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.
Rare Stool in Mahogany and Original Leather by Josef Frank, 1950's
By Josef Frank
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare Stool in Mahogany and Original Leather by Josef Frank, 1950's Additional Information: Material: Mahogany and original leather Style: Mid century, Scandinavian Rare stool model ...
Mahogany
Easy Chair in Beech and Original Fabric by Josef Frank, 1934
By Josef Frank
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Easy Chair in Beech and Original Fabric by Josef Frank, 1934 Additional Information: Material: Beech and original fabric Style: Mid century, Scandinavian Rare easy chair model 336 P...
Beech, Fabric
Pair of armchairs model A413F by Josef Frank for Thonet-Mundus
By Josef Frank
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Pair of armchairs model A413F by Josef Frank for Thonet-Mundus with bamboo backrest. Professionally stained and repolished.
Bamboo, Beech
Josef Frank Easy Chair Model 508 Produced by Svenskt Tenn in Sweden
By Josef Frank
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Very rare easy chair model 508 designed by Josef Frank. Produced by Svenskt Tenn in Sweden.
Cane, Mahogany
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
Armchair A63/F by Josef Frank for Thonet Mundus
By Josef Frank
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Armchair A63/F by Josef Frank for Thonet Mundus. Professionally stained and repolished with new seat.
Bentwood
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...
Brass, Sheet 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.
Cotton, Silk, Down, Feathers
1950s Pair of Caned Prague Dining Chairs, Model 811, by Josef Frank for Thonet
By Thonet, Josef Frank
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Pair of Caned 811 Dining Chairs, initially designed by Josef Frank for Michael Thonet in 1920. This pair of chairs dates to the 1950s. The chairs have a pressed Vienna Brai...
Bentwood, Cane, Braid
Josef Frank Floor Lamp Model G2424 Produced by Svenskt Tenn in Sweden
By Josef Frank
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare height adjustable floor lamp model G2424 designed by Josef Frank. Produced by Svenskt Tenn in Sweden. Measures: Height 139-193 cm.
Brass
Josef Frank Table Mirror Produced by Svenskt Tenn in Sweden
By Josef Frank
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare table mirror designed by Josef Frank. Produced by Svenskt Tenn in Sweden.
Brass
Josef Frank Six-Branched Candle Holder for Firma Svenskt Tenn, Sweden 1930s
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Utrecht, NL
In 1934, Josef Frank made his first attempt at modernizing the classic candelabra. With softly swaying forms, he eliminated the base in the middle, ...
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 ...
Wood, Beech, Lacquer
$2,842
Serving trolley in brass
By Josef Frank
Located in 'S-HERTOGENBOSCH, NL
Mid century serving trolley in brass by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden.
Brass
Mahogany Table Designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Stockholm, SE
Occasional table designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s. Mahogany. Measurements: H: 60 cm/ 23 1/2'' Length when extened: 104 cm/ 3' 5'' D: 54 cm/ 21 1/2'' Jose...
Mahogany
Josef Frank Art Deco Walnut Circular Side Table Haus & Garten circa 1928 Austria
By Josef Frank
Located in Vienna, AT
Art Deco vintage coffee table or side table by Josef Frank for Haus & Garten circa 1928 Austria. A stunning and sleek Josef Frank coffee table from the Viennese Art Deco period c...
Walnut, Spruce
Green Table Lamp 'Model 2434' Designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Stockholm, SE
Table lamp model 2434 designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1939. Polished and lacquered brass with fabric shade. Measures: H: 58 cm W: 50 cm Josef Frank was a true E...
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...
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.
Rattan, Mahogany
Restored Art Deco Armchair, by Josef Frank for Thonet, Beech, Czech, 1930s
By Josef Frank, Thonet
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...
Wood, Beech, Lacquer
Josef Frank Brass Mid-Century Table Lamp Model 2552
By Josef Frank
Located in London, GB
A single table lamp by Josef Frank for Firma Svenskt Tenn. Sweden, c1938, likely c1940s. Naturally patinated brass, stamped to underside with the model number. No shade wa...
Brass
Floor Lamp Model 2564 Designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
Floor lamp model 2564 designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s. White lacquered brass and Lacquered Paper. Stamped. This elegant brass floor lamp is adjustable in h...
Brass