Paul Frankl, Mid-Century Modern, Concave Nightstands, Walnut, Brass, USA 1950s
About the Item
- Creator:
- Dimensions:Height: 21 in (53.34 cm)Width: 24 in (60.96 cm)Depth: 20 in (50.8 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960
- Condition:Refinished. Wear consistent with age and use. Fully refininished. Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Stamford, CT
- Reference Number:
Paul Frankl
Born in Vienna, Paul Frankl came to the United States in 1914 as part of a wave of Central European design luminaries — among them Kem Weber, Rudolph Schindler, and Richard Neutra — who were drawn by the energy and optimism of the American scene. Prolific and protean, Frankl would go on to design furnishings that are emblematic of nearly every key stylistic chord in American modernism, from the streamlined Art Deco to free-form organic shapes.
Frankl's Skyscraper cabinets, bookcases and more — introduced in 1924 — are his earliest and best-known designs (and the work by which he is most often represented in institutions, such as New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art). Tall and narrow, the pieces have staggered shelves meant to mimic the setbacks of Manhattan office towers. A later visually expressive line — the Speed chairs and sofas, which have a raked profile suggesting motion — links Frankl to Donald Deskey, Raymond Loewy and other creators of Streamline Moderne design.
Frankl moved to Los Angeles in 1934 and luxuriated in the climate and lifestyle. His designs became lighter and simpler and found an audience among the Hollywood élite. (Katharine Hepburn, Cary Grant and Fred Astaire were clients.) Fascinated by Asian arts, Frankl produced numerous pieces — tabletops with edges that curve upward; sofas, chairs and other seating with rattan frames — inspired by Chinese and Japanese forms and materials. In the 1940s, Frankl became one of the first designers to incorporate free-form, biomorphic shapes in his work, as well as novel upholstery fabrics such as denim and nubby wool.
Frankl biographer Christopher Long argues that the designer’s easy, elegant aesthetic had an enormous influence on movie set design. As the furniture below attests, Paul Frankl’s work is ready for its close-up.
Find vintage Paul Frankl tables, dining chairs, case pieces and storage cabinets on 1stDibs.
John Stuart
Grand Rapids, Michigan, was once known as “Furniture City” for its local mass-production industry that flourished from the mid-19th century into the early 20th century, led by furniture manufacturers like John Stuart. Stuart’s eponymous company, which would build showrooms in New York and Philadelphia, designed and sold elegant reproductions of various furniture styles, including 18th-century French and English furniture as well as what we now call mid-century modern home furnishings built by European craftsmen in the entrepreneur’s Grand Rapids factory.
In 1845, a British cabinetmaker named George Widdicomb arrived in New York before moving to Grand Rapids. There he set up a small cabinet shop in 1857 with a dozen craftsmen, including his son John Widdicomb. The store quickly found success due to Widdicomb’s English training and the dearth of other quality furniture makers in the region. Toward the end of the 19th century, Grand Rapids had earned an international reputation as a leader of American furniture manufacturing, and while the Widdicomb family would navigate some difficulty after the Civil War, they emerged anew as Widdicomb Brothers and Richards, and then the Widdicomb Furniture Company. Widdicomb’s son started his own company in 1897, the John Widdicomb Company, and in 1929, the Grand Rapids–born John Stuart joined the company as a director.
Stuart, who had been in the furniture industry since 1913, was named president of John Widdicomb Company in the early 1940s and by then had formed John Stuart, Inc., with partner Herbert M. Rothschild. John Stuart, Inc.’s offerings included oak buffets and other dining-room furnishings crafted in the Tudor and Elizabethan styles, with cabinet doors and drawer fronts characterized by meticulously carved natural-world motifs and other decorative flourishes. Stuart also oversaw the design of reproductions of sophisticated walnut and mahogany Queen Anne side tables and dining chairs, with the latter marked by pronounced, vase-shaped curves in the back splats and cabriole legs. In 1952, the manufacturer and distributor’s founder sold the business, including the right to trade under his name, to the John Widdicomb Company.
Find a wide variety of vintage John Stuart furniture on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Stamford, CT
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- Paul Frankl, John Stuart, Mid-Century Modern, Dresser, Walnut, Brass, USA, 1950sBy Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company, John StuartLocated in Stamford, CTPaul Frankl, John Stuart, Mid-Century Modern, Dresser, Walnut, Brass, USA, 1950s Fully refinished dresser designed by Paul Frankl for John Stuart. This cabinet has 8 drawers in tota...Category
Mid-20th Century American Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- Paul Frankl Mid Century Modern John Stuart Bedroom Set, Ebony Lacquer RefinishedBy Johnson Furniture Company, Paul Frankl, John StuartLocated in Stamford, CTPaul Frankl Mid Century Modern John Stuart Bedroom Set, Ebony Lacquer Refinished One of a kind fully refinished bedroom set consisting of a dresser and a high chest. A simply stunning bedroom set fully refurbished and lacquered in a black Steinway piano...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Bedroom Sets
MaterialsBrass
- Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture, Mid-Century Modern, Station Wagon BedframeBy Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture CompanyLocated in Stamford, CTMid-Century Modern Paul Frankl / John Stuart Full Size Bed Frame, Station Wagon Rare collectors opportunity to own a Paul Frankl designed bedframe for Johnson Furniture Co. and reta...Category
Vintage 1950s American Beds and Bed Frames
MaterialsMahogany, Maple
- Paul Frankl, John Stuart, Mid-Century Modern, Nighstands, Ebony Lacquer, ChromeBy Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Co., John StuartLocated in Stamford, CTPair of Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl Nightstands, Black Lacquer, Chrome John Stuart Paul Frankl Designed Pair of Bedside Stands in the finest black lacquered finish. Part of a comp...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsChrome
- Paul Frankl, John Stuart, Mid-Century Modern Rare Station Wagon Full Bedroom SetBy Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Co., John StuartLocated in Stamford, CTRare Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl for John Stuart complete 1950s bedroom set. Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Co. and retailed by John...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bedroom Sets
MaterialsBrass
- Hollywood Regency Ebony Dresser or Chest, Paul Frankl / John Stuart, RefinishedBy Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company, John StuartLocated in Stamford, CTHollywood Regency Ebony Dresser or Chest, Paul Frankl / John Stuart, Fully Refinished A spectacular gentlemen's chest designed by Paul Frankl for John Stuart in a fine ebony recently lacquered finish having bronze X polished drawer pulls. The case having alternating sized drawers. Stamped by the designer. This piece having the finest lacquered finish possible. This chest having a matching dresser and matching pair of nightstands to make a complete bedroom set. All items sold separately, pictured below. 456-12, 12A and 12B. We can accompany this set with a matching bed...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBrass
- Paul Frankl Dresser and Nightstand for Johnson Furniture, 1950sBy Johnson Furniture Company, Paul Frankl, John StuartLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis fantastic 1950s ten-drawer double dresser and nightstand was designed by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture and retailed by John Stuart duri...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsMetal
- Pair of 1950s Paul Frankl Nightstands Lacquered in Farrow & Ball Pavilion GreyBy Johnson Furniture Company, Paul FranklLocated in Saint Louis, MOEveryone loves Paul Frankl furniture. A pillar of design, he created some of the most iconic mid century pieces of furniture. And here we have a lovely pair of Paul Frankl Farrow and...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsBrass
- Pair of Paul Frankl Walnut Nightstands for Johnson Furniture Solid Brass PullsBy Johnson Furniture Company, Paul FranklLocated in Rockaway, NJPair of stunning Mid-Century Modern walnut end tables night stands with solid brass buckle shape pulls.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern End Tables
MaterialsWalnut
- Pair of Paul Frankl Ivory Lacquered Nightstands with Brass X Pulls, circa 1950By Johnson Furniture Company, Paul FranklLocated in Saint Louis, MOEveryone loves Paul Frankl furniture. A pillar of design, he created some of the most iconic midcentury pieces of furniture. And here we have a lovely pair of Paul Frankl ivory lacqu...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsBrass
- Paul Frankl Nightstand by Johnson FurnitureBy Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture CompanyLocated in Lake Worth, FLThis Paul Frankl nightstand is a true vintage gem, embodying mid-century modern style with its sleek lines and warm brown color. Crafted by Joh...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsWood
- Widdicomb, Nightstand, Walnut, Brass, USA, 1950sBy Widdicomb Furniture Co.Located in High Point, NCA brass an walnut, brass nightstand designed and produced by Widdicomb, USA, 1950s.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsBrass