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.
Gubi Bohemian 72 Outdoor Sofa in Rattan strips by Gabriella Crespi
By Gubi, Gabriella Crespi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Bohemian '72 sofa designed by Gabriella Crespi and produced 50 years later by Gubi. Bohemian '72 sofa is part of a collection of furniture made of rattan that combines the designer's...
Fabric, Upholstery, Rattan, Foam
Gubi Bohemian 72 Sofa in Rattan strips by Gabriella Crespi
By Gabriella Crespi, Gubi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Bohemian '72 sofa designed by Gabriella Crespi and produced 50 years later by Gubi. Bohemian '72 sofa is part of a collection of furniture made of rattan that combines the designer's...
Fabric, Upholstery, Rattan, Foam
Gabriella Crespi Bohemian 72 Sofa 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
Mid-Century 1972 Vintage Gabriella Crespi Sofa
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in London, GB
Gabriella Crespi (1922–2017) was an Italian designer, artist, and sculptor known for her luxurious and sculptural furniture, lighting, and decorative objects. She worked extensively ...
Aluminum
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 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
Mid-Century Sofa Bed
Located in London, England
Mid-Century sofa bed with solid teak frame newly polished and re-covered in cream boucle fabric. U.K circa 1960.
Fabric, Teak
Vintage Mid Century Seafoam Green Leather Chesterfield Sofa
Located in Dronten, NL
Timeless, sophisticated, and steeped in character—this vintage Chesterfield sofa in rich green leather embodies classic British design at its finest. The deep button tufting, rolled ...
Leather, Beech, Down
Cini Boeri for Arflex Strips Sofa in velvet, Italy 1968
By Arflex, Cini Boeri
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Cini Boeri for Arflex, two seater strips sofa in aubergine velvet, Italy 1968 The iconic Strips sofa, a comfortable and versatile design. Reupholstered in a beautiful high quality b...
Velvet
Vintage Mid Century Sofa Bed by Toothill
By Heal's, Toothill
Located in London, GB
An outstanding and very rare vintage sofa bed by Toothill, made in England and dating from the 1960’s. These were originally retailed in Heal’s in the 1960’s, the quality is absolut...
Bouclé, Wood
$3,899 / item
H 35.44 in W 41.34 in D 27.56 in
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
Mid-Century Curved Sofa
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Long Mid-Century Modern sofa with rounded back, in a Vladimir Kagan style. Please confirm location.
Fabric
Mid Century Sofa, 1950s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Striking mid century two seater sofa. It has been reupholstered in white and pink fabric. Typical and elegant 1950s design. 1950s - Belgium Very good condition, like new....
Fabric
Mid Century Bamboo Sofa
Located in Pasadena, TX
A Mid-Century Modern "Pretzel" sofa reminiscent of the designs of Paul Frankl. A bent bamboo frame with floral print upholstery.
Fabric, Bamboo
$12,099 / item
H 25.6 in W 99.61 in D 33.47 in
New and Made to Order Gubi 3-Seater Pacha Sofa with Armrests by Pierre Paulin
By Pierre Paulin, Gubi
Located in New York, NY
Price listed for the starting fabric category A. Legendary French designer Pierre Paulin originally designed the Pacha Lounge Chair in 1975. Paulin designed the chair in harmony wit...
Textile
Kinley Rattan Sofa by Bunny Williams Home
By Bunny Williams Home
Located in New York, NY
Our collection uses the natural fibers of the rattan palm: graceful, minimal frames are contrasted with a variety of decorative wicker artistry: tight loops run along the chair apron...
Wicker
$18,094 / item
H 31.11 in W 83.86 in D 36.23 in
Mid-Century Modern French Style Sofa, Ivory Dedar Bouclé Fabric
By Lusitanus Home, Dedar
Located in Lisboa, PT
Mid-Century Modern French Style Sofa, handmade in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. With an elegant design inspired by the style of the great mid-century French designers this sofa e...
Leather, Fabric, Wool, Alpaca, Mohair, Bouclé, Linen, Velvet, Wood, Oak,...