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.
Set of Four Trays by Gianfranco Frattini for Progetti, 1970
By Progetti, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Milan, IT
Set of Four Trays by Gianfranco Frattini for Progetti, 1970 Set of four coloured trays in laquered metal. These works with their curved and minimal lines can be used as excellent ...
Metal
1970 Gianfranco Frattini Progetti Italian Design Purple Murano Glass Bottle
By Gianfranco Frattini, Progetti
Located in Brescia, IT
Bottle Designer Gianfranco Frattini Ed. Progetti Italy, 1970 Purple Murano "Incamiciato" Bottle "Progetti" signed under the base Perfect condiction
Blown Glass
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
Set of Four Boxes by Gianfranco Frattini for Progetti, Italy, 1970s
By Gianfranco Frattini, Progetti
Located in Milan, IT
Set of four boxes by Gianfranco Frattini for Progetti. Versatile elements composed by melamine base and rubber lids.
Plastic, Rubber
Set of 3 Decorative Containers by Gianfranco Frattini for Progetti '1974'
By Gianfranco Frattini, Progetti
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
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
$463
H 10.63 in W 4.14 in D 4.14 in
Cylindrical Murano Glass Vase, Italy, 1970s, Rectangular Relief Design
Located in Roma, IT
Cylindrical glass vase is a wonderful glass decorative object, realized by an italian manufacture during the 1970s. Very fashionable vase wit...
Murano Glass
Set of Decorative Bronze Bowls, 1970's
Located in London, GB
Set of three sculptural Mid-Century Modern bronze cast bowl with decorative open pattern. Great center pieces and functional bowls. High quality hand crafted items each have real character in texture and shape with their original patina. Individual dimensions, Open pattern bowl; Diameter 23 cm Height 3 cm Maximum textural pattern bowl; Diameter 19 cm Height 4 cm Waved bowl...
Bronze
$1,780 / set
H 5.91 in W 17.33 in D 10.24 in
Set of Two Ceramic Centerpieces by Gabbianelli, Italy, 1970s
By Gabbianelli
Located in Milan, IT
Set of two huge ceramic centerpieces by Gabbianelli. Oversized handles and pure sculptural shape.
Ceramic
$678 / set
H 5.32 in Dm 9.26 in
1970s Set of Four Bowls in Handblown Opal Glass by Michael Bang for Holmegaard
By Michael Bang, Holmegaard
Located in Knebel, DK
Set of four bowls in handblown opal glass designed by Michael Bang and made by Holmegaard in the 1970s. The well designed set with it´s 1970´s color...
Glass, Opaline Glass
$626
H 3.94 in W 11.03 in D 13 in
French Riviera Rattan and Brass Centerpiece or Catchall Tray, Italy, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful Mid-Century organic centerpiece or tray entirely made of curved rattan, hand-woven wicker, and brass. This stylish French Riviera–style tray was produced in Italy during th...
Metal, Brass
$47Sale Price / set|50% Off
H 1.97 in W 6.3 in D 4.34 in
Set of 5 Vintage 1970s "Venice" Fabric and Wood Boxes - Italian Mid-Century Deco
Located in Manzano, IT
Set of 5 Vintage 1970s "Venice" Fabric and Wood Boxes - Italian Mid-Century Decor Product Description: Add a touch of Italian vintage charm to your home with this exquisite set of f...
Ceramic, Fabric, Velvet, Wood
$1,565
H 1.97 in Dm 14.57 in
Large Handmade Hammered Silver Centerpiece Bowl by Renzo Cassetti, Italy 1970s
By Renzo Cassetti
Located in Roma, IT
Fantastic large round shell shaped centerpiece completely handmade in hammered silver plate. This beautiful piece was designed by Renzo Cassetti in Italy in the 1970s and is signed i...
Silver Plate
$800
H 2.37 in W 10.24 in D 4.53 in
Handmade Leaf Vide-Poche or Centerpiece in Brass by Cassetti, Italy 1970
By Renzo Cassetti
Located in Roma, IT
Gorgeous Mid-Century catchall or centerpiece handcrafted in gilt brass and signed by Renzo Cassetti. This stylish and unique decorative piece was produced in Italy during the 1970s. ...
Brass
Lalique 'Ladybird' Crystal Vase 1980s
Located in Milano, MI
Crystal vase by Lalique, "Coccinelle" collection, made in the 1980s Ø cm 10.5 h cm 10.5 Lalique is a renowned French luxury glassware and crystal brand, recognized worldwide for it...
Crystal
Art Deco Blue Glass Centerpiece Bowl by Rudolf Schrötter, 1970s
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Poland, 1970s This is a thick and heavy blue glass bowl. It is a vintage piece, therefore it might show slight traces of use, but overall it can be considered as in excellent...
Glass
Italian Silver Box Raised, 1970s
Located in Delft, NL
Italian silver box raised on 4 feet, 1970s Italian silver box in curvy octagonal shape with repousse design of flowers and scrolls The purity de...
Silver
Orange sommerso perfume bottle , Murano glass, Italy, 1970's
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Beautiful orange sommerso perfume bottle designed and manufactured in murano, 1970s. Glass craftsmanship according to the sommerso technique (...
Murano Glass
Sold
H 10.63 in W 7.29 in D 2.56 in
Gianfranco Frattini Italian Chrome-Plated Photo Frame for Progetti, 1970s
By Gianfranco Frattini, Progetti
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Set of three italian photo frames model 64L92 designed by Gianfranco Frattini for Progetti Alessandria Itay” with chrome-plated brass frame, one in original cardboard box, Italy 1970...
Metal, Brass
Sculptural Chess and Casket by Gianfranco Frattini in Silver 925
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Exclusive and rare set of silver chess in a wooden casket designed by Gianfranco Frattini in the 1970's. Extraordinary piece of craft, possibly unique, e...
Silver
Gianfranco Frattini Italian Postmodern Black Box for Progetti
By Progetti, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in New York, NY
A black Postmodern period Italian round cylindrical vessel box by architect and designer G. F. 'Gianfranco' Frattini for Progetti, circa late-20th century, 1980s-1990s, Italy. A grea...
Composition
Set of Two Crystal Vases by Gianfranco Frattini for Progetti
By Gianfranco Frattini, Progetti
Located in Milan, IT
Pair of crystal vases by Gianfranco Frattini for Progetti. Milky glass decoration on transparent body. Size of the big piece.
Glass