The P40, designed in 1955, is not only the most famous design of Italian architect and designer, Osvaldo Borsani, but of Italian mid-century design as well. This model is part of the most well renowned design collections around the world, including MoMA and the Center Pompidou, as a true icon of Italian design.

In 1953, together with his brother Fulgenzio, Osvaldo Borsani created his most complex project: a company idea that takes its name from the Greek 'techne' which means both art and technique. Thus, Tecno was born where furniture became a technological object enriched with mechanical components that give it versatility in terms of composition, shape and layout as demonstrated by this P40 chair. After the success of the D70 sofa at the X Triennale in 1954, Borsani worked on the idea of ​​the mechanical joint to create an armchair with different movements able to correspond to different positions, both in the backrest and in the seat, especially for the benefit of relaxation. P40 is therefore a relax chair with moving elements, composed of a metal pedestal that supports the seat and backrest pivoted to allow all the intermediate inclinations between opening and complete folding. The leg rest is retractable and can be concealed under the seat, while the headrest is extendable and the steel and rubber armrests are flexible to facilitate sitting. The separate parts are visually enhanced by the cosy brown velour upholstery that also lets the metal parts stand out. The result is an essentially modern look that manages to stay cosy while also showcasing a design edge.

Versatile and functional with a strong personality, this lounge chair deserves its title of iconic design. With its irresistible comfort, and curves, this model represents the technological evolution of the chaise longue, the relaxation armchair symbol of the Modern Movement.

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Condition:

In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. The chair has been reupholstered recently in a burnt orange velour fabric. Each of our items can be re-upholstered by our in-house atelier in a fabric of choice. Please reach out for more information.

Dimensions:

27.95in W x 49.6 in D x 34.25 in H; Seat height 13.38 in; Arm height 19.48 in

71 cm W x 126 cm D x 87 cm H; Seat height 34 cm; Arm height 49.5 cm

About the designer:

Osvaldo Borsani was born in Varedo, Italy in 1911. Son of Gaetano, an established furniture maker in his “Atelier di Varedo”. Sixteen-year-old Osvaldo received his first training in the family business.

In 1933, he participated in the fifth Triennale of Milan with the design for the “Minimal House”, which was awarded the silver medal. In the post-war period, after graduation from Polytechnic, he formed friendships with numerous artists like Lucio Fontana, Agenore Fabbri, Aligi Sassu, Roberto Crippa, Fausto Melotti, and Arnaldo Pomodoro, together with whom he realized important works of art in furnishing and interior architecture.

In 1953, along with his brother Fulgenzio, he founded Tecno, the great project for which he worked his whole life in order to develop standard production with reference to that of design. Its name derived from the Greek 'techne' which means both art and technique. Tecno was born: the perfect synthesis between the artisan experience of the atelier and production on a larger scale, which allows for new market horizons and greater capacity for design innovation. Tecno was born in an Italy that has left wars and misery behind it and that wanted to invent a future of serenity and optimism.

His first industrial designs were the P40 adjustable armchair (1953) and the D70 reversible seat sofa. In 1968, it was the office system Graphis (together with Eugenio Gerli and coming into vogue around the world in a million copies) thanks to which Tecno became a world-leading manufacturer in design for the office.

At the end of the sixties, Osvaldo Borsani, together with Marco Fantoni and Valeria Borsani, created the Tecno Designs Centre, which creates new products and secures for the company the supervision of large interior architectural works, the experimentation in new technologies, and the strategies and the tools of business communication. At the same time Borsani opened up the design to collective uses and to the contribution of external designers. Until his death in 1985, Osvaldo Borsani created and cultivated an attitude of mind which encouraged craftsmanship and an attention to detail and quality. ~H.