A ROSEWOOD CHEST by Gianfranco Frattini Lot n° 41

A FINE ROSEWOOD MODEL 503 CHEST, ITALIAN c.1960, by GIANFRANCO FRATTINI, for BERNINI, the tambour fronted doors revealing drawers one half, shelf to the other, bearing makers label, 141cm (w) x 53cm (d) x 74cm (h). Architect and designer Gianfranco Frattini was one of the most important figures in Italian design. During his fifty-year career, he distinguished himself in interior and product design, contributing to the diffusion of the Made-in-Italy name throughout the world. After graduating from Milan Polytechnic in 1953, studying under Gio Ponti, he began his career in Ponti's studio, where he met many emblematic figures of the Modern Movement including Le Corbusier.He worked with numerous companies in the field of furniture design including Bernini, Arteluce, Knoll and Artemide. Using simple lines with high quality materials, but with a function,Frattinis attention to detail meant he followed all steps of the production, going to laboratories, research and development departments and assembly lines. His work can be defined as an organic whole with every element, down to the smallest of objects, designed in relationship to the overall scheme. Frattini metMilan based manufacturer Berniniin the mid-1950s, when the creator was in charge of the interiors of theStorknightclub in Milan. This was supposed to be a one-off project, but the collaboration was so fruitful that Bernini asked the designer to create a whole, exclusive furniture collection. Part of that collection was the model 503 chest, this example in rosewood,with rolling shutters offering storage with elegance. The back is also in rosewood so it can be used as a room divider if required.