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 882 by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina in newly upholstered brown Mohair
By Cassina, Gianfranco Frattini
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
$35,000 / set
H 27.56 in W 94.49 in D 39.38 in
Gianfranco Frattini Brown Alpaca Velvet Sesann Living Room Set for Cassina, 1972
By Cassina, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Vicenza, IT
Sesann living room set, designed by Gianfranco Frattini in 1972 and produced by the Italian manufacturer Cassina. The set is composed of a three-seater sofa and three armchairs. It ...
Chrome
$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
$5,133 / 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
$15,166
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
$17,500
H 26.78 in W 68.9 in D 38.59 in
Two Seater Sofa "Sesann" by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina, Italy 1969
By Cassina, Gianfranco Frattini
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
Elegant 18th Century Tuscan Rococo Daybed, Newly Upholstered
Located in Brussels, BE
Elegant 18th century Tuscan Rococo daybed, newly upholstered.
Wood, Giltwood
$3,733
H 24.81 in W 92.92 in D 36.62 in
Mario Bellini Le Mura Daybed in Original Mohair Velvet, Italy, 1972
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Rare ‘Le Mura’ daybed by Mario Bellini for Cassina – Italy, 1972. The daybed still has the original Mohair velvet fabric. Designer: Mario Bellini M...
Mohair, Velvet
$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
$10,500
H 27.56 in W 40.01 in D 39.38 in
Gianfranco Frattini Khaki Brown Velvet Sesann Armchair for Cassina, 1972
By Cassina, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Vicenza, IT
Sesann armchair, designed by Gianfranco Frattini in 1970 and produced by the Italian manufacturer Cassina. It features khaki brown velvet upholstery and a chrome tubular cage as stru...
Chrome
$8,166
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
$7,000 / set
H 29.93 in W 18.51 in D 19.3 in
Set of 4 Model 102 Chairs by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina, Italy, 1960s
By Cassina, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Vicenza, IT
Set of four Model 102 dining chairs designed by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina, Italy, 1960s. These chairs exemplify the refined craftsmanship and structural clarity of Frattini’s d...
Wool, Cotton, Walnut
$24,500 / set
H 27.56 in W 40.01 in D 39.38 in
Gianfranco Frattini Brown Velvet Sesann Lounge Chair for Cassina, 1972
By Cassina, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Vicenza, IT
Set of three Sesann lounge chairs, designed by Gianfranco Frattini in 1970 and produced by the Italian manufacturer Cassina. They features brown alpaca velvet upholstery and a chrome...
Chrome
Sold
H 21.66 in W 34.85 in D 77.56 in
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
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 Cassina, Gianfranco Frattini
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