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Paul Frankl Furniture

Austrian, American, 1886-1958

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.

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Creator: Paul Frankl
Dealer: Greenwich Living Antique & Design Center
Paul Frankl, John Stuart, Mid-Century Modern, Dresser, Walnut, Brass, USA, 1950s
By John Stuart, Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company
Located in Stamford, CT
Paul 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 Paul Frankl Furniture

Materials

Brass

Paul Frankl, Mid-Century Modern, Concave Nightstands, Walnut, Brass, USA 1950s
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company, John Stuart
Located in Stamford, CT
Paul Frankl, Mid-Century Modern, Concave Nightstands, Walnut, Brass, USA 1950s A stunning pair of Paul Frankl for John Stuart bedside tables or ni...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Paul Frankl Furniture

Materials

Brass

Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture, Station Wagon Bench, Rock Maple, Fabric, 1950s
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company
Located in Stamford, CT
Rare Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl / John Stuart Storage Ottoman, Footstool Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Co. and retailed by John Stuart. Branded Johnson Furniture Co. and lab...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Mahogany

Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture, Mid-Century Modern, Station Wagon Bedframe
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company
Located in Stamford, CT
Mid-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

1950s American Vintage Paul Frankl Furniture

Materials

Mahogany, Maple

Paul Frankl, John Stuart, Station Wagon High Dresser, Rock Maple, Brass, Leather
By Johnson Furniture Company, Paul Frankl
Located in Stamford, CT
Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl / John Stuart Highboy, Chest, Bedroom Set 1950s Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Co. and retailed by John Stuart. ...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Furniture

Materials

Brass

Paul Frankl, John Stuart, Station Wagon Nightstands, Rock Maple, Brass, Leather
By Paul Frankl, John Stuart, Johnson Furniture Co.
Located in Stamford, CT
Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl / John Stuart Nightstands, Side, End Tables, 1950 Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Co. and retailed by John Stuart. Branded Johnson Furniture Co. and...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Furniture

Materials

Leather, Birdseye Maple, Mahogany

Paul Frankl, John Stuart, Rare Station Wagon Dresser, Mahogany, Brass, Leather
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company
Located in Stamford, CT
Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl / John Stuart Dresser, Sideboard, Bedroom Set Collectors opportunity to own a rare Paul Frankl designed dresser for Johnson Furniture Co. and retailed...
Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Furniture

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Leather, Mahogany, Maple

Paul Frankl, John Stuart, Mid-Century Modern, Dresser, Mahogany, Brass, 1960s
By Paul Frankl, John Stuart
Located in Stamford, CT
Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl Mahogany Dresser, Stamped John Stuart, Brass Mid century double dresser designed by Paul Frankl for John Stuart; recently fully refinished. The custom...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Paul Frankl, John Stuart, Mid-Century Modern, Nighstands, Ebony Lacquer, Chrome
By Paul Frankl, John Stuart, Johnson Furniture Co.
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair 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

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Furniture

Materials

Chrome

Mid-Century Modern Black Lacquer Paul Frankl Stamped John Stuart Double Dresser
By Paul Frankl, John Stuart
Located in Stamford, CT
Mid-Century Modern Black Lacquer Paul Frankl Stamped John Stuart Double Dresser A spectacular dresser designed by Paul Frankl for John Stuart, recently ...
Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Furniture

Materials

Lacquer

Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture, Mid-Century Modern Dining Table, Cork, Mahogany
By Johnson Furniture Company, Paul Frankl
Located in Stamford, CT
Paul Frankl Mid-Century Modern Cork Top Mahogany Dining Table, Johnson Furniture Cork top dining table designed by the most important American Art Deco furniture designer, Paul Fra...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Paul Frankl Furniture

Materials

Mahogany, Cork

Compatible Pair Mid-Century Modern Dressers, Chests by Paul Frankl, John Stuart
By Paul Frankl, John Stuart
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair Mid-Century Modern Double dressers by Paul Frankl for John Stuart, Lacquer Highly compatible Set of two spectacular dressers designed by Paul Frankl for John Stuart, recently f...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Furniture

Materials

Brass, Chrome

Paul Frankl, John Stuart, Mid-Century Modern Rare Station Wagon Full Bedroom Set
By Johnson Furniture Co., John Stuart, Paul Frankl
Located in Stamford, CT
Rare 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 Paul Frankl Furniture

Materials

Brass

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Mid Century MODERN Rosewood + Mahogany French NIGHTSTANDS, circa 1950s
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Gorgeous vintage modern bed frame by Paul Frankl features a dark finish, crisscross designed headboard and foot board. (Please confirm item locatio...
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1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Furniture

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Walnut

Mid-Century Modern Bed by Paul Frankl
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Renzo Rutili, Nightstands, Mahogany, Maple, Brass, USA, 1950s
By Johnson Furniture Company, Renzo Rutili
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of mahogany, maple and brass nightstands or bedside tables produced by Johnson Furniture Company, USA, c. 1950s. Design attributed to Renzo Rutili.
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Italian 1950's Maple Wood Stool/Bench with Mongolian Sheepskin
Located in New York, NY
An elegantly appointed Italian 1950's maple wood stool or bench with gracefully tapered and angled legs; the top newly upholstered in a luxurious creamy/white long haired Mongolian s...
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1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Furniture

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Pair of Paul Frankl Cork Top Nightstands or End Tables in Dark Walnut and Ivory
By Johnson Furniture Company, Paul Frankl
Located in Saint Louis, MO
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1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Furniture

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John Stuart Walnut Mid Century Modern 6 Drawer Long Dresser Thin Edge Style MINT
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Mid-Century Modern Walnut Nightstands
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Paul Frankl furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Paul Frankl furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Paul Frankl furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Paul Frankl were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Planner Group, John Stuart, and Widdicomb Furniture Co.. Prices for Paul Frankl furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $920 and can go as high as $85,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $6,490.

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