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.
Vintage Tagged Gabriella Crespi Pencil Reed Mirror
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This stunning large wall mirror is a masterpiece of 1970s Organic Modernism, bearing the prestigious Gabriella Crespi signature tag. Meticulously hand-crafted with concentric rows of...
Mirror, Rattan, Reed
Gabriella Crespi for Christian Dior brushed steel vanity mirror 1970
By Gabriella Crespi, Christian Dior
Located in Paris, IDF
Beautiful Mid-Century table vanity mirror designed by Gabriella Crespi for Christian Dior and made in Italy in the late 1970. Made entirely with brushed steel, the mirror looks solid...
Steel
Vivai del Sud Rattan Pencil Reed Rattan Arched Mirror
By Vivai del Sud
Located in Barcelona, ES
Eye-caching Organic Modern handcrafted in rattan. Attributed to Vivai del Sud. Italy, 1960s. This mirror features a finely executed frame with arched top made of 20 layers of rattan canes. The layers of rattan are displayed in twisting disposition creating a beautiful frame. To be used as wall mirror on a bathroom or any bedroom or as console mirror. Large mirror surface. Clean design and amazing shape. Measures: 83 cm H x 73 cm W x 5 cm D Glass measures:71,5 cm H x 61,5 cm W We are specialists in mirrors and sunburst mirrors: A curated selection is avaliable at our 1stdibs marketplace. Arched Mirror // Rattan Arched Mirror...
Cane, Rattan, Reed, Mirror
$6,617 / set
H 32.68 in W 32.68 in D 1.19 in
Pair of Vivai Del Sud Pencil Reed Rattan Octagonal Mirrors with Brass Detail
By Vivai del Sud
Located in Barcelona, ES
Pair of Octagon Mirrors in rattan pencil reed and brass frames. Italy, 1960-1970. Attributed to Vivai del Sud These eye-catching mirrors feature finely executed rattan frames in octagonal shape surrounded by a rim in gilt brass metal. Made of multiple layers of pencil reed rattan canes. They have a oool taste combining Midcentury and Hollywood Regency design. To be used as wall mirrors over a double vanity in a bathroom , as console mirrors in an entry hall or in any other room. Large mirror surface. Clean design and amazing shape. Great condition. On sale as a pair. Overall measures: 83 cm H x 83 cm W x 3 cm D Glass measures: 65 cm H x 65 cm W We are specialists in mirrors and sunburst mirrors: A curated selection of wall mirrors and other venetian style mirrors in different shapes are avaliable at our 1stdibs marketplace. We invite you to see the whole collection. Octagonal Rattan mirrors...
Brass
Vanity Mirror by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare table Mirror with rose colored glass by Max Ingrand. Manufactured by Fontana Arte, Milan, Italy circa 1950s.
Brass
$1,642
H 22.84 in W 26.78 in D 11.03 in
Vintage Italian Mid-Century Modern Chrome Tilting Vanity Mirror – 1970s
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
An iconic and minimalist Italian table mirror from the Mid-Century Modern era, characterized by its clean geometric shapes and impressive, monumental size. This freestanding mirror f...
Metal
1980s Vintage Vanity Mirror
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful Italian vanity mirror with lights made in Italy 1980s.
Chrome
$189Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 9.45 in W 5.52 in D 1.58 in
20th-Century Vanity Set With Mirror, Hairbrush, Comb, and Clothes Brush
Located in Opole, PL
20th-Century Vanity Set With Mirror, Hairbrush, Comb, and Clothes Brush An antique personal grooming set consisting of a comb, hairbrush, hand mirror, and clothes brush, made with b...
Acrylic
1970s Style Charles Hollis Jones Table Vanity Mirror Lucite & Chrome
By Charles Hollis Jones
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration , 1970s Modernist Lucite Chrome Vanity Table Mirror in the style of Charles Hollis Jones. Dimensions: 14" H x 14" W x 5" ...
Glass, Mirror, Lucite
$1,181
H 18.9 in W 17.33 in D 2.37 in
Angelo Mangiarotti Midcentury Marble and Steel Round Vanity Table Mirror, 1960s
By Angelo Mangiarotti
Located in Roma, IT
Amazing midcentury marble and steel round vanity table mirror. This fantastic item was designed by Angelo Mangiarotti in Italy during the 1960s. ...
Marble, Steel
Midcentury Rattan Split Reed Rectangular Wall Mirror
Located in Barcelona, ES
Italian Designer Midentury wall mirror, split reed, bamboo, rattan, Italy, 1960s. This cool rectangular mirror was handcrafted with bamboo cane and rattan. Its design combines Midcentury and Oriental accents. It will be a nice addition to be used in a bathroom or as wall mirror / console mirror in any other room or entry hall. Perfect for a beach house interior...
Bamboo, Cane, Rattan, Reed, Mirror
19th Century Brass Reeded Mirror
Located in Houston, TX
A fabulous tall late 19th-century French mirror crafted in a reeded brass frame with wonderful minimalist lines, notable features include antique mercury mirror plate.
Brass
Vanity Mirror
Located in Chicago, IL
Brass plated Nickel desk or vanity mirror. fully extended depth is 3.5
Brass
Mid Century Style Vanity Mirror
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Mid century modern style round vanity mirror on a faux marble base by Schreiber
Mirror
Sold
H 41.74 in W 41.74 in D 1.58 in
20th Century Italian Octagonal Brass & Ratan Mirror By Gabriella Crespi c.1970
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Crafted in the mid-20th century, Gabriella Crespi's octagonal mirror showcases a striking geometric design fashioned from reeds and bamboo, elegantly encased in a brass frame. Its ad...
Brass
Gabriella Crespi "Rising Sun" Mirror
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rising Sun Mirror by Gabriella Crespi This Mirror is from the House of The Rising Sun Collection Made of Rattan, Brass, And Mirrored Glass From Italy, 1970s Hand Signed.
Brass
Gabriella Crespi "Rising Sun" Mirror, Italy, 1970s
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in Miami, FL
House of the Rising Sun collection console or wall mirror rendered in rattan, brass, and mirror glass designed by Gabriella Crespi, documented, Italy, 1970s Provenance; private esta...
Brass
Gabriella Crespi Mirror
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in Chicago, IL
Crespi Gothic inspired brass mirror. Can hang on wall or freestanding on floor. Two hanging sides full finished brass backing. Few of these were ever produced. Impressed signatur...
Brass
Gabriella Crespi Stainless Steel Mirror
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in Miami, FL
Stainless steel table mirror by Gabriella Crespi. Signed on verso.
Stainless Steel