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.
Very Rare BULL Sofa 1987 by Gianfranco Frattini for CASSINA - 1 year produced
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Buggenhout, Oost-Vlaanderen
RARE ONE-YEAR PRODUCTION · ORIGINAL BICOLOR BLACK & TAUPE LEATHER An exceptionally rare Bull two-seater by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina, introduced in 1987 and documented as havin...
Leather
$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
$17,143
H 26.78 in W 68.9 in D 38.59 in
Two Seater Sofa "Sesann" by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina, Italy 1969
By Gianfranco Frattini, Cassina
Located in Roma, IT
Two seater sofa designed by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina, 1969. Original label. Black Leather, excellent condition. Ref. Giuliana Gramigna, "Repertorio del Design Italiano1950-200...
Steel
$20,571
H 27.56 in W 94.49 in D 35.44 in L 27.56 in
Three Seater Sofa "Sesann" by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina, Italy 1969
By Gianfranco Frattini, Cassina
Located in Roma, IT
Three seater sofa designed by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina, 1969. Original manufacturer's label. Black Leather, excellent condition. Ref. Giuliana Gramigna, "Repertorio del Design...
Steel
$14,857
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
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
$10,857
H 29.53 in W 96.46 in D 33.47 in
3-Seater Maralunga Sofa in Black Leather by Vico Magistretti for Cassina Italian
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in Grand Cayman, KY
Iconic Mid-Century Modern "Maralunga" 3-seater sofa by Vico Magistretti for Cassina. This example features opulent black leather. Head / backrests are adjustable for a cheeky look t...
Leather
$1,680Sale Price|40% Off
H 24 in W 45 in D 36 in
Cassina Sesann Lounge Chair by Gianfranco Frattini, Italy, 1970s
By Gianfranco Frattini, Cassina
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sesann lounge chair designed by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina, produced in Italy, 1970s. A signature postmodern silhouette with generous proportions, low profile, and sculptural ar...
Leather
$16,571
H 29.53 in W 94.49 in D 37.41 in
Sesann 3-Seater Sofa in dusty pink by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina, 1970s
By Gianfranco Frattini, Cassina
Located in amstelveen, NL
An early edition Sesann three-seat sofa designed by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina, Italy, circa 1970. The Sesann is celebrated for its sculptural silhouette and distinctive expos...
Chrome
$4,571
H 26.78 in W 41.34 in D 37.41 in
Iconic Sesann Lounge Chair by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina, 1970s
By Cassina, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Boom, Vlaams Gewest
Iconic Sesann lounge chair designed by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina in the 1970s. A true statement piece, this design is instantly recognizable for its bold, sculptural form and t...
Aluminum
$6,182
H 32.68 in W 88.59 in D 33.08 in
Italian Modern Black Leather Wood 3seat Sofa Bull by Frattini for Cassina, 1980s
By Gianfranco Frattini, Cassina
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern black leather wood 3-seater sofa Bull by Frattini for Cassina, 1980s 3-seater sofa Bull model with the rectangular seat, that is made up of padded cushions covered in ...
Leather, Wood
Sofa "Sesann" by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina, 1970s
By Cassina, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in bruxelles, BE
Sofa in pink fabric and metal, model: Sesann by Gianfranco Frattini. Seat height: 34 cm. Stamped Cassina on the underside. Wear due to time and age of the sofa. For shipping, reque...
Metal
$17,143
H 27.56 in W 94.49 in D 39.38 in
Gianfranco Frattini Ocher 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 ocher velvet upholstery and a chrome tubular cage as s...
Chrome
Sage Green Velvet Cassina Sesann Two Seater Sofa by Gianfranco Frattini
By Cassina, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Aartselaar, BE
Original Cassina edition, designed by Gianfranco Frattini in 1969. Newly upholstered in high-quality sage green velvet fabric. Foam, fabric and chromed tubular metal frame in exc...
Chrome
Sold
H 29.53 in W 68.9 in D 34.26 in
Mid-Century Modern Italian Gianfranco Frattini "Sesann" Sofa for Cassina, 1970s
By Cassina, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Prato, IT
Mid-Century Modern Italian Gianfranco Frattini "Sesann" sofa for Cassina. The sofa has been reupholstered with vintage original fabric from 1970s.
Chrome
Cassina Mid-Century Modern Sofa "Sesann" by Gianfranco Frattini
By Cassina, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Antwerp, BE
Gianfranco Frattini designed this awesome Space Age piece in the 1970s for Cassina. A three-seat sofa in cognac / whiskey colored leather and a chrome frame. Would fit well in a ma...
Chrome