“Canada" Lounge Chair with Leather Seat by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Italy 1960s















“Canada" Lounge Chair with Leather Seat by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Italy 1960s
REQUEST PRICE HERE
Price category: 7,500 - 10,000 usd / eur
This “Canada” or model P110 chair was designed by Osvaldo Borsani in 1965 and manufactured by the Borsani brothers’ company, Tecno. The chair is enriched with mechanical components that give it versatility in terms of composition, shape and arrangement.
The Borsani brothers’ company, founded in 1953, had strong ideals, mainly a philosophy of quality. Just like the company’s name in Italy, this “Canada” lounge chair is unmistakable. The wooden structure serves as the base for the upholstered sections that are divided into three parts. Immediately standing out are the oversized buttons, seven on both sides, that secure the cushions in place, while also increasing the visual quality of the chair. The extraordinary heritage of craftsmanship in the treatment of materials, in the attention to detail, in the interpretation of the shape defines this chair. Thanks to the innovative language of the design, this model can fit perfectly into any interior while still standing out visually.
The “Canada” lounge chair shows the rigor of form, the quality of materials and workmanship, and the attention to the opportunities of technology that Tecno is known for. The chair is upholstered in leather, which contrasts beautifully to the peculiar body.
Condition:
In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. Minor scratches on the back. The chair comes with its original upholstery or has been reupholstered by a previous owner. Each of our items can be reupholstered by our in-house atelier in a fabric of choice. Please reach out for more information.
Dimensions:
32.28 in W x 33.46 in D x 33.07 in H; Seat height 15.74 in; Seat depth 22.04 in; Arm height 21.06 in
82 cm W x 85 cm D x 84 cm H; Seat height 40 cm; Seat depth 56 cm; Arm height 53.5 cm
REQUEST PRICE HERE
Price category: 9,000 - 12,500 usd / eur
The Italian architect, painter and furniture designer, Guglielmo Ulrich, descended from a noble family with Danish origins. He quickly became a very influential figure in modern Italian design and his models are real delicacies today.
As this pair of 1950s lounge chairs show, Ulrich’s work is elegant and rich in detail. Although his work does not quite conform with the strict norms of simplicity of the time, it fits the prevalent aesthetics of Modernism. In the case of these chairs, the fully upholstered bodies show the general mid-century modern characteristics with an ergonomic and functional design. The seats are slightly raised, and the backs tilted, creating an angle that supports the sitter and the lounging experience. The wooden arms transcending to form the back legs however, truly stand out. The sharp curvature of the armrests and front legs define the look and create an interesting effect, as if the upholstered seats and backs were connected to them without joinery. The carved, dark wood and soft upholstery make them even more pronounced. There are more, subtler features to these chairs, including the wider armrests and the curved backrests, both in service of comfortable lounging. Thanks to the quality of his furnishings, that Ulrich designed and made personally, he became the trusted architects of many upper-class Milanese families. He participates in the furnishing of the most prestigious Italian ships: Cristoforo Colombo, Raffaello, etc.
“A nobleman of yesteryear, with sudden jokes and twists, such as a pipe with an egg in his mouth and a very concrete sense of doing” is how he was often described. This pair of chairs is much like this description with a playful, elegant design completed by quality materials and craftsmanship.
Condition:
In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. The chair has been reupholstered recently in a premium 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:
24.4 in W x 31.69 in D x 31.49 in H; Seat height 14.17 in; Arm height 23.42 in
62 cm W x 80.5 cm D x 80 cm H; Seat height 36 cm; Arm height 59.5 cm
About the designer:
Guglielmo Ulrich (born 1904, Milan–died 1977) was an Italian architect, furniture designer, and painter. He was born to a notable family of Danish origin. In 1924, Ulrich enrolled in the Scuola Speciale di Architettura at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera. He finished his studies at Politecnico di Milano in 1927 and soon became a very influential figure in modern Italian design.
In 1930, along with Scaglia and Wild, Guglielmo Ulrich founded and became head designer of home furnishing company Arca (Arredamento casa, or Home Furnishing), a company engaged in the creation of high-quality furnishing accessories characterized by craftsmanship and the use of premium materials. In the 1950s, he participated in several editions of the Triennale di Milano and concentrated on designing buildings, offices, and retail shops throughout Italy.
Most of Ulrich’s furniture designs from this era, and especially his chairs and chaise lounges, resemble simplified and streamlined design versions of late 19th century pieces and do not necessarily conform to modern designs prevalent in Northern Europe and the U.S. in the 1950s. In the 1960s, Ulrich focused his work toward industrial design and was able to create original and impactful objects. His talent was rewarded on many occasions. In 1961, he won the Fiera di Trieste award for his Trieste chair, produced by furniture maker Saffa.