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 coffee table for Bernini, 1960
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Gianfranco Frattini coffee table for Bernini, 1960. Elegant example of Italian design from the 60s, characterized by clean lines, balanced proportions and refined woodwork. Among the...
Wood
$24,498 / 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
Rosewood Gianfranco Frattini Desk for Bernini, Italy 1950s
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Watford, GB
A generously proportioned desk by Gianfranco Frattini, manufactured by Bernini in Italy around 1950. This high quality piece is made of rosewood in a rich reddish brown colour. The...
Rosewood
$2,904
H 14.57 in W 35.44 in D 35.44 in
Gianfranco Frattini 'Sesann' Coffee Table for Cassina, Italy, 1968s
By Gianfranco Frattini, Cassina
Located in Berlin, DE
Coffee Table designed in 1968 by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina. The base is made of chromed steel legs, the mirrored table top, on the other hand, creates a visually complex yet sl...
Chrome
Gianfranco Frattini Sesamo desk for Bernini Italy, 1980s
By Bernini, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Skokie, IL
The form is both innovative and elegant: the desk functions seamlessly as an entrance accent, a refined workspace, or a secretary station, with a matching chair that tucks effortless...
Steel
$4,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 29 in W 36 in D 36 in
McGuire Organic Modern Bamboo Rattan Square Dining Table
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Genuine McGuire bamboo rattan dining table made in the California organic modern style. The table features a rare, bespoke glazed fi...
Iron
$7,400
H 28 in Dm 54 in
Warren Platner for Knoll International Bronze Wire & Marble Dining Table, 1970s
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Exceptional vintage example of the iconic Platner Bronze Dining Table designed in 1966 by Warren Platner and this example produced by Knoll International in the 1970s. This piece re...
Marble, Metal
$4,083
H 15.75 in W 55.12 in D 20.87 in
1960s by Frattini for Bernini Italian Midcentury Design Coffee Table
By Gianfranco Frattini, Bernini
Located in Brescia, IT
Gorgeous rosewood coffee table by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina. Very good condition Any defects on the top (look at the pictures).
Wood
$4,316 / set
H 15.16 in W 16.34 in D 16.34 in
Set of four "780" coffee tables by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina, Italy 1960s
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Argelato, BO
Set of 4 stackable coffee tables "Mod. 780" by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina This set of wooden coffee tables represents one of the most iconic and representative works of the Ita...
Wood
$24,750
H 28.35 in Dm 53.15 in
Angelo Mangiarotti for Skipper 'Eros' Round Dining Table in Marquina Marble
By Angelo Mangiarotti, Skipper
Located in Almelo, NL
Angelo Mangiarotti for Skipper 'Eros' round dining table in Marquina Marble, Italy 1970s. Angelo Mangiarotti created it for Skipper from the 'Eros' series, an iconic round dining ...
Marble
$5,949
H 15.16 in W 55.32 in D 20.67 in
Mid-Century Gianfranco Frattini, wooden Coffee Table for Bernini, Italy, 1960s
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Gianfranco Frattini, wooden Coffee Table for Bernini, Italy, 1960s Gianfranco Frattini (1926 – 2004) is an Italian architect and industrial designer belonging to the gen...
Wood
$1,166 / set
H 14.18 in W 30.32 in D 15.36 in
Tavolino Tria di Gianfranco Frattini per Acerbis, Anni 80
By Acerbis, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Milano, IT
Tris di tavolini, legno laccato.
Wood
$40,000 / item
H 30.71 in W 39.38 in D 86.62 in
Brass Tornado Square Center Dining Table by Zhoujie Zhang
By Zhang Zhoujie
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
The brass collection is the first series of objects developed with Endless Forms, Zhoujie’s own digitalized fabrication system that generates an ever-changing family of objects. Wit...
Brass
$7,466 / set
H 18.12 in W 22.84 in D 22.84 in
Italian Midcentury Gianfranco Frattini Black Nesting Tables for Cassina, 1960s
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Salzburg, AT
Set of three black high gloss stacking tables by Gianfranco Frattini, Italy, 1960s. The wood has been completely re-lacquered due to the worn surface and is now in perfect condition....
Glass, Wood
Sold
H 13.78 in W 29.93 in D 29.93 in
Kyoto model coffee table by Gianfranco Frattini, Italy, circa 1970s.
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Palermo, PA
Kyoto model coffee table designed by Gianfranco Frattini, Italian production circa 1970s. One of the Italian designer's most famous designs is precisely this coffee table made of che...
Crystal
Sold
H 14.97 in W 22.84 in D 21.26 in
Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina set of two coffee table mid 60s.
By Cassina, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in bari, IT
Set of two stackable dark brown lacquered wood coffee tables in perfect condition in its original lacquering, designer Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina mid-1960s production. small ta...
Smoked Glass, Nutwood
Gianfranco Frattini for Cassini coffee table
By Cassina, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Buzzò, Emilia-Romagna
784 Model coffee table by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina, 1970s, Italy Cassina Spa is an Italian company operating in the contemporary furniture sector, founded in 1927 in Meda by Cesare and Umberto Cassina. MOLDED GLASS ORIGINAL CLEAR OF SAINT GOBAIN The main activity is woodworking, within the company, for the production of coffee tables. Over the years the company expanded, especially in the postwar period, also thanks to collaborations with external architects who brought their experience and research. In the 1950s, Cassina moved from artisanal to serial production, adopting the logic of Industrial Design. A change also induced by the commission of furnishings for the interiors of large cruise ships. Furthermore, some of the company's best-known products took shape in this period: the 646 chair and the 699 chair...
Metal
Low crystal coffee table 100x100x30
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Manzano, IT
Low crystal coffee table 100x100x30 Stile Vintage Periodo del design 1960 - 1969 Periodo di produzione 1960 - 1969 Year of manufacture 1960 Country of production Italy Creator Frattini...
Crystal, Steel, Chrome
Sold
H 29.14 in Dm 51.19 in
Circular Table, "Model 522", Gianfranco Frattini for by Bernini, Italy. 1960
By Gianfranco Frattini, Bernini
Located in Wolfurt, AT
The table "Model 522" was designed by Gianfranco Frattini and manufactured by Bernini in Italy of the 1960s. It is made of rosewood and with its geometric shapes, straight lines and ...
Wood
Gianfranco Frattini, Rare Low Center Table with 6 Drawers
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Milano, IT
Gianfranco Frattini (1926-2004) Rare low center table with 6 drawers and three uprights. Bernini manufacture 1957.
Fruitwood
Coffee Table by Gianfranco Frattini
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Milano, IT
Beautiful and large coffee table designed by Gianfranco Frattini entirely in dark walnut wood. It is characterized by its particular woodworking, especially for the joints at the ba...
Walnut
Coffee Table by Gianfranco Frattini, 1950s
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Milano, IT
Beautiful and large coffee table designed by Gianfranco Frattini entirely in dark walnut wood. It is characterized by its particular woodworking, especially for the joints at the ba...
Walnut
"Model 522" Table Design by Gianfranco Frattini, Made by Bernini, Italy
By Gianfranco Frattini, Bernini
Located in Wolfurt, AT
This Italian dining table was designed by Carlo Ratti in the 1950s. A matching set consisting of 6 dining chairs is in stock. The table and chairs were manufactured in Milan by the company Industria Legni Curvati. The pieces of furniture are made of beech plywood. The wooden table legs...
Palisander
Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina, Set of Three Nesting Tables
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Weesp, NL
Set of three nesting or stacking coffee table designed by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina in the 1960s. Measures: H 46cm, W 58cm, D 54cm. H 38cm, W 58cm, D 54cm. H 30cm, W 58cm,...
Glass, Wood