Gianfranco Frattini is widely regarded as a mid-century master of Italian modern design. He was an award-winning architect and designer, and specialized in creating furniture and decor that is both decorative and practical — Frattini’s vintage desks, armchairs, nesting tables and other works are celebrated for their sophisticated merging of function and form.
Born in Padua in 1926, Frattini studied architecture at the Polytechnic University of Milan. He later apprenticed with his teacher and mentor, Gio Ponti. Through Ponti — arguably the most important figure in 20th-century Italian architecture and design — Frattini met many notable modernist designers such as Oscar Niemeyer and Le Corbusier, but an introduction to famed Italian entrepreneur Cesare Cassina would prove incredibly significant in helping launch his career.
During the mid-1950s, Frattini began to collaborate with Cassina’s eponymous company. He designed the brand’s acclaimed leather and walnut Model 849 lounge chair — a winner of the Compasso d’Oro award — the Marema nesting tables and the iconic Sesann collection. The latter, an enduring 1970s suite of impossibly welcoming leather-covered seating, is now produced by Tacchini. In addition to Cassina, Frattini created furniture and lighting for other manufacturers such as Bernini, Arteluce, Artemide, Knoll and more.
While many of his designs incorporate glass, tubular steel and other materials, Frattini loved working with wood. The sculptural Albero bookcase — an innovative floor-to-ceiling structure made in walnut that swings on a 360-degree vertical swivel axis — is a striking example of Frattini’s dedication to traditional woodworking techniques. In the early 1970s, he traveled to Japan with friend and collaborator Pierluigi Ghianda — a master Milanese cabinet maker — in order to study the work of artisans in Kyoto. The trip inspired his design of the Kyoto table, a work of solid beech with Canaletto walnut inserts that is part of the permanent collection of the Milan Triennale’s Design Museum. The Kyoto and Albero have been revived by Poltrona Frau.
Frattini’s designs are in the permanent collections of prestigious museums such as the Museum of Modern Art and the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum.
Find vintage Gianfranco Frattini furniture, lighting and decor on 1stDibs.
Acerbis Extra Large Maestro Table in Black Ash Wood by Gianfranco Frattini
By Gianfranco Frattini, Acerbis
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Created at the end of the 1990s by architect Gianfranco Frattini, the Maestro table combines design vision and excellence in the of Italian cabinetmaking...
Ash
$796Sale Price|20% Off
'Megaron' lamp by Gianfranco Frattini for Artemide 1980s
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Milano, IT
Reflected light floor lamp with light intensity dimmer, made of enameled metal and aluminum. Presents the mark under the base.
Metal, Aluminum
BOALUM lamp - L. Castiglioni- G. Frattini - ARTEMIDE - ITALY 1970.
By Gianfranco Frattini, Artemide, Livio Castiglioni
Located in Milano, IT
Created in 1970 by LIVIO CASTIGLIONI é GIANFRANCO FRATTINI and produced by ARTEMIDE, it was defined by DOMUS magazine as "A SERPENT OF BRIGHT LIGHT, it immediately entered the histor...
PVC
Vintage Pair of Floor Lamps by Gianfranco Frattini for Relco Design, 1970s
By Gianfranco Frattini, Relco Italia
Located in Roma, IT
Pair of Floor Lamp is an original Contemporary Design Artwork realized by Gianfranco Frattini (Padua, 1926 - Milan, 2004) in the 1970s Made in Italy, brass and Crystal by Relco De...
Crystal, Brass
Pair of Gianfranco Frattini for Artemide Wallights, Italy, 1960s
By Gianfranco Frattini, Artemide
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of Gianfranco Frattini for Artemide Wallights, Italy, 1960s.
Metal
Gianfranco Frattini 'Megaron' Floor Lamp for Artemide in Black
By Gianfranco Frattini, Artemide
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gianfranco Frattini 'Megaron' floor lamp for Artemide in black. New modern edition of the design classic by Gianfranco Frattini from 1979. The elegant uplighter radiates with its t...
Aluminum, Steel
Acerbis Large Gong Side Table in Matt Bronze Top with Brushed Brass Frame
By Acerbis, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Architect Gianfranco Frattini signed Gong, which was unveiled for the first time in 1987. Gong is a range of round metal tables of formal simplicity ...
Metal
Gianfranco Frattini chairs, mod. 107, 1961, set of 16
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Gianfranco Frattini chairs mod 107 from 1961. Set of 16: an important set of seats of the Italian design of the 60s, characterized by formal elegance, construction quality and great ...
Wood
Sofa Model 830 with Light Grey Velvet, Gianfranco Frattini, Cassina, Italy, 1955
By Cassina, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Wolfurt, AT
This "830" sofa was designed by Gianfranco Frattini in the 1950s and manufactured by the Italian company Cassina. The body of the piece of furniture is newly covered with light grey ...
Fabric, Wood
$14,061Sale Price|20% Off
Rare Set of Vintage Sofas by Gianfranco Frattini in Purple Velvet
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Milano, IT
Wonderful set of sofas designed by Gianfranco Frattini in the 50's, of fine Italian manufacture. The three-seater sofa is composed of three seats and a small table inserted into the...
Iron
Postmodern Italian Model Megaron Parete Wall Lamp by Gianfranco Frattini, 1970s
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Hamburg, DE
Minimalist wall lamp from the Italian manufacturer Artemide based on a design by Gianfranco Frattini from the late 70s. The wall lamp version of the well-known floor lamp from Artem...
Metal
Set of 8 “107” Italian Dining Chairs by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina, 1960s
By Gianfranco Frattini, Cassina
Located in Paris, FR
Set of eight model “107” dining chairs designed by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina, Italy, 1960s. A refined Italian modern classic, defined by its two-part curved backrest and archit...
Wood, Velvet
Acerbis Small Gong Side Table in Matt Painted Orbital Bronze Top with Frame
By Acerbis, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Architect Gianfranco Frattini signed Gong, which was unveiled for the first time in 1987. Gong is a range of round metal tables of formal simplicity ...
Metal
Acerbis Large Maestro Table in Black Ash Wood by Gianfranco Frattini
By Gianfranco Frattini, Acerbis
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Created at the end of the 1990s by architect Gianfranco Frattini, the Maestro table combines design vision and excellence in the of Italian cabinetmaking...
Ash
Acerbis Small Maestro Table in Black Ash Wood by Gianfranco Frattini
By Acerbis, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Created at the end of the 1990s by architect Gianfranco Frattini, the Maestro table combines design vision and excellence in the of Italian cabinetmaking...
Ash
Three Tria Coffee Table, Gianfranco Frattini for Morphos, Acerbis, 1980s
By Gianfranco Frattini, Morphos
Located in Roma, IT
Three tria coffee table is an original design furniture set realized by Gianfranco Frattini for Morphos of Acerbis International Division (Manufacture Label) in Italy during 1980s....
Walnut
Set of 3 Decorative Containers by Gianfranco Frattini for Progetti '1974'
By Progetti, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A very cool and extremely versatile set of decorative objects designed by Gianfranco Frattini for Progetti in 1974. With melamine (hard plastic) bowls and vulancized rubber tops, the...
Plastic, Rubber
Space Age Vintage White Table Lamp Desk Lamp Gianfranco Frattini, 1970s, Italy
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Vienna, AT
Space Age vintage white table lamp or desk lamp model Abele from white lacquered metal by Gianfranco Frattini for Luci Milan 1979. The table l...
Metal
Midcentury Set of 7 Dining Chairs Mod 101 by Frattini for Cassina, Italy, 1960
By Cassina, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Saarbruecken, DE
Midcentury set of 7 dining room chairs mod. 101 by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina, Italy, 1960. Signed. Teak wood. Solid and stable. Fully restored.
Teak
Italian modern stackable red white coffee table 780/783 Frattini Cassina, 1970s
By Gianfranco Frattini, Cassina
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern stackable red white coffee table 780/783 Frattini Cassina, 1970s Set of four coffee tables mod. 780/783 with round base lacquered white and red. The structure is compo...
Laminate, Wood
Acerbis Square Maestro Table in Bleached Ash Wood by Gianfranco Frattini
By Acerbis, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Created at the end of the 1990s by architect Gianfranco Frattini, the Maestro table combines design vision and excellence in the of Italian cabinetmaking...
Ash
Mid Century Modern Side Table by Gianfranco Frattini, Yugoslavia 1960s
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find an Elegant Italian side table designed by Gianfranco Frattini, dating from the 1960s. The piece exemplifies Frattini’s refined approach to construction,...
Glass, Beech
Acerbis Medium Gong Side Table in Matt Bronze Top with Brushed Brass Frame
By Gianfranco Frattini, Acerbis
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Architect Gianfranco Frattini signed Gong, which was unveiled for the first time in 1987. Gong is a range of round metal tables of formal simplicity and clean lines, which are avail...
Metal
Acerbis Medium Maestro Table in Dark Stained Walnut by Gianfranco Frattini
By Gianfranco Frattini, Acerbis
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Created at the end of the 1990s by architect Gianfranco Frattini, the Maestro table combines design vision and excellence in the of Italian cabinetmaking...
Walnut
Cassina Set of 1960s 'Marema' Nesting Tables by Gianfranco Frattini
By Gianfranco Frattini, Cassina
Located in Toronto, CA
Designed by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina in the mid-1960s, the Marema nesting tables are a standout example of Italian modernism. Featuring four low tables that stack into a sculp...
Plastic
$552Sale Price|20% Off
Gianfranco Frattini Serving Trolley, Smoked Glass & Wood, 1960s
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Ljubljana, SI
Bar cart designed by Gianfranco Frattini (wooden sides, smoked glass) 1960s. Serving cart is sturdy and fits with the classic mid-century modern aesthetic. DIMENSIONS: Height: 73 c...
Smoked Glass, Hardwood
Lucilla Table Lamp by Gianfranco Frattini for Leuka, Italy 1970s
By Gianfranco Frattini, Leuka
Located in Roma, IT
Lucilla Table Lamp by Gianfranco Frattini for Leuka, Italy 1970s. Dimensions Cm 55,00 x 48,50. Lacquered aluminium, fabric. Good conditions!
Aluminum
Acerbis Medium Maestro Table in Black Ash Wood by Gianfranco Frattini
By Gianfranco Frattini, Acerbis
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Created at the end of the 1990s by architect Gianfranco Frattini, the Maestro table combines design vision and excellence in the of Italian cabinetmaking...
Ash
Acerbis Extra Large Maestro Table in Dark Stained Walnut by Gianfranco Frattini
By Acerbis, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Created at the end of the 1990s by architect Gianfranco Frattini, the Maestro table combines design vision and excellence in the of Italian cabinetmaking...
Walnut
Wonderful and Extremely Rare Frattini Secretary for Bernini
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Munich, DE
By pulling the drawer the tambour roll top opens automatic. Then you can double the size of the writing surface.
Wood
$4,640Sale Price|20% Off
Stool Designed by G. Frattini Cassina from Hotel Parco Dei Principi, Published
By Cassina, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Beautiful ,elegant bar stool from the 'Hotel Parco dei Principi' in Rome dating from 1960 . Designed by Gianfranco Frattini in 1959 for the Stork Club, Milan. Gio Ponti used them...
Brass
Gianfranco Frattini, Red Centerpiece / Tray, Progetti Italy, 1970s
By Progetti, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Firenze, IT
Red enamelled aluminium stackable tray / centerpiece designed by Gianfranco Frattini Manufactured by Progetti, Italy, 1970s. Manufacturer's label on the base Measures: Height 6 cm...
Aluminum
Gianfranco Frattini Mod. 804 Rolltop Desk
By Gianfranco Frattini, Bernini
Located in Munich, DE
Walnut writing desk model 804 designed in 1961 by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini, Italy. Tambour top that hides small drawers and a pull out leather writing surface. Front side with...
Walnut
Gianfranco Frattini desk for Cantieri Carugati
By Cantieri Carugati, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Torino, IT
Desk by Gianfranco Frattini for Cantieri Carugati Very rare desk from the late 1950s. Made of walnut veneer. Designed by Gianfranco Frattini and Franco Bettonica. Gianfranco Frat...
Wood
1960s Vintage Floor Lamp by Gianfranco Frattini, Italian Metal Design
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage Floor Lamp by Gianfranco Frattini, Italy 1960s. Height: 180 cm Width: 60 cm - Depth: 60 cm. Good condition. Gianfranco Frattini (Padua, 1926 - Milan, 2004). He was an Ital...
Metal
Set of Two "Lucilla" Fabric Table Lamps By Gianfranco Frattini for Leuka, 1970s
By Carmellini&tronconi, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Milan, IT
Rare pair of Lucilla table lamps by Gianfranco Frattini for Leuka, later produced by Tronconi. Two lighting sources: top mirrored bulb as main one, then a lot of small bulbs behind ...
Metal
6 walnut chairs, Model 104, by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina, Italy, 1960s.
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in MADRID, ES
6 walnut chairs Model 104 by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina, Italy, 1960s. Set of 6 upholstered in Namay Samay fabric. Gianfranco Frattini was an architect and designer of furnitur...
Walnut
Gianfranco Frattini Walnut 809/C “Ovunque” Sideboard for Bernini, 1981
By Bernini, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Vicenza, IT
809/C sideboard, from the “Ovunque” series, designed by Gianfranco Frattini, and produced by the Italian manufacturer Bernini in 1981. Made of walnut. Excellent vintage condition. ...
Walnut
Tacchini Serie 500/4 Storage Cabinet by Gianfranco Frattini
By Tacchini, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in New York, NY
Optional wooden shelf or Optional glass shelf - Serie 500/4: four-piece sideboard with shutters and drawers in the lower left compartment; glass or wood shelves available as optio...
Walnut
Gianfranco Frattini Umbrella Holder
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina umbrella holder in white wood. Aluminum insert to protect for water.
Wood
Set of 4 ‘Model 780’ White Wood Stacking Coffee Tables by Gianfranco Frattini
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Chicago, IL
A set of 4 ‘Model 780’ modular nesting tables designed by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina in 1966. Crafted from solid wood in a white finish, these side tables feature laminated tops...
Wood
Italian modern crystal vase by Gianfranco Frattini for Kristal Sonoro, 1980s
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern crystal vase by Gianfranco Frattini for Kristal Sonoro, 1980s. Modern Italian crystal vase, by Gianfranco Frattini for Kristal Sonoro, circa 1980. Crystal flower vase,...
Crystal
Gianfranco Frattini Metal Floor Lamp for Relco, 1970
By Gianfranco Frattini, Relco Milano
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gianfranco Frattini Metal Floor Lamp for Relco, metal and glass, Italy, 1970 The structure reads first. A tall black grid rises like a measured scaffold, turning the lamp into a ver...
Metal
$24,588 / item
Squared Dining Marble Table by Gianfranco Frattini, 1985
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in MIlano, IT
Squared dining marble table by Gianfranco Frattini, 1985 Absolute masterpiece by Gianfranco Frattini coming from his private house in Italy. This sculptural table is composed by a s...
Marble, Metal
Italian Mid-Century Modern Lucilla Table Lamp by G. Frattini for Leuka, 1970s
By Leuka, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian Mid-Century Modern Lucilla table lamp by G. Frattini for Leuka, 1970s. enameled aluminum structure and elastic fabric Lucilla model table lamp. Designed by Gianfranco Frat...
Fabric, Plastic
1950s Italian Armchairs in the Style of Gianfranco Frattini
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
Practicing both industrial design and architecture, focusing mostly on interiors, Gianfranco Frattini is one of the members of the generation that created the Italian design movement...
Metal, Brass
Lampadaire "Megaron", Gianfranco Frattini, Artemide, 1979
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in SAINT-SEVER, FR
Paire de Lampadaire "Megaron" de Gianfranco Frattini, éditions Artemide dès 1979. Lampadaire halogéne, corps en aluminium laqué rouge grenat, base ...
Aluminum
Abele Table Lamp by Gianfranco Frattini for Luci, Italy, 1979
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in PARIS, FR
Abele table lamp by Gianfranco Frattini for Luci, Italy 1979 Matt black lamp with intensity variator, black metal structure and base. Totally functional ! good condition.
Metal