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.
Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini Walnut and Black Leather Chairs, Italy 1981
By Bernini, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Sacile, PN
Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini set of six walnut and black leather chairs, Italy 1981 circa. This set, designed by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini, is characterized by a splendid co...
Leather, Wood
Six Dining Chairs "Model 101", by Gianfranco Frattini For Cassina, Italy 1960s
By Cassina, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Wolfurt, AT
Set of six Italian dining chairs, model 101, designed by Gianfranco Frattini in the 1960s and manufactured by Cassina. Fine rosewood combined with mint-colored fabric upholstery by L...
Fabric, Wood
$14,130 / set
Set of 8 Gianfranco Frattini chairs
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Milano, MI
Set of 8 very rare Gianfranco Frattini in curvet walnut wood, with green velvet re-upholster.
Bentwood
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
6 walnut chairs, Model 104, by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina, Italy, 1960s.
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in MADRID, ES
6 walnut chairs Model 104 by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina, Italy, 1960s. Set of 6 upholstered in Namay Samay fabric. Gianfranco Frattini was an architect and designer of furnitur...
Walnut
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...
Leather, Wood
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...
Fabric, Wood
Gianfranco Frattini 6 chairs Model 101 Rosewood Cassina Italy 1970s
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Paris, IDF
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...
Rosewood
$6,000 / set
H 29.14 in W 22.45 in D 18.9 in
Vico Magistretti "Carimate" Dining Chairs for Cassina, 1960, Set of 4
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Vico magistretti "Carimate" dining chairs for Cassina, black lacquered wood and straw seat, Italy, 1960, set of four. The "Carimate" chair is one of Vico Magistretti’s most famous...
Straw, Wood
$2,600 / set
H 29.93 in W 17.72 in D 18.12 in
Midcentury Set of 7 Dining Chairs Mod 101 by Frattini for Cassina, Italy, 1960
By Cassina, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Saarbruecken, DE
Midcentury set of 7 dining room chairs mod. 101 by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina, Italy, 1960. Signed. Teak wood. Solid and stable. Fully restored.
Teak
$7,400 / set
H 29.34 in W 22.84 in D 18.9 in
Vico Magistretti "Carimate" Dining Chairs for Cassina, 1960, Set of 4
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Vico Magistretti "Carimate" dining chairs for Cassina, green lacquered wood and straw seat, Italy, 1960, set of four. The "Carimate" chair is one of Vico Magistretti’s most famous...
Straw, Wood
$8,300 / set
H 29.53 in W 19.69 in D 17.72 in
Vico Magistretti "Carimate" Chairs for Cassina, Red Lacquered, 1960, Set of 6
By Vico Magistretti, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Vico Magistretti "Carimate" dining chairs for Cassina, red lacquered wood and straw seat, Italy, 1960, set of six. The "Carimate" chair is one of Vico Magistretti’s most famous ch...
Straw, Wood
$6,355 / set
H 39.38 in W 18.9 in D 18.9 in
Six Vittorio Dassi Mid-Century Modern Italian Mahogany Dining Chairs, 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Six dining chairs designed by the famous Italian architect Vittorio Dassi, solid mahogany chairs and original eco-leather upholstery, in excellen...
Faux Leather, Walnut
$12,400 / set
H 29.14 in W 22.45 in D 18.9 in
Vico Magistretti "Carimate" Dining Chairs for Cassina, 1960, Set of 8
By Vico Magistretti, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Vico Magistretti "Carimate" dining chairs for Cassina, black lacquered wood and straw seat, Italy, 1960, set of eight. The "Carimate" chair is one of Vico Magistretti’s most famous ...
Straw, Wood
$11,600 / set
H 29.14 in W 22.45 in D 18.9 in
Vico Magistretti "Carimate" Dining Chairs for Cassina, 1960, Set of 8
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Vico Magistretti "Carimate" dining chairs for Cassina, red lacquered wood and straw seat, Italy, 1960, set of eight. The "Carimate" chair is one of Vico Magistretti’s most famous ...
Straw, Wood
$5,800 / set
H 29.14 in W 22.45 in D 18.9 in
Vico Magistretti "Carimate" Dining Chairs for Cassina, 1960, Set of 4
By Vico Magistretti, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Vico Magistretti "Carimate" dining chairs for Cassina, red lacquered wood and straw seat, Italy, 1960, set of four. The "Carimate" chair is one of Vico Magistretti’s most famous c...
Straw, Wood
$15,472 / set
H 32.29 in W 16.15 in D 17.52 in
Modernist Vintage Six Superleggera Chairs by Gio Ponti for Cassina 1957 Italy
By Gio Ponti, Cassina
Located in Vienna, AT
Modernist Vintage authentic set of six ( 6 ) Superleggera Dining Chairs or Chairs from black lacquered wood and light brown cane mesh designed 1957 by Gio Ponti and manufactured 199...
Wood
$3,532 / set
H 29.53 in W 20.08 in D 20.08 in
Vico Magistretti, Pair of Chairs, Model 122, Cassina, 1960s
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in Paris, FR
A pair of dark brown walnut stackable dining chairs. Each with a bent plywood back, the seat upholstered with burgundy velvet on four feet. Manufactured by Cassina. Italy. 1967. P...
Leather, Walnut
Kentucky Chairs by Carlo Scarpa for Bernini, Italy, 1980s
By Bernini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in Antwerp, BE
Original Kentucky chairs designed by Carlo Scarpa for Bernini, 1970s. Each featuring a cylindrical walnut wood frame, brown leather seat and back, and burnished brass ferrules on the...
Leather, Walnut
$750 / item
H 31.5 in W 19.69 in D 21.26 in
Mid-Century Modern Dining Chairs by Spahn Stadtlohn, Germany, 1950s
Located in Almelo, NL
Mid-Century Modern Dining Chairs by Spahn Stadtlohn, Germany, 1950s This set of Mid-Century Modern dining chairs, designed by Spahn, features original...
Bouclé, Beech
Sold
H 29.93 in W 18.51 in D 19.3 in
Gianfranco Frattini Midcentury Mod.102 Dining Chairs for Cassina, 1960, Set of 4
By Cassina, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Vicenza, IT
These four Mod. 102 dining chairs, a creation of the renowned Gianfranco Frattini and the craftsmanship of Cassina, a prestigious Italian company, circa 1960, stand out with their un...
Wool, Beech
Sold
H 30.71 in W 22.84 in D 30.71 in
Mid-Century Pair of 836 Wood Armchairs by Gianfranco Frattini, Italy, 1950s
By Cassina, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Very rare Mid-Century Modern Modernist pair of wood slipper chairs armchairs. Nice brass screws. Model 836 by the italian designer Gianfranco Frattini for the manufacture Cassina in ...
Metal, Brass
Sold
H 30.32 in W 26.78 in D 29.53 in
Mid-Century Modern Pair of Armchairs 836 by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Pair of Armchairs 836 by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina, Italy, 1950s
Wood
Set of Six Italian Rosewood Dining Chairs Cassina
By Cassina, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Paddock Wood Tonbridge, GB
If you’re looking to add a classic Italian accent to your dining area, the Set of Six Italian Rosewood model 101 Dining Chairs produced by Cassina is the perfect choice. Crafted from...
Leather, Rosewood
Sold
H 29.53 in W 18.51 in D 18.12 in
Set of Six 'Model 101' Dining Chairs by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina, 1960s
By Cassina, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Hellouw, NL
Beautiful set of six Italian dining chairs, ‘model 101’, by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina from the 1960s. The 'model 101' dining chairs are one of the well-known designs by Frattin...
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
Six Leather Lalanda Chairs by Gianfranco Frattini
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Barcelona, ES
Set of six Lalanda chairs designed in 1980's by the Italian architect Gianfranco Frattini for the spanish company Kron, Madrid. Metal structure lacquere...
Metal
Sold
H 31.89 in W 18.31 in D 17.92 in
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...
Faux Leather, Teak, Plywood
Sold
H 26 in W 18.9 in D 15.3 in
Amazing, Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini, Chair in Walnut and Black Leather.
By Gianfranco Frattini, Bernini
Located in Catania, IT
This elegant dining chair was designed by Gianfranco Frattini and produced by Bernini. For its eccentric design, Bernini was inspired by the style of the 1950s. Note the flowing line...
Leather, Walnut
Sold
H 29.93 in W 18.9 in D 18.12 in
Vintage Set of Six Walnut Chairs by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina, Italy
By Cassina, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1960s. These chairs feature a dark walnut frame (which is not black) and a striped red and yellow fabric. They are vintage, therefore they might show slight traces ...
Fabric, Walnut
Sold
H 29.53 in W 18.51 in D 18.12 in
Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina Pair of Chairs Mod 101, Italy 1960s
By Cassina, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Naples, IT
Pair of iconic chairs in wood and leather model 101 designed by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina. The frame has linear shapes and a rounded back. The original black leather seat sho...
Leather, Wood
Sesann Chairs by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina, 1970s
By Gianfranco Frattini, Cassina
Located in amstelveen, NL
Set of 2 Sesann chairs designed by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina, Italy 1970. The chairs a very nice leather original black leather upholstery and a chr...
Leather
Sold
H 31.7 in W 18.9 in D 20.67 in
Gianfranco Frattini Set of Eight 'Caprile' Dining Chairs in Red Leather
By Gianfranco Frattini, Cassina
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina, dining chairs model 'Caprile', wood, leather, Italy, designed in 1985 Stunning set of eight 'Caprile' dining chairs designed by Gianfranco Frattin...
Leather, Wood