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.
Hand painted "Apple" jar by Josef Frank for Svenskt tenn
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Hägersten, SE
Rare lidded jar in the shape of an apple designed by Josef Frank. Produced by Firma Svenskt Tenn during the 1950s. Made from Aluminum with hand painted decor. Very good vintage condi...
Aluminum
$1,177
H 1.19 in Dm 12.01 in
Josef Frank Brass and Mirror Tray/Plateau for Svenskt Tenn Swedish modern, 1940s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
Refined mirrored plateau designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, in the 1940s. This circular tray features a beveled mirror surface set within a gilded brass frame, accente...
Brass
Lidded Pewter Box by Edlunds Silverfabrik for Svenskt Tenn
By Svenskt Tenn
Located in Brooklyn, NY
1928, Stockholm. Pewter box features three feet and a lid topped with a bird-shaped knob. The makers mark is stamped on the underside.
Pewter
Josef Frank, Candelabra, Brass, Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s
By Josef Frank
Located in High Point, NC
A brass candelabra, designed by Josef Frank and produced by Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, c. 1940s. Holds nine 0.5” candles Overall Dimensions (inches): 11.5"H x 11.25"W x 11.0"D All item...
Brass
1940s Josef Frank Swedish Silver Candelabra by Svenskt Tenn
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Brooklyn, NY
1940s, Sweden. Designed by Josef Frank and produced by Svenskt Tenn, this silver piece features elegant scalloped edges, fluting, and hangers. The manufacturer’s and designer’s mark ...
Silver
Footed Lidded Jar by Svenskt Tenn in Pewter
By Svenskt Tenn
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A gorgeous Art Deco pewter lidded box by Firma Svenskt Tenn. Features three ornate feet, a velvet lined interior, and Art Deco style lid.
Metal
$1,054
H 3.43 in Dm 4.02 in
Lidded Pewter Box by CG Hallberg, Sweden, 1929. Svenskt Tenn. Swedish Grace.
By C.G. Hallberg, Nils Fougstedt, Svenskt Tenn, CG Hallberg, Edvin Ollers
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful lidded pewter box with amazing patina. Swedish Grace. Made by CG Hallberg, Sweden, 1929. Good condition, with some scratches and scuffs. Stamped with makers mark, 'SVENS...
Metal, Pewter
$2,121
H 6.11 in Dm 7.88 in
Brass Candlestick 'Vanskapsknuten' by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1938
By Nils Fougstedt, Estrid Ericson, Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank, 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
Anna Petrus, Pewter Box, Firma Svenskt Tenn, 1928
By Anna Petrus, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Stockholm, SE
Box in brass and pewter with decor of a womans face. Designed by Anna Petrus for Firma Svenskt Tenn. Marked B8 = 1928.
Brass, Pewter
$465
H 2.17 in W 4.34 in D 2.96 in
Lidded Pewter Box by JL Hultman, Sweden, 1930s. Svenskt Tenn. Swedish Grace.
By Svenskt Tenn, Nils Fougstedt, Edvin Ollers, Erik Fleming
Located in Malmö, SE
A beautiful lidded pewter box with amazing patina. Made by J.L. Hultman, Sweden, 1930s. Great condition. Stamped 'JLH' and 'SVENSKT TENN'.
Metal, Pewter
$2,600
H 6.25 in W 9 in D 8.25 in
20th Century Silver Swedish Svenskt Tenn Candle Holder by Josef Frank
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A silver, vintage Mid-Century Modern Swedish " Vänskapsknuten " candle holder made of handcrafted silvered metal, designed by Josef Frank and produced by Svenskt Tenn in good conditi...
Metal
$2,121
H 6.11 in Dm 7.88 in
Brass Candlestick 'Vanskapsknuten' by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1938
By Nils Fougstedt, Estrid Ericson, Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank, 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. Old production, this is made in the 1940s. G...
Brass
Svenskt Tenn Pewter Lidded Box with Scroll Handle, Sweden, 1936
By Svenskt Tenn
Located in Stockholm, SE
A rare and elegant hexagonal pewter lidded box by Svenskt Tenn, dated 1936, exemplifying the refined craftsmanship and functional artistry of Swedish design in the early 20th century...
Pewter
Glass Box by Josef Frank
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Beautiful glass box by Josef Frank, with a pewter and brass frame joining the bottom with the lid. Seamless design, luxurious with its rich red color and crisp details.
Brass, Pewter
Estrid Ericson & Josef Frank, Chest by Svenskt Tenn
By Estrid Ericson, Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Storage unit designed by Estrid Ericson (chest) and Josef Frank (stand). Designed for and manufactured by Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1940s. Hand-painted parchment, teak base and brass f...
Glass and Pewter Box by Josef Frank
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Amazing box in heavy, deep red glass quality by Josef Frank. The lid is mounted in a smooth pewter frame and the hinge is made from brass.
Brass, Pewter