A pair of P71 armchairs designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno in the 1950s, a project in which the upholstered volume and exposed wooden structure are brought into a precise architectural relationship. The generous proportions of the seat and the inclination of the backrest establish a relaxed seating position, while the sharply articulated armrests and splayed legs give the composition a distinctive sense of movement. The design reflects Borsani’s ability to reconcile comfort with a rigorous formal language, transforming the armchair into an object of strong sculptural presence.
The wooden structure is defined by a sequence of angular transitions and carefully resolved joints, with the armrests extending forward in long, tapered planes. Their pronounced profile contrasts with the softness of the upholstered seat and backrest, creating a continuous dialogue between structural clarity and domestic comfort. The light-coloured textured fabric emphasises the generous volumes of the upholstery, while the warm tone of the wood and the visible brass fittings articulate the construction without interrupting the overall coherence of the design.
Produced by Tecno, the P71 belongs to the period in which Borsani’s work increasingly explored the relationship between furniture, industrial production and the modern domestic interior. The model’s combination of expressive wooden elements and carefully proportioned upholstery demonstrates the continuity between his architectural approach and his furniture designs, balancing structural experimentation, comfort and a distinctly modern sense of proportion.
Condition: Excellent overall condition.
Provenance: Private residence, Zoagli.
Restoration: Wooden elements refinished and polished. Upholstery and fabric renewed.
Documentation: Giampiero Bosoni, Osvaldo Borsani. Architetto, designer, imprenditore, Skira, 2018.
An identical model is preserved at Villa Borsani, Varedo.
