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 Mr Mme chrome brass chest of drawers 1972
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in Paris, IDF
The "Mr-Mme" chest of drawers is an iconic creation by Gabriella Crespi, dating back to 1972. Characterized by a set of nested drawers with diagonal grooves on the sides, the piece w...
Brass, Chrome
John Stuart Chrome and Lacquered Chest of Drawers
By John Stuart Inc.
Located in Hanover, MA
Vintage 1970s three drawer chest of drawers retailed by John Stuart in the style of Milo Baughman. Three drawers with chrome hardware float above the floor in a parsons form lacquere...
Chrome
art deco chest of drawers chest of drawers 1940s
Located in Lemmer, NL
art deco chest of drawers chest of drawers 1940s period 1940-1949 design unknown condition good light signs of use size 88 x 45 x 34 (hxwxd) details oak; iron; article n...
Oak
1970s Sarreid Ltd Brass Chest of Drawers Spain
By Sarried Ltd.
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents 1970s Sarreid Ltd Brass Chest of Drawers Glamorous chest or cocktail table sarried brass with nail head trim. 18.5 h 19.5 d x 34.25 w Preowned vintage condition Re...
Brass
Modernist Chest Of Drawers
Located in London, GB
Nicely proportioned chest of drawers with exposed box jointing details to the drawer face. A well made piece of 20th Century furniture. Ideal for a bedside night stand or sofa end ...
Teak, Walnut
Chest of drawers
By Zanaboni
Located in Milan, IT
Combining the dark elegance of ebony with the strikingly large grain of the ziricote wood, this oval chest of drawers is a stunning piece of functional decor that will enrich the look of any bedroom. The bold structure rests on a base in brass, which occurs also in the metal details and in the handles of the drawers. The base boasts inserts of Corteccia marble for a luxurious final effect. Matching night tables...
Marble, Brass
Danish Vintage Walnut and Brass Chest of Drawers
Located in London, GB
A stunning Danish vintage walnut and brass chest of drawers. This was made in Denmark, it dates from the 1960’s. It is of superb quality, it is large and very useful size with a bow...
Brass
Pierre Cardin Tall Chest of Drawers Brass & Ivory
By Pierre Cardin
Located in Hanover, MA
Unbelievably clean and glam Pierre Cardin for Dillingham Linen Press or chest of drawers in off-white ivory laminate with brass banding
Brass
Brass Chest of Drawers by Mastercraft
By Mastercraft
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Chic mid century chest of three drawers crafted in a sleek modern form entirely clad in brass with a hip acid washed finish featuring Chinese characters as drawer pulls signifying th...
Brass
$6,800 / set
H 33 in W 30.875 in D 18.4 in
American Designer, Chests of Drawers, Wood, Brass, USA, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of brass and wood chests of drawers designed and produced in the US, c. 1940s. Dimensions: 33” H x 30.875” W x 18.4” D
Brass
Chest of Drawers in Rosewood & Brass Details, 1950s
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Chest of drawers in rosewood with brass handles, finials and details. Black glass top. 1950s, slight wear due to age and use. Signs of wear on glass. Packaging with bubble wrap and c...
Brass
1970’s Brass Chest of Drawers by Sarreid Ltd.
By Sarreid Ltd.
Located in Raleigh, NC
Vintage brass chest of drawers manufactured by Sarreid Ltd., Spain. This piece is rectangular in shape and features two spacious drawers. Each drawer features two original brass hand...
Metal, Brass
Danish Vintage Walnut and Brass Chest of Drawers
Located in London, GB
A stunning Danish vintage walnut and brass chest of drawers. This was made in Denmark, it dates from the 1960’s. It is of superb quality, it is a very useful size with a bow fronted...
Brass
Bamboo and Brass Trimmed Buffet by Gabriella Crespi
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in Austin, TX
Italian Mid Century Modern buffet with 2 doors and 4 drawers. The gilt brass frame, which emulates bamboo, showcases the body of the cabinet that is covered in a bamboo veneer.
Brass
Rare Chest by Gabriella Crespi
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Elegant and rare chest of drawers designed by Gabriella Crespi. Ivory lacquered wood with brass details. Signed and numbered (13).
Gabriella Crespi Bar Cart
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in Chicago, IL
Crespi "Z" bar cart; multi-level cart with stainless steel with brass trim on wheels.
Brass, Stainless Steel
Rare Gabriella Crespi Amboina Dresser Plurimi Series Signed
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in Munich, DE
Wonderful dresser from Gabriella Crespi from the Plurimi Series, Italy, 1970s. Rare and exclusive amboina-veneered wood, brass and four bamboo columns at each corner. Produced by Cr...
Brass
Gabriella Crespi Signed Cabinet from "Rising Sun" Series
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in North Miami, FL
Recently passed away, Gabriella Crespi designed a wonderful and whimsical grouping of split bamboo and brass pieces for her rising sun collection. Gustavo Olivieri Antiques offers th...
Bamboo
Important "Z Desk" by Gabriella Crespi
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Rare and important cantilevered "Z Desk", brass-clad with drawer, designed by Gabriella Crespi, Italian, 1970s (signed “Gabriella Crespi” with “GC” insignia on ...
"Mr/Mme" - Model 2075/5 Chest of Drawers
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in Paris, FR
3 drawers on each side. Retractable shelf on front. Signed piece.
Brass