Franco Albini Armchairs
Italian, 1905-1977
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.
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Creator: Franco Albini
Franco Albini pair of 1st edition "Fiorenza" armchairs by Arflex, Italy, 1952
By Arflex, Franco Albini
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
A rare pair of 1st edition armchairs with walnut frame, brass details and upholstered parts, model Fiorenza, designed by Franco Albini, produced by Arflex, Italy, 1952
Design, form,...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Brass
1950s Italian Franco Albini for Bonacina "Margherita" Rattan Arm Chairs
By Franco Albini, Bonacina
Located in Miami, FL
Iconic pair of mid-century, rattan arm chairs by Franco Albini for Bonacina. Crafted from finely woven rattan, these chairs are a sculptural masterpiece that redefined seating with i...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Rattan
Armchair "Fiorenza" designed by Franco Albini in 1952 for Arflex, Italy.
By Arflex, Franco Albini
Located in Wolfurt, AT
Armchair "Fiorenza," designed by Franco Albini in 1952 for Arflex, Italy. A highly collectible model produced for only one year by Arflex. This stunning pair of armchairs features sc...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Franco Albini Luisa Chair for Cassina, Italy, new
By Cassina, Franco Albini
Located in Berlin, DE
Chair designed by Franco Albini in 1953. Relaunched in 2013. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. Prices vary dependent on the chosen material/color.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood, Leather
Franco Albini Tre Pezzi Armchari For Cassina
By Franco Albini
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Franco Albini Tre Pezzi Armchari For Cassina
In 1959, working with Franca Helg, his long-time assistant, Franco
Albini designed Tre Pezzi, a c...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Steel
Franco Albini Tre Pezzi Armchari For Cassina
By Franco Albini
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Franco Albini Tre Pezzi Armchari For Cassina
LEATHER Y : Softness and durability blend in these high-quality leathers, providing a distinctive...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Steel
Armchair by Franco Albini for Bonacina mod. Margherita 1951
By Franco Albini, Bonacina
Located in Taranto, IT
Franco Albini's Margherita armchair for Bonacina is an elegant example of 20th-century Italian design, embodying the perfect fusion of traditional craftsmanship and aesthetic innovat...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Rattan
Franco Albini Tre Pezzi Armchari For Cassina
By Franco Albini
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Franco Albini Tre Pezzi Armchari For Cassina
LEATHER Y : Softness and durability blend in these high-quality leathers, providing a distinctive...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Steel
Franco Albini Tre Pezzi Armchair by Cassina
By Franco Albini, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Armchair designed by Franco Albini in 1959. Relaunched in 2009.
Manufactured by Cassina in Italy.
In 1952, working with Franca Helg, his long-time assistant, Franco Albini design...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Metal
Franco Albini Tre Pezzi Armchair for Cassina
By Cassina, Franco Albini
Located in Berlin, DE
Prices vary dependent on the material.
In 1959, working with Franca Helg, his long-time assistant, Franco Albini designed Tre Pezzi, a contemporary restatem...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Metal
Franco Albini Armchair PL19 Tre Pezzi for Poggi Pavia Italy Circa 1959
By Franco Albini
Located in Paris, FR
"Model PL19" chairs or "The Pezzi" , designed by Franco Albini and Franca Helg, manufactured by Poggi Pavia, Italy. The chairs have a lacquered metal frame and are upholstered with ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Metal
Franco Albini, 'Margherita' armchair
By Franco Albini
Located in London, GB
for Bonacina
c.1960s
Bamboo
Available as a pair
H97 x W85 x D79 cm
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Bamboo
Franco Albini Tre Pezzi Armchari For Cassina
By Franco Albini
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Franco Albini Tre Pezzi Armchari For Cassina
In 1959, working with Franca Helg, his long-time assistant, Franco
Albini designed Tre Pezzi, a c...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Steel
Franco Albini Tre Pezzi Armchair by Cassina
By Franco Albini, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Armchair designed by Franco Albini in 1959. Relaunched in 2009.
Manufactured by Cassina in Italy.
In 1952, working with Franca Helg, his long-time assistant, Franco Albini designed Tre Pezzi...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Metal
Franco Albini Tre Pezzi Armchair by Cassina
By Cassina, Franco Albini
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Armchair designed by Franco Albini in 1959. Relaunched in 2009.
Manufactured by Cassina in Italy.
In 1952, working with Franca Helg, his long-time assistant, Franco Albini designed Tre Pezzi...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Metal
Franco Albini Tre Pezzi Armchair by Cassina
By Cassina, Franco Albini
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Armchair designed by Franco Albini in 1959. Relaunched in 2009.
Manufactured by Cassina in Italy.
In 1952, working with Franca Helg, his long-time assistant, Franco Albini designed ...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Metal
Franco Albini Tre Pezzi Armchair by Cassina
By Franco Albini, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Armchair designed by Franco Albini in 1959. Relaunched in 2009.
Manufactured by Cassina in Italy.
In 1952, working with Franca Helg, his long-time assistant, Franco Albini designed Tre Pezzi...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Metal
Franco Albini Lounge Chair
By Franco Albini
Located in Atlanta, GA
Franco Albini "Fiorenza" lounge chair, Italy, circa 1990s. This chair was originally designed by Albini in the 1950s. This example is an authorized re-edition made by Arflex, circa 1...
Category
1990s Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Triënnale Lounge Chair by Franco Albini, 1933
By Franco Albini
Located in Dronten, NL
Tubular lounge chair designed by Franco Albini for the Triennale in Milan in 1933.
The original black enameled frame emphasizes the graphic qualities of this design.
The natural leat...
Category
1930s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Steel
Franco Albini for Bonacina Set Margherita Chair and Ottoman, Italy, 1950s
By Franco Albini, Bonacina
Located in Naples, IT
Iconic chair with pouff Mod. Margherita in curved wicker and cushion covered in ivory boucle' fabric. Designed in 1960. by Franco Albini for Bonacina .Suitable for outdoor and indoor...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Bamboo, Rattan
Franco Albini Tre Pezzi Armchair by Cassina
By Franco Albini, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Armchair designed by Franco Albini in 1959. Relaunched in 2009.
Manufactured by Cassina in Italy.
In 1952, working with Franca Helg, his long-time assistant, Franco Albini designed Tre Pezzi...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Metal
Franco Albini PL19 Tre Pezzi Armchair for Poggi Pavia, Italy, 1960s
By Franco Albini
Located in Paris, FR
Armchair designed by Franco Albini (1905-1977) and Franca Helg Model n° PL19, 'Tre pezzi'
Lacquered metal, brass and recently eupholstered in white sheep wool skin.
Early original m...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Metal
Franco Albini Set of Two "Model PL19", Manufactured by Poggi
By Franco Albini, Poggi
Located in Wolfurt, AT
Set of two "Model PL19" chairs, designed by Franco Albini, manufactured by Poggi Pavia, Italy. The chairs have a lacquered metal frame and are upholstered with red velvet.
Literat...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Metal
1950s Franco Albini “French Riviera” Rattan Armchair, Italy
By Franco Albini
Located in Praha, CZ
- Good original condition
- Wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina
- Sturdy and stable
- Coffee Table dimensions : Height 54cm ,Diameter 70cm
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Rattan
Poltrone Fiorenza di Franco Albini per Arflex Anni 60-70
By Franco Albini
Located in Milano, IT
Coppia di poltrone, iconico modello di Franco Albini, con struttura a vista in legno di faggio tinto, imbottitura in espanso, rivestimento in tessuto. Molto buone condizioni, complet...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Beech
Set of Two Franco Albini Tre Pezzi Armchairs by Cassina
By Franco Albini, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Armchair designed by Franco Albini in 1959. Relaunched in 2009.
Manufactured by Cassina in Italy.
In 1952, working with Franca Helg, his long-time assistant, Franco Albini design...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Metal
Arflex Fiorenza Armchair in Steelcut Blue Fabric & Black Frame by Franco Albini
By Franco Albini, Arflex
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Symbol of comfort, Fiorenza armchair appears in Pirelli's 1950s advertisement as symbol of the foam rubber potential, considered at that time the mos...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Fabric
Franco Albini PL19 Pair of Three Piece Armchairs for Poggi Pavia Italy Circa 1959
By Franco Albini
Located in Rovereta, Repubblica di San Marino
The "Modello PL19" or "I tre Pezzi" armchairs, designed by Franco Albini and Franca Helg, manufactured by Poggi Pavia, Italy.
The chairs have a lacquered metal frame and are upholste...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Iron
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...
Category
1950s German Bauhaus Vintage Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Chrome
Arflex Fiorenza Armchair in Steelcut Red Fabric and Black Frame by Franco Albini
By Franco Albini, Arflex
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Symbol of comfort, Fiorenza armchair appears in Pirelli's 1950s advertisement as symbol of the foam rubber potential, considered at that time the mos...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Fabric
Margherita Rattan Chair by Franco Albini, Bonacina Italy ca. 1950s
By Franco Albini
Located in Geneva, CH
Iconic mid-century design "Margherita" rattan chair by Franco Albini produced by Bonacina, Italy 1951
Beautiful patina, new cushion. Very good overall condition .
Won an award at th...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Upholstery, Wicker, Rattan
Pair of rattan armchairs Margherita by Franco Albini for Bonacina, Italy, 1950s
By Franco Albini, Bonacina
Located in Milano, IT
Pair of armchairs model Margherita by Franco Albini for Bonacina, 1950s
Two specimens in two different colors, very good condition, slight signs of time.
After the war, Albini experi...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Rattan
Armchair "Fiorenza" in Original Red Color, by Franco Albini in 1952 for Arflex
By Franco Albini, Arflex
Located in Wolfurt, AT
This pair of Italian "Fiorenza" armchairs was designed by Franco Albini for Arflex. The elegantly shaped wooden frame supports the furniture body, which is covered with the original ...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Poltrona a dondolo Mid Century in bambù e rattan, Italia, anni '60
By Franco Albini
Located in Bastia Umbra, IT
Una bellissima poltrona lounge a dondolo italiana degli anni '60 in bambù, rattan e paglia di Vienna. Nello stile della "Rocking Chaise" di Franco Albini per Poggi.
Oggetto vintage i...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Bamboo, Rattan
Set of Two Franco Albini Tre Pezzi Armchairs by Cassina
By Franco Albini, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Armchair designed by Franco Albini in 1959. Relaunched in 2009.
Manufactured by Cassina in Italy.
In 1952, working with Franca Helg, his long-time assistant, Franco Albini designed ...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Metal
Set of Two Franco Albini Tre Pezzi Armchairs by Cassina
By Franco Albini, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Armchair designed by Franco Albini in 1959. Relaunched in 2009.
Manufactured by Cassina in Italy.
In 1952, working with Franca Helg, his long-time assistant, Franco Albini design...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Metal
Rare No. 48 Armchair by Knoll International
By Franco Albini
Located in Munich, DE
Designed by Franco Albini and made by Knoll International.
Category
1950s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Wood
Mid-Century Modern Red Armchair Fiorenza by Franco Albini for Arflex, Italy
By Franco Albini
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Armchair Fiorenza by Franco Albini for Arflex, Italy.
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Franco Albini armchairs for sale on 1stDibs.
Franco Albini armchairs are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of fabric and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Franco Albini armchairs, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 23 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 14 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original armchairs by Franco Albini 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 armchairs by Ico Parisi, Joe Colombo, and Saporiti Italia. Prices for Franco Albini armchairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $2,107 and can go as high as $34,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $9,506.
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