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 Pencil Reed Rattan Arm Chairs - a Pair
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gabriella Crespi Pair of Pencil Reed Arm Chairs. Each chair has a tropical leaf pattern with incredible detail work. Original fabric that be easily recovered with your favorite fabri...
Rattan
High-Back Bamboo And Brass Chair By Gabriella Crespi, Italy, 1970s
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in Antwerp, BE
This high-back chair, designed by Gabriella Crespi in Italy during the 1970s, combines bamboo with refined brass detailing. Its woven geometric backrest and warm natural patina refle...
Brass
Customizable Gubi Bohemian 72 Lounge Chair by Gabriella Crespi
By Gubi, Gabriella Crespi
Located in New York, NY
Comprising a lounge chair, three-seater sofa, ottoman and floor lamp – all crafted from rattan – the Bohemian 72 Collection embodies Crespi’s ca...
Fabric, Rattan
Gabriella Crespi Bohemian 72 Lounge Chair Diagonal Bouclé Dedar 007 for GUBI
By Gubi, Gabriella Crespi
Located in New York, NY
The Bohemian ‘72 Collection brings together Gabriella Crespi’s interest in natural materials, her fascination with stacked sculptural forms, and her curiosity about Eastern cultures ...
Upholstery, Rattan
Gabriella Crespi Bohemian 72 Ottoman Diagonal Bouclé Dedar 007 for GUBI
By Gabriella Crespi, Gubi
Located in New York, NY
The Bohemian ‘72 Collection brings together Gabriella Crespi’s interest in natural materials, her fascination with stacked sculptural forms, and her curiosity about Eastern cultures ...
Upholstery, Rattan
Pair of Mid-Century Italian "Sedia Jacaré" Folding Chairs by Gabriella Crespi
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
A pair of Mid-Century Italian brass and leather 'Sedia Jacaré' folding chairs. Designed by Gabriella Crespi in 1975.
Brass
Customizable Gubi Bohemian 72 Lounge Chair by Gabriella Crespi
By Gabriella Crespi, Gubi
Located in New York, NY
Comprising a lounge chair, three-seater sofa, ottoman and floor lamp – all crafted from rattan – the Bohemian 72 Collection embodies Crespi’s ca...
Fabric, Rattan
Gabriella Crespi Set of 8 Sedia 73 Gray Leather Chairs
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in Miami, FL
A set of 8 chairs by Gabriella Crespi. The design is quite striking in its perfect simplicity, clean modern lines with the polished metal contrasting with the organic beauty of the leather. When folded we realize that we have been deceived by the apparent simplicity of the design as the unexpected way the leather seats are held in place is revealed. These chairs were designed by Gabriella Crespi in several versions. First introduced in 1973 with the Puzzle dining table...
Metal
Gabriella Crespi Bohemian 72 Sofa Diagonal Bouclé Dedar 007 for GUBI
By Gabriella Crespi, Gubi
Located in New York, NY
The Bohemian ‘72 Collection brings together Gabriella Crespi’s interest in natural materials, her fascination with stacked sculptural forms, and her curiosity about Eastern cultures ...
Upholstery, Rattan
GUBI Bohemian 72 Chair with The Row Towel Cushions, Two Chairs Available
By Gabriella Crespi, Gubi
Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO
One-of-a-Kind, New Gabriella Crespi Bohemian 72 Lounge Chairs by Gubi. With custom cushions handcrafted in The Row terry cloth cotton towels. Designed by Forsyth. The Row towels are...
Fabric, Rattan
$500
H 15.75 in W 17.72 in D 17.72 in
Mid Century Scarabeo Blue Velvet Dedar Triangle Stool, Europe, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Stool from the turn of the 1960s and 1970s. Beautiful velour upholstery in blue color. About the fabric: A jacquard velvet with a minute geometric motif traces a refined and iconi...
Velvet, Wood
$2,684 / set
H 40.16 in W 16.93 in D 16.93 in
Set of Four Black and Clear Sculptural Lucite High Back Dining Room Chairs 1970s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Set of four black and clear Lucite sculptural dining room chairs, 1970s.Original thick transparent and black Lucite sculptural design.The chairs are extraordinary and in good vintage...
Lucite
Pierre Paulin Pacha Lounge Chair for Gubi
By Pierre Paulin, Gubi
Located in Skokie, IL
Pierre Paulin classic Pacha Lounge Chair for Gubi. This chair features a non swivel base. A mid-century modern dark, rounded lounge chair with a low pro...
Upholstery, Plastic
$3,600 / set
H 29 in W 24 in D 29.5 in
Pair of Hans Wegner Style Mid Century Folding Lounge Chairs, Teak Accent Chairs
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of Hans Wegner Style Mid Century Folding Lounge Chairs, Accent Chairs This stunning pair of vintage lounge chairs features sculptural teak wood frames and original hand woven ...
Cord, Wood, Teak, Rope
$3,000 / set
H 18.25 in W 22.5 in D 22.5 in
American Designer, Mid-Century Modern Tufted Ottomans, Stools, Walnut, Bouclé
Located in Manhasset, NY
Mid-Century Modern American Designer Tufted Ottomans, Stools, Footstools Walnut, Bouclé Pair of Mid-Century stools or ottomans by an unknown American designer having organic curve...
Textile, Wood
$3,699 / item
H 25.5 in W 30.3 in D 33.4 in
Pierre Paulin 'Pacha' Lounge Chair with Returning Swivel for GUBI
By Pierre Paulin, Gubi
Located in Glendale, CA
Pierre Paulin 'Pacha' Lounge Chair with Returning Swivel for GUBI Pierre Paulin 'Pacha' lounge chair upholstered in Harp ivory fabric (24- Fabric group A). Paulin designed the 'Pacha' lounge chair in 1975 with the intention of creating a sensation of sitting on clouds. With ivory cotton upholstery and a returning swivel wood base with a pearl gold finish, the curvaceous and low-slung Pacha lounge chair...
Cotton, Wood
Vintage Coastal Chevron Pencil Reed Dining Chairs - Set of 8
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A fantastic set of 8 vintage Coastal dining chairs. Incredible pencil reed frame in a chic Chevron design. Two arm chairs and six sides. Acquired from a Palm Beach estate.
Reed
Pair of Italian Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Located in Buchanan, NY
A sophisticated pair of 1950s Italian sidechairs in green leather with wicker backs and brass detailing. Add some classic mid-century modern elegance to your home with this gorgeous pair of 1950s Italian side chairs...
Upholstery
Sculptural Olive Wood High Back French Chair, France, 1970s
Located in Utrecht, NL
The 1970s were, arguably, one of the most interesting eras in French design, with “a lot going on”. In part a reaction against the sleek modernism of mid-century design, 1970s design...
Wood
Pair of Palladio Italian Mid-Century Gilt Metal Side Chairs
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Italian Mid-Century side chairs with gilt metal frames, with open backs topped with a wide back rail with central cutout, and seats upholstered in a bold brown, orange, and b...
Fabric
Pair Of Pierre Paulin Swivel Pacha Lounge Chair by Gubi
By Gubi
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
The legendary Pierre Paulin originally designed the Pacha Chair in 1975. With comfort as his focus Paulin gave the Pacha chair its curvy and natural form providing excellent support ...
Fabric
1970s Italian chair in Cowhide and Chrome - Italy, 1970s
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Designer: Unknown Manufacturer: Unknown Country: Italy Model: Desk chair / dining chair Design period: 1970’s Date of manufacturing: circa 1970 Size WDH in cm: 51x59x81 seat height 4...
Cowhide
Set of 6 Rattan Chairs By Gabriella Crespi
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Set of 6 chairs in rattan and fabric by Gabriella Crespi Composed by 2 armchairs and 4 chairs Rising Sun collection All chairs have the signature stamped on brass Italy 1975 the bu...
Bamboo, Fabric
Sold
H 37.8 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 in
Four Chairs and 2 Armchairs, Rising Sun Collection Italy, 1974, Gabriella Crespi
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in Marbella, ES
Four chairs and 2 armchairs, Rising Sun collection Italy, 1974. Gabriella Crespi.
Bamboo
Sold
H 33 in W 20 in D 21 in
Gabriella Crespi Pair of Chairs in Polished Brass and Leather 1970s 'Signed'
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Rare pair of chairs in polished brass with stitched leather seats and backs, by Gabriella Crespi, Italy 1970's (signed "Gabriella Crespi Italy"). These chairs are super chic and beau...
Brass
Gabriella Crespi Rising Sun Collection Rattan Chairs, Set of 8
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in North Miami, FL
Set of eight bamboo dining chairs, each retain a metal Gabriella Crespi tag. Great original vintage condition. The design is from the Rising Sun series designed and produced in Ital...
Bamboo
Set of 6 Gabriella Crespi "Rising Sun" Bamboo Dining Chairs
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in North Miami, FL
Great original vintage condition, this set has 6 armless chairs. Of the 6 chairs 3 have the brass Gabriella Crespi signature plaque on the back (see detail images). The design is fro...
Bamboo
Sold
H 33.47 in W 19.69 in L 33.47 in
Pair of Gabriella Crespi Reclining Chairs, Sedia 73, Brass and Natural Leather
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in Uccle, BE
Pair of folding or reclining chairs, brass and leather, Ingenious closing of the seat by belt-type strapping, circa 1973. Signed with Gabriella Crespi markings "Gabriella Crespi BREV." About Gabriella Crespi : Gabriella Crespi (1922 Saronno IT – 2017 Milano IT) is an italian decorator and designer associated to « hippie chic » taste of the seventies. She studied architecture in Milan (polytechnical school) and was a great admirer of the work of Le Corbusier and Frank Lloyd Wright. In 1945 she married Giuseppe Maria Crespi...
Brass
Set of Eight Gabriella Crespi "Rising Sun" Dining Chairs
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in Miami, FL
Eight House of the Rising Sun collection rattan dining chairs by Gabriella Crespi, signed and documented.
Rattan
Pair of Gabriella Crespi Bamboo Stools, circa 1970s Italy
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in Girona, Spain
Pair of Gabriella Crespi Bamboo Stools Signed Circa 1970's, Italy Excellent Condition
Bamboo
Sold
H 27 in W 27 in D 45 in
Original Gabriella Crespi "Rising Sun" Collection Reclining Lounge Chairs
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in North Miami, FL
These reclining chairs made entirely of Malacca Rattan and are key elements of Crespi's visionary rising sun collection created in 1974. Each is signed to brass plaque, original seat...
Rattan
Eight Gabriella Crespi "Rising Sun" Bamboo Dining Chairs
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in North Miami, FL
Set of eight bamboo dining chairs, each retain a metal Gabriella Crespi tag. We also have a set of ten additional finish chairs with white leatherette upholstery. Note: This is lo...
Bamboo