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.
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: Heigh...
Aluminum
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
Ventrella Bronze Centrepiece, Italy 1970s
By Ventrella
Located in Naples, IT
Large round brass and bronze centrepiece series 'Labirinti', signed Ventrella GioiellIeri in Naples.
Bronze
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
$1,626
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
$1,626
H 6.89 in W 12.41 in D 12.21 in
Italian Rattan and Brass Round Centerpiece Tray Basket with Handles, c. 1970
Located in Barcelona, ES
Mid-Century Modern brass and bamboo / rattan large round basket tray or centerpiece with handles. Handcrafted in Italy, 1970s. This rattan basket centerpiece was handcrafted in Ital...
Brass
Set of Four Trays by Gianfranco Frattini for Progetti, 1970
By Gianfranco Frattini, Progetti
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
$296Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 8.6 in Dm 4.1 in
"Roum roum" Leather Container Designed by Claude Bouchard for Oscar Maschera
By Oscar Maschera, Claude Bouchard
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Roum roum" is a leather container, designed by Claude Bouchard and manufactured by Oscar Maschera, and is part of Foglia Couture collection. Genuine...
Leather
$1,400 / set
H 2 in W 7 in D 3 in
Set of 3 Bronze & Gold Biomorphic Decorative Bowl Sculptures by Jonathan Adler
By Jonathan Adler
Located in Troy, MI
A grouping of 3 bronze biomorphic decorative bowls by Jonathan Adler Retired design model 13020 circa 2012 Graduated size and varied organic forms in bronze with gold interior Impre...
Bronze
$3,950
H 3.75 in W 20.5 in D 9.75 in
Contemporary Italian Murano Glass Silver Blue Green Mosaic Centerpiece on Red
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary modern Murano Art glass Mosaic centrepiece: High quality of execution using the sophisticated technique of glass fusion with a see-through mosaic of murrine (each little...
Silver Leaf
$831
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
$783 / set
H 1.19 in Dm 9.85 in
Set of Four Decorative Plates by Åke Arenhill for Höganäs Keramik, Sweden, 1960s
By Höganäs Keramik
Located in Bochum, NRW
A captivating set of four ceramic plates designed by renowned Swedish artist Åke Arenhill and produced by Höganäs Keramik in the mid-20th century. - Diameter: 25 cm (9.8 inches) - M...
Ceramic
Round Centerpiece Serving Tray Lucite Tortoiseshell & Steel Italy 1970s
By Christian Dior
Located in Rome, IT
Iconic round serving tray / centerpiece in tortoiseshell effect lucite with a steel circle in the style of Christian Dior made in Italy in the 1970s.
Metal, Steel