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.
18K Gold, Diamonds, Amethyst, Tourmaline, Bloodstone, and Jasper Toucan Bird
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Long Island City, NY
An 18K gold, diamonds, amethyst, tourmaline, bloodstone, carved emerald, opal and jasper toucan bird resting on a gold tree branch, mounted on a carved malachite base. A very rare and unique gold-mounted jeweled object...
Amethyst, Diamond, Tourmaline, Jasper, 18k Gold
Cartier Gold Bird Ashtray and Pocket Watch Holder
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
Cartier Gold Bird Pocket Watch Holder circa 1950 18k hammered yellow gold watch holder & ashtray With copy of Cartier sketch Measurements: Leng...
18k Gold
Cartier 18k 750 Yellow Gold and Diamond Compact
By Cartier
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Vintage 18K yellow gold Cartier compact powder box with a woven texture and diamond encrusted thumb-piece. Circa 1950's. The compact is stamped with th...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Chaumet snake sapphire hairpin in 18k gold and horn, unsigned, animal jewelry
By Chaumet
Located in PARIS, FR
Chaumet snake sapphire hairpin in 18 karats gold. This Chaumet hairpin features a serpent motif coiling around the top. The serpent is crafted in gold, its head adorned with two rose...
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold
$45,434
H 0.99 in W 1.19 in L 2.76 in
Exclusive And Iconic Scarab Brooch in 18K Gold With Ebony Wood, Horn & Diamonds
By Eva Soussana
Located in Paris, FR
Eva Soussana and her partner the "Atelier Franck Mico", are proud to introduce to you the "Goliath" Scarab, an exclusive and iconic piece created by Eva Soussana and Franck Mico, man...
Diamond, 18k Gold
$6,798
H 0.71 in W 1.07 in L 1.66 in
Contemporary 18K Gold Turtle Tortoise Reptile Tourmaline Brooch Pendant
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This wonderfully chunky and excellently modelled 18K turtle has been mounted as a pendant / brooch by Munich master-goldsmith, Günther Hahn. The lovely animal is decorated with 40 di...
Tourmaline, 14k Gold
Brooch 14k Gold Peacock Bird Antique Ruby and Diamond 1960
Located in Berkeley, CA
Long, luxurious and vintage, this ruby, diamond, and gold brooch pin has diamond eyes and ruby feathers. Sparkles galore with woven feathers incredible detail work. In the trend of ...
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
$30,000 / set
Dm 1.3 in L 1.97 in
Three Big Golden Eggs with Diamonds Emeralds and Rubies in 18K yellow gold
Located in Idar-Oberstein, DE
This beautiful set of three ornamental gold egg boxes are truly novel and symbolise good fortune, prosperity and love. Each egg was fine crafted in 18K gold with screw fittings in th...
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold
Solid 18k Gold and Tigers Eye Salvador Dalí Madonna de Port Lligat Necklace
By Salvador Dalí
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
Unique only One in series of ten Limited Edition 18k Yellow Gold Salvador Dali Madonna de Port Lligat Pendant Necklace / Bracelet with tiger´s eye center base This is a limited edition numbered piece from 1970's, number 1 out of 10 ever made. This necklace comes with a pouch and a frame for collectors piece exhibit Accompanying card from Exmundart Original rights from Land Spring Enginering Ltd, propietor of the exclusive world-wide rights on this sculpture-jewel as stated in the document ordained by Salvador Dalí, and legalised by Mr. José Gómez de la Serna, Notary of Barcelona Spain. Details: Sculpture-Jewel cast wit the use of the lost wax process and denominated Madonna de Port Lligat Length: Necklace 25" (or 17" if wearing bracelet) Bracelet: 8" You can add bracelet to the necklace. Length: Bracelet 8¨"/ 20cm Necklace alone 17,32" / 44cm Necklace with bracelet...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$7,007
W 3.82 in D 0.28 in L 3.82 in
Antique Jesus Christ Portrait Medallion Plaque Henri Miault French Catholic 1900
Located in Berlin, DE
Antique Bronze Jesus Portrait Medallion Plaque by Henri Miault, French Catholic and Christian Gifts An antique bronze medallion with a portrait of Jes...
Bronze
$1,495
W 0.4 in D 0.32 in L 2.96 in
Antique Reverse Crystal Stickpin Tiepin Boxer Dog 14kt Red Gold Red Dog Collar
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This reverse crystal of a boxer dog wearing a red dog collar has been hand carved and hand painted in the last quarter of the 19th century. The crystal is mounted in a red gold setti...
Crystal, 14k Gold
MOISEIKIN 18K Gold Diamond and Pearl Floral Miniature
By MOISEIKIN
Located in Hong Kong, HK
An exquisite floral miniature with chrysanthemums and a golden rooster was created inspired by the Eastern Asian Painting "Flowers and Birds." Chrysan...
Chalcedony, Diamond, Garnet, Jade, Pearl, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
Hand Carved Animal Figure, Rat Talisman for Home
By MOISEIKIN
Located in Hong Kong, HK
The Urals in Russia are rich in semi-precious stones, so this region has become one of the leaders among the Russian "workshops" of artistic carving on marble, jasper, rhodonite, rock crystal and other ornamental stones. The beginning of the path of widespread dissemination of stone-cutting art in Russia dates back to the end of the 18th century. The tradition of the Ural art stone carving still exists. Skilled craftsmen of the MOISEIKIN not only preserve, but also develop the tradition, using the latest technologies and creativities to make original stone-cut sculptures. Carved animal...