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.
$8,347 / item
Dining Table Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini
By Gianfranco Frattini, Bernini
Located in Matosinhos, 13
522 model rectangular dining table in Palo Santo, designed by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini. A timeless table with an iconic design, perfectly crafted in a very noble wood.
Hardwood
Gianfranco Frattini, Capri, Dining Table, Cassina, 1985
By Gianfranco Frattini, Cassina
Located in Paris, FR
Gianfranco Frattini (1926-2004) Capri A dining table. The rectangular glass top supported on each of the wide sides by a two-tier black lacquered cylinder wood frame, on four black cylinder feet. Manufactured by Cassina, Italy. 1985. Gianfranco Frattini (1926-2004) Born in Padua in 1926, Gianfranco Frattini studied architecture at the Politecnico di Milano. Having graduated in 1953, he first collaborated with Gio Ponti before opening his own practice. Throughout his career, Frattini was very focused on interior designs for which he created furniture and lights. That led him to work with some of the most important design companies, Artemide, Knoll, Arteluce, Bernini and Cassina. With the latter, Frattini had a long and fruitful collaboration giving birth to masterpieces such as the 780/783 nesting tables, the Sesann sofas. The Capri table...
Wood
$24,711 / 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
$2,930
H 14.57 in W 35.44 in D 35.44 in
Gianfranco Frattini 'Sesann' Coffee Table for Cassina, Italy, 1968s
By Cassina, Gianfranco Frattini
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
$5,295 / set
H 17.01 in Dm 23.63 in
Gianfranco Frattini Large Version Nesting Tables for Cassina, Italy, 1966
By Cassina, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Milan, IT
Gianfranco Frattini large version nesting tables for Cassina, Italy, 1966. Wood nesting tables with black and white interchangeable tops Original Cassina labels.
Formica, Wood
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
$4,118
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
Large Dining Table by Silvio Coppola for Bernini
By Silvio Coppola, Bernini
Located in Kilmarnock, VA
A striking and substantial dining table designed by Silvio Coppola for Bernini, crafted in richly grained solid walnut. Produced circa 1968, the design is a modern reinterpretation o...
Walnut
$4,118 / set
H 15.36 in Dm 15.36 in
Model 780 Nesting Tables by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina, 1960s, Set of 4
By Gianfranco Frattini, Cassina
Located in bruxelles, BE
Set of 4 Wooden nesting tables. Reversible black and white top. Stamped Cassina. Wear due to time and age of the tables. Measures: Height Small: 24 cm Height Medium 1: 29 cm Height M...
Wood
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
$4,683
H 28.35 in W 82.68 in D 45.28 in
Folding / Extendable dining Table by Silvio Coppola for Bernini, Italy, 1960s
By Bernini, Silvio Coppola
Located in amstelveen, NL
Walnut wood Folding table designed by Silvio Coppola for Bernini, Italy, circa 1960s. This sophisticated piece exemplifies the refined craftsmanship and functional innovation of pos...
Walnut
$279 / item
H 14.97 in W 15.75 in D 16.93 in
1967, Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina, 8 Pieces of Marema Stacking Tables
By Cassina, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL
This item is 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 pictures on this listing and/or find more details on his family name plus eu, is for sale soon too. :-) 2 Sets of four side tables in plastic 'Marema' by Gianfranco Fratinni...
Plastic
Cassina Dining Table 'Capri' in Black Metal and Glass
By Cassina
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Cassina, 'Capri' dining table, glass, lacquered metal, Italy, 1970s. This eccentric dining table is well-constructed in a precise manner imple...
Metal
$6,001
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
20th Century, Angelo Mangiarotti for Bernini Dining Table mod. 302
By Angelo Mangiarotti, Bernini
Located in Torino, Piemonte
Angelo Mangiarotti was an Italian architect and industrial designer, born in Milan in 1921. He studied architecture at the Politecnico in Milan and graduated in 1948. His designs wer...
Bronze
1970s Round Rosewood Dining Table by Gianfranco Frattini
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in San Francisco, CA
Round rosewood table with pedestal base. Designed by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini. Expertly restored to reveal the rich rosewood grain and natural color variations. Retains origin...
Rosewood
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H 47.25 in Dm 27.96 in
Design Round Wooden Dining Table, Model 522 by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini
By Bernini, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Ceglie Messapica, IT
Design Round Wooden Dining Table, Model 522 by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini Rare and elegant Model 522 round dining table designed by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini, Italy, 1960...
Wood
Sold
H 29.14 in Dm 51.19 in
"Model 522" Table, Design by Gianfranco Frattini, Made by Bernini, Italy, 1960s
By Gianfranco Frattini, Bernini
Located in Wolfurt, AT
The Model 522 table was designed by Gianfranco Frattini and manufactured by Bernini in Italy during the 1960s. Crafted from rosewood, it showcases a refined aesthetic with geometric ...
Wood
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H 28.35 in W 66.15 in D 33.47 in
Nirone table from the series 'I Bagatti' by Gianfranco Frattini for Fantoni, 1980
By Gianfranco Frattini, Fantoni
Located in Premariacco, IT
'Nirone' extendable dining table designed by Gianfranco Frattini for the 'I Bagatti' collection by Italian high-class manufacturer Fantoni. This table comes in cherry wood and varni...
Wood, Cherry
Mid Century Italian Dining Table by Fratini
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Paddock Wood Tonbridge, GB
Mid Century Dining Table Introducing the exquisite Table Model 522, a stunning testament to Gianfranco Frattini's visionary design philosophy, crafted by Bernini in the 1950s. This ...
Rosewood
Midcentury Italian Dining Table by Gianfranco Frattini 1960s
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Shibuya-ku, 13
Table designed by GIANFRANCO FRATTINI, Italian architect and designer. He also designed Ferrari and his work is on display at the National Design Museum. This table has a width of 18...
Wood
Model 522 table, designed by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini, Circa 1960
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Renens, CH
The Model 522 wooden table was designed by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini. It is an Italian design, circa 1960. Composition: a circular wooden Italian oak top and a four-legged ba...
Wood
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H 29.14 in W 51.19 in D 51.19 in
Rare Maestro dining table by Gianfranco Frattini for Acerbis, Italy, 1980s
By Gianfranco Frattini, Acerbis
Located in Milano, IT
Rare Maestro dining table by Gianfranco Frattini for Acerbis, 1980s Rare Maestro model dining table, the rarity lies in the square size, we are in possession of the certificate of au...
Wood
Gianfranco Frattini, dining table for Bernini
By Gianfranco Frattini, Bernini
Located in Firenze, IT
Rectangular dining table model 522, designed by Gianfranco Frattini and produced by Bernini starting in 1960, made of walnut wood. The table is in good condition, showing normal wear...
Wood, Walnut
Table mod. 522 by Gianfranco Frattini, Bernini
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Milano, Lombardia
The 522 table, by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini, represents the excellence of 1960s Italian design. Made with rosewood veneer, this table embodies an unparalleled aesthetic quality...
Rosewood
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H 29.14 in W 74.81 in D 37.41 in
Rectangular Dining Table by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini, Italy
By Gianfranco Frattini, Bernini
Located in Barcelona, ES
Rectangular dining table designed in 1956 by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini, Italy. Walnut wood.
Walnut
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