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.
$8,507 / item
Dining Table Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini
By Bernini, Gianfranco Frattini
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
$25,182 / 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
$6,955
H 31.5 in W 39.38 in D 25.6 in
Rosewood Rolltop Desk/Cabinet, Model 804, by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini
By Bernini, Gianfranco Frattini
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 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
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
$4,197
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
$3,357
H 28.75 in W 31.5 in D 70.87 in
Dining Table Model 611 by Silvio Coppola for Bernini, Italy, 1966
By Silvio Coppola, Bernini
Located in Roma, IT
Dining Table with Integrated Ceramic Trays Manufactured by Bernini, Italy, circa 1960s Solid walnut, ceramic inserts by Bernini Designed by Silvio Coppola for Bernini in the 1960s, ...
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
$1,900
H 28.25 in W 38 in D 38 in
Mid-Century Modern 1966 Richard Schultz for Knoll Square Patio Dining Table
By Richard Schultz, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A classic outdoor patio dining table designed by Richard Schultz for Knoll. It features gray frame with white porcelain top. Clean ready to use condition.
Aluminum, 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
$6,115
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
$6,835 / item
H 29.53 in Dm 59.06 in
Modern Minimalist Round White Marble Dining Table with Hexagon Base
By Angelo Mangiarotti
Located in Amsterdam, Holland
This Minimalist table is made from white marble, featuring a hexagon shaped foot and a circular travertine tabletop that balances perfectly and sec...
Marble
$10,193
H 28.75 in W 55.12 in D 55.12 in
Francesco Fois for Bernini 'Click' Extendable Dining Table, Italy, 1986
By Bernini, Francesco Fois
Located in Hellouw, NL
During the 1980s, Italian design was undergoing a transformation; moving away from modernist restraint toward a language of invention and mechanical clarity. The 'Click' dining table...
Steel
$5,036
H 28.94 in W 70.87 in D 31.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Dining Table 611 by Silvio Coppola for Bernini, 1966
By Silvio Coppola, Bernini
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Dining Table 611 by Silvio Coppola for Bernini, 1966
Wood
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
Sold
H 47.25 in Dm 27.96 in
Design Round Wooden Dining Table, Model 522 by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini
By Gianfranco Frattini, Bernini
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 Bernini, Gianfranco Frattini
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
Sold
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 Fantoni, Gianfranco Frattini
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
Sold
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 Bernini, Gianfranco Frattini
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
Sold
H 29.14 in W 74.81 in D 37.41 in
Rectangular Dining Table by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini, Italy
By Bernini, Gianfranco Frattini
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