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 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
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
Gianfranco Frattini Desk Model 530 Bernini Italy 1957
By Gianfranco Frattini, Bernini
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Stunning medium sized writing desk model 530 designed by Gianfranco Frattini and manufactured by Bernini, Italy 1957. This desk is made of nicely grained rosewood and cherrywood vene...
Rosewood
Gianfranco Frattini, secretaire 530 desk, Bernini 1956
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Misinto, IT
Iconic Italian secretaire 530 model desk designed by Gianfranco Frattini in 1956 and produced by the historic Bernini company. An object synthesis of design, craftsmanship and funct...
Walnut
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
Rosewood Rolltop Desk/Cabinet, Model 804, by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini
By Gianfranco Frattini, Bernini
Located in Argelato, BO
Gianfranco Frattini designed this gorgeous rosewood rolltop desk, model 804, for Bernini in the early 1960s. What appears to be a compact chest of ten...
Aluminum
Gianfranco Frattini Sesamo Desk for Bernini, Black Leather, 1982
By Bernini, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in bari, IT
Rare writing desk model Sesamo 841 designed by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini production circa 1982. Circular supporting structure in black lacquered iron top in precious black fold...
Leather, Glass, Beech
No. 804 Rolltop Desk
By Bernini, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Munich, DE
Rare and unusual desk designed by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini. By pulling the desk top out you open the rolltop. This desk cabinet has a lot of storage space, 10 drawers at the f...
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
Wonderful, Amazing and Exclusive Frattini Desk
By Bernini, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Munich, DE
Very rare and elegant small desk by gianfranco frattini for bernini by opening the drawer the jalousie cover at the back opens. very special piece.
Teak
Secretary by Gianfranco Frattini, Cantieri Carugati, 1954
By Cantieri Carugati, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Berlin, DE
This beautiful secretary by Gianfranco Frattini from 1954 was made out of rosewood. Frattini was an italien architect and designer.
Brass, Steel
Gianfranco Frattini desk for Cantieri Carugati in cherry wood, Italy 1958
By Gian Franco Frattini, Cantieri Carugati, Franco Bettonica, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Argelato, BO
Gianfranco Frattini, rare desk with wooden structure and supports and nickel-plated metal handles. It is a sophisticated desk, the work of the Milanese architect and designer Gianfra...
Metal
Mid Century Modern Rosewood desk designed by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini
By Bernini, Gianfranco Frattini
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
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 Rosewood Writing Desk
By Bernini, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Washington, DC
A beautiful Midcentury rosewood writing desk by an Italian design icon, Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini was made in Italy in 1957. This sleek proportioned desk is model 530 and featu...
Rosewood
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
Midcentury Modern Wooden Desk by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini
By Bernini, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Madrid, ES
Hardwood writing desk designed by Gianfranco Frattini and produced by Bernini, Italy. The desk features a removable top part with extra drawers and storage compartments. This desk ca...
Hardwood
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
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
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
H 29.53 in W 57.09 in D 29.53 in
Italian Office Teak Desk in the style of Gianfranco Frattini, Italy 1960's
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Ceglie Messapica, IT
Mid-Century Teak and Cherry Wood Desk in the Style of Gianfranco Frattini, Italy, 1960s Refined Italian Office Teak Desk in the style of Gianfranco Frattini, manufactured in Italy i...
Brass
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 Gianfranco Frattini, Bernini
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
H 29.53 in W 59.06 in D 30.71 in
Danish Cabinetmaker 1950s Rosewood Desk
Located in London, England
An exquisite Danish cabinetmaker made desk in stunning rosewood dated to the early 1950s. This elegant desk exhibits the finest cabinetmaking techniques with subtle mouldings on the ...
Rosewood
H 35.83 in W 21.66 in D 27.17 in
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
H 31.5 in W 60.24 in D 25.99 in
Italian Desk, 1950s
Located in Palermo, PA
Italian desk, 1950s. Dimensions: H= 80 cm; W= 153 cm; D= 66 cm.
Brass
H 15.75 in W 55.12 in D 20.87 in
1960s by Frattini for Bernini Italian Midcentury Design Coffee Table
By Bernini, Gianfranco Frattini
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
H 15.16 in Dm 15.75 in
Model 780 side tables by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina, Italy 1960s
By Gianfranco Frattini, Cassina
Located in Antwerp, BE
A rare and sculptural set of four Model 780 side tables designed by Gianfranco Frattini and produced by Cassina in the 1960s. This iconic Italian design perfectly captures the balanc...
Laminate, Wood
H 20.08 in W 20.08 in D 20.08 in
Mid Century Modern Nesting Tables by Gianfranco Frattini, Yugoslavia 1960s
By Gianfranco Frattini, Meblo
Located in Beograd, RS
This listing features a mid century modern set of 3 nesting tables, done in solid beech wood with smoked glass tops. Tables can function as 3 separate pieces, or they can get stacked...
Beech
H 32.68 in W 39.38 in D 25.6 in
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
H 46.46 in W 55.52 in D 20.87 in
Gianfranco Frattini Highboard Model 504 Bernini, Italy 1960
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Paris, IDF
Rare high credenza in Brazilian rosewood by Gianfranco Frattini Model 504 made by Bernini, Italy around 1961. Vertical rolling curtain doors Good condition
Wood, Rosewood
H 28.75 in W 82.68 in D 27.56 in
Bilateral Sideboard by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini
By Gianfranco Frattini, Bernini
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
H 31.5 in W 39.57 in D 26.38 in
Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini Cabinet with Built-in Desk
By Bernini, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini, cabinet with desk model 804, lacquered wood, glass, suede, metal, Italy, 1960s This black cabinet with integrated desk...
Metal
H 28.35 in W 66.93 in D 32.68 in
Rosewood Writing Table by Gianfranco Frattini
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gianfranco Frattini, for Bernini writing table, in rosewood, Italy. This architectural writing table in rosewood is designed by Frattini. It features the typical design traits of ...
Rosewood
H 37.21 in W 51.19 in D 31.5 in
Gianfranco Frattini Writing Desk in Walnut
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini, writing desk model 530, walnut, Italy, 1957. This walnut desk was designed by Gianfranco Frattini. The desk features two drawers and an open shelvin...
Walnut
H 29.53 in W 55.52 in D 25.6 in
Italian Architect's Walnut desk, Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini 1950
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Oirlo, LI
Bring timeless Italian elegance into your interior with this exceptional mid-20th century freestanding desk, designed by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini in the 1950s. A true reflec...
Walnut
H 28.55 in W 51.19 in D 31.5 in
Gianfranco Frattini Model 530 Writing Desk for Bernini, Walnut Veneer, 1957
By Gianfranco Frattini, Bernini
Located in Vicenza, IT
Model 530 writing desk designed by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini in 1957, early production. This desk marks the beginning of Frattini’s long and influential collaboration with Bern...
Walnut
H 28.35 in W 51.19 in D 31.3 in
530 Series, Desk, by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini, Italy, 1960s
By Bernini, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Brussel, BE
Beautiful writing desk in walnut with two drawers plus a central storage space on the front and two other storage spaces on the back. Designed in 1956 by the Italian architect and de...
Wood, Walnut
H 37.21 in W 51.19 in D 31.5 in
Desk '530' by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini 1960s
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Milano, IT
Scrittoio anni '60 in legno impiallacciato jacaranda della serie '530' disegnato da Gianfranco Frattini per una produzione Bernini che presenta un'alzata attrezzata con serrandine av...
Jacaranda
H 39.38 in W 43.31 in D 23.63 in
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
H 37.5 in W 31.5 in D 51 in
Gianfranco Frattini Writing Desk in Walnut, Italy, 1960s
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed by Gianfranco Frattini in the 1960s, this Italian writing desk exemplifies his refined modernist vision. Crafted in walnut with a beautifully figured grain, the desk feature...
Walnut
H 28.5 in W 51 in D 33 in
Gianfranco Frattini desk Mod. 535 for Bernini 1956
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This elegant desk, designed by Gianfranco Frattini in 1956 for Bernini, radiates the quiet sophistication of mid-century Italian design. Its rich, polished wood surface exudes warmth...
Rosewood
H 28.35 in W 31.5 in D 51.19 in
Desk " 530 " by Gianfranco Frattini fo Bernini, Italy 1960s.
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Lot/Drogenbos, BE
Desk model " 530 " in Walnut wood with two drawers and one spaces in the front side and other two spaces in the back side, with out keys. Designed by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini...
Wood
H 39.38 in W 43.31 in D 23.63 in
Scrittoio di Gianfranco Frattini per Bernini anni 60
By Gianfranco Frattini, Bernini
Located in Milano, IT
Scrittoio con cassetti, piano estraibile ricoperto in pelle, alzata con serranda, piccole ante scorrevoli in alluminio cromato e cassettini. Legno impiallacciato Jacaranda. Restaurato.
Aluminum