Bronze discs that open up like clamshells for storage and fold back in to become side tables. Sleek cubes barely suspended off the ground that transform into full-size dining tables. Clean-lined boxes that contain multilevel shelving. Looking at the work of Italian designer Gabriella Crespi, born in 1922 and who still produced furniture in her Milan studio until her death in 2017, it’s hard to believe that many of these highly functional pieces — modernist Rubik’s Cubes of materials, colors and ergonomics — were created decades ago.
Among her best-known creations, the bronze Ellisse table, 1976, and her bronze-and-lacquer Yang-Yin bar, 1979, encapsulate a designer who had a strong dualism in her vision, mixing humble and precious materials, for instance, or creating geometric shapes that were softened by sensual surfaces.
Crespi began studying architecture in 1944 at the Politecnico, in Milan, where she was among just a handful of women, and became profoundly influenced by the work of Charles-Édouard "Le Corbusier" Jeanneret and Frank Lloyd Wright. After getting married and having children, she launched her own collections, from jewelry to furniture, and soon gained a loyal following, with design houses such as Maison Dior snapping pieces up for their own lines.
She began work on her most iconic collection, Plurimi, in the late 1960s, and the series — including her Dama table, which plays on the themes of volume, light and adaptability that Crespi has explored throughout her career — flourished through the 1970s and early ’80s. Then there is her famed Z desk, from a mid-1970s series, which manages to be both stylish and humorous, looking like it’s ready to leap off the floor at any moment. Well-born and beautiful, Crespi garnered attention among the jet set. She was a muse to Valentino, and her pieces appeared in the homes of Princess Grace of Monaco, the Shah of Iran and Greek shipping magnate George Livanos.
In 1987, with her children now adults, the designer surprised everyone when she moved to the foot of the Indian Himalayas to study with the guru Sri Muniraj. This turned into a 20-year self-imposed exile that, if anything, made her pieces even more sought-after by collectors.
Find vintage Gabriella Crespi furniture on 1stDibs.
Gabriella Crespi Brass Cigarette Case, Italy, Signed, Vintage 1972
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
An original 1970s Gabriella Crespi ciagrette case signed on the side and with the original Crespi sticker on the base. The case is dated 11 Decemer 1972 on the inside. A perfect piec...
Brass
Brass tube Box / Cigarette Case Signed by Gabriella Gabriella Crespi, Italy 70s
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in Roma, IT
I'm offering for sale a rare cylindrical box, designed and signed in the 1970s by Italian designer Gabriella Crespi. The cylindrical tube shape suggests that this vintage box was mos...
Brass
Gabriella Crespi Lucite and Chrome Decorative Box, Italy 1970s
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in Rome, IT
Rare box in lucite and chrome in the shape of a rhombus signed by the Italian designer Gabriella Crespi as shown in photos. Made in Italy in the 1970s. Conditions are good consid...
Metal, Chrome
Midcentury box designed by Gabriella Crespi, Italy
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Box designed by Gabriella Crespi Wooden and golden brass box by Gabriella Crespi. Recorded by Archivio Gabriella Crespi, Milan. Signed. Italy 1970s Please feel free to contact us...
Brass
Signed Gabriella Crespi Decorative Jewelry Box in Lucite and Brass, Italy 1970s
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning mid-century decorative box designed and signed by Gabriella Crespi. Made in a beautiful combination of gilt brass and clear lucite, this stylish box was made in Italy during...
Chrome
Small Decorative Round Brass Box by Gabriella Crespi, 1960s, Signed
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in Brescia, Brescia
A beautifully crafted small round box by the renowned Italian designer Gabriella Crespi, dating back to the 1960s. This exquisite piece is crafted in brass, showcasing Crespi's signa...
Brass
Midcentury jewelry box designed by Gabriella Crespi, Italy
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Marble and golden brass jewelry case designed by Gabriella Crespi. Recorded by Archivio Gabriella Crespi, Milan. Signed Italy 1970s. Please feel free to contact us to receive a cu...
Marble, Brass
Midcentury box designed by Gabriella Crespi, Italy
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Elegant small box by Gabriella Crespi Decorated wooden box designed by Gabriella Crespi. Recorded by Archivio Gabriella Crespi, Milan. Italy 1970s Please feel free to contact us t...
Wood
Gabriella Crespi Brass Pill Cigarette Card Box Italian, 1970s
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in New York, NY
Gabriella Crespi brass pill cigarette card box Italian, 1970s Measures: 4.4 inches wide on each side 0.3 inches deep Born in 1922, Gabriella Crespi studies architecture at the Poli...
Brass
Rare Signed Gabriella Crespi Gold Cigarette / Pill Box Desk, 1970s, Italy
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in Vis, NL
Rare signed Gabriella Crespi gold brass cigarette, pill box for a stylish desk. 1970s, made in Italy. This piece is new, unused, in excellent, nearly new condition. Comes ...
Brass
Cork and brass storage box, Gabriella Crespi 1970s
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Elegant desk storage box made of cork and brass, designed by Gabriella Crespi c. 1975. The brass frame bears the engraved signature of the author.
Brass
20th Century Gabriella Crespi Decorative Box in Brass and Plexiglass '70s
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in Torino, Piemonte
Born in 1922, Gabriella Crespi studies architecture at the Politecnico in Milan, where her work is permeated by her perspective on Le Corbusier’s and Frank Lloyd Wright’s design expe...
Brass
“Antivento” brass ashtray by Gabriella Crespi, Italy
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in Firenze, FI
An elegant and refined tabletop ashtray by Gabriella Crespi, crafted from brass and featuring a minimalist, sculptural, and highly decorative design, measuring 20 cm x 5 cm (H). This...
Brass
Gabriella Crespi Tortoiseshell and Sterling Silver Box
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in New York, NY
Gabriella Crespi tortoise and sterling silver box. Vintage Crespi cylindrical cigarette case with engraved Gabriella Crespi logo monogram and original ...
Sterling Silver
20th Century Gabriella Crespi Decorative Box in Brass and Plexiglass '70s
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in Torino, Piemonte
Born in 1922, Gabriella Crespi studies architecture at the Politecnico in Milan, where her work is permeated by her perspective on Le Corbusier’s and Frank Lloyd Wright’s design expe...
Brass
Gabriella Crespi Small Brass Container Box, Italy 1970s
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in Milan, IT
Gabriella Crespi Small Brass Container Box. Italy 1970s Carries the Initials E.L. Signed at the base Gabriella Crespi.
Brass
Gabriella Crespi Signed, Cylindrical Brass Box, Italy 1970s
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in Naples, IT
Small box cylindrical beautifully crafted by Italian designer Gabriella Crespi, dating back to the 1970s. This exquisite piece is crafted in brass, showcasing Crespi's signature min...
Brass
$2,800Sale Price / set|20% Off
Two Lucite And Silver Plate Boxes Designed By Gabriella Crespi
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in Doraville, GA
A pair of vintage lucite and silver-plate lidded boxes. The boxes were designed by Gabriella Crespi in the 1970's and made in Italy. The small box is approximately 3 1/4 inches tall ...
Silver Plate
Midcentury box designed by Gabriella Crespi, Italy
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Elegant box designed by Gabriella Crespi Wooden and golden brass small box. Recorded by Archivio Gabriella Crespi, Milan. Signed. Italy 1970s Please...
Brass
Gabriella Crespi Box / Signed
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in Munich, DE
Rare signed piece by Gabriella Crespi.
Metal
Black and metal cylindrical storage box, Gabriella Crespi, 1970s
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Elegant cylindrical desk organizer made of black celluloid with a nickel-plated metal band, designed by Gabriella Crespi around 1970. The metal band bears the artist's stamped signat...
Metal
$4,160Sale Price|20% Off
1970s Gabriella Crespi Acrylic & Bronze Box
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Acrylic box by Gabrielle Crespi, 1970s The box features a rectangular design with rounded corners, combining the transparency of acrylic with a patinated bronze band that surrounds i...
Bronze
1950s Midcentury Italian Design Box
Located in Brescia, IT
Serigraphy on metal, wood box Excellent condition.
Metal
Signed Gabriella Crespi Desk Accessories
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in Munich, DE
Signed Gabriella Crespi desk accessories, brass and acrylic.
Acrylic
$395
H 1.63 in W 5.5 in D 3.5 in
Mid-Century Jade Green Onyx Marble Brass Decorative Box ITALY, c.1960s
By Gucci
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Wonderful green stone box in brass hinged framing. Small chip to one top corner, very small, right at the brass framing. 5.5 x 3.5 in.
Agate, Onyx
Italian Tortoiseshell Lucite and Brass Decorative Box, 1970s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant Italian rectangular box featuring a richly patterned tortoiseshell-effect Lucite lid framed in polished brass. Its clean geometric form and warm amber tones make it a sophist...
Lucite
$514
H 1.58 in W 6.3 in D 3.94 in
Dior Midcentury Gilt Brass and Chrome Decorative Jewelry Box, Italy 1970s
By Christian Dior
Located in Roma, IT
Description Spectacular Mid-Century decorative box in a striking combination of gilt brass and chromed metal. This incredibly elegant jewelry box was produced in Italy during the 19...
Brass
$973
H 6.3 in W 4.93 in D 4.93 in
Dior Tortoiseshell Lucite and Brass Decorative Octagonal Box, Italy 1970s
By Christian Dior
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning Mid-Century jewelry or decorative octagonal box in a beautiful tortoiseshell effect lucite and brass. This stylish object was made in Italy during the 1970s and is attribute...
Acrylic, Lucite, Plexiglass
Gabriella Crespi Brass Pill Cigarette Card Box Italian, 1970s
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in New York, NY
Gabriella Crespi brass pill cigarette card box Italian, 1970s Measures: 4.4 inches wide on each side 0.3 inches deep Born in 1922, Gabriella Crespi studies architecture at the Poli...
Brass
Gabriella Crespi Wood and Brass Parrot Box, Italy 1970s
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in Milan, IT
Exceptional Gabriella Crespi 'Parrot' box. Wood and brass. Signed Gabriella Crespi.
Brass
Small Round Alabaster Jewelry Box with Flowers Italy 1960s
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Small Round Box 1960 Alabaster jewelry box with flower decal,
Alabaster
$876Sale Price|55% Off
H 0.6 in Dm 6.89 in
Elegant Gabriella Crespi Circular Photo Frame, Italy, 1970s
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in Brescia, Brescia
Elegant Gabriella Crespi Circular Photo Frame, Italy, 1970s Renowned for her elegant and sculptural designs, Gabriella Crespi has excelled yet again with this sophisticated piece....
Nickel
Mid-century modern lucite and brass jewelry box, Italy 1970s
Located in Firenze, IT
Modernist lucite and brass box Italy 1970s brass, faux tortoiseshell lucite H 10 × 12 × 20 cm Conditions: excellent consistent with age and use
Brass
Gabriella Crespi Box / Signed
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in Munich, DE
Rare signed piece by Gabriella Crespi.
Metal
Gabriella Crespi brushed and polished brass box signed 1970
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in Paris, IDF
Rare cylindrical box in brushed and polished brass, designed and signed by Gabriella Crespi in the 1970s. Likely intended as a cigarette case, its clean and perfectly proportioned fo...
Brass
1970s Signed Gabriella Crespi Brass and Plexiglass Pot
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
One of my most exciting finds of the year, this wonderful brass and plexiglass pot was designed by the amazing Gabriella Crespi in the 1970s. It is signed on the base and can be used...
Brass
Gabriella Crespi Signed Lucite and Brass Pencil Cup, 1970s
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in San Diego, CA
Gabriella Crespi Lucite and Brass Pencil Cup. Signed, Italy, 1970s.
Brass
Sold
H 6.89 in W 3.15 in D 2.17 in
Signed Gabriella Crespi Silver-Plated Decorative Fish Bottle, Italy 1970s
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning silver-plated flask designed by Gabriella Crespi in Italy during the 1970s and signed on the bottom. This incredibly rare bottle designed by G. Crespi, one of the most icon...
Metal, Silver Plate
Sold
H 1.97 in W 7.88 in D 4.53 in
A Gabriella Crespi style Italian 1970s lucite and woven rattan two box set
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in London, GB
A Gabriella Crespi style Italian 1970s two box set with a larger lidded box and a smaller square open box, both with woven rattan encased in lucite, in the style of Dior Home.
Rattan, Lucite
Gabriella Crespi Silver Plate Egg-Shaped Box, circa 1970
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in Atlanta, GA
Italian designer Gabriella Crespi (1922 - 2017) created this exquisite silver plate sewing box circa 1970. The streamlined egg-shaped opens in two with an almost complete interior in...
Metal, Silver Plate
1970s Original Gorgeous Box by Gabriella Crespi. Made in Italy
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in Milano, IT
1970s Original gorgeous box by Gabriella Crespi in metal and plexiglass. It's in excellent condition. The box is signed. Made in Italy Dimension: 7,08" x 3,93" x 2,75 inches cm 18 x ...
Metal
Gabriella Crespi Cork and Brass Decorative Box, Italy 1970s
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in Naples, IT
Rectangular decorative box by Gabriella Crespi from the 'cork' series with divided interior, brass borders finish the box. Brass engraved signature,...
Brass
Gabriella Crespi Wood and Brass Box, 1970s
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in Naples, IT
Wooden box and elliptical brass side bands by Gabriella Crespi. Italy, 1970s. Engraved artist's signature.
Brass
70's Decorative Box for Fiches by Gabriella Crespi
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in Roma, RM
Fiches box by Gabriella Crespi 1970 made of brass. Internal wood lining. Design and Production: Gabriella Crespi Date of creation: 1968. Posted in the Gabriella Crespi Archive at N...
Brass
Gabriella Crespi 1970s Silver Plate Signed Sewing Egg Box
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Gabriella Crespi silver plate sewing kit storage in a shape of an egg with scissors, thimble and Seta Faro Cocoon Silk Threads in assorted colors. Engraved signature on interior.
Silver Plate
Sold
H 3.55 in W 7.88 in D 5.52 in
20th Century Gabriella Crespi Decorative Box in Brass and Plexiglass, '70s
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in Torino, Piemonte
Decorative Oval box designed in '70 by Gabriella Crespi. The box is in plexiglass and brass, on the brass is present the signature of the author. Good condition, patina of time. Per...
Brass