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Gabriella Crespi Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Italian, 1922-2017

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 piecesmodernist 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.

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Creator: Gabriella Crespi
Gabriella Crespi Signed "Antivento" Brass Ashtray, Italy, 1970s
Gabriella Crespi Signed "Antivento" Brass Ashtray, Italy, 1970s

Gabriella Crespi Signed "Antivento" Brass Ashtray, Italy, 1970s

By Gabriella Crespi

Located in New York, NY

Gabriella Crespi Signed "Antivento" Brass Ashtray, Italy, 1970s. Small-scale solid brass ashtray with a rotating swivel lid, designed to function as a windproof ashtray...

Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gabriella Crespi Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Brass

Pair of Gabriella Crespi shells with hand-decorated silver metal application
Pair of Gabriella Crespi shells with hand-decorated silver metal application

Pair of Gabriella Crespi shells with hand-decorated silver metal application

By Gabriella Crespi

Located in Roma, RM

Pair of Gabriella Crespi shells with hand-decorated silver metal application, engraved signature, 1970s. Product details Dimensions: 8 L x 3.5 H x 6 D cm

Category

1970s Italian Vintage Gabriella Crespi Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Metal

Gabriella Crespi Stainless Steel Photo Frame, Italy, 1960
Gabriella Crespi Stainless Steel Photo Frame, Italy, 1960

Gabriella Crespi Stainless Steel Photo Frame, Italy, 1960

By Gabriella Crespi

Located in Milano, IT

Gabriella Crespi stainless steel photo frame, Italy, 1960.

Category

1960s Italian Other Vintage Gabriella Crespi Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Metal

20th Century Gabriella Crespi Decorative Box in Brass and Plexiglass '70s
20th Century Gabriella Crespi Decorative Box in Brass and Plexiglass '70s

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...

Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gabriella Crespi Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Brass

Gabriella Crespi Unique Huge Tibetan Bull 1970s
Gabriella Crespi Unique Huge Tibetan Bull 1970s

Gabriella Crespi Unique Huge Tibetan Bull 1970s

By Gabriella Crespi

Located in Munich, DE

Unique outstanding Tibetan bull designed by Gabriella Crespi in brushed metal in the 1970s. A wonderful single piece and signed on the bottom. Maybe it was a prototype.

Category

1970s Italian Hollywood Regency Vintage Gabriella Crespi Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Brass

Gabriella Crespi Sculptural Buffalo’s Head Box in Silvered Brass, Italy, 1970s
Gabriella Crespi Sculptural Buffalo’s Head Box in Silvered Brass, Italy, 1970s

Gabriella Crespi Sculptural Buffalo’s Head Box in Silvered Brass, Italy, 1970s

By Gabriella Crespi

Located in Milan, IT

Rare sculptural box by Gabriella Crespi, Italy, circa 1970s. Executed in silvered brass, the piece takes the striking form of a Buffalo’s head, with dramatically curved horns and ri...

Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gabriella Crespi Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Brass

Midcentury tableware designed by Gabriella Crespi, Italy
Midcentury tableware designed by Gabriella Crespi, Italy

Midcentury tableware designed by Gabriella Crespi, Italy

By Gabriella Crespi

Located in Piacenza, Italy

Tableware designed by Gabriella Crespi Pair of golden brass tableware designed by Gabriella Crespi. Recorded by Archivio Gabriella Crespi, Milan. Signed Italy 1970s D: 16 cm H: 2 ...

Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gabriella Crespi Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Brass

Gabriella Crespi Golden Gold-Plated Wine Cups
Gabriella Crespi Golden Gold-Plated Wine Cups

Gabriella Crespi Golden Gold-Plated Wine Cups

By Gabriella Crespi

Located in Munich, DE

Gorgeous detailed gold-plated bronze wine cup sculptures by Gabriella Crespi from the 1970s. Signed on the bottom. This piece is in excellent condition.  

Category

1970s Italian Hollywood Regency Vintage Gabriella Crespi Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Gold Plate

Super Rare Set Of Gabriella Crespi Serving Trays or Coasters * Free Delivery
Super Rare Set Of Gabriella Crespi Serving Trays or Coasters * Free Delivery

Super Rare Set Of Gabriella Crespi Serving Trays or Coasters * Free Delivery

By Gabriella Crespi

Located in Portlaoise, IE

A wonderful and exceptionally rare trio of nesting trays by celebrated Italian designer Gabriella Crespi, dating from the 1970s. Combining polished brass with beautifully woven ratta...

Category

1970s Italian Modern Vintage Gabriella Crespi Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Brass

Gabriella Crespi's Set of Silvered Brass and Glass Goblets
Gabriella Crespi's Set of Silvered Brass and Glass Goblets

Gabriella Crespi's Set of Silvered Brass and Glass Goblets

By Gabriella Crespi

Located in Piacenza, Italy

Gabriella Crespi Beautiful set of six silvered brass and glass goblets The items are signed on base. Italy, 1970s.

Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gabriella Crespi Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Brass

Italian mid-century modern brass glass tableware set by Gabriella Crespi, 1950s
Italian mid-century modern brass glass tableware set by Gabriella Crespi, 1950s

Italian mid-century modern brass glass tableware set by Gabriella Crespi, 1950s

By Gabriella Crespi

Located in MIlano, IT

Italian mid-century modern brass and glass tableware set by Gabriella Crespi, 1950s Round-based tableware set consisting of brass container and Pyrex glass inner bowl. The container ...

Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gabriella Crespi Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Brass

Gabriella Crespi Pot Brass Plexiglass Wood, Italy
Gabriella Crespi Pot Brass Plexiglass Wood, Italy

Gabriella Crespi Pot Brass Plexiglass Wood, Italy

By Gabriella Crespi

Located in Milano, IT

Gabriella Crespi pot brass plexiglass wood, Italy.

Category

1960s Italian Other Vintage Gabriella Crespi Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Brass

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Unique III Stoneware Sculpture by Lisa Geue
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Turquoise Crystal Ashtray signed by Moser, Italy, 1970s
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Previously Available Items
Gabriella Crespi Pair of Pitchers, Italy, 1970s
Gabriella Crespi Pair of Pitchers, Italy, 1970s

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Located in Milan, IT

A superb pair of Gabriella Crespi 1970s pitchers. Both pieces are signed.

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By and Documented Gabriella Crespi Gilded "Walnut" Salt Spice Cellar, Italy 1970
By and Documented Gabriella Crespi Gilded "Walnut" Salt Spice Cellar, Italy 1970

By and Documented Gabriella Crespi Gilded "Walnut" Salt Spice Cellar, Italy 1970

By Gabriella Crespi

Located in Roma, IT

Exceptional and unique half walnut-shaped salt or spice container made in finely sculpted bronze and gilded in gold. Designed by Gabriella Crespi in Italy during the 1970s, the item ...

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Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Gabriella Crespi Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

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Bronze

Gabriella Crespi fruit bowl, Italy 1970
Gabriella Crespi fruit bowl, Italy 1970

Gabriella Crespi fruit bowl, Italy 1970

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H 6.3 in W 11.82 in D 11.82 in

Gabriella Crespi fruit bowl, Italy 1970

By Gabriella Crespi

Located in LYON, FR

Enhance your interior with this fruit bowl by Gabriella Crespi, an emblematic piece of Italian design from the 1970s. Finely blending woven rattan with the golden warmth of brass, th...

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1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gabriella Crespi Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

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Brass and Crystal Drinking Set Signed by Gabriella Crespi, Italy 1970s
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Brass and Crystal Drinking Set Signed by Gabriella Crespi, Italy 1970s

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Crystal, Brass

Gabriella Crespi Coasters 1970s Signed
Gabriella Crespi Coasters 1970s Signed

Gabriella Crespi Coasters 1970s Signed

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Located in Munich, DE

Set of six Gabriella Crespi coasters made in stainless steel, Italy 1970s, signed on the bottom. Excellent vintage condition.

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Gabriella Crespi Noci Acorn Bowls
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Gabriella Crespi Noci Acorn Bowls

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H 6.3 in W 10.24 in D 8.27 in

Gabriella Crespi Noci Acorn Bowls

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Located in Munich, DE

Two acorn Noci bowls designed by Gabriella Crespi for the Gocce d’oro collection in 1974. These two bowls that can be fitted together to form a box and they are signed at the bottom....

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Materials

Brass

Gabriella Crespi Ashtray Shell Shaped in Steel and Brass, Signed
Gabriella Crespi Ashtray Shell Shaped in Steel and Brass, Signed

Gabriella Crespi Ashtray Shell Shaped in Steel and Brass, Signed

By Gabriella Crespi

Located in Milano, IT

Beautiful ashtray made and SIGNED by Gabriella Crespi in the 1960s, Italian manufacture. The ashtray has a round shape and is made entirely of steel, with a hemispherical shape, sui...

Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gabriella Crespi Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Brass, Steel

Gabriella Crespi Signed Bamboo, Rattan and Brass Tray, Italy, 1970s
Gabriella Crespi Signed Bamboo, Rattan and Brass Tray, Italy, 1970s

Gabriella Crespi Signed Bamboo, Rattan and Brass Tray, Italy, 1970s

By Gabriella Crespi

Located in Milan, IT

Rare and large Gabriella Crespi rising sun tray in bamboo, rattan, and brass Signed Gabriella Crespi on all Brass parts. Italy 1970s.

Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gabriella Crespi Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Brass

Windproof Ashtray by Gabriella Crespi, 1970s
Windproof Ashtray by Gabriella Crespi, 1970s

Windproof Ashtray by Gabriella Crespi, 1970s

By Gabriella Crespi

Located in Roma, RM

Windproof Ashtray made in nickel-plated brass with signature on the bottom. Design and Production: Gabriella Crespi Date of creation: 1973. Posted i...

Category

1970s Italian Vintage Gabriella Crespi Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Brass

Gabriella Crespi “Business Card Holder” Wood, 1960, Italy
Gabriella Crespi “Business Card Holder” Wood, 1960, Italy

Gabriella Crespi “Business Card Holder” Wood, 1960, Italy

By Gabriella Crespi

Located in Milano, IT

Gabriella Crespi.

Category

1960s Italian Other Vintage Gabriella Crespi Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Wood

Ashtray Shell Shaped in Wood and Brass by Gabriella Crespi
Ashtray Shell Shaped in Wood and Brass by Gabriella Crespi

Ashtray Shell Shaped in Wood and Brass by Gabriella Crespi

By Gabriella Crespi

Located in Milano, IT

Wonderful wooden ashtray designed by Gabriella Crespi in the 50's. The ashtray has a round brass base, which supports the central body in hollowed wood...

Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gabriella Crespi Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Brass

Gabriella Crespi serveware, ceramics, silver and glass for sale on 1stDibs.

Gabriella Crespi serveware, ceramics, silver and glass are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Gabriella Crespi serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original serveware, ceramics, silver and glass by Gabriella Crespi were created in the mid-century modern style in italy during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider serveware, ceramics, silver and glass by Giovanni Gariboldi, Lenci, and Mario Vallè. Prices for Gabriella Crespi serveware, ceramics, silver and glass can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $950 and can go as high as $13,307, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,800.