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.
Sesann Leather Sofa by Gianfranco Frattini, Cassina (First Edition), 1972
By Cassina, Mario Bellini, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Argelato, BO
An absolute icon of 1970s Italian design, the Sesann sofa by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina is pure sculptural comfort. The soft, enveloping frame is upholstered in black leather (r...
Chrome
Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina Set of 2 "Model 849" Chairs, 1958
By Gianfranco Frattini, Cassina
Located in Wolfurt, AT
This pair of "Model 849" armchairs was designed by Gianfranco Frattini in the 1950s and manufactured by the Italian company Cassina. The pieces consist of up...
Fabric, Wood
Customizable Tacchini Lina Armchair by Gianfranco Frattini
By Tacchini, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in New York, NY
Lina is a re-edition of one of the earliest projects designed by Gianfranco Frattini, one of the great masters of Italian design. Nominated in 1955 for the Compasso d’oro, the armcha...
Leather, Fabric
Customizable Tacchini Sesann Armchair by Gianfranco Frattini
By Tacchini, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in New York, NY
price listed for starting fabric An icon of Italian design in the 1970s, the Sesann collection by Gianfranco Frattini was part of a new vision of contemporary living in which ergono...
Leather, Fabric
Gianfranco Frattini Space Age Black Leather Sesann Armchair for Cassina, 1972
By Gianfranco Frattini, Cassina
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...
Chrome
Mid-Century Modern Armchair 877 by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Armchair 877 by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina, New Beige Upholstery
Fabric, Wood
Armchairs "849" by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina, 1950s, set of 2
By Gianfranco Frattini, Cassina
Located in bruxelles, BE
Pair of brown leather and wood armchairs by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina. Model: 849. Seat height: 40 cm. Stamped Cassina. Wear due to time and age. FOR SHIPPING, REQUEST US FOR R...
Leather, Wood
Gianfranco Frattini, Wingback Armchair Model 877, Cassina 1959
By Cassina, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Argelato, BO
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...
Fabric, Wood
Sesann Leather Sofa by Gianfranco Frattini, Cassina (First Edition), 1972
By Cassina, Gianfranco Frattini, Mario Bellini
Located in Argelato, BO
One of the most iconic projects by the great Italian architect and designer Gianfranco Frattini for the Cassina company, this three seter sofa presented here in its first edition (19...
Chrome
Pair of Sesann Armchairs by Gianfranco Fratinni in Leather for Cassina Italian
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Pair of Sesann armchairs designed by the Italian designer Gianfranco Fratinni for Cassina in 1969. Chrome-plated tubular steel frame and brown lea...
Chrome
Mid-Century Pair of Sesann Armchairs by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina, Italy
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Pair of Sesann Armchairs by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina, Italy, 1970s - Original Leather
Leather
Sesann armchairs designed by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina 1970
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Arezzo, Italy
Sesann armchairs designed by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina 1970s, Polyuretane, leather, tubolar chromed steel structure, wooden base. Excellent condition. Reupholster in new vi...
Metal
Sesann Leather Sofa by Gianfranco Frattini, Cassina (First Edition), 1972
By Mario Bellini, Cassina, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Argelato, BO
One of the most iconic projects by the great Italian architect and designer Gianfranco Frattini for the Cassina company, this three seter sofa presented here in its first edition (19...
Chrome
Customizable Tacchini Giulia Lounge Armchair with Ottoman by Gianfranco Frattini
By Tacchini, Gianfranco Frattini
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...
Leather, Fabric
Pair of Armchairs "849 " by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina, 1960s
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Brussels, BE
Pair of Armchairs "849 " by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina, 1960s
Fabric, Wood
Chrome Metal Lounge Chair with Loose Cushions by Gianfranco Frattini, Italy
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in New York City, NY
Lounge Chair by Gianfranco Frattini, Italy, circa 1970s. Sleek, low lounge chair with chrome-plated metal frame, tubular legs, and unique arm and backrests typical of acclaimed f...
Chrome
Armchair Designed by Gianfranco Frattini 1960 Model '880'
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Berlin, DE
This sophisticated piece of furniture, designed by Gianfranco Frattini in 1960 for Cassina, stands out for its scultural and futuristic line. The cover, renewed like the foam, is mad...
Leather, Rosewood
Customizable Tacchini Agnese Armchair by Gianfranco Frattini
By Tacchini, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in New York, NY
price listed for starting fabric Model 849, one of his most famous armchairs, was designed by Gianfranco Frattini in 1956. Awarded honorable mention at the 3rd Compasso d’Oro, Agnes...
Leather, Fabric
Gianfranco Frattini Black Leather Sesann Armchair for Cassina, 1972, Set of 2
By Cassina, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Vicenza, IT
Set of 2 Sesann armchair, designed by Gianfranco Frattini in 1970 and produced by the Italian manufacturer Cassina. They feature black leather upholstery and a chrome tubular cage a...
Chrome
Armchair and ottoman mod 877 Gianfranco Frattini Cassina 1959 white mohair
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 ...
Mohair, Wood
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...
Fabric, Teak
Rare Pair "Giulia" Armchair Model 877 by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina 1957
By Gianfranco Frattini, Cassina
Located in Rovereta, Repubblica di San Marino
Rare Pair Giulia armchair Model 877 by Gianfranco Frattini For Cassina 1957.
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...
Metal, Brass
Sesann - Armchair in leather by Gianfranco Frattini for Tacchini
By Tacchini, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Alcamo, IT
Sesann Armchair: Icon of Italian Comfort Sesann is more than an armchair: it is a manifesto of softness and authentic comfort, designed by the master Gianfranco Frattini in the 1970s...
Leather
Set of 2 Gianfranco Frattini Chairs Modell 830, 1950s, Cassina, Italy
By Cassina, Gianfranco Frattini
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...
Fabric, Wood
Gianfranco Frattini, Rare Pair of Wingback Armchairs Model 877 (First Edition)
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Argelato, BO
Rare pair of Wingback armchairs from an important chalet in the Italian Alps. Designed by the Italian Architect Gianfranco Frattini for the Cassina company in 1959. The fabric, in ex...
Fabric, Wood
$15,606
H 27.56 in W 94.49 in D 39.38 in
Gianfranco Frattini Brown Velvet Sesann Three-Seater Sofa for Cassina, 1972
By Cassina, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Vicenza, IT
Sesann three-seater sofa, designed by Gianfranco Frattini in 1970 and produced by the Italian manufacturer Cassina. It features brown alpaca velvet upholstery and a chrome tubular ca...
Chrome
$8,403
H 27.56 in W 40.01 in D 39.38 in
Gianfranco Frattini Brown Alpaca Velvet Sesann Lounge Chair for Cassina, 1972
By Gianfranco Frattini, Cassina
Located in Vicenza, IT
The Sesann lounge chair was designed by Gianfranco Frattini in 1970 and produced by the Italian manufacturer Cassina. This lounge chair features a chocolate brown alpaca velvet upho...
Chrome
$8,643 / set
H 25.6 in W 42.52 in D 37.8 in
Mid-Century Pair of Sesann Armchairs by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina, Italy
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Pair of Sesann Armchairs by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina, Italy, 1970s - Original Leather
Leather
$4,753Sale Price|30% Off
H 26.37 in W 43.3 in D 37 in
Sesann Lounge Chair by Tacchini designed by Gianfranco Frattini
By Tacchini, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Carson, CA
The Sesann armchair designed by Frattini is an icon of 1970s Italian design, the absolute representation of softness, inviting one to give in to the beauty of the most authentic comf...
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...
Wool, Walnut
$26,171 / set
H 27.56 in W 94.49 in D 39.38 in
Gianfranco Frattini Ocher Velvet Sesann Living Room Set for Cassina, 1972
By Cassina, Gianfranco Frattini
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 three-seater sofa and an armchair. It features o...
Chrome
Gianfranco Frattini, Wingback Armchair Model 877, Cassina 1959
By Cassina, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Argelato, BO
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...
Fabric, Wood
$7,203 / set
H 39.77 in W 34.26 in D 37.41 in
Pair of armchairs in the style of Gianfranco Frattini, Italy, 1950s
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
A pair of comfortable bergère armchairs in fabric and wood, upholstered in velvet, in the style of Gianfranco Frattini, Italian manufacture, 1950s. The elegance of the bergère armch...
Fabric, Wood
$13,000 / set
H 26.38 in W 27.96 in D 25.99 in
Vico Magistretti 930 "Carimate" Lounge Chairs for Cassina, 1960, Set of 2
By Vico Magistretti, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Vico Magistretti 930 "Carimate" lounge chairs for Cassina, black-lacquered wood and straw seat, Italy, 1960, set of two. The 930 "Carimate" easy chair was created for the club house...
Straw, Wood
Lina Bo Bardi Armchair / Authentic Mid-Century Modern
By Lina Bo Bardi
Located in Zürich, CH
Sculptural qualities define this object. A vivid dynamic between the different volumes and surfaces, showing different qualities from different angles. Its expressive form offers a c...
Iron
$15,200
H 27.56 in W 94.49 in D 35.44 in
Gianfranco Frattini “Sesann” Sofa for Cassina, Cognac Leather, 1969
By Gianfranco Frattini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gianfranco Frattini “Sesann” Sofa for Cassina, cognac leather, Italy, 1969 Designed in 1969 by Gianfranco Frattini, the Sesann collection marked a turning point in upholstered furni...
Leather
$9,604 / set
H 25.6 in W 42.52 in D 37.8 in
Pair of Sesann Armchairs by Gianfranco Fratinni in Leather for Cassina Italian
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Pair of Sesann armchairs designed by the Italian designer Gianfranco Fratinni for Cassina in 1969. Chrome-plated tubular steel frame and brown lea...
Chrome
Sold
H 30.32 in W 29.53 in D 28.35 in
Pair of Gianfranco Frattini Armchairs Model 831 for Cassina, '50 in Cavallino
By Gianfranco Frattini, Cassina
Located in Rovereta, Repubblica di San Marino
Incredibile coppia di sedie modello 831 di Gianfranco Frattini per Cassina, anni Cinquanta. Questi modelli di sedie sono eccezionalmente rari. The fantastic design by renowned Ital...
Textile, Wood
Sold
H 30.32 in W 29.53 in D 28.35 in
Pair Of Gianfranco Frattini Model 831 Lounge Chairs For Cassina, 1950s
By Gianfranco Frattini, Cassina
Located in Rovereta, Repubblica di San Marino
Incredibile coppia di sedie modello 831 di Gianfranco Frattini per Cassina, anni Cinquanta. These model chairs are exceptionally rare. The fantastic design by renowned Italian desi...
Textile, Wood
Sold
H 30.71 in W 22.64 in D 30.32 in
Rara Coppia di Poltrone Gianfranco Frattini 836, Cassina, Italia, anni 50
By Gianfranco Frattini, Cassina
Located in Rovereta, Repubblica di San Marino
Rara Coppia di Poltrone Gianfranco Frattini 836, Cassina, Italia, anni 50
Iron
Sold
H 30.71 in W 22.64 in D 30.32 in
Original Pair of Gianfranco Frattini 836 Lounge Chairs, Cassina, Italy, 1950s
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A rare pair of original lounge chairs by Gianfranco Frattini, produced by Cassina, Italy, 1950s. In good original condition - wooden frames, patinated brass legs and presumably orig...
Metal
Tariff Tacchini Lina Armchair
By Tacchini, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in New York, NY
just tariff
Fabric
Sesann Armchairs by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Oakville, CA
Design care of Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina. Made in Italy, 1970s. Reupholstered by Joe Banone in his Paris Atelier [recently worked on all seating in Lenny Kravitz's home as seen...
Chrome
Sold
H 25.6 in W 37.8 in D 42.52 in
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
Chrome
Sold
H 27.75 in W 21 in D 19 in
Rare set 4 Gianfranco Frattini Chairs for Bernini.. Modernist , Made In Italy
By Gianfranco Frattini, Bernini
Located in Buffalo, NY
PRICED PER CHAIR !!! Rare set of 4 Italian Modernist . Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini mid-century modern and stylish chairs with Italian Rosewood seat back, circular upholstered se...
Steel
Sesann Armchair
By Gianfranco Frattini, Cassina
Located in London, GB
A newly reupholstered "Sesann" armchair in luxurious baby pink velvet, designed by renowned Italian architect Gianfranco Frattini and produced by Cassina in 1969 (first edition).
Stainless Steel
Armchair '849' by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina Anni 50-60
By Gianfranco Frattini, Cassina
Located in Milano, IT
Armchair designed by Gianfranco Frattini and produced by Cassina starting in the 1950s. Stained wood frame, foam seat, back and cushion, fabric cover.
Fabric, Wood
Sold
H 26.38 in W 42.92 in D 37.01 in
"Sesann" Lounge chairs by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina, 1970s, set of 2
By Gianfranco Frattini, Cassina
Located in bruxelles, BE
Pair of brown leather and metal armchairs by Gianfranco Frattini. Seat height: 43 cm. Stamped Cassina on the underside. Wear due to time and age of the armchairs. For shipping, reque...
Metal
Sold
H 30.32 in W 29.53 in D 28.35 in
Coppia di sedie da salotto Gianfranco Frattini Modello 831 per Cassina, anni '50
By Cassina, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Rovereta, Repubblica di San Marino
Incredibile coppia di sedie modello 831 di Gianfranco Frattini per Cassina, anni Cinquanta. Questi modelli di sedie sono eccezionalmente rari. Il fantastico design del famoso desig...
Textile, Wood