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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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Period: Late 20th Century
Creator: Josef Frank
Vintage Green Josef Frank “Chair 2025” with Bamboo and Textile, Sweden, 1970s
By Josef Frank
Located in Copenhagen K, DK
Josef Frank Sweden, 1970s “Chair 2025”. Painted wood, bamboo and textile designed by Gocken Jobs. Designed in 1925. H 95 x W 44 x D 45 cm
Category

1970s Swedish Vintage Josef Frank Furniture

Materials

Bamboo, Textile, Wood

Josef Frank, Wall Scones, Model 2389, Firma Svenskt Tenn
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Stockholm, SE
A pair of wall scones in brass, model 2389. Josef Frank for Firma Svenskt Tenn, Sweden mid-1900s..
Category

Late 20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern 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

Josef Frank, Coffee Table 2139, Designed 1952
By Josef Frank
Located in Los Gatos, CA
Very beautiful Josef Frank coffee table with a rare burl wood top in excellent condition. Very vibrant wood color and no fading. Originally designed in 1952, this model is from the 1980s and manufactured by Eriksson & Söners Möbelsnickeri Vrena, Sweden. Josef Frank (1885-1967) was an Austrian architect. He studied architecture at the Kunstgewerbeschule. He started out by designing public housing and social architecture. Although at the beginning of his career he was one of the frontrunners of the Vienna...
Category

1980s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Josef Frank Furniture

Materials

Walnut, Burl

Josef Frank, Stool or Bench, Mahogany, Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1970s
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in High Point, NC
A mahogany stool or bench designed by Josef Frank and produced by Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1970s.
Category

1970s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Josef Frank Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Josef Frank, Organic Table Lamp, Brass, Paper, Svenskt Tenn, 1950s
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in High Point, NC
An early production table lamp by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Stockholm, Sweden. Other lighting designers of the period include Paavo Tynell, Alvar Aalto, Serge Muille, and Angelo...
Category

1970s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Josef Frank Furniture

Materials

Brass

Josef Frank, Large Table Lamps, White-Painted Wood, Svenskt Tenn, 1970s
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of large table lamps for Svenskt Tenn, Stockholm, Sweden. In painted turned wood. Lampshades are not included, stated dimensions are without l...
Category

1970s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Josef Frank Furniture

Materials

Brass

Set of 12 Blue or Green Josef Frank Seafood or Lobster Finger Bowls
By Josef Frank
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Set of 12 blue or green Josef Frank seafood/lobster finger bowls.
Category

1970s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Josef Frank Furniture

Materials

Glass

Set of 12 Josef Frank Seafood/Lobster Plates in Clear Art Glass
By Josef Frank
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Set of 12 Josef Frank seafood/lobster plates in clear art glass Designed in the 1940s by the Swedish designer, Josef Frank, originally as a seafood/lobster plate, also suitable for ...
Category

Late 20th Century Swedish Art Deco Josef Frank Furniture

Materials

Glass

Josef Frank, Table Lamp, Brass, Fabric, Sweden, 1990s
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in High Point, NC
A brass and yellow fabric table lamp designed by Josef Frank, c. 1930s, this example produced by Svenskt Tenn, c. 1990s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 20.45” H x 15.75” x 14.75” D Bu...
Category

1990s Swedish Josef Frank Furniture

Materials

Brass

Related Items
Josef Frank easy chair 891 for Firma Svenskt Tenn, Sweden
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Forserum, SE
Easy chair 891 designed by Josef Frank for Firma Svenskt Tenn in 1937. Made from solid mahogany, reupholstered in a striking zebra-striped textile. The Austrian architect Josef Frank...
Category

1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Josef Frank Furniture

Materials

Textile, Mahogany

Midcentury Modern Wall light by Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare, beautiful wall light by Josef Frank, made from brass with a slender stem suspending a voluminous lamp shade. Adjustable height.
Category

1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Josef Frank Furniture

Materials

Brass

Josef Frank Bench in Mahogany and Brass Nails, Svenskt Tenn, Sweden
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Josef Frank & SCANDINAVIAN MODERN A beautiful bench by Josef Frank, for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1960s. The frame is made of mahogany, upholstered seat with brass nails. The feet are elegantly sculpted and the bench can also be used as a table, end of bed stool...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Josef Frank Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Mahogany

Scandinavian Modern Teak Serving Table or Bar Cart
Located in Vienna, AT
This charming Scandinavian Modern teak serving table or bar cart has been designed and produced in Denmark, 1960s. It features beautiful handcrafted details, two trays and two drawe...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Josef Frank Furniture

Materials

Metal

Midcentury Modern Pendant Light by Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Stockholm, SE
Beautiful brass pendant light by Josef Frank, in an elegant, voluminous design. Shade made from pleated fabric. A decorative brass “anchor” comes out through the bottom of the shade ...
Category

1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Josef Frank Furniture

Materials

Brass

Josef Frank Coffee Table in Black Marble and Walnut, 1950
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Berlin, DE
Josef Frank coffee table in walnut and black marble. Manufactured by Svenskt Tenn in 1950, Sweden.
Category

1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Josef Frank Furniture

Materials

Marble

Luxurious Walnut & Burled Wood 2139 Table by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, 1952
By Frank Josef, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
This luxurious, round 2139 table was designed by Josef Frank for the Swedish manufacture Svenskt Tenn in 1952 and made later. The table is made of walnut, and its characteristic feat...
Category

1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Josef Frank Furniture

Materials

Walnut, Burl

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...
Category

1920s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Josef Frank Furniture

Materials

Beech, Walnut, Spruce

Josef Frank, Adjustable Wall Light, Brass, Rattan, Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in High Point, NC
An adjustable wall light / sconce / task light. Designed by Josef Frank 1920s, produced by Svenskt Tenn, Stockholm, Sweden, c. 1950s. Stated dimensions include lampshade as is il...
Category

1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Josef Frank Furniture

Materials

Brass

Chrome Bar Cart or Side Coffee Table by Allegri Arredamenti, Italy 1970s
By Arredamenti Allegri
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning adjustable bar trolley table produced by Allegri Arredamenti in Parma, Italy, during the 1970s. This serving table is fully made in chrome with a top and two lower trays in...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Josef Frank Furniture

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Set of 5 Josef Frank Prague Chairs Made in Czechoslovakia, circa 1970s
By Josef Frank, Thonet
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional set of five bentwood armchairs design attributed to Josef Frank, marked Made in Czechoslovakia. The chairs are constructed of steam bent wood, probably beech, and nylon, ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Czech Vienna Secession Josef Frank Furniture

Materials

Beech, Bentwood

Josef Frank, Table Lamp "2388", Firma Svenskt Tenn
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Stockholm, SE
Table lamp model 2388, designed by Josef Frank in 1936. Manufactured by Firma Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, mid-1900s.
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Josef Frank Furniture

Materials

Brass

Previously Available Items
Josef Frank, Table Lamp, Brass, Fabric, Sweden, 1990s
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in High Point, NC
A brass and yellow fabric table lamp designed by Josef Frank, c. 1930s, this example produced by Svenskt Tenn, c. 1990s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 20.45” H x 15.75” x 14.75” D Bu...
Category

1990s Swedish Josef Frank Furniture

Materials

Brass

Midcentury Chandelier from Josef Frank, Austria 1950s
By Josef Frank
Located in Vienna, Austria
Midcentury, three arm chandilier from Josef Frank, Austria. The corpus is made of brass with the original shades in a gold coloured raw silk. A Classic, midcentury piece from Jose...
Category

Late 20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Josef Frank Furniture

Materials

Brass

Scandinavian Flower Decor Serving Tray by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Vienna, AT
This charming tray was designed by Josef Frank and shows the exuberant Anakreon pattern. Designed in 1938, it is based on a 3,500 year-old fresco from a palace in Crete, and is nam...
Category

1970s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Josef Frank Furniture

Materials

Plywood

Josef Frank, Wall Light, Brass, Rattan, Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1920s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in High Point, NC
A wall light / sconce. Designed by Josef Frank in the 1920s, produced by Svenskt Tenn, Stockholm, Sweden, c. 1970s. With assorted rattan lampshade. Original white painted mounting bl...
Category

1970s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Josef Frank Furniture

Materials

Brass

Josef Frank, Five-Armed Wall Light, Brass, Fabric, Svenskt Tenn, Sweden 1920s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in High Point, NC
A wall light / sconce. Designed by Josef Frank, produced by Svenskt Tenn, Stockholm, Sweden. Designed in the 1920s, Vintage example produced c. 1970s. Other designers of the perio...
Category

1970s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Josef Frank Furniture

Materials

Brass

Rectangular Burl-Wood Coffee Table by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in New York, NY
Measures: 110cm W x 70cm D 48cm H Walnut framed coffee table with veneered burled wood Handcrafted in Sweden.
Category

Late 20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Josef Frank Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Polished Brass Candle Holder by Estrid Ericson for Svenskt Tenn Sweden
By Estrid Ericson, Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Polished brass candle holder globe by Estrid Ericson for Svenskt Tenn Sweden The light at the dining table was a matter that lay close to Estrid Ericson’s heart. During a radio inte...
Category

Late 20th Century Swedish Organic Modern Josef Frank Furniture

Materials

Brass

Josef Frank, Organic Table Lamp, Brass, Paper, Svenskt Tenn, 1950s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in High Point, NC
An early production table lamp by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Stockholm, Sweden. With brass and original paper shades. Other lighting designers of the period include Paavo T...
Category

1970s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Josef Frank Furniture

Materials

Brass

Pair of Multicolored 1970s Side Tables by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Vienna, AT
Pair of charming folding side tables with tray top designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn. They feature a dark green foldable metal base and the tray tops show two different designs from Josef Frank´s...
Category

1970s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Josef Frank Furniture

Materials

Metal

Josef Frank, Table Lamp, Brass, Red, Blue, Yellow Screens, Svenskt Tenn
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in High Point, NC
An example of Josef Franks 3-armed table lamp for Svenskt Tenn, Stockholm, Sweden. Vintage example produced the fourth quarter of 20th century. Other lighting designers of the per...
Category

1980s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Josef Frank Furniture

Materials

Brass

Set of Six Mid-Century Modern Prague Cane Dining Chairs by Josef Frank & Hoffman
By Josef Hoffmann, Josef Frank, Thonet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
The caning is absolutely beautiful on this iconic set of Prague dining chairs originally designed by Josef Frank & Josef Hoffmann in the 1920s. Th...
Category

1970s Polish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Josef Frank Furniture

Materials

Cane, Wood

Josef Frank, a Pair of Floor Lamps "2424", Firma Svenskt Tenn
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Stockholm, SE
A pair of floor lamps model 2424, designed by Josef Frank in 1939 for Firma Svenskt Tenn.
Category

Late 20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern 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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