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.
Daybed with Mahogany Frame in the Manner of Charlotte Perriand, France 1950s
By Gianfranco Frattini, Cassina
Located in Berlin, DE
French daybed from the 1950s, defined by a clear, architectural mahogany frame and a refined sense of proportion. Newly upholstered, the piece reflects the postwar French approach to...
Metal
Daybed 882 by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina in newly upholstered brown Mohair
By Gianfranco Frattini, Cassina
Located in Berlin, DE
Model 882 daybed sofa designed by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina. This elegant piece features a solid wood frame with refined dovetail joints and new brown Mohair upholstery by Mark...
Mohair, Upholstery, Wood
$5,305 / set
H 30.71 in W 17.72 in D 16.15 in
Six Dining Chairs "Model 101", by Gianfranco Frattini For Cassina, Italy 1960s
By Gianfranco Frattini, Cassina
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
$15,674
H 27.56 in W 94.49 in D 39.38 in
Gianfranco Frattini Brown Velvet Sesann Three-Seater Sofa for Cassina, 1972
By Gianfranco Frattini, Cassina
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
Daybed, French Reconstruction 1950
By Pierre Paulin
Located in Catonvielle, FR
Beech daybed, France 1950. The top consists of an oak veneered part and a shelf inlaid with opposing triangles in light oak and mahogany. The mattress and its two cushions are covere...
Beech, Oak
$11,000
H 28.15 in W 82.29 in D 31.5 in
Mid-Century Walnut Daybed in the Manner of Paolo Buffa, Italy 1960s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Utrecht, NL
This daybed, in the style of Italian design icon Paolo Buffa, is a true testament to the glory days of mid-century modernism. Buffa's design language was always coherent with current...
Fabric, Walnut
$5,200
H 25.6 in W 82.29 in D 41.74 in
Danish Freestanding Daybed in Rosewood with Cane and Newly Upholstered Mattress
Located in Lejre, DK
Elegant freestanding daybed/sofa produced in Denmark in the 1960s. The frame is crafted in rosewood with beautifully figured grain, and the sides are fitted with cane panels that giv...
Fabric, Cane, Rattan, Rosewood
$10,214 / set
H 28.75 in W 33.47 in D 28.35 in
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
Fantastic 1950s Pierre Jeanneret Daybed
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Philadelphia, PA
We are pleased to present this fantastic daybed or Diwan by Pierre Jeanneret, circa late 1950s. The bed is documented as model PJ-L-11-A. Pierre Jeanneret first arrived in India ...
Upholstery, Teak
$8,439
H 27.56 in W 40.01 in D 39.38 in
Gianfranco Frattini Brown Alpaca Velvet Sesann Lounge Chair for Cassina, 1972
By Cassina, Gianfranco Frattini
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
Unavailable|$37,600
H 12.6 in W 31.5 in D 88.59 in
"Les trois Arcs" Slatted Daybed by Charlotte Perriand, France, 1970s
By Charlotte Perriand
Located in Antwerp, BE
Slatted daybed, "Les Trois Arcs", by Charlotte Perriand, crafted from larch wood. The bench features a clean, minimalist aesthetic with its precisely aligned slats, showcasing both f...
Wood, Pine
Italian Bamboo and Rattan Daybed, 1950s
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
This daybed has a calm and well-balanced presence, defined by its generous proportions and low, horizontal profile. The backrest and armrests are set at the same height, creating an ...
Bamboo, Rattan
Jacques Adnet Daybed, 1950s France
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Exceptional leather and oak daybed by Jacques Adnet. The entire frame is wrapped in dark green leather with signature Adnet contrast stitching and brass hardware. Cane style paneling on all sides. Only the two crossbars underneath the bed are not wrapped in leather. Extremely collectible and rare bed...
Brass, Steel
Beautiful ‘Minimalism’ Teak Daybed 1950s Holland
Located in Den Haag, NL
Beautiful ‘Minimalism’ solid Teak wood Daybed comes with two drawers very good condition . legs can be removed . 1950s Holland . The drawers can be removed for a sleeker design . ...
Teak
A Gianfranco frattini leather & wood day bed
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in London, GB
A stunning daybed in Dark oak with caramel leather upholstery and wool boucle on the other side . C1960s . Gianfranco frattini . Italy
Leather, Bouclé, Wood
Sold
H 29.93 in W 75.99 in D 34.26 in
20th Century Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina Sofa Mod 872 with movable backrest
By Gianfranco Frattini, Cassina
Located in Turin, Turin
Frattini graduated in architecture from the Milan Polytechnic in 1953. He opened his professional studio in Milan, after working in the studio of his teacher and mentor Gio Ponti. Hi...
Metal, Chrome
Gianfranco Frattini Mod. 872 sofa for Cassina, Italy, 1958
By Gianfranco Frattini, Cassina
Located in Milan, IT
Gianfranco Frattini Mod. 872 sofa for Cassina, Italy 1958.
Upholstery, Wood
Sold
H 27.56 in W 70.87 in D 39.38 in
Mid-Century Modern Italian Two-Seat "Sesann" Sofa by Frattini for Cassina, 1970s
By Gianfranco Frattini, Cassina
Located in Prato, IT
Mid-Century Modern Italian two-seat "Sesann" sofa by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina, 1970s The sofa has been re-upholstered with Rubelli fabric. If needed, the sofa could be sold ...
Chrome