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.
$14,301Sale Price|20% Off
Bilateral Sideboard by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini
By Bernini, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Iconic sideboard designed by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini. Italy 1960 ca. Three vertical tambour doors on one side, with three large and two smal...
Wood
Gianfranco Frattini Sideboard for Bernini 1957
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in taranto, IT
Wonderful sideboard by Gianfranco Frattini designed for Bernini, 1957. Made in rosewood with two parts closed by shutters. Very good conditions, as pics. Measures: width cm 140,...
Wood
Gianfranco Frattini Model 504 Highboard for Bernini, 1960, Early Production
By Bernini, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Vicenza, IT
Model 504 highboard designed by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini in 1960, early production. This piece belongs to Frattini’s important early collaboration with Bernini and represents...
Walnut
Gianfranco Frattini Walnut Sideboard
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Brussels, BE
Gianfranco Frattini walnut sideboard.
Wood
Sideboard by Gianfranco Frattini / Bernini, Italy 1961
By Gianfranco Frattini, Bernini
Located in Berlin, DE
Sideboard by Gianfranco Frattini, Bernini Italy, 1961 Materials & Techniques Notes: rosewood, 2 tambour style roll down fronts, ...
Rosewood, Down
Sideboard by Gianfranco Frattini for Permanente Mobili Cantù, 1960s
By La Permanente Mobili Cantù, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in London, GB
Designed by Gianfranco Frattini in the 1960s and manufactured by La Permanente Mobili in Cantù, Italy, This streamlined chest of drawers exemplifies the refined craftsmanship and mod...
Metal
$2,717Sale Price|40% Off
H 39.38 in W 118.12 in D 20.08 in
Italian Sideboard from La Permanente Mobili Cantù, 1940s
By La Permanente Mobili Cantù
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Eclectic parchment sideboard, maple profiles, finely decorated opaline top, supports in carved and lacquered wood. This vintage item shows signs of wear, such as scratches and other ...
Maple, Parchment Paper
$2,979
H 30.71 in W 86.62 in D 18.9 in
Italian Sideboard, 1960s Design in Style of Gianfranco Frattini
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Vintage Italian sideboard. Great design. Two sliding doors with four drawers (the first one is not origin).
Rosewood
Sideboard Walnut Carved
By Lionel Rawlinson Limited 1
Located in Toronto, CA
Walnut sideboard three drawers and four doors, carved pillars and back splash.
Walnut
Desk Model 530, Gianfranco Frattini Bernini Edition, 1957
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Saint ouen, FR
Desk model 530 - Gianfranco Frattini - Circa 1957 Bernini edition (label in right drawer) Rosewood H95xW130xD79.5cm In a perfect state The desk features a removable storage un...
Wood, Rosewood
$22,000
H 82 in Dm 72.38 in
Italian Modern Rosewood Wall Unit/Bookcase by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini
By Bernini, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Model 540 modular bookcase designed by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini (ca. 1960s, Italy). Uncommon rosewood example composed of four vertical slatted-rails creating three bays inclu...
Metal, Aluminum
$3,378Sale Price|50% Off
H 52.76 in W 27.56 in D 26.78 in
Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini Rosewood Modello 823 Bookshelf, 1960s
By Gianfranco Frattini, Bernini
Located in Rochester, England
Originally designed in 1963 by Gianfranco Frattini, the Modello 823 bookshelf was manufactured by Bernini. After going out of production Poltrona Frau re-issued the design in 2022 un...
Rosewood
Black Desk by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini, Italy, 1960s
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Greding, DE
Refined black-lacquered desk on cylindrical legs, designed by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini. The desk features ten drawers, a pull-out writing surface, and a tambour top that conce...
Wood
$5,244
H 31.11 in W 39.38 in D 25.6 in
Mid-Century Modern Italian Desk Table by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini, 1960s
By Bernini, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Rare and unusual desk model N°804 designed by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini. Pulling out the desk top opens the rolltop. This desk cabinet has plenty of storage space, 10 drawers a...
Ash
Gianfranco Frattini wardobe by Bernini Italy 1957
By Bernini, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
This rare sliding door wardrobe, designed by the celebrated Gianfranco Frattini and manufactured by Bernini, Italy in 1957. It epitomizes the refined elegance of mid-century modern d...
Rosewood
$3,050Sale Price|20% Off
H 35.44 in W 59.06 in D 18.12 in
Teak and Brass Sideboard with Drawers by La Permanente Mobili Cantù
By La Permanente Mobili Cantù
Located in Madrid, ES
Sideboard made of teak wood with sliding doors and five drawers, brass details. Manufactured in Italy by La Permanente Mobili Cantù in the '60s.
Brass
$6,197
H 32.29 in W 70.87 in D 21.26 in
Italian Midcentury Sideboard by La Permanente Mobili di Cantù, 1950
By La Permanente Mobili Cantù
Located in Traversetolo, IT
This exquisite Italian sideboard or chest of drawers crafted by Permanente Mobili of Cantù in the late 1950s is a stunning example of mid-century modern design. The beautiful woodwork on the front of the six drawers creates a striking contrast between light and dark tones, while the sides feature an elegant herringbone pattern that adds a touch of refinement. A hammered black lacquer band underneath the top adds a subtle but distinct touch of sophistication to the piece. The original and distinctive handles are crafted from the same wood as the drawers, adding to the seamless and cohesive design. The chest of drawers is topped with a sleek black glass plate...
Glass, Maple, Walnut
$2,640
H 70.08 in W 51.97 in D 16.93 in
Gianfranco Frattini wardrobe for Esposizione Permanente Mobil Cantù, 1950s
By Esposizione Permanente mobili Cantù, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Parma, IT
Gianfranco Frattini for Esposizione Permanente Mobil Cantù from the 1950s. 3-door wardrobe in rosewood with original vipla lining with iridescent stripes. Curved handles, uprights and doors with brass details, wooden and brass clothes hanger...
Brass
Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini Coffee Table in Rosewood
By Bernini, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini, low board or coffee table, rosewood, Italy, 1960s. This coffee table in rosewood is designed by Frattini. It features the typical design traits of...
Rosewood
Sold
H 28.75 in W 82.68 in D 20.48 in
1950s Frattini for Bernini Italian Wood Sideboard with Sliding Doors
By Gianfranco Frattini, Bernini
Located in Ceglie Messapica, IT
Design Italian Wood Sideboard Mod. 503 “Serie 500”- Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini, Italy, 1950s Exceptional and rare Italian modern sideboard, model Mod. 503 from the renowned S...
Wood, Walnut
Sold
H 28.75 in W 56.11 in D 20.67 in
Pair of sideboards, models 503 and 501 by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini, Italy
By Bernini, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Pair of sideboards, models 503 and 501 by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini, Italy, 1950s A rare and refined pair of sideboards, models 503 and 501, designed by Gianfranco Frattini for...
Wood
Model 823 Bookcase by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini, 1963
By Bernini, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in bruxelles, BE
Modular wooden and leather swivel bookcase, designed by Gianfranco Frattini, model 823. The shelves can be moved as desired. Stamped Bernini. Wear due to time and age. FOR SHIPPING, ...
Metal
Gianfranco Frattini Sideboard For Bernini Italy 1957
By Bernini, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Stunning Sideboard by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini, Italy 1970s. A timeless piece which combines form with function, and has striking details of both shape and rosewood grain fin...
Wood
Sold
H 28.75 in W 82.68 in D 20.87 in
M501 Rosewood Sideboard by Gianfranco Frattini Bernini Italy, 1960s
By Bernini, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Rosendahl, DE
M501 Sideboard by Gianfranco Frattini Bernini Italy, 1960s This rare sideboard from the 1960s combines refined design with exceptional craftsmanship. Designed by Gianfranco Frattin...
Rosewood, Plywood
Mid Century Sideboard Gianfranco Frattini 1926-2004
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Buxton, GB
This stunning vintage sideboard is a true statement piece for any room. It has a beautiful veneer finish and smooth features, with cup handles that add a touch of mid-century modern...
Wood
Gianfranco frattini large sideboard Bernini Italy 1957
By Gianfranco Frattini, Bernini
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
This exquisite tambour sideboard, designed by Gianfranco Frattini and manufactured by Bernini in Italy in 1957, is a remarkable example of mid-century modern craftsmanship. The sideb...
Rosewood
Sideboard by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini, 1960s
By Bernini, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in bruxelles, BE
Wooden low sideboard with 4 drawers designed by Gianfranco frattini. Wear due to time and age. FOR SHIPPING, REQUEST US FOR RECEIVE THE BEST PRICE
Wood
Sold
H 28.75 in W 82.68 in D 27.56 in
Bilateral Sideboard by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini, Italy, 1960s
By Bernini, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Wrocław, Poland
This stunning long sideboard with tambour doors comes from Italy. The piece was designed by famous Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini Manufacture and produced around 1960s. It features ...
Wood
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H 28.75 in W 74.81 in D 20.67 in
Mid-Century Modern Sideboard by Gianfranco Frattini For Bernini, 1960s
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Sideboard by Gianfranco Frattini For Bernini, 1960s Gianfranco Frattini (1926 – 2004) was an Italian architect and industrial designer who belonged to the generat...
Wood
Sold
H 24.5 in W 43.5 in D 23.5 in
‘Ovunque 806’ Modular Glass Door Sideboard by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini
By Gianfranco Frattini, Bernini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A mid century Italian sideboard cabinet by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini. Model “806,” this pieces features two glass doors and...
Metal