Gianfranco Frattini Tree Model Bookcase, Italy
View Similar Items
Gianfranco Frattini Tree Model Bookcase, Italy
About the Item
- Creator:Gianfranco Frattini (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 102.37 in (260 cm)Width: 39.38 in (100 cm)Depth: 39.38 in (100 cm)
- Style:Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1980-1990
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Milan, IT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2140322220742
Gianfranco Frattini
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.
- Bookcase Tronchi Model by Andrea Branzi for Superego Editions, ItalyBy Superego Editions, Andrea BranziLocated in Milan, ItalyAn elegant bookcase designed by Andrea Branzi and produced by Superego Editions in 2013. The structure of the library is made up from a tree trunk (Birch) with solid brass tops. B...Category
2010s Italian Modern Bookcases
MaterialsBrass
- Bookcase Totem Collezione Ollo Alchimia by Alessandro Guerriero, ItalyBy Gruppo Alchimia, Alessandro GuerrieroLocated in Milan, ItalyBookcase Totem Ollo collection, Alchimia, 2019, in lacquered wood black and metallic yellow. In 1976 Alessandro and Adriana Guerriero established Alchi...Category
2010s Italian Modern Bookcases
MaterialsWood
- Table Lamp Quasar Model by Gianfranco Fini for Edition New Lamp, ItalyBy Gianfranco Fini, New LampLocated in Milan, ItalyQuasar lamp designed by Gianfranco Fini in 1969. The structure is in opalescent plexiglas. New Lamp Edition. Bibliography F. Ferrari, N. Ferrari, "Luce: l...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsPlexiglass
- Two Lamps Model Tree Light by Ron Arad for Zeus, MilanoBy Ron Arad, ZeusLocated in Milan, ItalyTwo lamps model tree light design Ron Arad for Zeus Base. Frame: Gunmetal color Base: Concrete Bulbs: 2 x 50 W - 12 V. Dimmer Dimensions: Diameter 24 in...Category
2010s Italian Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsCement
- Table Infinito Model by Gruppo Alchimia, ItalyBy Gruppo AlchimiaLocated in Milan, ItalyInfinito table in laminated wood by Gruppo Alchimia, circa 2000. Exhibited at the show Alchimismo, Frigoriferi Milanesi, Milan 2011. Biography: In 1976 Alessandro and Adriana Gu...Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern Center Tables
MaterialsMetal
- Italian Lighting Primavera Model by Barovier & TosoBy Barovier&TosoLocated in Milan, ItalyWhite Murano glass chandelier with black and gold glass edges, Primavera model by Barovier&Toso. The glass bell measures H 50 cm x Diameter 40 cm With original label. About Barovier...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsBrass
- Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini Large Bookcase in TeakBy Gianfranco Frattini, BerniniLocated in Waalwijk, NLGianfranco Frattini for Bernini, bookcase / wall unit, model '540', teak, Italy, 1960 This library unit is designed by Italian designer Gianfranco Frattini and offers plenty of stor...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
MaterialsTeak
- Italian Modern Rosewood Wall Unit/Bookcase by Gianfranco Frattini for BerniniBy Bernini, Gianfranco FrattiniLocated in Brooklyn, NYModel 540 modular bookcase designed by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini (ca. 1960s, Italy). Uncommon rosewood example composed of four vertical slatted-rails creating three bays inclu...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
MaterialsMetal, Aluminum
- Albero bookcase by Gianfranco Frattini for Poltrona Frau 1955By Poltrona Frau, Gianfranco FrattiniLocated in Rovereta, SMThe 12-shelf Albero bookcase designed by Gianfranco Frattini for Poltrona Frau It has four vertical posts and two rack posts at either end, all made of solid ash. Shelves, , can b...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
MaterialsWood
- Gianfranco Frattini, Console table, 1960By Gianfranco FrattiniLocated in Milano, LombardiaThis Console table by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini 1960. Made with high-quality materials and meticulous attention to detail, it represents excellence in Italian furniture product...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
MaterialsWood
- Secretary by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini, 1960sBy Bernini, Gianfranco FrattiniLocated in Lasne, BEWooden secretary. The roll top opens by pulling on the leather inlaid writing surface, underneath it are small drawers. This secretary has 10 drawers in the front, several drawers behind the roll top and in the back there are two glass shelves. The legs are made of solid wood and are connected by aluminum strips. On the top there is a glass shelf on which you can put objects while using the rolling...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
MaterialsAluminum
- Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini Rosewood Modello 823 Bookshelf, 1960sBy Gianfranco Frattini, BerniniLocated in London, GBOriginally designed in 1963 by Gianfranco Frattini, the Modello 823 bookshelf was manufactured by Bernini. After going out of production Poltrona Frau re-issued the design in 2022 un...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Bookcases
MaterialsRosewood