Bull 3-seater red leather sofa by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina 1987
About the Item
- Creator:Gianfranco Frattini (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 32.29 in (82 cm)Width: 90.56 in (230 cm)Depth: 36.23 in (92 cm)Seat Height: 15.75 in (40 cm)
- Style:Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:1980-1989
- Date of Manufacture:1987
- Condition:Minor fading. The sofa is in an excellent condition overall and has hardly been used.
- Seller Location:Stavenisse, NL
- Reference Number:
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Stavenisse, Netherlands
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- Sesann yellow bouclé sofa by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina 1970s, set of 2By Gianfranco FrattiniLocated in Stavenisse, NLCassina presented the Sesann system by Gianfranco Frattini in 1970. The project included an armchair, a two-seater, a three-seater sofa, and a coffee table. Its standout feature is a...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Space Age Living Room Sets
MaterialsMetal
- Iconic 877 Wingback Armchair by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina 1959By Gianfranco FrattiniLocated in Stavenisse, NLThe 877 Wingback armchair is an absolute classic. Appreciated at large by the design world, this iconic armchair was designed in 1959 by Gianfranco Frattini. The chair offers both th...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsLeather, Walnut
- Postmodern Danube 850 3-Seater Sofa by Ettore Sottsass for Cassina 1992By Ettore SottsassLocated in Stavenisse, NLVery rare by one of the greatest Italian designers to date. Ettore Sottsass, known for his outlandish creative designs, is a very strong name in the design space. Many iconic designs...Category
1990s Italian Post-Modern Sofas
MaterialsMetal
- 804 rosewood rolltop desk by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini 1960sBy Gianfranco FrattiniLocated in Stavenisse, NLRare roll-top desk model 804 designed by Gianfranco Frattini and manufactured by Bernini, Italy 1960s. The desk is made of rosewood veneer and has a remarkable design. The piece can...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsMetal
- 042 3-Seater Seating Group by Geoffrey Harcourt for Artifort 1960sBy Geoffrey D. HarcourtLocated in Stavenisse, NLA rare design by Geoffrey Harcourt, a 3-seater 042 seating group by Geoffrey Harcourt in full black leather. Originally introduced as model 630, the model has come to be known lat...Category
Vintage 1960s Dutch Space Age Sofas
MaterialsStainless Steel, Chrome
- Mantilla 225 sofa by Kazuhide Takahama for Simon Gavina 1970sBy Kazuhide TakahamaLocated in Stavenisse, NLThe Mantilla sofa suits the space it fits in and is designed as such. With changeable cove, it can be dressed up and easily undressed if it gets dirty, every day in a different cloak...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Space Age Sofas
MaterialsFabric
- Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina 'Bull' Sofa in Black LeatherBy Cassina, Gianfranco FrattiniLocated in Waalwijk, NLGianfranco Frattini for Cassina, 'Bull' sofa, Italy, 1980s A monumental sofa design by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina. This piece was designed in 1987 and it shows typical traits f...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Sofas
MaterialsMetal
- Rare Bull Sofa in Terra Alcantara by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina Italy, 1987By Cassina, Gianfranco FrattiniLocated in Pijnacker, Zuid-HollandElegant two-seat loveseat designed by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina in 1987 and is covered in beautiful terracotta alcantara. The integrated headrests curve around to envelop the sitter. Designed with individually zippered upholstery panels to allow for different fabrics or leathers to be combined. Sits on four black lacquered turned wood feet. This model is no longer in production and was only produced for 1 year. They are documented in the famous Italian Reportorio book. The inside is a metal tubular structure completely covered with foam for super comfortable seating pleasure. The sofa has a high comfort level and is not on the market often. Designer: Gianfranco Frattini Manufacturer: Cassina Country: Italy Model: Bull sofa...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUltrasuede
- Rare Vintage Bull Sofa in Grey Leather by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina 1987By Vico MagistrettiLocated in Buggenhout, Oost-VlaanderenStunning Bull sofa in a mint vintage condition. Original dark grey leather with the perfect patina! Designed by Vico Magistretti and only produced for 1 ...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather
- Brown Leather Sesann Sofa by Gianfranco Frattini for CassinaBy Cassina, Gianfranco FrattiniLocated in Austin, TXItalian sofa, by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina. The supple leather, in great condition, lends itself to the voluptuous form. This sofaa rests in a bent tubular...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Sofas
MaterialsChrome
- Sesann Sofa by Gianfranco Frattini for CassinaBy Cassina, Gianfranco FrattiniLocated in London, EnglandThe "Three-seater sofa Mod. Sesann," crafted by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina in 1970, epitomizes a harmonious blend of style and practicality. With a sleek chrome-plated steel frame, the sofa exudes timeless elegance. The polyurethane foam padding ensures comfort, while the rich brown cord upholstery adds sophistication. The Sesann sofa...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Sofas
MaterialsChrome
- Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina 'Bull' Lounge Chair in Black LeatherBy Cassina, Gianfranco FrattiniLocated in Waalwijk, NLGianfranco Frattini for Cassina, 'Bull' lounge chair, Italy, 1980s A monumental design by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina. This piece was designed in 1987 and it shows typical trait...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Sofas
MaterialsMetal