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.
Set of 4 Gianfranco Frattini 'Nuela' Chairs for Lema SpA, 1970s
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of four armless side chairs from the 'Nuela' collection, designed by Gianfranco Frattini and produced by Lema SpA beginning in 1976. Frames are varnished beechwood with a warm am...
Fabric, Upholstery, Plastic, Foam, Wood, Beech
$4,155Sale Price / set|25% Off
Caprille Dining Chair Set, Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina, Black & Pink, 1980
By Gianfranco Frattini, Cassina
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Cassina Caprile dining chair set by Gianfranco Frattini. Gorgeous original woven textile with shades of pink and peach. Lovely lacquered wood frame. Labeled. Gianfranco Frattini real...
Textile, 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 Gianfranco Frattini, Cassina
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
$5,226 / 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
$2,912 / set
H 34.65 in W 21.66 in D 18.9 in
Set of Four Rainer Daumiller Pine Wood Dining Chairs, 1970s
By Rainer Daumiller, Hirtshals Savvaerk
Located in Echt, NL
Set of four solid pine wood chairs in very good condition. Designed by Rainer Daumiller and manufactured by Hirtshals Savvaerk in the 1970s The chairs have a carved seat and backr...
Wood, Pine
$2,240Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 30.25 in W 21 in D 20.5 in
Set of 6 Harry Bertoia for Knoll International Black Wire Dining Chairs, 1970s
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This set of six wire dining chairs, designed by Harry Bertoia for Knoll, represents one of the most iconic and enduring designs of mid-century modern furniture. Introduced in the ear...
Metal
Black Leather 'CAB' Chairs by Mario Bellini for Cassina
By Mario Bellini
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Classic leather CAB chairs by Mario Bellini for Cassina. Great patina to leather. Excellent vintage condition. Priced individua...
Leather
$3,200Sale Price / set|21% Off
H 32 in W 14.5 in D 17.5 in
Set of 4 Zanotta Burgundy Leather Dining Chairs, Italy, 1980s, Signed
By Mario Bellini, Cassina, Zanotta
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A handsome and well-crafted set of four dining chairs by Zanotta, Italy circa 1980s, in rich burgundy leather. Often compared stylistically to Mario Bellini’s iconic 'Cab' chairs for...
Leather
Mario Bellini Cab Side Dining Chair for Cassina
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This iconic design by Mario Bellini for Cassina, designed 1977, Italy, features the original natural toned saddle leather which is wrapped atop a steel frame. The back of each leg fe...
Steel
Mario Bellini Cab Side Dining Chair for Cassina
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This iconic design by Mario Bellini for Cassina, Italy, features the original natural toned saddle leather which is wrapped atop a steel frame. The back of each leg features a black ...
Steel
$10,105
H 26.38 in W 42.52 in D 39.38 in
Sesann armchair designed by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina 1970
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Arezzo, Italy
Sesann armchair designed by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina 1970s, Polyuretane, original mohair velvet, tubolar chromed steel structure, wooden base. Excellent condition. Sesann...
Metal
$5,884 / set
H 29.93 in W 17.72 in D 18.12 in
Model 101 dining chairs by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina, Italy, 1960s, 10 pcs
By Cassina, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Diest, BE
Great set of 10 Model 101 dining chairs by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina, Italy, 1960s. Overall good vintage condition. Some chairs have scratches on the seat and wood. Literature...
Wood
Chair by Gianfranco Frattini, 1960
By Gianfranco Frattini, Cassina
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
Mario Bellini Tan Cab Side Dining Chair for Cassina
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This iconic design by Mario Bellini for Cassina designed 1977, Italy, features the original natural toned saddle leather which is wrapped atop a steel frame. The back of each leg fea...
Steel
Pair of 1950s Frattini Side Chairs in off White Boucle
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in London, GB
1950s Frattini chairs Metal and wood with brass accents and brass sabots. Re upholstered in off white boucle.
Brass
"Model 104" Dining Chair, Design by Gianfranco Frattini, Cassina, 1960s
By Gianfranco Frattini, Cassina
Located in Wolfurt, AT
"Model 104" dining chair - Design by Gianfranco Frattini, manufactured by Cassina, Italy, 1960s. The solid Palisander chairs are upholstered with black leath...
Oak