Gianfranco Frattini Seating
Italian, 1926-2004
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.
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Creator: Gianfranco Frattini
Set of Four Dining Chairs by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina, 1960s
By Cassina, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Hellouw, NL
Set of Four Dining Chairs by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina from the 1960s. The chairs are made of teak with a molded plywood back and red (faux) leather. They have great aesthetics...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gianfranco Frattini Seating
Materials
Faux Leather, Teak, Plywood
Sesann two seater sofa by Gianfranco Frattini in dark brown leather for Cassina
By Gianfranco Frattini, Cassina
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Beautiful early production 2 seater ‘Sesann’ sofa designed by Gianfranco Frattini and manufactured by Cassina, Italy 1969.
This super comfortable sofa comes in a beautiful high qual...
Category
1960s Vintage Gianfranco Frattini Seating
Materials
Chrome
Gianfranco Frattini Space Age Black Leather Sesann Armchair for Cassina, 1972
By Cassina, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Vicenza, IT
Sesann armchair, designed by Gianfranco Frattini in 1970 and produced by the Italian manufacturer Cassina.
It features black leather upholstery and a chrome tubular cage as structur...
Category
1970s Italian Space Age Vintage Gianfranco Frattini Seating
Materials
Chrome
Chair by Gianfranco Frattini, 1960
By Cassina, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Berlin, DE
This extraordinary chair was designed by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina 1960. The construction of the 'Model 904' is made of solid walnut wood. The seat and back are upholstered. Th...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Gianfranco Frattini Seating
Materials
Wool, Walnut
Bull 3-seater red leather sofa by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina 1987
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Sas van Gent, NL
A timeless design by infamous Italian designer Gianfranco Frattini (1926-2004) for Cassina; the Bull sofa. Only produced in 1987 by Cassina, this design is becoming increasingly rare...
Category
1980s Italian Modern Vintage Gianfranco Frattini Seating
Materials
Leather, Plastic, Rubber
$6,501 Sale Price
35% Off
3-Seat Sofa Model "830" Design Gianfranco Frattini, Cassina, 1950s
By Gianfranco Frattini, Cassina
Located in Wolfurt, AT
This two-seater "830" sofa was designed by Gianfranco Frattini in the 1950s and manufactured by the Italian company Cassina. The sofa is in good original condition and is covered wit...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gianfranco Frattini Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Gianfranco Frattini “831” Armchairs for Cassina, 1955
By Cassina, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gianfranco Frattini “831” Armchairs for Cassina, brass, black leather and walnut, 1955
The Gianfranco Frattini "831" armchairs, designed for C...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gianfranco Frattini Seating
Materials
Brass
Superb 1958, 3 Seat, Gianfranco Frattini, '872' Leather Sofa, Cassina, Italy
By Figli di Amadeo Cassina, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Superb and very rare 1958 '872' sofa by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina, Italy.
This 3 seat sofa has been newly upholstered with new Pantera TM foam and finished in superb dark brow...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gianfranco Frattini Seating
Materials
Nickel
Pair of Gianfranco Frattini Model 877 Wing Chairs, Cassina, white boucle C. 1957
By Gianfranco Frattini, Cassina
Located in Dublin 8, IE
Presented here we have a stunning pair of 1957 Gianfranco Frattini Model 877 Wing Armchairs made by Cassina. The chairs have been fully refurbished and are now presented in a modern ...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gianfranco Frattini Seating
Materials
Bouclé, Walnut
Gianfranco Frattini Black Leather Sesann Two-Seater Sofa for Cassina, 1972
By Gianfranco Frattini, Cassina
Located in Vicenza, IT
Sesann two-seater sofa, designed by Gianfranco Frattini in 1970 and produced by the Italian manufacturer Cassina.
It features black leather upholstery and a chrome tubular cage as s...
Category
1970s Italian Space Age Vintage Gianfranco Frattini Seating
Materials
Chrome
Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina Lounge Chair in Green Upholstery and Teak
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina, lounge chair, model 877, fabric, teak, Italy, 1959
This grand lounge chair is based on a solid construction, featuring strict lines and angular shap...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gianfranco Frattini Seating
Materials
Fabric, Teak
Gianfranco Frattini Brown Velvet Sesann Lounge Chair for Cassina, 1972
By Cassina, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Vicenza, IT
Set of three Sesann lounge chairs, designed by Gianfranco Frattini in 1970 and produced by the Italian manufacturer Cassina.
They features brown alpaca velvet upholstery and a chrome...
Category
1970s Italian Space Age Vintage Gianfranco Frattini Seating
Materials
Chrome
Customizable Tacchini Agnese Armchair Designed by Gianfranco Frattini
By Gianfranco Frattini, Tacchini
Located in New York, NY
Model 849, one of his most famous armchairs, was designed by Gianfranco Frattini in 1956. Awarded honorable mention at the 3rd Compasso d’Oro, Agnese is an Italian design icon whose ...
Category
2010s Italian Gianfranco Frattini Seating
Materials
Leather, Fabric
Gianfranco Frattini Black Leather Sesann Living Room Set for Cassina, 1972
By Gianfranco Frattini, Cassina
Located in Vicenza, IT
Sesann dining room set, designed by Gianfranco Frattini in 1970 and produced by the Italian manufacturer Cassina.
It is composed of a two-seater sofa and two armchairs.
It features...
Category
1970s Italian Space Age Vintage Gianfranco Frattini Seating
Materials
Chrome
Mid-Century Pair of Sesann Armchairs by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina, 1970s
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Pair of Sesann Armchairs by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina, 1970s
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Gianfranco Frattini Seating
Materials
Chrome
Gianfranco Frattini Khaki Brown Velvet Sesann Armchair for Cassina, 1972
By Cassina, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Vicenza, IT
Sesann armchair, designed by Gianfranco Frattini in 1970 and produced by the Italian manufacturer Cassina.
It features khaki brown velvet upholstery and a chrome tubular cage as stru...
Category
1970s Italian Space Age Vintage Gianfranco Frattini Seating
Materials
Chrome
Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina Barstools in Stained Walnut
By Gianfranco Frattini, Cassina
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina, bar stools designed for the Hotel Parco dei Principi, stained walnut, faux leather, Italy, Rome, circa 1964
This astonishing set of bespoke bar stoo...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gianfranco Frattini Seating
Materials
Faux Leather, Walnut
Pair Of Sesann Lounge Chairs Gianfranco Frattini In brown Leather, Cassina 1969
By Gianfranco Frattini, Cassina
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Wonderful pair of early production ‘Sesann’ lounge chairs designed by Gianfranco Frattini and manufactured by Cassina, Italy 1969.
This super comfortable lounge chairs come in a hig...
Category
1960s Vintage Gianfranco Frattini Seating
Materials
Chrome
Customizable Tacchini Giulia Lounge Armchair with Ottoman by Gianfranco Frattini
By Gianfranco Frattini, Tacchini
Located in New York, NY
A re-edition of the famous model 877 by Gianfranco Frattini, from 1957, named for the wife of Gio Ponti, the designer’s great teacher and mentor. Giulia is Frattini’s modern interpre...
Category
2010s Italian Gianfranco Frattini Seating
Materials
Leather, Fabric
Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina Barstools in Stained Walnut
By Gianfranco Frattini, Cassina
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina, bar stools designed for the Hotel Parco dei Principi, stained walnut, faux leather, Italy, Rome, circa 1964
This astonishing set of bespoke bar stoo...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gianfranco Frattini Seating
Materials
Faux Leather, Walnut
Caprille Dining Chair Set, Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina, Black & Pink, 1980
By Cassina, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Cassina Caprile dining chair set by Gianfranco Frattini. Gorgeous original woven textile with shades of pink and peach. Lovely lacquered wood frame. Labeled. Gianfranco Frattini real...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Post-Modern Gianfranco Frattini Seating
Materials
Textile, Wood
$8,957 Sale Price / set
35% Off
Set of 2 Gianfranco Frattini Chairs Modell 830, 1950s, Cassina, Italy
By Gianfranco Frattini, Cassina
Located in Wolfurt, AT
This pair of "Model 830" armchairs was designed by Gianfranco Frattini for the Italian company Cassina in the 1950s. Both pieces are upholstered in dark green fabric and are supporte...
Category
1650s Italian Mid-Century Modern Antique Gianfranco Frattini Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood
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...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gianfranco Frattini Seating
Materials
Iron
$14,186 Sale Price
20% Off
Customizable Tacchini Oliver Sofa by Gianfranco Frattini
By Gianfranco Frattini, Tacchini
Located in New York, NY
A re-edition of the legendary Model 872, designed by Gianfranco Frattini in 1957, the Oliver sofa embodies the inseparable fusion of form and material in t...
Category
2010s Italian Gianfranco Frattini Seating
Materials
Leather, Fabric
Gianfranco Frattini 6 chairs Model 101 Rosewood Cassina Italy 1970s
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Paris, FR
Gianfranco FRATTINI (1926-2004) Set of 6 chairs model 101 with structure and backrest in rosewood. Seat covered with a yellow wool fabric. Traces of use. Lo...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Gianfranco Frattini Seating
Materials
Rosewood
Armchair and ottoman mod. 877, Gianfranco Frattini, Cassina, 1959
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Armchair model '877', designed by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina in 1959. The frame is made of teak wood, while the foam padding is covered in white mohair wool. An elegant example ...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gianfranco Frattini Seating
Materials
Mohair, Wood
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...
Category
2010s Italian Gianfranco Frattini Seating
Materials
Metal, Brass
Gianfranco Frattini, Italian Mid-Century Modern Set of 4 Wooden Chairs, 1950s
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Milan, IT
Beautiful Set of 4 wooden chairs by Gianfranco Frattini, 1950s: a perfect Italian Mid-Century addition in a well curated dining room.
Subtle geometric transitions between curves and...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gianfranco Frattini Seating
Materials
Leather, Wood
Gianfranco Frattini seating for sale on 1stDibs.
Gianfranco Frattini seating are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of fabric and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Gianfranco Frattini seating, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 87 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 14 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original seating by Gianfranco Frattini were created in the mid-century modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider seating by Ico Parisi, Franco Albini, and Paolo Buffa. Prices for Gianfranco Frattini seating can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $957 and can go as high as $35,599, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $8,764.
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