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.
Cabinet / End Table by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini, 1950s
By Bernini, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A Mid-Century Modern walnut cabinet / end table designed by Gianfranco Frattini. This cabinet has two (2) top drawers having round handles and three (3) drawers with oval integral ha...
Aluminum
Tavolino Tria di Gianfranco Frattini per Acerbis, Anni 80
By Gianfranco Frattini, Acerbis
Located in Milano, IT
Tris di tavolini, legno laccato.
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
$1,863 / set
H 15.75 in W 29.93 in D 14.97 in
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
$2,900
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
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
$4,076
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
$4,309 / 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
$5,940
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
Gianfranco Frattini 780/783 Tables For Cassina
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Gianfranco Frattini 780/783 Low Tables For Cassina The series of round low tables designed by Gianfranco Frattini is emblematic of Italian design in the ...
Wood
$1,100
H 22.5 in W 26 in D 16 in
Hollywood Regency Red & Brass Asian Chinoiserie Small Cabinet or End Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A handsome and well made vintage cabinet from the 1960's. It features an Asian Modern motif with plenty of storage.
Brass
Gianfranco Frattini Coffee Table Cassina
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dimensions: 47.5"dia x 15.5h Designer: Gianfranco Frattini Material: Wood w/ Glass Top
Walnut, Glass
$10,800
H 13.78 in W 44.5 in D 44.5 in
Gianfranco Frattini Black Beech Kyoto Coffee Table For Knoll, Italy 1974
By Knoll, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Vienna, AT
Rare original Gianfranco Frattini Kyoto coffee table, Knoll Italy 1974 Dimensions are 44.5" x 44.5" x 13.78" This is the origin...
Wood
Coffee Table by Gianfranco Frattini, Kyoto
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Paris, FR
Italian coffee table by Gianfranco Frattini model "Kyoto". A glass top with rounded edges which rests on a checkered wooden struct...
Glass, Wood
Sold
H 15.63 in Dm 16.5 in
Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina Mid-Century Reversible Stacking Tables, 4 Piece
By Cassina, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gianfranco Frattini stacking nest of tables for Cassina, Italy, 1970s in original unaltered condition. Restoration is available if interested. Wooden frames and reversible laminate...
Laminate, Formica, Birch
Sold
H 18.75 in W 27.5 in D 20.75 in
Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini Pair of Rosewood Side or Bedside Tables, 1950s
By Bernini, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in New York, NY
Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini modernist pair of side or bedside tables model 554 in rosewood each with two drawers and central front and back legs. These chic architectural tables ...
Rosewood
Sold
H 5.91 in W 11.82 in D 23.63 in
Gianfranco Frattini for La Permanente Mobili Cantu' Pair of Bedside Tables 1960s
By Gianfranco Frattini, La Permanente Mobili Cantù
Located in Naples, IT
Pair of wooden hanging bedside tables with hidden drawer, designed in the 1960s by Gianfranco Frattini for La Permanente Mobili in Cantù, preserved in excellent condition.
Wood
Frattini Stacking Tables for Cassina
By Gianfranco Frattini, Cassina
Located in Munich, DE
Wonderful recognized set of tables wich can be used in various positions.
Smoked Glass, Wood
Sold
H 15.75 in W 15.95 in D 30.12 in
Midcentury Frattini "Tria" Red Italian Nesting Tables for Morphos Acerbis, 1980s
By Acerbis, Morphos, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Roma, IT
Amazing amazing "Tria" red lacquered wood set of three nesting tables. This fantastic little treasure was designed by Gianfranco Frattini for Morphos of Acerbis International Division in Italy during the 1980s. As part of the "TRIA" collection, these nesting tables are represented by the iconic bold red lacquered wood top with black wood legs. The tables have different heights, which makes it easy to arrange the tables one under the other in order to compose a unique side table, or one next to each other and form a large side table. This playful and colourful set is an example of Italian postmodernism and is ideal for a modern living room. The items have a manufacturer's label. The heights of the tables are 35, 38 and 40 cm. Frattini opened his own professional practice in Milan, after having worked in the office of his teacher and mentor Giò Ponti. Frattini became an Industrial designer by default when he lacked appropriate lighting and furniture for his interiors. His collaboration with Cesare Cassina for his namesake company started in 1954, followed by collaborations with many other manufacturers, such as Bernini, Arteluce, Acerbis, Fantoni, Artemide (for whom among others pieces with Livio Castiglioni he designed the historic Boalum lamp...
Wood
Coffee Table Designed by Gianfranco Frattini for Knoll
By Gianfranco Frattini, Knoll
Located in Stamford, CT
A grid form pine coffee table with leather pads and glass top. Designed by Fianfranco Frattini, produced for a short time by Knoll in 1974. Often called the Kyoto table although this...
Leather, Glass, Wood
Set of Four Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina Nesting Tables
By Gianfranco Frattini, Cassina
Located in Dallas, TX
Set of four Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina nesting tables in white lacquer with black glass tops.
Glass, Lacquer