Extraordinary and extremely rare bed designed by Osvaldo Borsani and produced by Borsani Varedo, in collaboration with Arnaldo Pomodoro.
The bed is entirely made of hammered brass castings and bronze plates, featuring horizontal decorative elements in metal enamels with abstract concave and convex forms.
A work of applied art of exceptional craftsmanship and historical importance, officially recognized by the Borsani Archive as one of the collaborations with Master Arnaldo Pomodoro, although it is currently NOT included in the Arnaldo Pomodoro Archive, as these were spontaneous collaborations that were not formally documented at the time.
This is currently the only example on the market in this version with three rows of rings: two large rings at the top and bottom, and a smaller central one, all with decorative plates inside.
This specific three-row variant was the direct inspiration for the great artist and furniture-maker Luciano Frigerio in the creation of his first brass-cast bed, model “Thailandia”, designed in collaboration with Ciansky and Scelba in the late 1960s. Following this, Frigerio di Desio launched a decades-long production of sculptural cast-brass beds.
The first brass-cast bed produced by Frigerio di Desio was intentionally conceived as a direct homage to Borsani’s work, which profoundly inspired and influenced Frigerio’s sculptural furniture production during the 1970s and 1980s, as confirmed by the Frigerio heirs.
The work has been confirmed by the Osvaldo Borsani Archive and is recorded under archive number 8605, dated 1959.
The bed is in excellent original condition, retaining its original period patina. It has been cleaned but not polished, in order to preserve the historical integrity of its nearly 80 years. The decision to preserve it as-is or restore it to a like-new appearance is left to the collector.
Product Name: Brass and Bronze Bed 8605 by Osvaldo Borsani for Borsani Varedo, 1959
Designer: Osvaldo Borsani
Year of Design: 1959
Style: Experimental applied art with abstract elements
Main Materials: Hammered brass castings, bronze plates, metal enamels
Distinctive Design: Three rows of decorative rings with internal bronze plates; two large rings at the top and bottom and one smaller central ring, adorned with abstract concave and convex elements
Dimensions: Headboard width 173 cm | Headboard height 120 cm | Bed length 208 cm
Typical Use: Bed / sculptural object of exceptional artistic and collectible value
Design Icon: Rare and unique example that directly influenced later artistic productions, including those by Luciano Frigerio
Versatility: Primarily oriented toward artistic and historical significance rather than everyday functionality
Current Design Condition: Excellent original condition with period patina; cleaned but not polished to preserve authenticity
Additional Notes: Confirmed by the Osvaldo Borsani Archive (no. 8605, 1959); direct inspiration for Luciano Frigerio’s “Thailandia” bed; unique example currently available on the market
Osvaldo Borsani (1911–1985) was a renowned Italian designer and architect, widely recognized for his significant influence on the world of design and interior furnishings. Born in Varedo, Italy, he worked closely with his brother Fulgenzio Borsani to found Arredamenti Borsani Varedo in 1953.
Borsani made a fundamental contribution to 20th-century design, with a strong focus on modern furniture and innovation in materials and production techniques. His career encompassed a wide range of projects, including furniture, lighting, and decorative objects.
Throughout his career, Osvaldo Borsani received numerous accolades, helping to elevate Italian design on the international stage. His work is closely associated with modernist aesthetics, and his creations continue to be highly sought after by collectors and connoisseurs of vintage design.
Arnaldo Pomodoro is one of the most important Italian sculptors of the 20th century, internationally renowned for his monumental works and innovative use of bronze and other materials. Born on June 23, 1926, in Morciano di Romagna, Pomodoro began his career as a goldsmith and designer before emerging as a leading figure in contemporary sculpture, known worldwide for his visionary and experimental approach.
Pomodoro works primarily with bronze, but throughout his career he has also experimented with materials such as steel, stone, and concrete. His casting and metalworking techniques are highly distinctive: smooth, polished surfaces often contrast with fragmented interiors, as if the sculpture were opening to reveal a hidden inner world. His works embody a balance between harmony and disruption, reflecting a profound meditation on form and matter.
Arnaldo Pomodoro collaborated closely with numerous architects and artists during his career, contributing to projects of major cultural significance. During the 1960s and 1970s, he worked alongside figures such as Lucio Fontana and Piero Manzoni and was involved in artistic movements including Spatialism.
A truly visionary artist, Pomodoro succeeded in merging art, architecture, and technological reflection into sculptural works capable of engaging both history and the present. His ability to transform heavy materials into delicate yet complex forms fundamentally reshaped the language of contemporary sculpture.