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, Wall Light, Brass, Paper, Sweden, 1950s
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in High Point, NC
A brass and white paper wall light designed by Josef Frank and produced by Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, c. 1950s. Overall Dimensions (Inches): 18.5” H x 7.25” W x 16.5“ D Back Plate Dimen...
Brass
Pair of Wall Lamps 'Model 2565' Designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
This pair of wall lights, model 2565, was designed in the 1950s by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn. Each fixture is centred on a circular polished brass backplate from which two softly ...
Brass
Josef Frank Wall Light from the 1950's, made in Austria
By Josef Frank
Located in Vienna, Austria
An elegant wall light made with patinated brass and a silk shade, designed by Josef Frank in the 1950's. This beautifully constructed lamp uses two light bulbs to illuminate the sil...
Brass
Josef Frank, Wall Lights, Brass, Fabric, Sweden, 1970s
By Josef Frank
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of adjustable brass and rattan wall lights designed by Josef Frank c. 1930s, produced by Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, c. 1970s. Overall Dimensions (Inches): 11.0"H x 8.3"W x 21.5"D ...
Brass
Midcentury Wall lights by Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Stockholm, SE
Pair of elegant brass wall lights by Josef Frank. Generous size with curved lines, warmly gleeming brass.
Brass
Josef Frank, Wall Lights, Brass, Fabric, Sweden, 1950s
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of brass and fabric wall lights designed and produced by Josef Frank, Sweden, 1950s. Overall Dimensions (Inches): 8” H x 4” W x 5.5” D Back Plate Dimensions (Inches): 2.9” ...
Brass
Josef Frank, Wall Light, Brass, Wood, Paper, Sweden, 1970s
By Josef Frank
Located in High Point, NC
A brass, white-painted wood and yellow-lacquered parchment paper wall light designed by Josef Frank and produced by Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, c. 1970s. Lampshade trim is a vintage beige...
Brass
Josef Frank, Wall Light, Brass, Rattan, Sweden, 1950s
By Josef Frank
Located in High Point, NC
A brass and rattan wall light designed by Josef Frank and produced by Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, c. 1950s. Oxidation present to brass. Replaced lampshade. Wear consistent with age and...
Brass
Josef Frank, Wall Light, Brass, Rattan, Sweden, 1950s
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in High Point, NC
A brass and rattan wall light designed by Josef Frank and produced by Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, c. 1950s. Light scratching and oxidation to brass. Replaced vintage lampshade. Overall D...
Brass
Josef Frank, Wall Lights, Brass, Rattan, Sweden, 1980s
By Josef Frank
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of adjustable brass and rattan wall lights by Josef Frank c. 1930s, produced by Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, c. 1980s. Replaced lampshades. Overall Dimensions (Inches): 16.0"H x 7....
Brass
Josef Frank, Wall Light, Brass, Fabric, Sweden, 1960s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in High Point, NC
A brass and white fabric wall light designed by Josef Frank and produced by Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, c. 1960s. Moderate patina on brass consistent with age and use. Overall Dimensions...
Brass
Josef Frank, Wall Light, Brass, Paper, Sweden, 1950s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in High Point, NC
A brass and red-lacquered paper wall light designed by Josef Frank and produced by Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s. Overall Dimensions (Inches): 25.25” H x 9.5” W x 19“ D Back Plate Di...
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, Wall Light, Brass, Fabric, Sweden, 1960s
By Josef Frank
Located in High Point, NC
A brass and white fabric wall light designed by Josef Frank and produced by Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, c. 1960s. Very light oxidation to arm and socket. Overall Dimensions (Inches): 9” ...
Brass
Josef Frank, Wall Light, Brass, Paper, Sweden, 1950s
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in High Point, NC
A brass and green-lacquered parchment paper wall light designed by Josef Frank and produced by Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, c. 1950s. Overall Dimensions (Inches): 10.5” H x 17.75” W x 11.5...
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
Josef Frank, Wall Light, Brass, Rattan, Sweden, 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, c. 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 26.25” H x 7” W x 16“ D Back Plate Di...
Brass
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.
Brass
Josef Frank, Wall Light, Brass, Fabric, Sweden, 1950s
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in High Point, NC
An adjustable brass and pattern-printed fabric wall light designed by Josef Frank and produced by Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, c. 1950s. Plug in with cord feeding from bottom of stem. Not ...
Brass
Josef Frank, Wall Light, Brass, Rattan, Sweden, 1950s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in High Point, NC
A brass and rattan wall light designed by Josef Frank and produced by Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s. Dimensions of Back Plate (inches) : 3.9 x 1.5 x 0.7 (Height x Width x Depth) ...
Brass
Josef Frank, Wall Light, Brass, Rattan, Sweden, 1950s
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in High Point, NC
An adjustable brass and rattan wall light designed and produced in Sweden, 1950s. Configured for plug-in with cord feeding from bottom of stem. Overall Dimensions (inches): 20” H x...
Brass
Adjustable Wall Fixture Model 2582 by Josef Frank for Firma Svenskt Tenn
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Stockholm, SE
Wall lamp in brass, model 2582. Designed by Josef Frank for Firma Svenskt Tenn, mid-1900s. Adjustable length and height.
Brass
Mid-century Brass Wall Lamp with Silk Shades, 1950's , Josef Frank, Austria
By Josef Frank
Located in Vienna, Austria
A beautifully made wall lamp designed by Josef Frank and made in Austria in the 1950's. The lyrically shaped brass tubing supports lamp shades with a feminine form tailored to emph...
Brass
Josef Frank, Sconce, Brass, Metal, White Paper, Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1940s
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in High Point, NC
A brass, metal and white paper sconce designed by Josef Frank and produced by Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1940s. Dimensions variable, measured as illustrated in first image. Overall Dime...
Metal, Brass
Josef Frank Pair of Wall Lamps in Brass Svenskt Tenn Model 2389, 1950s
By Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
Josef Frank’s Model 2389 wall lamp, designed in the 1950s for Svenskt Tenn, exemplifies his refined approach to functional elegance and modernist form. Crafted entirely from polished...
Brass
$3,007
H 27.56 in W 11.82 in D 16.15 in
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.
Brass
Josef Frank Silk Pendant Lamp for Svenskt Tenn, Brass & Silk, Sweden
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Portland, OR
An early example of model 2560 Josef Frank pendant for Svenskt Tenn. Sweden 1940s. Executed in solid nicely patinated brass and with newer silk shade, made in Austria. Original mount...
Brass
$13,259
H 21.26 in W 14.77 in D 14.77 in
Table lamp 'Model 2468' designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Stockholm, SE
Table Lamp model 2468, designed in the 1950s by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, is one of the most recognisable and spirited lighting designs of Scandinavian mid-century modernism. Dis...
Brass
Pair of Wall lights by Bruno Herbst Sweden 1970s
By Bruno Herbst
Located in Stockholm, SE
A pair of large, heavy 1970s Bruno Herbst metal and glass wall lamps. A rare model clean and simple design executed in its original lacquer metal. Heavy duty style, almost Brutalist ...
Metal
Pine & Fabric Wall Lights, Sweden 1960s to 1970s
By Solbackens Svarveri
Located in NUEMBRECHT, NRW
Swedish Mid-Century Design Wall Lights, 1960s to 1970s The sconces feature intricately turned Swedish pine wood backplates and arms, showcasing a warm, natural finish that highlight...
Fabric, Pine
$1,928 / set
H 11.03 in W 4.53 in D 3.15 in
Pair of Glass and Brass Wall Lights by Carl Fagerlund, Orrefors, Sweden, 1970s
By Orrefors, Carl Fagerlund
Located in Karis, Nyland
This pair of wall lights features thick, textured glass panels mounted on patinated brass backplates. The glass is richly molded with an organic, almost architectural relief that cat...
Brass
Josef Frank Table Lamp Model G-2466 Produced by Svenskt Tenn
By Josef Frank
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare table lamp model G-2466 designed by Josef Frank. Produced by Svenskt Tenn in Sweden.
Metal, Brass
$3,375
H 53.15 in W 27.56 in D 15.75 in
Floor Lamp in red and Brass by Josef Frank. Firma Svenskt Tenn, 1960s, Sweden
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Hägersten, SE
Floor lamp model 1842 designed by Josef Frank. Produced in Sweden by Firma Svenskt tenn during the 1960-70s. Made from brass and red lacquered brass. New lamp shade in pleated chintz...
Brass
Modernist Table Lamp #2468 by Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Stockholm, SE
Early edition brass table lamp with three colorful shades by Josef Frank, model #2468. Slender forms that give a voluminous expression and a great general, soft spreading of light.
Brass
Josef Frank, Wall Light, Brass, Paper, Sweden, 1950s
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in High Point, NC
A brass and green-lacquered parchment paper wall light designed by Josef Frank and produced by Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, c. 1950s. Overall Dimensions (Inches): 10.5” H x 17.75” W x 11.5...
Brass
$8,900
H 55.12 in Dm 21.66 in
Counterweight Pendant Light by J.T. Kalmar, Josef Frank, Brass Wicker, 1950s
By Josef Frank, J.T. Kalmar, Haus & Garten, Svenskt Tenn, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A rare and fantastic height adjustable brass counter balance pendant lamp with a wicker lampshade model 'Kugel-Dreierzug' no. 2514 by J.T. Kalmar manufactured in midcentury in 1950s....
Brass
$10,246 / set
H 38.78 in W 9.45 in D 19.69 in
Josef Frank Floor Lamps Model 1842 Produced by Svenskt Tenn
By Josef Frank
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
A pair of height adjustable floor lamps model 1842 designed by Josef Frank. Produced by Svenskt Tenn in Sweden. Height: 98.5-145 cm.
Brass
Josef Frank, Wall Lights, Brass, Fabric, Sweden, 1980s
By Josef Frank
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of adjustable brass and light pink fabric wall lights designed by Josef Frank c. 1930s, produced by Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, c. 1980s. Overall Dimensions (Inches): 23.5"H x 8.0"...
Brass
Sold
H 11.82 in W 9.45 in D 3.94 in
Josef Frank wall lamp 2143, brass and silk, Firma Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1940s
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Forserum, SE
A wall lamp, model 2143, designed by Austrian-Swedish architect Josef Frank in the 1920s and produced by the renowned Swedish company Svenskt Tenn. This is an early version, likely f...
Brass
Josef Frank, Wall Light, Brass, Fabric, Sweden, 1980s
By Josef Frank
Located in High Point, NC
A brass and white fabric wall light designed by Josef Frank in the 1930s, produced by Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, c. 1980s. Oxidation present to brass Wear consistent with age and use O...
Brass
Sold
H 23.63 in W 8.67 in D 19.3 in
Pair Adjustable Wall Lights Sconces, Kalmar Josef Frank, Brass Wood Wicker, 1960
By J.T. Kalmar, Svenskt Tenn, Stilnovo, Josef Frank, Rupert Nikoll
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A pair of large and gorgeous Mid-Century Modern wall lamps model 'Reibe' no. 4060 with by J.T. Kalmar, Austria, manufactured ca. 1960 (1950s - 1960s). The light is based on a design...
Brass
Sold
H 13.39 in W 19.3 in D 9.85 in
Pair Wall Lights Sconces, Kalmar Josef Frank, Brass Nickel Pleated Shades, 1950s
By Rupert Nikoll, J.T. Kalmar, Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank, Stilnovo
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A pair of large and gorgeous Mid-Century Modern wall lamps model 'Zwilling' (engl. 'Twin'), no. 4254 with great patina by J.T. Kalmar, Austria, manufactured ca. 1960 (1950s - 1960s)....
Nickel, Silver, Brass
Sold
H 11.42 in W 6.7 in D 10.44 in
Pair Wall Lights Sconces, Kalmar, Josef Frank, Brass Wood Pleated Shades, 1960
By Rupert Nikoll, J.T. Kalmar, Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank, Stilnovo
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A pair of Mid-Century Modern wall lamps model 'Ellbogen-WA', engl. 'Elbow-WA' (wall arm), no. 4209 by J.T. Kalmar, Austria, manufactured ca. 1960 (1950s - 1960s). The light is based...
Brass
Josef Frank, Wall Light, Brass, Rattan, Sweden, 1980s
By Josef Frank
Located in High Point, NC
An adjustable brass and rattan wall light designed by Josef Frank in the 1930s, produced by Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, c. 1980s. Oxidation present to brass Overall Dimensions (inches): ...
Brass
Sold
H 128.35 in W 17.13 in D 8.27 in
Wall lamp from Josef Frank in Brass with Silk Shades from the 1930's Austria
By Josef Frank
Located in Vienna, Austria
Wall scone designed by Josef Frank for J.T. Kalmar in the 1930's in Austria. This brass lamp is beautiful made and assembled by hand. It features new silk shades using the original f...
Brass
Sold
H 10.24 in W 17.13 in D 8.27 in
Wall Scone from Josef Frank, Brass with Silk Shades, Austria 1930's
By Josef Frank
Located in Vienna, Austria
Brass wall light designed by Josef Frank, and produced by J. T. Kalmar in the 1930's. Here we can see excellent hand work wear the cast brass leaves are integrated in to the curvi...
Brass
Josef Frank, Adjustable Wall Lights, Brass, Fabric, Sweden, 1990s
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of brass and white fabric wall lights designed by Josef Frank in the 1930s and produced by Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, c. 1990s. Overall Dimensions (Inches): 23.5"H x 9.75"W x 23.0...
Brass
Sold
H 13.78 in W 9.45 in D 10.04 in
Josef Frank Pair of Wall Lamps in Brass Svenskt Tenn Model 2389, 1950s
By Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
Josef Frank’s Model 2389 wall lamp, designed in the 1950s for Svenskt Tenn, exemplifies his refined approach to functional elegance and modernist form. Crafted entirely from polished...
Brass
Josef Frank, Wall Lights, Brass, Fabric, Sweden, 1950s
By Josef Frank
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of brass and fabric wall lights designed by Josef Frank and produced by Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, c. 1950s. Overall Dimensions (Inches): 9” H x 5” W x 11.75“ D Back Plate Dimens...
Brass