The 'P40' variable tilt armchair, produced by Tecno, Milan 1956.

Polished frame frame with rubber armrests. Seat, back and footrest upholstered in blue coloured wool material. The footrest is stored under the seat.

Rare chair with the polished frame, from the later advanced edition of the iconic P40 armchair with a seperate headrest. The goal was, 'to create an armchair that could be adjusted to different positions, mainly to facilitate relaxation'. IT WORKED!

Literature: TECNO, G. Bosoni, pp 56-61, fully illustrated.

Osvaldo Borsani (Varado 1911 – Milan 19985) Italian designer and architect. Best known for his research-based approach to making furniture, throughout his career Borsani merged technological and material improvements with inventive Modernist stylings. In 1953, Osvaldo and his brother, Fulgencio, founded the firm  TECNO in Milan. There, he created one of his hallmark designs, the P40 lounge chair, featuring rubber arms and the ability to assume 486 distinct postures. Some early designs by TECNO can now be found in the permanent collection of The Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, and the Centre Pompidou in Paris.