Osvaldo Borsani for Arredamenti Borsani Varedo Highboard in Cherry

Osvaldo Borsani for Arredamenti Borsani Varedo, wardrobe, cherry, maple, glass, Italy, circa 1955.

This elegant wardrobe, designed by the Italian designer Osvaldo Borsani for ABV Arredamenti Borsani Varedo, exemplifies the exquisite craftsmanship and design artistry of its time. Crafted in warm cherry wood, the piece showcases striking elements that reflect a dedication to creating a design with clear Art Deco influences with a modern twist. Particularly, the outstanding horizontal carved lines that gracefully flow across the front panels, seamlessly continuing onto the rounded corners and side panels. The two wooden feet, adorned with botanical decorations, further highlight the exceptional woodwork. The interior features two compartments, with drawers centrally positioned and shelves for garment storage. Overall, this grand piece of furniture is a testament to Borsani's ability to blend elegance and versatility, making it both a functional and visually stunning addition to any interior.

Osvaldo Borsani (1911-1985) was an Italian designer and architect, raised by a family of fine furniture makers in Varedo. At the age of 16, he joined his father’s furniture shop, the Atelier di Varedo, which was fully engaged in designing and furnishing homes inspired by the Italian Art Deco movement. The designer of the atelier was the Italian architect Gino Maggioni (1898-1955) who was known for his Viennese Jugendstil orientation of the early 20th century. In the 1930s, he graduated from the Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera and Politecnico di Milano, where he studied Fine Arts and Architecture respectively. In 1932, the family company was renamed ‘Arredamenti Borsani’ and opened its first studio in Milan. During this period, he encountered Avant-Garde artists of various artistic disciplines like Lucio Fontana (1899-1968), Agenore Fabbri (1911-1998), Aligi Sassu (1912-2000), Roberto Crippa (1921-1972), Fausto Melotti (1901-1986), Arnaldo Pomodoro (1926-) and Giò Pomodoro (1930-2002). These collaborations resulted in the creation of furniture and interior design projects with a high-level of craftsmanship and artistry. In 1953, Borsani founded together with his twin brother Fulgenzio Borsani ‘Tecno’, a design and manufacturing company that produced items based on mechanical innovations and refined technicality. The ‘P40’ adjustable lounge chair (1953) has become the ideological manifesto of Borsani's Tecno program, and still remains the best known, exemplary piece in the Tecno catalogue. Other iconic works that were produced by Tecno were created by Gio Ponti (1891-1979), Vico Magistretti (1920-2006), Carlo de Carli (1910-1999), Gae Aulenti (1927-2012), and many other influential Italian designers. Osvaldo Borsani died in 1985 in Milan. His diverse and sophisticated oeuvre is to be found in permanent collections, such as of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, Neue Sammlung in Munich, the Centre Pompidou in Paris, and the Triennale di Milano Museum.

Kindly note that the piece is in pre-owned condition with signs of age and use. The glass on top needs to be replaced. The wood contains scratches, dents, and some fissures. Restoration is possible before shipping by our experienced craftspeople in our own in-house restoration atelier. With high attention for the original, they make sure every piece retains its value and is ready for the many years to come. We kindly ask you to contact our design experts for further information about the endless possibilities our restoration and upholstery atelier has to offer. Of course, a locally organized restoration is possible as well.

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