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.
Pair of Josef Frank floor lamps model '2148' for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Floor lamps designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn model '2148'. Made by Svenskt Tenn in Sweden during the middle of the 20th century. The lamp features a brass base and stem, w...
Brass
Josef Frank, Wall Light, Brass, Rattan, 1950s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in High Point, NC
An adjustable brass and rattan wall light designed by Josef Frank and produced by Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 23” H x 14” W x 17” D Back Plate Dimensi...
Brass
Josef Frank Floor Lamp, Sweden, 1960s
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.
Brass
Modernist Floor Lamp, by Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Elegant, rare early edition floor lamp by Josef Frank, made from brass with a light switch on the base. Shade with original fabric with a graphic pattern around the edge. Only the e...
Brass
Josef Frank, Floor Lamp, Brass, Fabric, Sweden, 1940s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in High Point, NC
A brass and fabric floor lamp, designed by Josef Frank and produced by Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1940s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 60.75" H x 16.75" Diameter Bulb Specifications: E-26...
Brass
Rare Floor Lamp by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Beautiful, rare floor lamp by Josef Frank, made from black lacquered metal and brass. Distinctly sculpted base, pleated satin shade with loose brass top. Josef Frank was an Austri...
Brass
Floor Lamps by Josef Frank, Sweden, 1950s
By Josef Frank
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
Designed by renowned Austrian-Swedish architect and designer Josef Frank for the iconic Swedish design house Svenskt Tenn (Model 2326 / 2568 series), this vintage floor lamp beautifu...
Metal
Floor Lamp in Brass, Black Metal and Original Shades by Josef Frank, 1938
By Josef Frank
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Floor Lamp in Brass, Black Lacquered Metal and Original Shades by Josef Frank, 1938 Additional Information: Material: Brass, black lacquered metal and original shades Style: Mid cen...
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” by Josef Frank was designed for Svenskt Tenn and exemplifies his measured approach to materials, proportion and function. Each lamp is executed in brass with ...
Metal, Brass
Josef Frank Floor Lamp, Sweden, 1960s
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.
Brass
Pair of wall lamps 'Model 2389' designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
The 'Model 2389' wall lamp by Josef Frank, designed in the 1950s for Svenskt Tenn, exemplifies the designer’s refined approach to functional elegance and modernist form. Crafted enti...
Brass
Josef Frank, Adjustable Wall Light, Brass, Fabric, Sweden, 1950s
By Josef Frank
Located in High Point, NC
An adjustable brass and floral-printed fabric wall light designed by Josef Frank and produced by Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, c. 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 24"H x 9.5"W x 24.5"D ...
Brass
$11,702 / set
Pair of Josef Frank Floor Lamps, Sweden
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
Pair available. 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. ...
Brass
Table Lamps in Brass & White Metal & Original Lamp Shades by Josef Frank, 1950's
By Josef Frank
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Table Lamps in Brass and White Lacquered Metal and Original Lamp Shades by Josef Frank, 1950's Additional Information: Material: Brass and white lacquered metal and original lamp sh...
Brass, Metal
Josef Frank Floor Lamp Model 2564 by Svenskt Tenn in Sweden
By Josef Frank
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare floor lamp model 2564 designed by Josef Frank. Produced by Svenskt Tenn in Sweden.
Brass
Floor Lamp, Walnut and Brass, Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Floor lamp in walnut and brass, model 2548. Designed by Josef Frank for Firma Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1952.
Brass
Midcentury Modern table or desk lamp by Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Rare, elegant brass table or desk lamp by Josef Frank, with original leather upholstery with some patina on the stem and base. Flexible neck and decorative round brass feet.
Brass
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
Brass Table lamp by Josef Frank for Firma Svensk Tenn, model 2332, 1960s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Göteborg, SE
Ideal for a range of settings, from a stately living room to an elegant office, this table lamp not only serves as a functional lighting solution but also as a testament to exquisite...
Brass
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
Floor Lamp Model 2564 Designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
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
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