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 Cassina Barstools in Stained Walnut and Red Leatherette
By Cassina, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina, bar stools, model '112', walnut, leatherette, Italy, 1959 These barstools, model 112, were first created for the Stork Club restaurant in Milan. Th...
Faux Leather, Walnut
Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina Barstools in Stained Walnut and Red Leatherette
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina, bar stools, model '112', walnut, leatherette, Italy, 1959 These barstools, model 112, were first created for the Stork Club restaurant in Milan. Th...
Faux Leather, Walnut
Stool Designed by G. Frattini Cassina from Hotel Parco Dei Principi, Published
By Cassina, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Beautiful ,elegant bar stool from the 'Hotel Parco dei Principi' in Rome dating from 1960 . Designed by Gianfranco Frattini in 1959 for the Stork Club, Milan. Gio Ponti used them...
Brass
$5,258 / 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 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
Charlotte Perriand Meribel Wood Stool by Cassina, Black Oak, Modern
By Cassina, Charlotte Perriand
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Stool model Meribel designed by Charlotte Perriand in 1953-61. Oak stained black. Relaunched by Cassina in 2011. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. Reclaiming simple materials ...
Aluminum
Charlotte Perriand Berger Wood Stool by Cassina, Mid-Century Modern
By Cassina, Charlotte Perriand
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Stool model Berger designed by Charlotte Perriand in 1953-61. Relaunched by Cassina in 2011. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. Reclaiming simple materials and basic shapes, with an eye to architecture and mountain life, led to the creation of two historic design low table-stools inspired respectively by the milking stool used by mountain shepherds in the French town much loved by the author. Placed individually or in lively arrangements, the two low tables bring the pleasing lightness of solid wood to indoor settings emphasized by the continuity of the grain between the top and the edges and the countless natural variations in the wood. Each piece is made of unique solid wood, so every piece will be different from one another and not exactly as the one on the photos. Both pieces are inspired by the mountains. While the latter takes its name from the milking-stool used by alpine shepherds, the former is inspired by the French locality much loved by designer and architect Charlotte Perriand. These furnishing accessories stand out for the honesty of their simple shapes and for the concrete expression of their materials and function. The turned seat meets the stylised legs both in the Tabouret...
Wood
Charlotte Perriand Berger Wood Stool by Cassina, Mid-Century Modern
By Cassina, Charlotte Perriand
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Stool model Berger designed by Charlotte Perriand in 1953-1961. Relaunched by Cassina in 2011. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. Reclaiming simple materials and basic shapes, with ...
Aluminum
$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
$1,673 / item
H 14.97 in Dm 13 in
Charlotte Perriand Meribel Wood Stool by Cassina, Natural Oak, Italy
By Cassina, Charlotte Perriand
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Stool model Meribel designed by Charlotte Perriand in 1953-61. Natural oak. Relaunched by Cassina in 2011. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. Reclaiming simple materials and basic shapes, with an eye to architecture and mountain life, led to the creation of two historic design low table-stools inspired respectively by the milking stool used by mountain shepherds in the French town much loved by the author. Placed individually or in lively arrangements, the two low tables bring the pleasing lightness of solid wood to indoor settings emphasized by the continuity of the grain between the top and the edges and the countless natural variations in the wood. Each piece is made of unique solid wood, so every piece will be different from one another and not exactly as the one on the photos. Both pieces are inspired by the mountains. While the latter takes its name from the milking-stool used by alpine shepherds, the former is inspired by the French locality much loved by designer and architect Charlotte Perriand. These furnishing accessories stand out for the honesty of their simple shapes and for the concrete expression of their materials and function. The turned seat meets the stylised legs both in the Tabouret Berger...
Aluminum
$17,928
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
$21,513
H 27.56 in W 94.49 in D 35.44 in
Three Seater Sofa "Sesann" by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina, Italy 1969
By Cassina, Gianfranco Frattini
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
Charlotte Perriand Berger Wood Stool by Cassina, Mid-Century Modern
By Cassina, Charlotte Perriand
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Stool model Berger designed by Charlotte Perriand in 1953-61. Relaunched by Cassina in 2011. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. Reclaiming simple materials and basic shapes, with an eye to architecture and mountain life...
Aluminum
$1,912 / item
H 18.12 in W 20.08 in D 14.97 in
Charlotte Perriand LC9 Stool, Leather and Steel by Cassina
By Cassina, Charlotte Perriand
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Stool designed by Charlotte Perriand in 1927. Relaunched by Cassina in 1973/2014. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. Designed by Charlotte Perriand and part of the LC collection by L...
Steel
$1,668 / item
H 14.97 in Dm 13 in
Charlotte Perriand Meribel Wood Stool by Cassina, Walnut, Mid-Century
By Cassina, Charlotte Perriand
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Stool model Meribel designed by Charlotte Perriand in 1953-61. American walnut. Relaunched by Cassina in 2011. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. Reclaiming simple materials and basic shapes, with an eye to architecture and mountain life, led to the creation of two historic design low table-stools inspired respectively by the milking stool used by mountain shepherds in the French town much loved by the author. Placed individually or in lively arrangements, the two low tables bring the pleasing lightness of solid wood to indoor settings emphasized by the continuity of the grain between the top and the edges and the countless natural variations in the wood. Each piece is made of unique solid wood, so every piece will be different from one another and not exactly as the one on the photos. Both pieces are inspired by the mountains. While the latter takes its name from the milking-stool used by alpine shepherds, the former is inspired by the French locality much loved by designer and architect Charlotte Perriand. These furnishing accessories stand out for the honesty of their simple shapes and for the concrete expression of their materials and function. The turned seat meets the stylised legs both in the Tabouret Berger...
Aluminum
Charlotte Perriand Méribel Wood Stool by Cassina, Oak/Walnut, Italy
By Charlotte Perriand, Cassina
Located in Berlin, DE
The price is dependent on the chosen material. This stool model Meribel is designed by Charlotte Perriand in 1953-61 and is inspired by the French locality much loved by the designer and architect. The stool-table stands out for the honesty of its simple shape and for the concrete expression of its material and function. Tabouret Méribel...
Oak, Walnut
Sold
H 25.6 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in
Bar Stool G.Frattini for Cassina for the Hotel Parco dei Principi, Rome 1964
By Gianfranco Frattini, Cassina
Located in Milano, IT
Mid-century stool by Gianfranco Frattini for the Cassina manufactory. The stools were designed for the furnishings of the Hotel Parco dei Principi Roma in 1958. The stool has a walnu...
Brass
Bar Stools by Gianfranco Frattini, 1958
By Cassina, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Berlin, DE
A pair of bar stools with a construction solid walnut and black lacquered metal, upholstery and vinyl cover. With manufacturer label 'Cassina'. Dimensions: H. 82cm 41 x 41cm. Design:...
Metal