Paul Frankl Desks and Writing Tables
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
Paul Frankl Cork Top Desk
By Johnson Furniture Company, Paul Frankl
Located in Denton, TX
Rare six-drawer desk designed by Paul Frankl featuring a curved cork top, adorned with brass drawer pulls and partial brass covered legs. Can also be used as a vanity.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany, Oak, Cork
Paul Frankl Kidney Desk for Johnson Furniture
By Paul Frankl
Located in Zürich, CH
Paul Frankl
Kidney Desk produced by Johnson Furniture Co., Grand Rapids, Michigan
Overall in very good condition. The wooden tabletop with light surface scratches, indentations and...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
PAUL FRANKL for JOHNSON Furniture Co. "Amoeba" Desk and Cabinet c. 1950s
By Paul Frankl
Located in LAGUNA BEACH, CA
Paul Frankl, a renowned American designer of the 20th century, crafted a timeless masterpiece in collaboration with Johnson Furniture Company—a kidney-shaped desk that blends functio...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Birch, Mahogany, Maple, Teak
Paul Frankl Rare Kidney Desk in Mahogany, Birch, Leather and Brass, USA, 1950s
By Johnson Furniture Company, Paul Frankl
Located in New York, NY
Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Company of Grand Rapids rare exquisite desk from Station Wagon Group, USA, 1940s. This organic desk consists of two separate parts - desk top in rich mahogany and three drawer cabinet in mahogany and birch with leather and brass pulls. This modernist design has beautiful and playful elements which allow modifications in orientation. The desk top with legs rests on the cabinet through the use of a circular birch column which can be adjusted anywhere on the cabinet top to create different angles in the configuration and different overall lengths. Truly an iconic design, this chic desk exemplifies Frankl early use of biomorphic form. Branded mark "JOHNSON FURNITURE CO. GRAND RAPIDS, MICH."
Adjustable desk length: 55-66 in
Desk top including legs measurements: H 28.25 x W 48 x D 23.5 in
Cabinet measurements...
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Rare Paul Frankl Skyscraper Desk / Bench, Art Deco, Modernist, Cubist
By Paul Frankl
Located in Buffalo, NY
Stunning and rare bookcase desk and cork top seat designed and manufactured by Paul Frankl, I believe this was a transitional piece designed and built in the mid 1930s, stunning desi...
Category
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Paul Frankl Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Rare Paul Frankl Cork and Mahogany Kneehole Desk
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company
Located in Brooklyn, NY
C. 1940s, American, the mahogany eight- drawer desk encased in cork veneer on four sides, with book storage-well on the reverse. Bakelite and brass pulls....
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany, Cork
Classy Paul Frankl Writing Desk for Johnson Furniture
By Johnson Furniture Co., Paul Frankl
Located in Chicago, IL
Elegant proportions, conical tapering legs and brass X-handles. Reminiscent of Tommi Parzinger. This item should be purchased with the intent to refinish. Structurally sound. Priced ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
1940s Paul Frankl Eight-Drawer Desk Art Deco Style By Johnson Furniture Co.
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Co.
Located in Miami, FL
Rare Paul Frankl designed eight-drawer desk for the Johnson Furniture Co. of Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Re-furbished and newly lacquered cork top, in a satin lacquer white finish.
Body of desk also mahogany brown finish. Handles appear to be bakelite, with brass brackets, also newly polished.
Exposed concave cut-out to center back of desk for storing books, much like a sculptural effect of a Sol LeWitt or Donald Judd floating square cut-outs piece of art and we say art, because it is an art form to pull off stunning design, with function as the forefront to any furniture, as the body floating has an ethereal quality. As does the body of the desk prove...
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Vintage Cerused Executive Desk by Paul Frankl for Brown Saltman
By Paul Frankl
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Beautiful vintage cerused executive desk by Paul Frankl for Brown Saltman in the United States, circa 1950s. This desk has a Minimalist design where the correct choice of materials used for its construction stands out. The desk has been constructed from black cerused oak wood, giving it a unique contrast and making it immediately stand out from the rest. Features five drawers, within which a drawer stands out since this is a file drawer, and it will be useful to keep your most important documents...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Oak
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Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Mahogany and White Cork Dining Set, Set of 5
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We are very pleased to offer a timeless dining set designed by Paul Frankl for The Johnson Furniture Company, circa the 1940s. Back in the day, Johnson company in Grand Rapids, Michigan was one of the largest furniture companies in the United States. In the early 1950s, Paul Frankl produced several lines for the furniture company, among them the “Contemporary” line, made from exquisite hardwoods with cork counter tops, and chairs with cutout backs that mimicked women’s fashions of the day. This complete dining set...
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Drop-leaf writing desk with drawers in the lower part; mahogany veneered wood with inlaid thread decorations.
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Paul Frankl Cork Coffee Table Model 5021 for Johnson Furniture 1948
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Large-scale round cork top coffee table model #5021 designed by Paul Frankl for the Johnson Furniture Company. The table features four bold square contrasting legs in solid mahogany ...
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Paul McCobb Planner Group Solid Birch Corner Desk, 1950s
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A sleek and stylish Mid-Century Modern solid birch corner desk
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George I Walnut Kneehole Desk
Located in Essex, MA
Nicely figured walnut, rectangular quarter veneer top over top over a drawer and kneehole with door and small drawer flanked by drawers raised on bracket feet.
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Rare 1980s Mid Century Art Deco Executive Table Desk by Pierre Paulin for Baker
By Pierre Paulin, Baker Furniture Company
Located in Lafayette, IN
Rare Art Deco executive desk designed in 1984 by Pierre Paulin for Baker Furniture. Desk features bird's-eye maple with walnut inlays, chocolate-brown, leather-top writing surface an...
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Paul Frankl Mahogany Coffee Table with Cork Tops Johnson Furniture c. 1940s/50s
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H 22 in W 36 in D 33 in
Previously Available Items
Mid-Century Modernist Ebonized Walnut Desk w/ Brass X Form Pulls by Paul Frankl
By Paul Frankl
Located in New York, NY
This sleek and sophisticated Mid-Century Modernist Desk with Tapered supports in Ebonized Walnut W/ Nickel X form Pulls is by the esteemed designer Paul Frankl and originates from th...
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H 28 in W 48 in D 21 in
Vintage Cerused Executive Desk by Paul Frankl for Brown Saltman
By Paul Frankl
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Beautiful vintage cerused executive desk by Paul Frankl for Brown Saltman in the United States, circa 1950s. This desk has a Minimalist design where the correct choice of materials used for its construction stands out. The desk has been constructed from black cerused oak wood, giving it a unique contrast and making it immediately stand out from the rest. Features five drawers, within which a drawer stands out since this is a file drawer, and it will be useful to keep your most important documents...
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Kidney Shaped Desk by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Co
By Johnson Furniture Company, Paul Frankl
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An ebonized mahogany kidney shaped table with two center drawers supported by 3 oval shaped legs.
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Early 1950's Paul Frankl Desk Vanity for John Stuart Johnson Furniture
By John Stuart, Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company
Located in Dallas, TX
This fine example of early 1950's streamlined furniture designed by Paul T. Frankl and made by Johnson Furniture Company. Two-tone black satin lacquer and bleached wood finish make t...
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Elegant Desk or Vanity Designed by Paul Frankl
By Paul Frankl
Located in Atlanta, GA
Elegant desk or vanity designed by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture, American, circa 1950s. It has been refinished in a black lacquer finish. This piece is a versatile size and can ...
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Elegant Desk or Vanity Designed by Paul Frankl
By Paul Frankl
Located in Atlanta, GA
Elegant desk or vanity designed by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture, American, circa 1950s. This piece is currently being refinished and can be completed in your choice of color. Th...
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1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Desks and Writing Tables
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Rare Desk by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture, circa 1950
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Rare desk by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Co. This piece has been professionally restored.
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20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl Desks and Writing Tables
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Rare Writing Desk by Paul Frankl
By Paul Frankl, Brown Saltman
Located in Danville, CA
Very rare and early modernist ebonized mahogany desk with sculpted saber legs and stylized bail pulls by Paul T. Frankl for Brown-Saltman. The desk has been completely restored and r...
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Classy Paul Frankl Writing Desk for Johnson Furniture
By Johnson Furniture Co., Paul Frankl
Located in Chicago, IL
Elegant proportions, conical tapering legs and brass X-handles. Reminiscent of Tommi Parzinger. This item should be purchased with the intent to refinish. Structurally sound. Priced ...
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Elegant Desk or Vanity Designed by Paul Frankl
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Elegant Desk or Vanity Designed by Paul Frankl
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Mid-Century Modernist Desk or Vanity in Ebonized Walnut by Paul Frankl
By John Stuart, Paul Frankl
Located in New York, NY
Chic Mid-Century Modernist desk or vanity in ebonized walnut by Paul Frankl for John Stuart Inc. Tapered legs support a three-drawer desk portion adorned with Frankl's signature bras...
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Paul Frankl desks and writing tables for sale on 1stDibs.
Paul Frankl desks and writing tables 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 desks and writing tables, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original desks and writing tables by Paul Frankl were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the mid-20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider desks and writing tables by John Widdicomb, Leon Rosen, and Bruce Burdick. Prices for Paul Frankl desks and writing tables can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $6,500 and can go as high as $32,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $23,000.
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