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 Gianfranco Frattini, Progetti
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
$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
$634
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
$1,586
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
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
$811
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
Murano Glass Centerpiece by Toni Zuccheri for VeArt, Italy, 1970s
By VeArt, Toni Zuccheri
Located in Milan, IT
Murano glass centerpiece by Toni Zuccheri for VeArt. Thick transparent glass and simple round shapes.
Murano Glass
Italian Murano Glass Bowl Centerpiece, Italy, 1950s
Located in Roma, IT
Splendid and heavy centerpiece in Murano artistic glass. The bowl is a true piece of art created by the master's hand - Produced in Murano, Italy, in the 1950s. On the underside ther...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
1970's Italian Venetian Glass Centerpiece
Located in Paris, FR
A 20th Century vintage Italian decorative centerpiece or fruit dish made out of handblown blue/green Venetian Murano glass. Designed with a beautiful twisted spiral pedestal base. I...
Murano Glass
$1,586
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
$4,800Sale Price|20% Off
H 3.94 in W 9.45 in D 10.24 in
1970s Italian Nautilus Covered in 999 Silver Centerpiece by Federico Buccellati
By Federico Buccellati
Located in Haarlem, NL
Vintage 70s Italian center piece made of 4 real nautilus shells and 5 real clam shells covered in 999 Silver by Federico Buccellati. Marked inside one of t...
Sterling Silver
$1,292
H 5.12 in W 15.36 in D 12.6 in
Large Handmade Hammered Brass Centerpiece Bowl by Renzo Cassetti, Italy, 1970s
By Renzo Cassetti
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning Mid-Century hand-hammered brass oval centerpiece produced by Renzo Cassetti in Italy during the 1970s, signed on the bottom. In amazing condition, this refined centerpiece features a beautiful golden brass surface whose light is wonderfully enhanced by the sinuous lines and hammered texture. Entirely hand-forged, it bears on the underside the stamp “Cassetti – Fatto a Mano...
Brass
Centerpiece Bowl Ceramic by Vivai Del Sud, Italy 1970s
By Vivai del Sud
Located in Rome, IT
Big centerpiece bowl in woven white ceramic manufactured by Vivai del Sud, Italy, 1970s. The original label is still attached on the bottom, as shown in the photos. Vivai del Su...
Ceramic
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