Skip to main content

Franco Albini Lighting

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.

25
5
to
1
21
9
30
25
25
18
2
25
5
21
4
6
12
4
Height
to
Width
to
28
10
7
7
7
6
5
5
5
5
5
5
25
12
8
6
5
29
28
1
196
1,428
1,328
1,249
1,081
Creator: Franco Albini
Lampadario AM/AS italiano in acciaio di Franco Albini e Franca Helg, Sirrah 1960
By Sirrah, Franco Albini and Franca Helg, Franca Helg, Franco Albini
Located in MIlano, IT
Lampadario della serie AM/AS, moderno e italiano, in acciaio cromato, disegnato da Franco Albini e Franca Helg per Sirrah, 1960 ca. Lampadario della serie AM/AS, con forma a campana ...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Lighting

Materials

Steel

Table lamp model “524" by Franco Albini, Italy, 1952
By Franco Albini
Located in Barcelona, ES
Table lamp model “524” Made in collaboration with Franca Helg Manufactured by Arteluce Italy, 1952 Openwork Perspex in a chrome frame Measurements 41 Ø cm x 47h cm. 16,14 Ø in x 18,5...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Franco Albini Lighting

Materials

Chrome

Pair of AM/AS Franco Albini chandeliers for Sirrah 1960's chrome version
By Sirrah, Franco Albini
Located in Milano, MI
Pair AM/AS series pendant lamps, with mirror steel shape and inside of lampshade enameled in matte white. Designed in the 1960s by Franco Albini for Sirrah. The lamps are in excellen...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Lighting

Materials

Chrome

Ufo Design Mid-century Modern Pendant Lamp by Franco Albini, 1960s, Italy
By Franco Albini
Located in Hagenbach, DE
Ufo Design Mid-century Modern Pendant Lamp by Franco Albini, 1960s, Italy Lampshade is in very good vintage condition. No crack, no missed piece. Original canopy. This lamp works w...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Lighting

Materials

Wicker

Large Vintage Italian Chrome Table Lamp by Franco Albini
By Franca Helg, Sirrah, Franco Albini
Located in London, GB
A stunning and very large vintage Italian chrome table lamp by Franco Albini and Franca Helg. This was manufactured in Italy by Sirrah, it dates from the 1970’s. This is the very ra...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Lighting

Materials

Chrome

Franco Albini & Franca Helg Model 524 Sculptural Lucite Chrome Lamp Arteluce
By Franco Albini and Franca Helg, Arteluce, Franco Albini
Located in Troy, MI
A sculptural Lucite and chrome lamp designed by Franco Albini and Franca Helg for Arteluce Italy circa 1952 Sunburst design of eight acrylic pane...
Category

1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Lighting

Materials

Chrome

French 1960s Hanging Lamp Made of Bamboo
By Franco Albini
Located in Oostrum-Venray, NL
French 1960s hanging lamp made of bamboo. Beautiful hanging lamp in the style of Franco Albini, made in France in 1960. Beautiful model and the patina and color of the lamp g...
Category

1960s French Bohemian Vintage Franco Albini Lighting

Materials

Bamboo

Franco Albini ASC1 table lamp
By Sirrah, Franco Albini
Located in Nijlen, VAN
Beautiful table lamp designed by renowned Italian designer Fanco Albini. Albini designed the AM/AS series for well-known manufacturer Sirrah. This series was one of the best selling ...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Franco Albini Lighting

Materials

Milk Glass

Chrome, Glass Floor Lamp "AM/AS" by Albini, Helg, Piva for Sirrah, Italy 1960s
By Sirrah, Franca Helg, Franco Albini, Antonio Piva
Located in Milan, IT
Imposing floor lamp model "AM/AS" by Franco Albini, Franca Helg, Antonio Piva. Milky glass shades can be changed with their universal terminal.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Franco Albini Lighting

Materials

Chrome

Pair of Franco Albini trumpet wall lamps
By Sirrah, Franco Albini
Located in Nijlen, VAN
Beautiful wall lamps designed by renowned Italian designer Fanco Albini. Albini designed the AM/AS series for well-known manufacturer Sirrah. This series was one of the best selling ...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Franco Albini Lighting

Materials

Chrome

AM-AS Series Floor Lamp by Franco Albini and Franca Helg for Sirrah, 1969
By Franco Albini
Located in Milano, Lombardia
AM-AS series Floor Lamp by Franco Albini and Franca Helg for Sirrah, 1969. Rare lamp combination of the chrome-plated steel with the handblown white glass shade. You can change the p...
Category

1960s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Franco Albini Lighting

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Italian Space Age Steel Table lamp AM/AS by Albini and Helg for Sirrah, 1970s
By Sirrah, Franco Albini, Franca Helg
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian Space Age steel table lamp AM/AS by Albini and Helg for Sirrah, 1970s Table lamp from the AM/AS series with structure and lampshade entirely in chromed steel. The round lamp...
Category

1970s Italian Space Age Vintage Franco Albini Lighting

Materials

Steel

Lampe De Table Nemo “Am1n”, Franco Albini, 1969
By Franco Albini
Located in Bruxelles, BE
L'”AM1N ” est une lampe de table éditée par NEMO et créée par F. Albini, F. Helg, A. Piva, et M. Albini en 1969. Elle a une structure en métal chromé et un diffuseur en forme de b...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Lighting

Materials

Metal

Five AM/AS Sconces by Franco Albini for Sirrah, Italy, 1969
By Franca Helg, Antonio Piva and Franco Albini, Franco Albini
Located in Barcelona, ES
Five sconces in chrome steel designed by italian architects Franco Albini, Franca Helg and Antonio Piva as part of the AM/AS lamps series for the italian company Sirrah in 1969. They...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Lighting

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Franco Albini and Franca Helg AS41Z Pendant Lamp for Nemo in Black Chrome
By Franco Albini, Franca Helg, Nemo Lighting 1
Located in Glendale, CA
Franco Albini and Franca Helg AS41Z pendant lamp for Nemo in black chrome. This highly adjustable and iconic suspended lamp is executed in black chromed metal. An authorized re-editi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Lighting

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

Franco Albini and Franca Helg AM1N Opaline Glass Table Lamp for Nemo
By Franco Albini, Franca Helg, Nemo Lighting 1
Located in Glendale, CA
Franco Albini and Franca Helg AM1N table lamp for Nemo. Inspired by organic shapes, this table lamp features an onion-shaped diffuser executed in opal white glass. In the mid-60s, ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Lighting

Materials

Metal

Franco Albini and Franca Helg AS1C Table Lamp for Nemo in Glass & Black Chrome
By Franco Albini, Franca Helg, Nemo Lighting 1
Located in Glendale, CA
Franco Albini and Franca Helg AS1C table lamp for Nemo in Glass and Black Chrome. This graceful table lamp is executed in opal white glass and chromed or black chromed metal. The cu...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Lighting

Materials

Metal

Brown Wire Ceiling Lamp by Franco Albini and Franca Helg for Sirrah
By Sirrah, Franco Albini, Franca Helg
Located in Milano, IT
Beautiful ceiling lamp designed by Franco Albini and Franca Helg in the 1950s for the fine Sirrah manufacture. Model AM4Z. The lamp by Franco Albini is made of totally chromed metal...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Lighting

Materials

Metal

Franco Albini and Franca Helg AM2C Opaline Glass & Metal Floor Lamp for Nemo
By Franco Albini, Franca Helg, Nemo Lighting 1
Located in Glendale, CA
Franco Albini and Franca Helg AM2C opaline glass and metal floor lamp for Nemo. This lamp features an elegant torchère design with chromed stem and white opal glass diffuser. Its ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Lighting

Materials

Metal

Franco Albini and Franca Helg AS41Z Pendant Lamp for Nemo in Chrome
By Franco Albini, Franca Helg, Nemo Lighting 1
Located in Glendale, CA
Franco Albini and Franca Helg AS41Z pendant lamp for Nemo in chrome. This highly adjustable and iconic suspended lamp is executed in chromed metal. An authorized re-edition, this lam...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Lighting

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

Ceiling Lamp Model Am4z by Franco Albini and Franca Helg for Sirrah
By Franca Helg, Sirrah, Franco Albini
Located in Milano, IT
Beautiful ceiling lamp designed by Franco Albini and Franca Helg in the 1950s for the fine Sirrah manufacture. The lamp is made of totally chromed metal, the hat is a half sphere in...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Lighting

Materials

Metal

Franco Albini Franca Helg Table Lamp Model 524 Arteluce, 1963
By Franco Albini, Franca Helg
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Stunning large table lamp model 524 designed by duo Franco Albini and Franca Helg and manufactured by Arteluce, Italy 1963. This beautiful geometric table lamp is made of several lay...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Lighting

Materials

Chrome

Vintage Floor Lamp Attributed to Franco Albini, 1950s
By Franco Albini
Located in Milano, IT
The vintage Italian floor lamp is attributed to the great Designer Franco Albini. The lamp is from the 1950s. The vintage floor lamp has a wooden frame with V-shaped feet to make it ...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Lighting

Materials

Aluminum

Franco Albini Wall Lamp for Sirrah, Italy, 1960
By Sirrah, Franco Albini
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Elegant wall lamps designed by Franco Albini, manufactured by Sirrah in Italy, circa 1960. Designed for the AM/AS series. Made of high quality chrome plated metal. The lamp is des...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini Lighting

Materials

Metal

Rare Albini Chromed Floor Lamp AM/AS, 1969
By Antonio Piva, Franco Albini, Sirrah, Franca Helg
Located in Barcelona, ES
Rare floor lamp designed by italian architects Franco Albini, Franca Helg and Antonio Piva as part of the AM/AS lamps series for the italian company Sirrah in 1969. Chromed steel str...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Franco Albini Lighting

Materials

Chrome

Ceiling Lamp by Franco Albini, 1955
By Franco Albini, Murano 5
Located in Berlin, DE
Pendant made of hand blown opal and flashed glass in warm gray. Metal mounting. Design: Venini Murano Dimensions: H. 23cm, ø 24,5cm Manufacturer: Venini Murano.    
Category

1950s Italian Modern Vintage Franco Albini Lighting

Materials

Metal

"AM/AS" Adjustable Ceiling Lamp by Albini, Helg and Piva for Sirrah, Italy, 1960
By Franco Albini
Located in Milan, IT
Adjustable AM/AS ceiling light fixture by Franco Albini, Franca Helg and Antonio Piva for Sirrah. Beautiful opaline glass and chromed frame. Also a pendant lamp available from the sa...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Franco Albini Lighting

Materials

Opaline Glass

Midcentury AM/AS Table Lamp by Franco Albini for Sirrah, 1969
By Franco Albini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Midcentury AM/AS table lamp by Franco Albini for Sirrah, 1969.
Category

1960s Italian Modern Vintage Franco Albini Lighting

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Rare Floor Lamp by Franco Albini and Franca Helg
By Franca Helg, Franco Albini
Located in New York, NY
Unusual from of chrome-plated steel with handblown white glass shade, and trumpet form upshade. Part of a large and varying series of lighting produced by Sirrah, Italy.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Franco Albini Lighting

Two Table Lamps by Franco Albini, Italy, circa 1962
By Franco Albini
Located in New York, NY
Openwork Perspex lamps in a chrome frame, model number 524. Original Arteluce label partially intact.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Franco Albini Lighting

Materials

Chrome

Franco Albini lighting for sale on 1stDibs.

Franco Albini lighting are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Franco Albini lighting, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 25 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 5 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original lighting 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 lighting by Alessandro Pianon, Luigi Massoni, and Giuliana Gramigna. Prices for Franco Albini lighting can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $209 and can go as high as $10,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,969.

Recently Viewed

View All