as high as $36,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $7,950.

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