Rosewood Rolltop Desk/Cabinet, Model 804, by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini
About the Item
- Creator:Gianfranco Frattini (Designer),Bernini (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 31.5 in (80.01 cm)Width: 39.38 in (100.03 cm)Depth: 25.6 in (65.03 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Dorchester, MA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU837834250052
Gianfranco Frattini
Gianfranco Frattini is widely regarded as a mid-century master of Italian modern design. He was an award-winning architect and designer, and specialized in creating furniture and decor that is both decorative and practical — Frattini’s vintage desks, armchairs, nesting tables and other works are celebrated for their sophisticated merging of function and form.
Born in Padua in 1926, Frattini studied architecture at the Polytechnic University of Milan. He later apprenticed with his teacher and mentor, Gio Ponti. Through Ponti — arguably the most important figure in 20th-century Italian architecture and design — Frattini met many notable modernist designers such as Oscar Niemeyer and Le Corbusier, but an introduction to famed Italian entrepreneur Cesare Cassina would prove incredibly significant in helping launch his career.
During the mid-1950s, Frattini began to collaborate with Cassina’s eponymous company. He designed the brand’s acclaimed leather and walnut Model 849 lounge chair — a winner of the Compasso d’Oro award — the Marema nesting tables and the iconic Sesann collection. The latter, an enduring 1970s suite of impossibly welcoming leather-covered seating, is now produced by Tacchini. In addition to Cassina, Frattini created furniture and lighting for other manufacturers such as Bernini, Arteluce, Artemide, Knoll and more.
While many of his designs incorporate glass, tubular steel and other materials, Frattini loved working with wood. The sculptural Albero bookcase — an innovative floor-to-ceiling structure made in walnut that swings on a 360-degree vertical swivel axis — is a striking example of Frattini’s dedication to traditional woodworking techniques. In the early 1970s, he traveled to Japan with friend and collaborator Pierluigi Ghianda — a master Milanese cabinet maker — in order to study the work of artisans in Kyoto. The trip inspired his design of the Kyoto table, a work of solid beech with Canaletto walnut inserts that is part of the permanent collection of the Milan Triennale’s Design Museum. The Kyoto and Albero have been revived by Poltrona Frau.
Frattini’s designs are in the permanent collections of prestigious museums such as the Museum of Modern Art and the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum.
Find vintage Gianfranco Frattini furniture, lighting and decor on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Dorchester, MA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Rosewood Desk, Model SH 180, by Svend Aage Madsen for Sigurd HansenBy Sigurd Hansen Møbelfabrik, Svend Åge MadsenLocated in Dorchester, MASvend Aage Madsen designed this gorgeous rosewood desk, model SH 180, for Sigurd Hansen Møbelfabrik in the early 1960s. The curved case sits on a sculpted frame...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks
MaterialsRosewood
- Rosewood and Mahogany Roll-Top Desk by Edward Wormley for DunbarBy Edward WormleyLocated in Dorchester, MADesigned in 1957 by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, this handsome mahogany desk features a generous writing surface bookended by two rosewood roll-top doors. Three shallow drawers are tucked below, the center one with small divisions at front. A hinged panel...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsBrass
- Executive Collection Black Lacquer Credenza by Gianfranco Frattini for KnollBy Gianfranco Frattini, KnollLocated in Dorchester, MADesigned by Gianfranco Frattini and produced by Knoll from 1988–95, this large office credenza forms part of his modular Executive Collection. Comprising three separate sections, the black lacquer cabinet comprises two cases...Category
Late 20th Century American Credenzas
MaterialsMahogany, Lacquer
- ModernMates Desk by Leslie Diamond for Conant BallBy Leslie Diamond, Conant BallLocated in Dorchester, MALeslie Diamond designed this clean-lined desk for Conant Ball's ModernMates collection. Crafted from solid birch, the case sits on splayed feet and has a protective Formica writing s...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsFormica, Birch
- Ebonized Predictor Group Desk by Paul McCobb for O'Hearn Furniture CompanyBy O'Hearn Furniture 1, Paul McCobbLocated in Dorchester, MAThis hard-to-find desk is a Paul McCobb design for his Predictor series, manufactured by O'Hearn Furniture only from 1951 to 1955. The ebonized maple case sits on slender canted legs. To the left a door conceals three drawers, the lower of which is file-deep. To the right three narrow but long drawers feature round brass pulls. To the back is a narrow shelf...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsBrass
- Macassar Ebony Executive Desk by Bodil KjaerBy Bodil KjaerLocated in Dorchester, MABodil Kjaer designed the prototype for this impressive modernist desk in 1959 for the Massachusetts Institute Technology. This iteration of her work desk, a small reissue in 2007-200...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Singaporean Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsStainless Steel
- Gianfranco Frattini 804 Desk for Bernini, Italy, 1961By Gianfranco Frattini, BerniniLocated in Barcelona, ESWriting desk model 804 designed in 1961 by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini, Italy. Tambour top that hides small drawers and a pull out leather writing surface. Front side with ten dr...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsMetal
- Gianfranco Frattini fot Bernini Mod. "804" Rolltop Desk/Cabinet , Italy 1960sBy Gianfranco Frattini, BerniniLocated in Naples, ITRare folding desk Mod. "804" designed by Gianfranco Frattini and produced by Bernini, Italy 1960s. The desk features an ingenious mechanical drag mechanism; if the desk plate is pul...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsWood
- Gianfranco Frattini 804 Rolltop desk for Bernini, 1962By Gianfranco FrattiniLocated in Misinto, ITThe 804 secretaire is one of the most significant pieces of Gianfranco Frattini's creativity. Designed in 1962 for Bernini, it highlights Frattini's exceptional design prowess and th...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Secretaires
MaterialsAluminum
- Gianfranco Frattini Mod. 804 Rolltop DeskBy Gianfranco Frattini, BerniniLocated in Munich, DEWalnut writing desk model 804 designed in 1961 by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini, Italy. Tambour top that hides small drawers and a pull out leather writing surface. Front side with...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsWalnut
- Wooden Secretary Desk by Gianfranco Frattini for BerniniBy Bernini, Gianfranco FrattiniLocated in Madrid, ESElegant mahogany wood desk with aluminum inserts designed by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini in 1960. Hardwood and wood veneer, details on feet and the bottom in aluminum. Pull-out t...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsAluminum
- Gianfranco Frattini Desk Model 530 Bernini Italy 1957By Gianfranco Frattini, BerniniLocated in Roosendaal, Noord BrabantStunning medium sized writing desk model 530 designed by Gianfranco Frattini and manufactured by Bernini, Italy 1957. This desk is made of nicely grained rosewood and cherrywood vene...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsRosewood