P 30 Armchairs in Ocher by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Italy, 1953, Set of 2

Osvaldo Borsani was a pivotal figure in the evolution of Italian modernist design, blending traditional craftsmanship with innovative industrial techniques. In 1953, Borsani co-founded Tecno, a company that quickly became synonymous with high-quality, functional furniture, marrying elegance with technological precision. Tecno’s designs were marked by their attention to detail, comfort, and a forward-thinking approach to furniture design, embodying the post-war optimism and industrial prowess of Italy. The P 30 lounge chairs by Osvaldo Borsani exemplify his design philosophy, merging aesthetics with ergonomics.

Design
These chairs were meticulously designed to provide maximum comfort through thoughtful engineering. The seat and backrest are shaped to promote complete relaxation, with a strategic distribution of weight resistance across various points of the chair. This design ensures that the body is fully supported, allowing for a comfortable and immersive sitting experience. Significantly, the P 30 was the first chair from Tecno to be supplied disassembled in a box, a pioneering move that highlighted the company’s commitment to innovative, practical design solutions. The frames of the P 30 chairs are crafted from solid walnut, which not only adds to the chair’s robustness but also provides a warm, natural contrast to the upholstery. Seats and backrests have been reupholstered in luxurious ochre velvet, enhancing the chair’s aesthetic appeal while offering a tactile experience that invites relaxation. Generous padding with foam rubber ensures both softness and durability. The armrests and supporting structure are polished wood, initially designed to minimize fabric wear with the idea of prolonging the chair’s lifespan. Borsani’s P 30 chairs were also designed with practicality in mind. Each chair was supplied in a disassembled form within its original sealed packaging, emphasizing Tecno’s commitment to innovation and user convenience. The use of high-quality materials and a modular construction approach made these chairs not only visually appealing but also easy to transport and assemble. Available in various woods and colors, the P 30 could be customized to suit different interiors, reflecting the versatility and timelessness of Borsani’s designs.

Condition
Completely new upholstery in an ocher yelow cotton velvet. The chairs remain in very good condition with only minor signs of wear.

Literature
Giampiero Bosoni, “Osvaldo Borsani: architect, designer, entrepreneur”. Skira, 2018. p. 326, p. 394.

These chairs come with a certificate of the ‘Archivio Osvaldo Borsani’.