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.
Josef Frank Brass and Black Glass Serving Tray for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1940s
By Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
An elegant and highly collectible serving tray designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, circa 1940. This refined example embodies Frank’s signature balance of functional des...
Brass
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
Set of 12 Josef Frank Seafood/Lobster Plates in Clear Art Glass
By Josef Frank
Located in København, Copenhagen
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 ...
Glass
Mar Black Marble Small Serving Tray
By Casa Mineral
Located in Mexico City, MX
Monterrey black marble small serving tray. Production time: 6-8 weeks for items without marble / 13-14 weeks for marble pieces. Shipping +10 additi...
Marble
Large Hand Built Ceramic Platter in Black Gloss Glaze
By Helena Starcevic Ceramics
Located in New York, NY
Large hand built ceramic platter in dark brown stoneware with luscious black glaze. At over 16 inches in diameter this platter will make a statement on your table! Notoriously hard t...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Italian Cast Aluminum and Brass Fish Centerpiece, 1970s
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Whimsical cast aluminum and brass centerpiece or platter of impressive size and detail; excellent vintage condition.
Aluminum, Brass
Tommi Parzinger for Dorlyn Silversmiths Candelabrum & Pair Serving Trays
By Tommi Parzinger, Dorlyn Silversmiths
Located in Hanover, MA
A three piece serving centerpiece grouping from among the least commonly seen items from the 1950's brass ware collection designed by Tommi Parzinger for Dorlyn Silversmiths, consisting of an exceptionally large candelabrum for five tapers with two tiers of round bon bon trays, and a matching pair of two-tier serving trays...
Brass
1940s Italian Mirrored Revolving Lazy Susan Centrepiece Tray
Located in London, London
Lazy susan centrepiece Revolving Wooden frame Mirrored top with etching Italy 1940s This exquisite Italian revolving centerpiece from the 1950s exemplifies mid-century design an...
Mirror, Walnut
$560
H 8.27 in W 16.93 in D 12.21 in
Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn. Bed tray with botanical motif. Mid-20th C.
Located in København, Copenhagen
Josef Frank (1885–1967) for Svenskt Tenn Bed tray with botanical motif. Rectangular bed tray with wooden frame and metal legs. The tray decorated with Josef Frank’s characteristic b...
Metal
Art Deco Glass, wood and Metal Fruit Bowl, France, 1940s
Located in Meulebeke, BE
France / 1940 / Fruit bowl / glass, metal, wood / Art Deco A beautiful French Art Deco fruit bowl from the 1940s, featuring a sculptural form that perfectly captures the glamour and...
Metal
$1,208Sale Price|20% Off
H 3.15 in W 12.6 in D 12.41 in
Vallauris Glazed Ceramic Leaf Flower Platter or Centerpiece Bowl
By Vallauris
Located in Barcelona, ES
Mid-Century Modern multicolor glazed ceramic flower centerpiece bowl. Manufactured by Vallauris, France, 1950-1960. Eye-catching and colorful flower...
Majolica, Pottery, Ceramic
$1,050
H 1.58 in Dm 19.69 in
Round Centerpiece Serving Tray Lucite Faux Tortoiseshell and Brass, Italy 1970s
By Willy Rizzo, Christian Dior
Located in Rome, IT
Amazing round serving tray / centerpiece in tortoiseshell effect lucite with and border brass in the style of Christian Dior. Made in Italy in the 1970s.
Metal, Brass
Mar black marble Serving Tray
Located in Mexico City, MX
Monterrey black marble serving tray. Production time: 6-8 weeks for items without marble / 13-14 weeks for marble pieces. Shipping +10 addit...
Marble
$1,108
H 2.76 in W 15.95 in D 15.95 in
Serving Tray Lucite Faux Tortoiseshell & Brass Christian Dior Style, Italy 1970s
By Willy Rizzo, Dior Home, Team Guzzini, Christian Dior
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury amazing squared serving tray or centerpiece in lucite faux tortoiseshell effect and brass in the style of Christian Dior Home. Made in Italy in the 1970s. It's an iconic...
Metal, Brass
Josef Frank Adjustable Brass Candelabra
By Josef Frank
Located in Toronto, Ontario
An iconic piece from Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn. Beautiful solid brass construction. Two adjustable levels controlled by a simple thumb screw. Very delicate and refined with a ...
Brass