Paul Frankl Armchairs
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.
1950s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Armchairs
Iron
1960s Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Armchairs
Bamboo
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Armchairs
Bamboo
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Armchairs
Upholstery, Wood
1940s Vintage Paul Frankl Armchairs
Bamboo
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Armchairs
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Armchairs
Leather, Walnut
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Armchairs
Leather, Canvas, Beech
1950s Italian Vintage Paul Frankl Armchairs
Faux Leather, Cherry
1970s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Armchairs
Leather, Cedar
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl Armchairs
Leather, Walnut
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl Armchairs
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl Armchairs
Brass
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Armchairs
Rattan, Fabric
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Armchairs
Bouclé, Upholstery, Oak
20th Century Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl Armchairs
Leather, Wood
Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Paul Frankl Armchairs
Oak
1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Armchairs
Metal
1960s Vintage Paul Frankl Armchairs
Wood
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Paul Frankl Armchairs
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
1960s French Bohemian Vintage Paul Frankl Armchairs
Bamboo
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Armchairs
Cotton, Bamboo
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Armchairs
Bamboo
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Armchairs
Upholstery, Mahogany
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Paul Frankl Armchairs
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Armchairs
Wood
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Paul Frankl Armchairs
Rattan
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Paul Frankl Armchairs
Rattan
20th Century Japanese Art Deco Paul Frankl Armchairs
Fabric, Rattan
1930s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Armchairs
Rattan