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 'Model 780' stacking tables by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina
By Gianfranco Frattini, Cassina
Located in Boom, Vlaams Gewest
Rare set of four ‘Model 780’ stacking coffee tables designed by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina in 1966. A beautiful example of refined Italian modernism, these tables combine sculpt...
Wood
Mid-Century Italian Swivel Coffee Table by Gianfranco Frattini, Italy, 1960s
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Italian Swivel Coffee Table by Gianfranco Frattini, Italy, 1960s
Wood
Gianfranco Frattini Set of Four 780/783 Stacking Low Tables by Cassina 1960s
By Cassina, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Cascina, Pisa
Very rare set of four low tables round-shaped, model 780/783 with a black lacquered wooden frame with a reversible top in black and white plastic laminate, designed by Gianfranco Frattini and manufactured by Cassina in 1960s. The tables present different heights so it can be possible to be stackable to form one cylindrical block. Frattini was born in Padova in 1926, he graduated in Architecture at the Politecnico di Milano in 1953, where he opened his first professional studio after working in Gio Ponti’s studio, his master and mentor. He worked in the field of architecture and design, with a particular interest in interior design, and attended many exhibitions and events. In 1956 he was between the founders of ADI (Association for Industrial Design) for which he created several pieces. His creations range from furnishing to lamps, marked by an essential and rigorous style. Wood was undoubtedly his preferred material, he knew its features and crafted it passionately. Among his best sellers, the 780/783 set of stacking tables for Cassina, the Sesann armchair for Tacchini, the Albero bookcase...
Plastic, Laminate, Beech
Coffee table model 554 by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini - 1960s
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Uccle, Bruxelles
Amazing model 554 coffee table designed by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini in the 1960s. A magnificent small coffee table featuring two drawers with beautifully sculpted handles an...
Wood
1967, Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina, 4 Pieces of Marema Stacking Tables
By Cassina, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL
This tables are part of the private collection of Casey Godrie and is situated in his private house. Ask him for competitive shipping quotes. His incredible Dune Villa, Amsterdam Beach, check last two pictures of this listing or find more details on his family name plus eu, is for sale soon too. :-) Set of four side tables in plastic 'Marema' by Gianfranco Fratinni...
Plastic
Mid-Century Modern Desk Table by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini, Italy, 1960s
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Desk Table by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini, Italy, 1960s.
Wood
Mid Century Modern Rosewood desk designed by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini
By Gianfranco Frattini, Bernini
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a spectacular and exceptionally rare Mid Century Modern Desk designed by Gianfranco Frattini and manufactured by Bernini. The table is done in rosewood....
Brass
Writing Desk by Gianfranco FRATTINI for BERNINI, 1961
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Berlin, Berlin
Elegant modular walnut Desk, mod. 807 with black leather and aluminium detail. The roll top tambour-door opens by pulling out the leather writing surface. There are 8 pull-out drawer...
Aluminum
Four 780 nesting tables by Frattini for Cassina
By Cassina, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Milano, IT
Set of Four Side Tables, Model 780 by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina Elegant set of four side tables, model 780, designed by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina. This refined ensemble ...
Formica, Wood
Gianfranco Frattini Swivel Table, Model 831, Wood, Bernini, 1964, Italy
By Gianfranco Frattini, Bernini
Located in Torino, Piemonte
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...
Wood
Acerbis Small Maestro Table in Black Ash Wood by Gianfranco Frattini
By Gianfranco Frattini, Acerbis
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Created at the end of the 1990s by architect Gianfranco Frattini, the Maestro table combines design vision and excellence in the of Italian cabinetmaking...
Ash
Acerbis Extra Large Maestro Table in Black Ash Wood by Gianfranco Frattini
By Gianfranco Frattini, Acerbis
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Created at the end of the 1990s by architect Gianfranco Frattini, the Maestro table combines design vision and excellence in the of Italian cabinetmaking...
Ash
Acerbis Large Gong Side Table in Matt Bronze Top with Brushed Brass Frame
By Gianfranco Frattini, Acerbis
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Architect Gianfranco Frattini signed Gong, which was unveiled for the first time in 1987. Gong is a range of round metal tables of formal simplicity ...
Metal
Acerbis Small Gong Side Table in Matt Painted Orbital Bronze Top with Frame
By Acerbis, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Architect Gianfranco Frattini signed Gong, which was unveiled for the first time in 1987. Gong is a range of round metal tables of formal simplicity ...
Metal
Acerbis Large Maestro Table in Black Ash Wood by Gianfranco Frattini
By Gianfranco Frattini, Acerbis
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Created at the end of the 1990s by architect Gianfranco Frattini, the Maestro table combines design vision and excellence in the of Italian cabinetmaking...
Ash
Three Tria Coffee Table, Gianfranco Frattini for Morphos, Acerbis, 1980s
By Gianfranco Frattini, Morphos
Located in Roma, IT
Three tria coffee table is an original design furniture set realized by Gianfranco Frattini for Morphos of Acerbis International Division (Manufacture Label) in Italy during 1980s....
Walnut
Acerbis Square Maestro Table in Bleached Ash Wood by Gianfranco Frattini
By Gianfranco Frattini, Acerbis
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Created at the end of the 1990s by architect Gianfranco Frattini, the Maestro table combines design vision and excellence in the of Italian cabinetmaking...
Ash
Acerbis Medium Gong Side Table in Matt Bronze Top with Brushed Brass Frame
By Gianfranco Frattini, Acerbis
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Architect Gianfranco Frattini signed Gong, which was unveiled for the first time in 1987. Gong is a range of round metal tables of formal simplicity and clean lines, which are avail...
Metal
Acerbis Medium Maestro Table in Dark Stained Walnut by Gianfranco Frattini
By Gianfranco Frattini, Acerbis
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Created at the end of the 1990s by architect Gianfranco Frattini, the Maestro table combines design vision and excellence in the of Italian cabinetmaking...
Walnut
Italian modern stackable red white coffee table 780/783 Frattini Cassina, 1970s
By Cassina, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern stackable red white coffee table 780/783 Frattini Cassina, 1970s Set of four coffee tables mod. 780/783 with round base lacquered white and red. The structure is compo...
Laminate, Wood
Acerbis Medium Maestro Table in Black Ash Wood by Gianfranco Frattini
By Gianfranco Frattini, Acerbis
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Created at the end of the 1990s by architect Gianfranco Frattini, the Maestro table combines design vision and excellence in the of Italian cabinetmaking...
Ash
$547Sale Price|20% Off
Gianfranco Frattini Serving Trolley, Smoked Glass & Wood, 1960s
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Ljubljana, SI
Bar cart designed by Gianfranco Frattini (wooden sides, smoked glass) 1960s. Serving cart is sturdy and fits with the classic mid-century modern aesthetic. DIMENSIONS: Height: 73 c...
Smoked Glass, Hardwood
Acerbis Extra Large Maestro Table in Dark Stained Walnut by Gianfranco Frattini
By Gianfranco Frattini, Acerbis
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Created at the end of the 1990s by architect Gianfranco Frattini, the Maestro table combines design vision and excellence in the of Italian cabinetmaking...
Walnut
Cassina Set of 1960s 'Marema' Nesting Tables by Gianfranco Frattini
By Cassina, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Toronto, CA
Designed by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina in the mid-1960s, the Marema nesting tables are a standout example of Italian modernism. Featuring four low tables that stack into a sculp...
Plastic
Wonderful and Extremely Rare Frattini Secretary for Bernini
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Munich, DE
By pulling the drawer the tambour roll top opens automatic. Then you can double the size of the writing surface.
Wood
Gianfranco Frattini Mod. 804 Rolltop Desk
By Bernini, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Munich, DE
Walnut writing desk model 804 designed in 1961 by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini, Italy. Tambour top that hides small drawers and a pull out leather writing surface. Front side with...
Walnut
Gianfranco Frattini desk for Cantieri Carugati
By Gianfranco Frattini, Cantieri Carugati
Located in Torino, IT
Desk by Gianfranco Frattini for Cantieri Carugati Very rare desk from the late 1950s. Made of walnut veneer. Designed by Gianfranco Frattini and Franco Bettonica. Gianfranco Frat...
Wood
$24,352 / item
Squared Dining Marble Table by Gianfranco Frattini, 1985
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in MIlano, IT
Squared dining marble table by Gianfranco Frattini, 1985 Absolute masterpiece by Gianfranco Frattini coming from his private house in Italy. This sculptural table is composed by a s...
Marble, Metal