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.
$10,693 / item
H 26.38 in W 94.49 in D 37.1 in
Customizable Tacchini Sesann Sofa by Gianfranco Frattini
By Gianfranco Frattini, Tacchini
Located in New York, NY
price listed for starting fabric and chrome frame A reissue of a historic design by Gianfranco Frattini, Sesann is a collection of sofas and armchairs with soft, cosy forms that evo...
Leather, Fabric
$9,472 / item
H 26.38 in W 94.49 in D 38.18 in
Customizable Tacchini Sesann Sofa by Gianfranco Frattini
By Tacchini, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in New York, NY
A reissue of a historic design by Gianfranco Frattini, Sesann is a collection of sofas and armchairs with soft, cosy forms that evoke feelings of warmth and sensuality, thanks to the...
Leather, Fabric
Oliver - Sofa by Gianfranco Frattini for Tacchini
By Gianfranco Frattini, Tacchini
Located in Alcamo, IT
Oliver Sofa Designed by Gianfranco Frattini Re-edition of the model 872, originally designed by Maestro Gianfranco Frattini in 1957, Oliver testifies to the timeless success of the ...
Steel
Oliver - Sofa by Gianfranco Frattini for Tacchini
By Gianfranco Frattini, Tacchini
Located in Alcamo, IT
Oliver Sofa Designed by Gianfranco Frattini Re-edition of the model 872, originally designed by Maestro Gianfranco Frattini in 1957, Oliver testifies to the timeless success of the ...
Steel
$9,602 / item
H 26.38 in W 70.87 in D 37.1 in
Customizable Tacchini Sesann Sofa by Gianfranco Frattini
By Gianfranco Frattini, Tacchini
Located in New York, NY
A reissue of a historic design by Gianfranco Frattini, Sesann is a collection of sofas and armchairs with soft, cozy forms that evoke feelings of warmth and sensuality, thanks to the...
Leather, Fabric
Sofa "Sesann" by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina, 1970s
By Cassina, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in bruxelles, BE
Sofa in pink fabric and metal, model: Sesann by Gianfranco Frattini. Seat height: 34 cm. Stamped Cassina on the underside. Wear due to time and age of the sofa. For shipping, reque...
Metal
$11,780Sale Price|25% Off
H 26.38 in W 94.49 in D 37.01 in
Tacchini Sesann Sofa by Gianfranco Frattini in STOCK
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in New York, NY
Black chrome frame with Walnut feet upholstered in ricinus 05 - cat v A reissue of a historic design by Gianfranco Frattini, Sesann is a collection of sofas and armchairs with soft...
Textile
$3,480Sale Price|77% Off
H 26.38 in W 70.87 in D 37.01 in
Tacchini Sesann Sofa by Gianfranco Frattini in STOCK
By Gianfranco Frattini, Tacchini
Located in New York, NY
Sesann 180cm Sofa Mays Color 01 - Cat. M Frame T07 Painted Black Walnut T43 Feet A reissue of a historic design by Gianfranco Frattini, Sesann is a collection of sofas and armchairs...
Fabric
$9,602 / item
H 26.38 in W 70.87 in D 37.1 in
Customizable Tacchini Sesann Sofa Designed by Gianfranco Frattini
By Gianfranco Frattini, Tacchini
Located in New York, NY
price listed for starting fabric and chrome frame A reissue of a historic design by Gianfranco Frattini, Sesann is a collection of sofas and armchairs with soft, cosy forms that evo...
Leather, Fabric
$11,285 / item
H 10.39 in W 41.08 in D 16.59 in
Customizable Tacchini Grand Sesann Sofa by Gianfranco Frattini
By Tacchini, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in New York, NY
Base: painted or chromed metal. Feet: walnut or gray stained ash. Upholstery: not removable. Sesann is reborn in new dimensions to offer greater comfort and sensuality with a deep and welcoming seat that further enhances the important volumes of this historic sofa. Grand Sesann...
Fabric, Leather, Textile
Gianfranco Frattini for Cantieri Carugati Cabinet in Cherry
By Gianfranco Frattini, Cantieri Carugati
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gianfranco Frattini for Cantieri Carugati, cabinet, cherry, Italy, 1958 This piece of furniture is crafted with a solid design, characterized by clean, straight lines and angular sh...
Cherry
Gianfranco Frattini for Cantieri Carugati Large Library in Cherry
By Gianfranco Frattini, Cantieri Carugati
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gianfranco Frattini for Cantiere Carugati, bookcase / wall unit, cherry, walnut, mahogany, iron, Italy, 1958 This library unit is designed by Italian designer Gianfranco Frattini an...
Iron
Gianfranco Frattini for Cantieri Carugati Large Library in Walnut
By Gianfranco Frattini, Cantieri Carugati
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gianfranco Frattini for Cantiere Carugati, bookcase / wall unit, Italian walnut, metal, Italy, 1958 This library unit is designed by Italian designer Gianfranco Frattini and offers ...
Metal
Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina Lounge Chair in Green Upholstery and Teak
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina, lounge chair, model 877, fabric, teak, Italy, 1959 This grand lounge chair is based on a solid construction, featuring strict lines and angular shap...
Fabric, Teak
Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina Barstools in Stained Walnut and Red Leatherette
By Gianfranco Frattini, Cassina
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina, bar stools, model '112', walnut, leatherette, Italy, 1959 These barstools, model 112, were first created for the Stork Club restaurant in Milan. Th...
Faux Leather, Walnut
Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina Barstools in Stained Walnut and Red Leatherette
By Gianfranco Frattini, Cassina
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina, bar stools, model '112', walnut, leatherette, Italy, 1959 These barstools, model 112, were first created for the Stork Club restaurant in Milan. Th...
Faux Leather, Walnut
With its grid-like doors and wavy trim, the 1940s design feels as fresh as ever.
Designed by a giant of Swedish lighting, the large-scale fixtures bring major drama.
Established in 2006, Morentz has a team of approximately 55 restorers, upholsterers, interior advisers and art historians, making it a gallery, workshop and upholstery studio, all in one. Every day, a carefully selected array of 20th-century furniture arrives from all over the world at the firm’s warehouse, where the team thoroughly examines each piece to determine what, if any, work needs to be done. Whether that means new upholstery or a complete restoration, Morentz's aim is always to honor the designer’s intention while fulfilling the wishes of the client. The team is up to any challenge, from restoring a single piece to its original glory to furnishing a large-scale hotel project.
