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.
$562Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage 1970s wooden wall mirror design Gianfranco Frattini
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Torino, Piemonte
Wall mirror with walnut wood frame , design Gianfranco Frattini, 1970s. CONDITION: In good condition, may show signs of wear given by time. DIMENSIONS: Height 100 cm; width 58 cm; ...
Glass, Wood
An Iconic 1970s Mid-Century Modern Wood Mirror by Gianfranco Frattini
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Aci Castello, IT
A mid-century modern wood mirror by Gianfranco Frattini is a remarkable piece of design that encapsulates the essence of the era. Gianfranco Frattin...
Mirror, Wood
Mid-century 1970s wall mirror
Located in Praha, CZ
Mid-century 1970s wall mirror, Signs of use, has patina and rust, original condition
Metal
Mid-Century Modern Five-Panel Beveled Wall Mirror, 1970s
Located in South Bend, IN
A stylish Mid-Century Modern five-panel beveled wall mirror USA, 1970s Measures: 39.75"W x 1"D x 36"H. Very good original vintage condition.
Mirror
Mid-Century Modern Porthole Mirror by C. Jeré, Brass, Lacquered, 1970s
By C. Jeré Artisan House, Curtis Jeré
Located in New York, NY
Mid-Century Modern Porthole Mirror by C. Jeré, Brass, Lacquered, 1970s. Medium scale chunky round mirror with a warm patina to the original lacquered brass. Some scratching to brass ...
Brass
Italian Mid-Century Modern Steel Circular Mirror, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian Mid-Century Modern steel circular mirror, 1970s. Fantastic and rare steel frame and original mirror of the 1970 period. Produced from an Italian company of the period and de...
Metal
$345Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 21.66 in W 21.66 in D 1.19 in
Vintage Italian Wall Mirror, Mid-Century Modern, 1970s Design
Located in Ljubljana, SI
Vintage Italian Mirror. Made in 1970s. Simplicity of form and eternal design. This mirror will upgrade any room with its minimalistic aesthetic in white. Material: plastic, mirror....
Mirror, Plastic
Neal Small Slopes Mirror, Mid-Century Modern, 1970s USA
By Neal Small
Located in Dallas, TX
This mirror can be hung vertically or horizontally. Neal Small was born in New York city in 1937. He has been called the “Prince of Plastic”, having become renowned for his pionee...
Mirror, Wood
$1,566
H 22.45 in Dm 16.74 in
Burl Wood Maple Art Deco Oval Mirror 1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage #2
Located in London, England
Pleasing oval mirror in burl book-matching wood veneer frame. The frame is made early 1970s and is reminiscent of the art deco period, the mirror itself is relatively new and it has ...
Mirror, Wood, Burl
1970s Italian Mid-Century Designer Round Wood Wall Mirror
Located in Carimate, Como
A Mid-Century Modern wooden round circle wall mirror
Rope, Mirror, Wood
Faceted Glass Wall Mirror, Futuristic 1970s Design, Size M
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
This faceted wall mirror, size M, draws inspiration from the futuristic design of the 1970s while maintaining a contemporary craftsmanship. Made of small square glass mirrors, it cre...
Metal
Mid-Century Modern Brass & Smoked Glass Wall Mirror 1970s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A striking mid-century modern wall mirror featuring a smoked glass border framed with tubular brass rods that extend beyond the edges for a bold architectural look. The mirror is mou...
Mirror, Smoked Glass
Mid-Century Modern Cristal Art Wall Mirror, 1970s, Italy
By Cristal Arte
Located in Palermo, PA
Amazing mid-century double-level mirror attributed to Cristal Art. Rectangular smoked glass frame in graphite grey with curvy glass. Made in 1970s, Italy. This stunning hand-crafte...
Glass, Mirror
$4,320
H 11.42 in W 7.09 in D 0.79 in
Ceramic Wall Mirror by Mithé Espelt, France, Vintage Design, 1970s
By Mithé Espelt
Located in Paris, FR
Ceramic Mirror by Mithé Espelt, France, 1970s
Ceramic
Large Round Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirror, Brass, 1970s
By Mastercraft
Located in Miami, FL
Large Mid-Century Modern mirror most likely made by Mastercraft. Brass plated metal, the brass plating has a strong patina. Total weight is seventy pounds.
Steel
Mid‑Century Modern Gilt Mirror by Deknudt, Belgium, 1970s
By Deknudt
Located in Meulebeke, BE
A refined example of Belgian mid‑century craftsmanship, this gilt mirror by Deknudt embodies the quiet sophistication for which the manufacturer is celebrated. The rectangular frame ...
Resin
$778Sale Price|27% Off
H 28.35 in W 22.84 in D 1.19 in
Mid- Century Modern Beveled Glass Wall Mirror, Italy 1970s
By Lupi Cristal Luxor
Located in Ceglie Messapica, IT
Mid- Century Modern Beveled Glass Wall Mirror, Italy 1970s A 1970s beveled mirror manufactured in Italy in the 1970s (attributed to Cristal Luxor manufacturing), featuring double‑la...
Crystal
Vintage wood wall mirror, Gianfranco Frattini style, Italy 1950s
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Ceglie Messapica, IT
Vintage wood wall mirror, Gianfranco Frattini style, Italy 1950s A beautiful italian Mid century mirror from the 1950s designed in the style of the iconic italian designer Gianfranc...
Glass, Wood