Josef Frank Furniture
Austrian, 1885-1967
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.
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Creator: Josef Frank
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...
Category
1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Josef Frank Furniture
Materials
Metal
Serving trolley model 2248 Designed by Josef Frank Sweden, 1940s
By Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
Serving trolley model 2248, designed by Josef Frank, Sweden, 1940s
H: 75.5 cm / 2' 5 3/4"
W: 50 cm / 1' 7 11/16"
D: 83.5 cm / 2' 8 7/8"
Category
1940s Swedish Vintage Josef Frank Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Swedish Tea or Bar Cart by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, 1950s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Matosinhos, 13
A beautiful design piece, imagined by Josef Frank for the Swedish brand Svenskt Tenn in the 1950s.
This piece can be used as a bar or tea cart, infusing any space with glamour and character from the Nordic mid-century style.
It is a very versatile and iconic piece, with elegant proportions and delicate metal-work details.
About Josef Frank & Svenskt Tenn:
Svenskt Tenn was founded in 1924 by Estrid Ericson, who recruited Josef Frank to...
Category
1950s Swedish Vintage Josef Frank Furniture
Materials
Brass, Sheet Metal
Swedish Mid Century Floor Lamp in Brass by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Karlstad, SE
Swedish floor lamp model "1838," designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn in 1938. The lamp features a heavy base with a brass stem, supporting an adjustable arm that holds the shade...
Category
20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Josef Frank Furniture
Materials
Brass
Scandinavian Modern floor lamps, Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Stockholm, SE
Pair of elegant brass floor lamps by Josef Frank, stems lacquered white on the bottom half. Metal shades with brass details, sculpted wooden feet.
Category
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Josef Frank Furniture
Materials
Brass
Restored Art Deco Armchair, by Josef Frank for Thonet, Beech, Czech, 1930s
By Thonet, Josef Frank
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
This elegant Art Deco armchair comes from Czechoslovakia from the first half of the 20th century and was manufactured by the renowned Thonet company according to the design of the si...
Category
1930s Czech Art Deco Vintage Josef Frank Furniture
Materials
Wood, Beech, Lacquer
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...
Category
1930s Austrian Art Nouveau Vintage Josef Frank Furniture
Materials
Bentwood
Black Wall Mirror by Josef Frank Svenskt Tenn, 1950s
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Hannover, DE
A delicate mirror with a thin brass loop frame (painted black).
An absolute design classic from the 1950s. This brass mirror was designed by Austrian designer Josef Frank for the ren...
Category
Late 20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Josef Frank Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of Restored Art Deco Armchairs, by Josef Frank, Thonet, Beech, Czech, 1930s
By Josef Frank, Thonet
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
This elegant pair of Art Deco armchairs comes from Czechoslovakia from the first half of the 20th century and was manufactured by the renowned Thonet company according to the design ...
Category
1930s Czech Art Deco Vintage Josef Frank Furniture
Materials
Wood, Beech, Lacquer
Antique Armchair No. 752 by Josef Frank for Thonet, 1920s
By Thonet, Josef Frank
Located in Praha, CZ
This antique armchair, model no. 752, was designed in the 1920s by Josef Frank for Thonet and originates from Austria. It is made from beech and features an upholstery seat. This pie...
Category
1920s Austrian Vienna Secession Vintage Josef Frank Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Beech, Bentwood
Josef Frank Floor Lamp, Sweden
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Stockholm, SE
Designed by Josef Frank, model 2148, produced by Svenskt Tenn.
With 4 lights each, controlled with two discreet push switches, allowing two different lighting moods.
With a bespoke ...
Category
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Josef Frank Furniture
Materials
Brass
$5,928 / item
Pair of Bamboo & Rattan Chairs by Josef Frank
By Josef Frank
Located in London, Charterhouse Square
A pair of Bamboo & Rattan Chairs designed in 1947 by Josef Frank in Sweden.
The Austrian born architect is considered to be one of the most important figures in Swedish design. Fra...
Category
1940s Swedish Vintage Josef Frank Furniture
Materials
Cane
$2,429 / set
Pair of Josef Frank Rectangular Cushions in the Hawaii Pattern
By Josef Frank
Located in New York, NY
A set of two rectangular cushions featuring vintage fabric by Austrian designer Josef Frank. Each cushion displays a design motif from Josef Frank's "Hawaii" pattern.
Cushions may...
Category
2010s American Modern Josef Frank Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Down, Feathers
Art deco armchairs A752F by Jozef Frank for Thonet
By Thonet, Josef Frank
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Art deco armchairs A752F by Jozef Frank for Thonet. Professionally stained and repolished.
Category
1930s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Josef Frank Furniture
Materials
Beech, Bentwood
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...
Category
20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Josef Frank Furniture
Materials
Brass
Stool Boucle by Josef Frank with Paper Label Thonet, 1920s
By Josef Frank
Located in Wien, AT
Designed by Josef Frank for Thonet in the 1920s, with paper label. The upholstery consists of a coconut fiber core, covered with a wonderfully soft English boucle cover made of wool....
Category
Early 20th Century Czech Art Deco Josef Frank Furniture
Materials
Wool, Bentwood, Coconut
Art Deco Cherrywood Stool Ottoman Josef Frank Haus and Garten Vienna c 1925
By Josef Frank
Located in Vienna, AT
Art Deco vintage stool from cherrywood and fabric by Josef Frank for Haus and Garten, circa 1925 Vienna.
While the frame from solid cherrywood in an amazing warm color tone the uphol...
Category
1920s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Josef Frank Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Cherry
Art Deco Vintage Walnut Coffee Table Josef Frank Haus & Garten c 1925 Vienna
By Josef Frank
Located in Vienna, AT
Art Deco circular coffee table or side table from walnut by Josef Frank for Haus & Garten circa 1925, Vienna.
An amazing coffee table with three curved legs -from solid walnut and a ...
Category
1920s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Josef Frank Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Display Cabinet / Table Vitrine in Mahogany and Glass by Josef Frank, 1960's
By Josef Frank
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Display Cabinet / Table Vitrine in Mahogany, Glass and Mirrored Glass by Josef Frank, 1960's
Additional Information:
Material: Mahogany, glass and mirrored glass
Style: Mid century,...
Category
20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Josef Frank Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Glass
Pair of Bookcases in Mahogany, Brass and Mirrored Glass by Josef Frank, 1950's
By Josef Frank
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Pair of Bookcases in Mahogany, Brass and Mirrored Glass by Josef Frank, 1950's
Additional Information:
Material: Mahogany, brass and mirrored glass
Style: Mid century, Scandinavian
...
Category
20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Josef Frank Furniture
Materials
Brass
Schumacher Citrus Garden 22" Pillow
By Josef Frank
Located in New York, NY
This pillow features Citrus Garden with a self-welt finish. This archival Josef Frank print, created in 1947, bears the signature whimsy, color and perso...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary North American French Provincial Josef Frank Furniture
Materials
Linen
Floor lamp model '2564' by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Floor lamp model 2564 designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s.
Black lacquered brass with green metal shade.
Stamped.
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Josef Frank Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
Floor Lamp, Walnut and Brass, Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Floor lamp in walnut and brass, model 2548. Designed by Josef Frank for Firma Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1952.
Category
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Josef Frank Furniture
Materials
Brass
$1,897 Sale Price
20% Off
A Brass Table Lamp by Josef Frank
By Josef Frank
Located in New York, NY
A Model 2466 table lamp designed by Josef Frank (1885-1967) for Svenskt Tenn. The brass base and stem in white lacquer, with the original pleated fabric shade topped with a brass cap...
Category
1950s Swedish Vintage Josef Frank Furniture
Materials
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.
Category
1970s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Josef Frank Furniture
Materials
Formica
Bedside Table Model 914 Designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s
By Josef Frank
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...
Category
1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Josef Frank Furniture
Materials
Brass
Josef Frank Cabinet for Svenskt Tenn
By Josef Frank
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Beautiful, elegant and large sideboard designed by Josef Frank. Manufactured by Svenskt Tenn, circa 1940s. Cabinet features four doors concealing one adjustable shelf per compartment...
Category
1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Josef Frank Furniture
Materials
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...
Category
1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Josef Frank Furniture
Materials
Metal
Armchair A63/F by Josef Frank for Thonet Mundus
By Josef Frank
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Armchair A63/F by Josef Frank for Thonet Mundus. Professionally stained and repolished with new seat.
Category
1930s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Josef Frank Furniture
Materials
Bentwood
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.
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Josef Frank Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of 20th Century Swedish Headboards by Josef Frank
By Josef Frank
Located in Barcelona, ES
A Pair of 20th Century Swedish Headboards by Josef Frank in 1939. Made for Firma Svenskt Tenn.
Category
1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Josef Frank Furniture
Materials
Rattan, Mahogany
Art Deco Vintage Brown Beech Windsor Chairs Josef Frank, circa 1930, Vienna
By Josef Frank
Located in Vienna, AT
Art Deco vintage Windsor chairs or dining chairs Josef Frank attributed circa 1930 in Vienna and executed by Thonet-Mundus. It features a company´s branding label.
The chairs from br...
Category
1930s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Josef Frank Furniture
Materials
Bentwood, Beech
Stool in Mahogany and Reupholstered in Aino Aalto Fabric by Josef Frank, 1950's
By Josef Frank
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Stool in Mahogany and Reupholstered in Aino Aalto Zebra Fabric by Josef Frank, 1950's
Additional Information:
Material: Mahogany and reupholstered in Aino...
Category
20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Josef Frank Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Fabric
Josef Frank Brass Adjustable Candelabra for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden 1950s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Utrecht, NL
Although electricity has relegated candleholders to decorative use, interior designers continue to favour candelabra for their cosy light and eye-catching appearance. Josef Frank modernized the classic...
Category
1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Josef Frank Furniture
Materials
Brass
Art Deco Josef Frank Vintage Circular Walnut Sofa Table Side Table Vienna c 1925
By Josef Frank
Located in Vienna, AT
Art Deco vintage authentic sofa table or side table in circular form from walnut and beech by Josef Frank for Haus & Garten circa 1925 Vienna.
While the plate shows a wonderful stel...
Category
1920s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Josef Frank Furniture
Materials
Beech, Walnut
Mid Century Austrian Vintage Brass Wall Mirror, 1950s
By Josef Frank
Located in Berlin, DE
Wonderful mirror with brass frame and a decorative brass ring.
Austria, 1950s.
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Hollywood Regency Josef Frank Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of Height Adjustable Floor Lamps in Brass and Original Lamp Shade, 1950's
By Josef Frank
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Pair of Height Adjustable Floor Lamps in Brass and Original Lamp Shade by Josef Frank, 1950's
Additional Information:
Material: Brass and original lamp shade
Style: Mid century, Sca...
Category
20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Josef Frank Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of brass table lamps model 2466 designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Stockholm, SE
Pair of table lamps model 2466 designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn,
Sweden, 1950s.
Brass, lacquered brass and original fabric shades.
Stamped.
Josef Frank was a true European...
Category
1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Josef Frank Furniture
Materials
Brass
Art Deco Josef Frank Walnut Wood Vintage Coffee Table Vienna circa 1926
By Josef Frank
Located in Vienna, AT
Art Deco coffee table or side table shows solid walnut feet with a walnut veneered table top with a wonderful wood grain
Josef Frank furniture pieces stand for effortless and timeles...
Category
1920s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Josef Frank Furniture
Materials
Wood
Art Deco Josef Frank Brass Pair Duo Table Lamps Nightstands Lamps Vienna 1930s
By Josef Frank
Located in Vienna, AT
Art Deco Josef Frank vintage pair duo table lamps or nightstands lamps or bedside lamps from brass Vienna 1930s.
A rare original brass pair of table lamps or bedside lamps, each with two shades and two switches.
The table lamps or bedside lamps show original pleated vintage lamp shade...
Category
1930s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Josef Frank Furniture
Materials
Brass
Occasional Table Model 2168 Designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn
By Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
Occasional table model 2168 designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn,
Sweden. 1950s.
Walnut and marble.
Josef Frank’s occasional table “model 2168” is one of his rarer models. Its beautifully carved, turned legs...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Josef Frank Furniture
Materials
Marble
Table Lamp Model 2466 Designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s
By Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
Table lamp model 2466 designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn,
Sweden, 1950s.
Brass with fabric shade.
Stamped.
An understated and tim...
Category
1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Josef Frank Furniture
Materials
Brass
Art Deco Vintage Walnut Coffee Table or Side Table by Josef Frank, 1930s, Vienna
By Josef Frank
Located in Vienna, AT
Art Deco coffee table or side table designed by Josef Frank for Haus and Garten, 1930s, Vienna.
A stunning coffee table from solid walnut and walnut veneer with a beautiful surface.
...
Category
1930s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Josef Frank Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Model "2326" Adjustable Floor Lamp by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden 1930s
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Utrecht, NL
Austrian architect and designer Josef Frank has had an enormous impact on the history of Swedish design. Despite being nearly 50 years old when emigrating to Sweden, he is now widely...
Category
1930s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Josef Frank Furniture
Materials
Brass
Mid Century Modern Oval 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 Oval Sunburst Mirror designed by Josef Frank. It comes with a black metal frame and the rope that allow you to mou...
Category
1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Josef Frank Furniture
Materials
Metal
Pair of Josef Frank Cushions in the Notturno Pattern
By Josef Frank
Located in New York, NY
A pair of cushions with the "Notturno" printed cotton pattern, designed by Josef Frank. Pieced with bias linen and silk. Newly made, 50 down/50 feather insert.
Category
2010s American Josef Frank Furniture
Materials
Cotton, Silk, Down, Feathers
Josef Frank Candelabra Brass Loop Slingan Svenskt Tenn 1950s
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Basel, BS
Josef Frank ‚Loop‘ candelabra in solid brass, designed for Svenskt Tenn around 1950.
This piece has beautifully aged with a nice patina, very good condition with normal signs of ag...
Category
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Josef Frank Furniture
Materials
Brass
Josef Frank Stools Model 973 Produced by Svenskt Tenn in Sweden
By Josef Frank
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare pair of stools model 973 designed by Josef Frank. Produced by Svenskt Tenn in Sweden.
Category
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Josef Frank Furniture
Materials
Brass
Occasional Table Designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s
By Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
Occasional table designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn,
Sweden. 1950s.
Mahogany.
H: 45 cm
L: 80 cm
D: 40 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...
Category
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Josef Frank Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Josef Frank Candlesticks Produced by Svenskt Tenn
By Josef Frank
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare pair of candlesticks designed by Josef Frank. Produced by Svenskt Tenn in Sweden.
Category
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Josef Frank Furniture
Materials
Brass
Josef Frank J.T. Kalmar Brass & Leather Desk Table Lamp, 1950s, Austria
By J.T. Kalmar, Haus & Garten, Josef Frank
Located in Biebergemund, Hessen
Important 1950s desk lamp, designed by Josef Frank and manufactured by J.T. Kalmar in the Viennese Modern Age era. The light is made of massive brass in very elegant shape and high q...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Josef Frank Furniture
Materials
Brass
Delicate Polished Brass Chandelier by Josef Frank, 1950s (restored)
By Josef Frank
Located in Wiesbaden, Hessen
Rare charming mid - century brass six -arms chandelier by Josef Frank, circa 1950s.
Socket: 6 x e14 for standard screw bulbs.
Condition: n...
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Josef Frank Furniture
Materials
Brass
Occasional Table, Marble Top by Josef Frank, Firma Svenskt Tenn, 1940s-1950s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
An occasional table with marble top. Designed by Josef Frank for Firma Svenskt Tenn, 1940s-1950s.
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Josef Frank Furniture
Materials
Marble
Set of Six Chairs Model 2025 Designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn
By Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
Set of six chairs model 2025 designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn,
Sweden, 1950s.
Lacquered wood frame and a fabric upholstered seat.
Marked.
Josef Frank designed this chair i...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Josef Frank Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Bentwood, Lacquer
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.
Category
1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Josef Frank Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
Walnut and Brass Serving Trolley Model 756 by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn 1940s
By Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
Serving trolley model 756 designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn,
Sweden, 1940s.
Veneered walnut and brass.
H: 65 cm
W: 53 cm
Width when fully extended: 89 cm
D: 80 cm
Josef Fr...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Josef Frank Furniture
Materials
Brass
Serving trolley model 2777 designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden 1950
By Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
Serving trolley model 2777 designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s.
Mahogany with a black arborite top. Brass handles.
H: 105 cm / 41 3/8"
L: 81 cm / 31 7/8"
D: 50...
Category
1950s European Vintage Josef Frank Furniture
Materials
Brass
Set of Six Chairs Designed by Josef Frank for Svensk Tenn, Model 725, Sweden
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
Set of six chairs designed by Josef Frank for Svensk Tenn, Model 725.
Sweden. 1938.
Mahogany and original leather.
Literature: Kristina Wängberg Eriksson, Jan Christer Eriksson, "Josef Frank Möbelformgivaren", Carlsson Bokförlag, Stockholm 2014, p. K 18
H: 90 cm
W: 58 cm
D: 63 cm
SH: 43 cm
Armrest height: 69 cm (at the highest point)
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...
Category
1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Josef Frank Furniture
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Josef Frank, very early example model 2148 floor lamp for Svenskt Tenn, 1934
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Uppsala, SE
Very early example of the 2148 model floor lamp designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn in the 1934. This example is most likely from the 1940s and is height adjustable between 140-...
Category
1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Josef Frank Furniture
Materials
Brass
Josef Frank, Wall Light, Brass, Fabric, Sweden, 1960s
By Josef Frank
Located in High Point, NC
A brass and white fabric wall light designed by Josef Frank and produced by Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, c. 1960s.
Very light oxidation to arm and socket.
Overall Dimensions (Inches): 9” ...
Category
1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Josef Frank Furniture
Materials
Brass
Josef Frank furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Josef Frank furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Josef Frank furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 292 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 7 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original furniture by Josef Frank were created in the mid-century modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Svenskt Tenn, Bergboms, and Hans Bergström. Prices for Josef Frank furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $223 and can go as high as $164,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $4,600.
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