Gianfranco Frattini Armchairs
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
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...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gianfranco Frattini Armchairs
Materials
Textile, Wood
Lina - Iconic Armchair by Gianfranco Frattini for Tacchini
By Gianfranco Frattini, Tacchini
Located in Alcamo, IT
The Lina armchair, designed by Gianfranco Frattini, combines solidity and lightness in a welcoming, timeless design. Its elegant presence transforms any space, offering comfort and s...
Category
2010s Italian Gianfranco Frattini Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
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...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Gianfranco Frattini Armchairs
Materials
Chrome
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...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gianfranco Frattini Armchairs
Materials
Metal
Sesann - Armchair in fabric by Gianfranco Frattini for Tacchini
By Gianfranco Frattini, Tacchini
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...
Category
2010s Italian Gianfranco Frattini Armchairs
Materials
Fabric
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...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gianfranco Frattini Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Rosewood
Customizable Tacchini Lina Armchair by Gianfranco Frattini
By Gianfranco Frattini, Tacchini
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...
Category
2010s Italian Gianfranco Frattini Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Fabric
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...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gianfranco Frattini Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
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...
Category
1970s Italian Space Age Vintage Gianfranco Frattini Armchairs
Materials
Chrome
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 Armchairs
Materials
Mohair, 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 Armchairs
Materials
Brass
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
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gianfranco Frattini Armchairs
Materials
Leather
Sesann Leather Sofa by Gianfranco Frattini, Cassina (First Edition), 1972
By Gianfranco Frattini, Cassina, 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...
Category
1970s Italian Space Age Vintage Gianfranco Frattini Armchairs
Materials
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...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gianfranco Frattini Armchairs
Materials
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...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gianfranco Frattini Armchairs
Materials
Chrome
Sesann Leather Sofa by Gianfranco Frattini, Cassina (First Edition), 1972
By Gianfranco Frattini, Cassina, 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...
Category
1970s Italian Space Age Vintage Gianfranco Frattini Armchairs
Materials
Chrome
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...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gianfranco Frattini Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
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...
Category
1970s Italian Space Age Vintage Gianfranco Frattini Armchairs
Materials
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...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gianfranco Frattini Armchairs
Materials
Chrome
Customizable Tacchini Sesann Armchair by Gianfranco Frattini
By Tacchini, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in New York, NY
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 ergonomics were adapted to social change...
Category
2010s Italian Gianfranco Frattini Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Fabric
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 Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Teak
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 Armchairs
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 Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Fabric
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 Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Fabric
Agnes - Armchair by Gianfranco Frattini for Tacchini - Ref. Model 849 of 1956
By Tacchini, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Alcamo, IT
Agnes Armchair
Designed by Gianfranco Frattini
Agnese is one of Gianfranco Frattini's most celebrated armchairs-the 849 model from 1956-and stands as a timeless icon of Italian desi...
Category
2010s Italian Gianfranco Frattini Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
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...
Category
2010s Italian Gianfranco Frattini Armchairs
Materials
Leather
Lina - Iconic Armchair by Gianfranco Frattini for Tacchini
By Tacchini, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Alcamo, IT
The Lina armchair, designed by Gianfranco Frattini, combines solidity and lightness in a welcoming, timeless design. Its elegant presence transforms any space, offering comfort and s...
Category
2010s Italian Gianfranco Frattini Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
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...
Category
1650s Italian Mid-Century Modern Antique Gianfranco Frattini Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
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
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Gianfranco Frattini Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, 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 Armchairs
Materials
Metal, Brass
Gianfranco Frattini armchairs for sale on 1stDibs.
Gianfranco Frattini armchairs are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Gianfranco Frattini armchairs, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 25 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 5 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original armchairs by Gianfranco Frattini were created in the mid-century modern style in italy during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider armchairs by Osvaldo Borsani, Carlo De Carli, and Ico Parisi. Prices for Gianfranco Frattini armchairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,223 and can go as high as $35,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $7,676.
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