Large Vintage Midcentury Rattan Cane Ottoman by Franco Albini for Bonacina
View Similar Items
Large Vintage Midcentury Rattan Cane Ottoman by Franco Albini for Bonacina
About the Item
- Creator:Franco Albini (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 15.75 in (40 cm)Diameter: 24.02 in (61 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s-1960s
- Condition:Minor losses.
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1628220027012
Franco Albini
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.
- ‘Stellaria’ Candle Tealight Holder by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala, 1970sBy Iittala, Tapio WirkkalaLocated in London, GBTapio Wirkkala for Iittala, c. 1970 ‘Stellaria’ candle tealight holder Clear textured glass Excellent condition Dimensions, approx..: Diameter 10.5cm, height 6.5cm, weight 2...Category
Vintage 1970s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Candlesticks
MaterialsBlown Glass
- Complete Coffee Set 'Pirtti' by Raija Uosikkinen for Arabia Finland, 1970Located in London, GBRaija Uosikkinen for Arabia, 'Pirtti' coffee set Designed, circa 1970, manufactured, circa 1970-1980 Perfect condition showing virtually no signs...Category
Antique 1670s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Tableware
- Set of 3 Candle Holders by Markku Salo 'Attr.' for Iittala, 1970sBy Iittala, Markku SaloLocated in London, GBMarkku Salo (attributed) for IIttala, c. 1970 Candle holders, set of 3 Clear pressed glass Excellent condition Dimensions, each approx..: Height 7...Category
Vintage 1970s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Candlesticks
MaterialsBlown Glass
- ‘Menuet’ Small Heart-Shaped Vase by Per Lütken for Holmegaard, C. 1960By Per Lutken for Holmegaard, HolmegaardLocated in London, GBPer Lütken for Holmegaard Heart-shaped vase from the 'Menuet' series, designed 1957, this example from 1961 Clear grey-blue tinted blown glass Underside engraved 'PL 1961 Holmeg...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsBlown Glass
- 'Karelia' Porcelain Leaf-Pattern Dish by Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal, 1970sBy Tapio Wirkkala, RosenthalLocated in London, GBTapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal, c. 1970 ‘Karelia’ leaf-pattern dish White porcelain Very good condition with only very minor marks Dimensions, approx..: lenght 28cm, width 9cm...Category
Vintage 1970s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls
MaterialsCeramic
- Glass Pendant Lamp 'Pisa' by Aloys Gangkofner for Peill & Putzler, 1950sBy Peill & Putzler, Aloys F. GangkofnerLocated in London, GBAloys Ferdinand Gangkofner (Designer). Peill and Putzler (manufacturer) Glass ceiling pendant lamp, circa 1950s. A stunning, elegant lamp, giving out a pleasing, diffused light....Category
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsGlass
- Franco Albini Design Large Rattan OttomanBy Franco AlbiniLocated in Tourcoing, FRItalian design by Franco Albini rattan ottoman.Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Mid-Century Modern Footstools
MaterialsRattan
$1,045 / item - Franco Albini Italian Rattan Pouf / OttomanBy Franco AlbiniLocated in New York, NYItalian mid-century rattan pouf / ottoman with an open design and rounded shape. (FRANCO ALBINI)Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
MaterialsWood, Rattan
- Vintage Franco Albini Style Woven Rattan Ottoman PoufBy Franco AlbiniLocated in Brooklyn, NYVintage woven rattan ottoman in the manner of Franco Albini, designed in 1951. Age-appropriate wear to the woven rattan, but ours is a very nice, ...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
MaterialsRattan
- Iconic Franco Albini Woven Rattan Ottoman, 1960sBy Franco Albini, Vittorio BonacinaLocated in Miami, FLA vintage rattan round pouf designed by Franco Albini in the 1950s and manufactured by Vittorio Bonacina in the 1960s. An ingeniously designed stool that's composed solely of bent-ra...Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Footstools
MaterialsRattan
- Iconic Franco Albini Woven Rattan Ottoman, 1960sBy Franco Albini, Vittorio BonacinaLocated in Miami, FLA vintage rattan round pouf designed by Franco Albini in the 1950s and manufactured by Vittorio Bonacina in the 1960s. An ingeniously designed stool that's composed solely of bent-ra...Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
MaterialsRattan
- Franco Albini Midcentury Rattan and Bamboo Round Ottoman Stool, Italy 1960sBy Franco AlbiniLocated in Roma, ITGorgeous mid-century round bamboo & wicker stool. Franco Albini designed this piece in Italy during the 1960s. The pouf features a beautiful combination of curved bamboo, rattan a...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Stools
MaterialsBamboo, Rattan, Wicker
