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.
Vintage Sofa in Light Blue and Purple Velvet by Isa Bergamo
By ISA Bergamo
Located in Milano, IT
Wonderful vintage light blue velvet sofa made in Italy by Isa Bergamo from the 1950s. The sofa is made entirely of light blue velvet and takes...
Brass
Small Italian Art Decò Purple Satin Sofa with Roll Cushion
Located in Milano, IT
Introducing an elegant 20th-century Italian bench or settee, entirely crafted with purple satin fabric. This exquisite piece exudes elegance and is ideal for furnishing quirky living rooms with a classic and glamorous style. By adding this sofa to your home, you not only acquire a beautiful furniture item but also a remarkable piece of Italian craftsmanship, where elegance and historical significance combine to enrich your living space. The settee features a meticulously crafted purple satin roll...
Silk, Wood
Vintage Fuchsia Sofa by Luigi Caccia Dominioni for Azucena
By Azucena, Luigi Caccia Dominioni
Located in Milano, IT
Gorgeous fabric sofa designed by Luigi Caccia Dominioni for the fine manufacturer Azucena Italia. The vintage sofa is made of brown, fuchsia and purple striped fabric, which creates a very colorful geometric effect. The lines are very hard and geometric, wonderfully eccentric. The frame is made of anodized aluminum, shiny silver, which connects to the spectacularly beautiful square, hollowed out feet. The cushions also act as square armrests, very colorful. The sofa comes from the Rome home of Luigi Caccia Dominioni. The colored sofa are ideal for furnishing eccentric and colorful living rooms.
Metal
Small Vintage Wooden Armchairs in Velvet Purple and Green with Pouf
Located in Milano, IT
Wonderful set of two small velvet armchairs of fine Italian manufacture from the 50's. The set is made of fabric reupholstered in purple and acid green velvet, very beautiful and ec...
Velvet, Wood
Vintage Wooden Armchairs in Purple and Green Velvet
Located in Milano, IT
Gorgeous set of two large velvet armchairs of fine Italian manufacture from the 1950s. The set is made of fabric reupholstered in purple and acid green velvet, very beautiful and ec...
Velvet, Wood
Vintage Bench in Purple and Green Velvet
Located in Milano, IT
Gorgeous vintage wood and velvet armchair designed in the 1950s, made in Italy. The bench has a wooden supporting frame, with 4 legs culminating in machined, slightly curved brass f...
Velvet, Wood
Milo Sofa, Violet/Chesterfield Velvet
By Marie Burgos Design
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designer Marie Burgos has expanded on the design concept for her acclaimed Milo lounge chair and created the newly introduced Milo sofa. She uses a molded wooden frame to support the...
Fabric
Milo Sofa, Violet/Umber Velvet
By Marie Burgos Design
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designer Marie Burgos has expanded on the design concept for her acclaimed Milo lounge chair and created the newly introduced Milo sofa. She uses a molded w...
Fabric
1970s Pickled Teak Ribbed Three-Piece Sofa with Purple Leather Upholstery
Located in Lancaster, PA
This is a pickled teak sofa with purple leather cushions, produced sometime in the 1970s. At first glance one may mistake this for bamboo or rattan, but its so much more special th...
Leather, Foam, Teak
Midcentury ETRA Italian Loveseat Light Purple Velvet Sofa Style of Marco Zanuso
By Marco Zanuso
Located in Miami, FL
Midcentury sofa or loveseat in the style of Marco Zanuso, original light purple velvet fabric (a discolored mark on the seat). ETRA design. Bronze, front and back feet. The structure...
Brass
Custom Purple Velvet Sectional Sofa with Maple Wood Base by Adesso Imports
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Custom midcentury style sectional sofa in plush velvet in lavender purple with maple wood base. Made in Los Angeles by Adesso Imports. Can be done in different sizes, colors and fabr...
Velvet, Maple
Milo Sofa, Violet/Creme Brulee Velvet
By Marie Burgos Design
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designer Marie Burgos has expanded on the design concept for her acclaimed Milo lounge chair and created the newly introduced Milo sofa. She uses a molded wooden frame to support the...
Fabric
