Bronze discs that open up like clamshells for storage and fold back in to become side tables. Sleek cubes barely suspended off the ground that transform into full-size dining tables. Clean-lined boxes that contain multilevel shelving. Looking at the work of Italian designer Gabriella Crespi, born in 1922 and who still produced furniture in her Milan studio until her death in 2017, it’s hard to believe that many of these highly functional pieces — modernist Rubik’s Cubes of materials, colors and ergonomics — were created decades ago.
Among her best-known creations, the bronze Ellisse table, 1976, and her bronze-and-lacquer Yang-Yin bar, 1979, encapsulate a designer who had a strong dualism in her vision, mixing humble and precious materials, for instance, or creating geometric shapes that were softened by sensual surfaces.
Crespi began studying architecture in 1944 at the Politecnico, in Milan, where she was among just a handful of women, and became profoundly influenced by the work of Charles-Édouard "Le Corbusier" Jeanneret and Frank Lloyd Wright. After getting married and having children, she launched her own collections, from jewelry to furniture, and soon gained a loyal following, with design houses such as Maison Dior snapping pieces up for their own lines.
She began work on her most iconic collection, Plurimi, in the late 1960s, and the series — including her Dama table, which plays on the themes of volume, light and adaptability that Crespi has explored throughout her career — flourished through the 1970s and early ’80s. Then there is her famed Z desk, from a mid-1970s series, which manages to be both stylish and humorous, looking like it’s ready to leap off the floor at any moment. Well-born and beautiful, Crespi garnered attention among the jet set. She was a muse to Valentino, and her pieces appeared in the homes of Princess Grace of Monaco, the Shah of Iran and Greek shipping magnate George Livanos.
In 1987, with her children now adults, the designer surprised everyone when she moved to the foot of the Indian Himalayas to study with the guru Sri Muniraj. This turned into a 20-year self-imposed exile that, if anything, made her pieces even more sought-after by collectors.
Find vintage Gabriella Crespi furniture on 1stDibs.
Rare Gabriella Crespi Cork and Brass Notebook
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in Miami, FL
Spectacular find. A very rare intact journal by Gabriella Crespi. Very textural cork covers contrast with the polished brass trim. All the original cork pages are present and unused....
1970s by Gabriella Crespi Italian Design Hollywood Regency "Boar" Lighter
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in Brescia, IT
"Boar" Lighter Gabriella Crespi Italy, 1970s Silver metal. Perfect working order "Grabriella Crespi" signed.
Metal
Midcentury ashtray designed by Gabriella Crespi, Italy
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Ashtray designed by Gabriella Crespi Shell and brass ashtray by Gabriella Crespi. Recorded by Archivio Gabriella Crespi, Milan. Signed. Italy 1970s
Brass
Gabriella Crespi Silver Plate Sewing Egg Box, 1970s
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in Naples, IT
Egg-shaped silverplate sewing box, signed Gabriella Crespi. Sewing kit with scissors, thimble and Silk Silk threads in assorted colors. Signature engraved inside. Small dent on one side
Silver Plate
Small gilded metal and Murano glass sculpture depicting Bear
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in London, GB
Small lost-wax sculpture depicting Bear from the "Little Animals" series by designer Gabriella Crespi, 1970s. The work is hand-chiseled and gilded metal with Murano crystal egg by Ba...
Metal
Italian Bronze Crab and Marble Ashtray
Located in New York, NY
Italian Bronze Crab and Marble Ashtray. Vintage life-size crab climbing on edge of solid carved grey Bardiglio vide poche/ashtray the perfect size for cigar smoker or for cigarettes....
Marble, Bronze
$1,351 / item
H 11.82 in W 27.56 in D 11.82 in
1970s Korean Industrial Cast Aluminum Edison LED Flameproof Strip Light Duck Egg
By Daeyang
Located in Leicester, Leicestershire
Reclaimed vintage Industrial Korean flameproof striplight made by Daeyang in the 1970's painted in duck egg. Original item salvaged from supe...
Aluminum, Brass
Vintage Wood Pen Holder and Lighter Set, Italian Design, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage wood pen holder and lighter is an original object realized in the 1970s. Original wood and metal. Made in Italy. The set includes: a geometr...
Metal
$450
H 12 in W 7.25 in D 8.5 in
1970s Grundig Cube Box Design Speaker Set Futuristic Mid Century Modern
By Grundig
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents Original Grundig Cube Speaker Audiorama Design. Amazon design, cube shape mounted in tripod base. Original vintage unrestored. Speaker box 12 h x 8.5 d x 7.25 w Pr...
Metal
Vintage Hand-Crafted Cut Crystal Ashtray, Star Design, Italy, 1960s
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Beautiful cut crystal clear glass ashtray decorated with a cut star design. Wonderful fashionable glass multifaceted ashtray or decorative object Heavy clear handcut etched crystal...
Crystal
Postmodern Chrome Table Lighter by Sarome, Hand-Crafted, Japan, 1970
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Postmodern chrome table lighter. Excellent vintage condition, works great. Great decorative collectible rare vintage table lighter. Lighter made by Sarome, Asia Japan. Measure: 5.75 in H, 2.5 in D. About Sarome: SAROME Japanese cigarette lighter manufacturer founded in 1940. The brand is named after SAROME, god of flames, object of fascination for humans. SAROME artisans craft delicate, glossy lighters in Tokyo to fascinate and enchant. Though known early on in Europe mainly for our superb crafting of cigarette lighters the luxury brand spread Worldwide. Sarome lighters...
Chrome
$291Sale Price|50% Off
H 14.18 in W 5.12 in D 2.76 in
French Late 19th Century Neo Gothic Gilded Metal Saint Statue
Located in Buisson, FR
Wonderful gilded metal saint statue with beautiful expression, France, circa 1880-1900. Weathered. Measurements include the wooden base.
Metal
$1,141Sale Price|20% Off
H 25.6 in W 6.7 in D 6.7 in
Large Carnelian-plated Obelisk, From Maison Jansen, 1970s
By Maison Jansen
Located in Brussels, BE
Large brass mounted and carnelian-plated obelisk. In the style of Emilio Terry. From Maison Jansen, France 1970.
Carnelian, Brass
Gabriella Crespi Unique Huge Tibetan Bull 1970s
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in Munich, DE
Unique outstanding Tibetan bull designed by Gabriella Crespi in brushed metal in the 1970s. A wonderful single piece and signed on the bottom. Maybe it was a prototype.
Brass
$15,595
H 36 in W 60 in D 26.5 in
Rare Baldwin Acrosonic Piano in Walnut, Brass & Caning #759945, USA, c. 1960s
By Baldwin Piano Company
Located in Deland, FL
This iconic Mid-Century Modern Baldwin Acrosonic spinet piano is the highly sought-after “Danish” model, celebrated for its sculptural walnut cabinet and elegant tapered spinet legs with brass feet. Designed with clean modernist lines and distinctive caning accents, the piano perfectly embodies the sophisticated 1960s American interpretation of Scandinavian style. The Baldwin Acrosonic line was renowned for delivering rich tone and reliable playability in a stylish, space-efficient spinet format. This particular example features the signature “Danish” profile with gracefully tapered legs ending in brass feet, warm walnut veneers, and classic caning details that make it one of the most visually striking Acrosonic models produced. The wood has been professionally refinished to highlight the beautiful grain, while the keys remain original. Piano rekeying or additional tuning/regulation services may be available at an additional cost—please inquire in advance with the ABT Modern team if needed. A versatile and highly collectible piece, this Baldwin Acrosonic “Danish” piano serves beautifully as both a musical instrument and a sculptural focal point in living rooms, music rooms, or mid-century modern interiors. It pairs especially well with other walnut and teak furniture from the era. A true classic of 1960s design — the iconic Mid Century Modern Acrosonic spinet with Danish-inspired legs and brass feet. Serial #759946 We have listed 20+ other Acrosonic pianos...
Walnut
$291Sale Price|50% Off
H 14.57 in W 5.52 in D 2.76 in
French Late 19th Century Neo Gothic Gilded Metal Saint Statue
Located in Buisson, FR
Wonderful gilded metal saint statue with beautiful expression. France, circa 1880-1900. Weathered. Measurements include the wooden base.
Metal
Antique Rare Backgammon Set with Cork Board & Wood Chips Potafolio
Located in San Diego, CA
rare unique backgammon game set, circa 1950's , potafolio the set has a corck board , and wood chips the case shows normal wear and patina due to age.
Wood, Cork
Sold
H 0.6 in W 14.18 in D 7.29 in
1960's 70's modernist silverplated cigarette box by Gabriella Crespi, signed
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in London, Fitzrovia
A rare modernist silver plated cigarette box by Gabriella Crespi, Engraved Signature, circa 1960's to 1970's. Streamlined, looks very chic! Please note that our handling time is of...
Metal
Mid-Century Modern Gabriella Crespi Egg Brass Lighter Italy
By Gabriella Crespi
Located in Asti, Piemonte
Egg brass lighter designed by Gabriella Crespi in 1970. Signed.
Brass