Osvaldo Borsani Canada chair pair Tecno Italy 1965

Osvaldo Borsani

Italy, 1911 – 1985
Architect and designer

Iconic so-called pair of ‘Canada’ lounge chairs model P110 designed by Osvaldo Borsani and manufactured by Tecno, Italy 1965. The Canada chair is constructed by 2 moulded plywood side panels, connected with 2 bent wooden cross bars, which holds the frame in balance and a part. The thick and beautiful cognac leather upholstered cushion structure hangs in the frame and is connected with black plastic caps. The Canada seating series was developed from some rough initial sketches by Valeria Borsani and Marco Fantoni while they were still young university students. Later when Osvaldo Borsani saw these designs, he invited the budding designers to develop their idea. However, after they made a few uncertain attempts, Borsani took the project in hand and completely reworked it and made it his own. That is the Canada chair how we know it today. This specific version is made of rosewood finished plywood with cognac leather, and this set is in good original condition. Some repairs to the leather were made where the areas are fragile, mainly where the head rests. The rosewood structure is still in very good original condition. This is for me the nicest version of the Canada chair which exists in many different variations and editions. Nice sized and comfortable lounge chair pair, designed by one of the most important Italian designers of his era.