Austrian architect and furniture and fabric designer Josef Frank was a leading voice for a gentle, humane modernism. His advocacy of warm, comfortable, eclectically styled environments was highly influential in his adopted country of Sweden, and it’s now widely regarded as a harbinger of the backlash against doctrinaire modernism and the embrace of the homespun that occurred in the late 1960s.
The son of a successful Viennese textile manufacturer, Frank studied architecture at Vienna University of Technology, graduating in 1910. From the first years of his practice, he marched counter to the orderly, symmetrical architectural layouts and decors prescribed by contemporaries such as Adolf Loos.
Frank drafted rooms of varying shapes and called for flexible interior-design arrangements. His furniture pieces are light and easy to move — and his chairs are always made of wood, most often with lushly curved steam-bent arms and slatted backs. Frank openly loathed the tubular steel furnishings and “machine for living” aesthetic promoted by Le Corbusier and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and other Bauhaus principals. “The home must not be a mere efficient machine,” Frank once said. “It must offer comfort, rest and coziness…. There are no puritan principles in good interior decoration.”
Frank — who was Jewish — sensed the dire implications of the rise of Nazism in Germany and Austria, and in 1933 he moved to Stockholm with his Swedish wife, Anna. He became the design chief for the furnishings maker Svenskt Tenn and found a perfect match culturally for his brand of simple, relaxed and bright creations. Like many modernists — notably Charles and Ray Eames and Alexander Girard — Frank had a deep love of folk art, which influenced his designs for a wide array of colorful, richly patterned upholstery fabrics, many based on the classic “Tree of Life” motif.
In all his designs, Frank took inspiration from a broad variety of sources. In his furniture, one can discern traces of Asian patterns, Rococo, Italian Renaissance, Scandinavian handicrafts and even Chippendale pieces. As such, the work of Frank — the friendly modernist — is at home in any type of décor.
Find vintage Josef Frank pillows, armchairs, floor lamps and other furniture on 1stDibs.
$5,375Sale Price|20% Off
Large Chandelier with Six Shades in Brass from Josef Frank , Austria
By Josef Frank
Located in Vienna, Austria
Large chandelier in brass with six arms, designed by Josef Frank in the 1950's, Austria. The silk shades in a yellow colour use the original metal construction. The electric has bee...
Brass
Bookcase model "1142" by Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1940s
By Josef Frank
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Freestanding bookcase designed by Josef Frank in the 1940s. Executed in mahogany with a warm, even tone. Open construction with three adjustable shelves. Sculptural feet with a dis...
Mahogany
Josef Frank "The Knot of Friendship" candelabra, Sweden 1930's
By Josef Frank
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Vänskapsknuten (the Knot of Friendship) brass candle holder designed by Josef Frank Candlestick for Svenskt Tenn. Sweden, 1930’s.
Brass
Modernist Table Lamp #2468 by Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Early edition brass table lamp with three colorful shades by Josef Frank, model #2468. Slender forms that give a voluminous expression and a great general, soft spreading of light.
Brass
Vintage Brass Slingan Candle Holder by Josef Frank, 1950s Mid-Century
By Josef Frank
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gold, vintage Mid-Century Modern Swedish Slingan, candle holder made of handcrafted polished brass, designed by Josef Frank and produced by Svenskt Tenn in good condition. Each of ...
Metal, Brass
Swedish Modern Glass Table Lamp by Josef Frank for Firma Svenskt Tenn, 1940/50s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Extraordinary and very elegant calabash shaped table lamp by Josef Frank in blue glass and details in brass. Model #1257/B Literature: Model is illustrated in the 1954 catalogue.
Brass
Nazmiyal Collection Vintage Josef Frank Curtains 3 ft 10 in x 8 ft 10 in
By Josef Frank
Located in New York, NY
Stylish Vintage Pair of Primavera Curtains Cotton Textile by Josef Frank, Country of origin: Scandinavia, Circa date: Vintage
Cotton
Josef Frank J.T. Kalmar Table Lamp Tisch-Überall, Brass & Leather, Austria, 1930
By Josef Frank, J.T. Kalmar, Haus & Garten, Svenskt Tenn, Oskar Wlach
Located in Vienna, AT
A wonderful Viennese Modernism table or desk lamp form the 1930s, designed by Josef Frank for Haus & Garten (Josef Frank und Oskar Wlach) in 1934. The...
Brass, Iron, Wire
Josef Frank, Wall Light, Brass, Rattan, Sweden, 1950s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in High Point, NC
A brass and rattan wall light designed by Josef Frank and produced by Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s. Dimensions of Back Plate (inches) : 3.9 x 1.5 x 0.7 (Height x Width x Depth) ...
Brass
$1,448Sale Price|20% Off
Pair of Armchairs No. 752 by Josef Frank for Thonet, 1930s
By Josef Frank, Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
A pair of legendary bentwood armchairs Model No. 752, designed by Josef Frank in 1933 for Thonet, Very good condition relative to age. Carefully cleaned and gently restored while pre...
Bentwood
Josef Frank Brass Mirror with Ball Feet for Svenskt Tenn, 1950s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Hamburg, DE
This elegant round mirror was designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn in Sweden during the 1950s. Crafted in solid brass, it features Frank's iconic looped brass border surrounding ...
Brass
Josef Frank, Wall Light, Brass, Paper, Sweden, 1950s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in High Point, NC
A brass and green-lacquered parchment paper wall light designed by Josef Frank and produced by Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, c. 1950s. Overall Dimensions (Inches): 10.5” H x 17.75” W x 11.5...
Brass
Josef Frank, Bench, Mahogany, Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1970s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in High Point, NC
A mahogany bench designed by Josef Frank and produced by Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1970s. All items ship from High Point, North Carolina.
Mahogany
Josef Frank, Table Lamp, Glass, Brass, Sweden, 1950s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in High Point, NC
A blown glass and brass table lamp designed by Josef Frank and produced by Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, c. 1950s. Dimensions of Lamp (inches): 10.625“ H x 4.5” diameter Dimensions of Sh...
Brass
Cabinet model 2135 Designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Stockholm, SE
Model 2135 by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn is a cabinet that exemplifies the refined balance between material richness and architectural lightness that defines Frank’s work. Raised o...
Cherry
Josef Frank Two Light Brass Table Lamp, Viennese Modern Age, Austria
By Haus & Garten, Josef Frank
Located in Biebergemund, Hessen
Very rare and elegant Viennese Modern Age adjustable brass and forged iron table lamp designed by Josef Frank for Haus & Garten in late 1920s, Vienna. ...
Brass, Iron
Height Adjustable Floor Lamp in Brass and Lamp Shade by Josef Frank, 1950's
By Josef Frank
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Height Adjustable Floor Lamp in Brass and Original Lamp Shade by Josef Frank, 1950's Additional Information: Material: Brass and original lamp shade Style: Mid century, Scandinavian...
Brass
Josef Frank Art Deco Era Round Walnut Side Table for Haus & Garten c 1926 Vienna
By Josef Frank
Located in Vienna, AT
Art Deco circular charming three-legged side table from walnut by Josef Frank for Haus & Garten, Vienna, circa 1926. The side table was made of solid walnut feet and walnut veneer. T...
Spruce, Walnut
Art Deco Vintage Walnut Circular Josef Frank Side Table Coffee Table 1926 Vienna
By Josef Frank
Located in Vienna, AT
Art Deco vintage circular like side table or coffee table from walnut, spruce and beech by Josef Frank circa 1926 Vienna. Wonderful side table or coffee table with circular like waln...
Beech, Walnut, Spruce
Mid-century Brass Wall Lamp with Silk Shades, 1950's , Josef Frank, Austria
By Josef Frank
Located in Vienna, Austria
A beautifully made wall lamp designed by Josef Frank and made in Austria in the 1950's. The lyrically shaped brass tubing supports lamp shades with a feminine form tailored to emph...
Brass
Swedish Modern Brass Table Lamp by Josef Frank for Firma Svenskt Tenn, 1950s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Elegant brass table lamp by Josef Frank, made from brass with a decorative, fun three-part foot base. Model #2467
Brass
Josef Frank Two-Arms Mid-Century Adjustable Brass Floor Lamp, Austria, 1950s
By Josef Frank
Located in Vienna, AT
A very beautiful and unusual Viennese brass floor lamp, attr. Josef Frank in the early 1950s. A charming lamp with two rotatable and height-adjustable arms and lovely details. In excellent condition. Has been carefully restored and rewired and comes with its original refurbished red lampshades.
Brass
Josef Frank, Wall Lights, Brass, Rattan, Sweden, 1980s
By Josef Frank
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of adjustable brass and rattan wall lights by Josef Frank c. 1930s, produced by Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, c. 1980s. Replaced lampshades. Overall Dimensions (Inches): 16.0"H x 7....
Brass
Set of 4 Prague Model 811 Chairs by Josef Frank for Stendig, Poland, c. 1960s
By Josef Frank
Located in Deland, FL
Introducing a rare and beautiful set of four (4) Bentwood Prague Model 811 Dining Chairs by the renowned designers Josef Frank and Josef Hoffmann for Stendig. Designed in the 1960s,...
Walnut
Sideboard 'Model B 598' designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Stockholm, SE
This 'Model B 598' sideboard was designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn in Sweden during the 1950s. Executed in mahogany with a fine boxwood border, it combines generous storage wi...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Brass Table Lamp by Josef Frank, Sweden, 1930s
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gold, vintage Mid-Century Modern Swedish dressing table lamp with a new white round shade made of hand crafted polished brass, designed by Jos...
Metal, Brass
Pair of 'Large Camel' Floor Lamps by Josef Frank, Sweden, 1960s
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Stockholm, SE
Designed by Josef Frank in 1939, this pair produced circa 1960s. New leather and new original Svenskt tenn lampshades.
Brass
Bed Frames in Mahogany and Woven Cane by Josef Frank, 1940's
By Josef Frank
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Bed Frames in Mahogany and Cane by Josef Frank, 1940's Additional Information: Material: Mahogany and cane Style: Mid century, Scandinavian Produced by Svenskt Tenn in Sweden Dimens...
Mahogany, Cane
Brass Candlestick 'Vanskapsknuten' by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1938
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn, Estrid Ericson, Nils Fougstedt, Just Andersen
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful brass candle holder with amazing patina. Designed by Josef Frank in 1938 and made by Firma Svenskt Tenn, Stockholm, Sweden. Excellent condition. Architect and designe...
Brass
Midcentury Pendant Light by Josef Frank, Firma Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Beautiful brass ceiling lamp by Josef Frank, in an elegant, voluminous design. Shade made from pleated fabric. Model #1844 Josef Frank was an Austrian-born architect and designer k...
Brass
Josef Frank, Wall Light, Brass, Paper, Sweden, 1950s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in High Point, NC
A brass and red-lacquered paper wall light designed by Josef Frank and produced by Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s. Overall Dimensions (Inches): 25.25” H x 9.5” W x 19“ D Back Plate Di...
Brass
Josef Frank, Adjustable Floor Lamp, Brass, Metal, Sweden, 1950s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in High Point, NC
An adjustable brass and black-lacquered metal floor lamp designed and produced by Josef Frank, Sweden, c. 1950s Overall Dimensions: 54" H x 15.25" W x 27" D Bulb Specifications: E-...
Metal, Brass
Model 811 Side Chair, Josef Frank, Stendig w/ Original Cane, Poland, c. 1960s
By Josef Frank
Located in Deland, FL
Introducing a rare and beautiful single bentwood Prague Model 811 side chair by the renowned designers Josef Frank and Josef Hoffmann for Stendig. Designed in the 1960s, this chair i...
Cane
Josef Frank Table Lamp Model G-2466 Produced by Svenskt Tenn
By Josef Frank
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare table lamp model G-2466 designed by Josef Frank. Produced by Svenskt Tenn in Sweden.
Metal, Brass
Bruno Matthsson "Pernilla" Easy chair by Karl Mathsson 1944 Josef Frank cushion
By Bruno Mathsson, Josef Frank
Located in Brønshøj, DK
Bruno Mathsson – an early ‘Pernilla’ chair Frame of laminated beech with patinated lightblue canvas webbing and headrest upholstered with Josef Frank ‘loops’ fabric. Made and marked ...
Canvas, Beech
Polished Brass Candelabra by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn
By Josef Frank
Located in San Francisco, CA
A brass candelabra designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn with 9 candle holders.
Brass
Scandinavian Modern floor lamps, Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Pair of elegant brass floor lamps by Josef Frank, stems lacquered white on the bottom half. Metal shades with brass details, sculpted wooden feet.
Brass
Modernist Table Lamp by Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Elegant brass table or desk lamp by Josef Frank, with an asymmetric shade and flexible neck. Lacquered green in a nuance that goes beautifully with the warm brass.
Brass
Josef Frank Sideboard 'Model 1148', Walnut & Alder, Svenskt Tenn, 1950s
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Stockholm, SE
Sideboard model 1148 designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s. Walnut and alder root veneer. This sideboard model 1148 with two clever extension flaps was designed b...
Walnut
Set of 12 Josef Frank Blue, Green or Clear Seafood or Lobster Plates
By Josef Frank
Located in København, Copenhagen
Set of 12 Josef Frank seafood or lobster plates in blue. Designed in the 1940s by the Swedish designer, Josef Frank, originally as a seafood or lobster plate, also suitable for fr...
$1,334Sale Price|41% Off
Mirror by Joseph Frank for Svenskt Tenn
By Josef Frank
Located in London, GB
Brass framed mirror by Joseph Frank. This elegant timeless design would fit any style of interior from traditional to contemporary as it makes a very disc...
Brass
Table Lamp 2563 White by Josef Frank
By Josef Frank
Located in Vienna, AT
Hardwood frame creme painted fitted with 2 E27 sockets up to 100W each and colorful semi spherical shade with jungle motives. Designed in Sweden by Josef Frank in the 1950 for Svensk...
Fabric, Beech
Adjustable Wall Fixture Model 2582 by Josef Frank for Firma Svenskt Tenn
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
Wall lamp in brass, model 2582. Designed by Josef Frank for Firma Svenskt Tenn, mid-1900s. Adjustable length and height.
Brass
Josef Frank Candlestick Produced by Svenskt Tenn in Sweden
By Josef Frank
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Candlestick (the knot of friendship) in brass designed by Josef Frank. Produced by Svenskt Tenn in Sweden.
Brass
Bedside Table Model 914 Designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Stockholm, SE
Bedside table model 914 designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s. Mahogany veneer and brass handle. Josef Frank’s elegant bedside table model 914 with sophisticated brass handles is one of Svenskt Tenn’s timeless classics. It works very well combined with modern or antique pieces. The overall simplicity of form and use of luxurious wood are characteristic of Josef Frank. L: 65 cm W: 40 cm H: 55 cm Josef Frank was a true European, he was also a pioneer of what would become classic 20th century Swedish design and the “Scandinavian Design Style”. Austrian- born Frank started his design career as an architect after having trained at the Technische Hochschule in Vienna between 1903 and 1910. After his training he went on to teach at Kunstgewerbeschule (The Viennese School of Arts and crafts) where he developed and espoused the new school of modernist thinking towards Architecture and Design that was coming to fruition in Vienna at the time. He also went on to lead the Vienna Werkbund throughout the 1920s. This was a truly progressive group of Architects and Designers who set about improving the daily lives of Austrian people through modernist design and architecture in partnership with Arts and Crafts ideals and construction. Frank’s leadership of the Werkbund had already cemented his place at the forefront of European design. Frank’s time in Vienna was typified by his design for the “Die Wohnung” exhibition of the Deutscher Werkbund in Stuttgart, 1927 where he exhibited along side his contemporaries at the forefront of design, such as the likes of Le Corbusier and Walter Gropius. Here he showed a specially designed pair of flat-roofed reinforced concrete houses in what is now seen as a typical modernist style. What separated Frank’s house from the other 32 houses of the exhibition was the interior and furniture inside the building. It was described as “Neo-Classical” and filled with an eclectic mix of period pieces, modern design and pieces designed by Frank himself that seemed to cross the two worlds. This was a complete opposite direction to that which his fellow Architects were travelling in with their pared back and angular aesthetics. Frank said of his own work: “The house is not a work of art, simply a place where one lives,” and by this reasoning Frank rejected the regimental mechanisation of the living space that his contemporaries believed in, instead he set about creating congenial and spontaneous interiors. Frank’s practice saw him placing the bright colours and the soft forms of nature back into the furnishings and interiors that he thought modernism sorely mist. Frank, along with Oskar Walch set up Haus und Garten in Vienna in 1925. This was Frank’s first commercial foray into furniture and home furnishings and the company went on to become the most influential furnishing house in Vienna with a riotous depth of colour and interesting shapes becoming the trademark of their design. However this success was to come to an end with rise of Nazism in Vienna in the early 1930’s. Frank was Jewish, and he and his wife Anna decided they would leave Vienna for her motherland: Sweden, in 1933. Frank continued to design for Haus and Garten, visiting Vienna occasionally and designing the pieces that would continue to be the company’s best...
Brass
Table lamp modell 2563 by Josef Frank
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in New York, NY
Rare Large Table lamp modell 2563 by Josef Frank for Svenskt tenn, Sweden. Carved lamp arm in a white lacquered color with a large flower printed lamp shade...
Brass
Josef Frank Brass Candlestick, Scandinavian Design, Sweden, 1938
By Josef Frank
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Candlestick (the knot of friendship) in brass designed by Josef Frank. Produced by Svenskt Tenn in Sweden.
Brass
Art Deco Walnut Brown Vintage Coffee Table Side Table Josef Frank, 1930s, Vienna
By Josef Frank
Located in Vienna, AT
Art Deco vintage coffee table or side table from walnut in brown color by Josef Frank 1930s Vienna. A stunning coffee table or side table by Josef Frank 1930s Vienna in beautiful war...
Walnut, Spruce
Mid Century Modern Oval Sunburst Mirror Josef Frank, West Germany 1960s
By Josef Frank
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find beautiful and rare Mid Century Modern Oval Sunburst Mirror designed by Josef Frank. It comes with a black metal frame and the rope that allow you to mou...
Metal
Original Josef Frank pair of Windsor Chairs, Modell A 945/2F
By Josef Frank, Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH
Located in Vienna, AT
around 1920 for Thonet-Mundus and Jacob & Josef Kohn, four-legged structure made of dark stained beechwood, Height c. 93 cm, width 52 cm, height of seat c. 44 cm. (MHA) Original...
Beech
Pair of Rare Bentwood Side Chairs Model A63 by Josef Frank for Thonet-Mundus, c.
By Josef Frank, Thonet-Mundus
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
A collectible pair of 1930s modernist bentwood dining / side chairs (Model A 63), designed by Josef Frank for Thonet-Mundus. Featuring Frank’s signature interpretation of the spindl...
Beech, Bentwood
Platter in Brass, Candle Holder, Gold Color, by Josef Frank, 1940
By Josef Frank
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
It is a tray from the Art Deco period, in brass with geometric patterns. It is equipped with two candle holders. It was made in Sweden around the 1940s. It is gold in color. The manu...
Brass
Blue Ceramic table lamp designed by Josef Frank for Firma Svenskt Tenn 1960s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Hägersten, SE
Rare table lamp model 2960 designed by Josef Frank. Produced in Sweden by Firma Svenskt Tenn during the 1960s. Made from stoneware with an intense blue glossy glaze with shades of w...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Brass Sunburst Loop Mirror by Josef Frank
By Josef Frank
Located in 'S-HERTOGENBOSCH, NL
Mid-Century Modern Sunburst loop Mirror in brass made by Josef Frank. Made by Svensk Tenn in the 1960. In a ferry good condition whit clear glass mirror. Josef frank was an Austr...
Brass
Mid Century Modern Round Sunburst Mirror by Josef Frank, West Germany 1960s
By Josef Frank
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find beautiful and rare Mid Century Modern Round Sunburst Mirror designed by Josef Frank. It comes with a black metal frame and the rope that allow you to mo...
Metal
$17,083 / set
Pair of Side Table in Mahogany by Josef Frank, 1939
By Josef Frank
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Pair of Side Table in Mahogany by Josef Frank, 1939 Additional Information: Material: Mahogany Style: Mid century, Scandinavia Rare pair of side table model 961 / San Francisco Prod...
Mahogany
Art Deco Circular Chess Walnut Side Table Josef Frank Haus und Garten c 1925
By Josef Frank
Located in Vienna, AT
Art Deco vintage side table or coffee table circular like with a chess table top from walnut, cherry and poplar veneer by Josef Frank for Haus & Garten circa 1925 Vienna. An amazing ...
Cherry, Poplar, Walnut
Height Adjustable Floor Lamp in Brass, Mahogany and New Lamp Shade, 1940's
By Josef Frank
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Height Adjustable Floor Lamp in Brass, Mahogany and New Lamp Shade by Josef Frank, 1940's Additional Information: Material: Brass, mahogany and new lamp shade Style: Mid century, Sc...
Brass
Pair of Firma Svenskt Tenn 1838 floor lamps by Josef Frank, Sweden
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
Two 1838 Floor lamps designed by Josef Frank 1934 for iconic Swedish company Firma Svenskt Tenn in Stockholm. Brass frame with cognac leather. Different heights on lamps. One is 5 c...
Brass
Josef Frank Folding Bar Cart or Side Table by Svensk Tenn
By Josef Frank
Located in Munich, DE
Light and easy to store foldable table with a nice print by Josef Frank.
Formica