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.
$1,509 / item
Black Wall Mirror by Josef Frank Svenskt Tenn, 1950s
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Hannover, DE
A delicate mirror with a thin brass loop frame (painted black). An absolute design classic from the 1950s. This brass mirror was designed by Austrian designer Josef Frank for the ren...
Brass
Mid Century Austrian Vintage Brass Wall Mirror, 1950s
By Josef Frank
Located in Berlin, DE
Wonderful mirror with brass frame and a decorative brass ring. Austria, 1950s.
Brass
Mid Century Modern Round Sunburst Mirror by Josef Frank, West Germany 1960s
By Josef Frank
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find beautiful and rare Mid Century Modern Round Sunburst Mirror designed by Josef Frank. It comes with a black metal frame and the rope that allow you to mo...
Metal
Mid Century Modern Oval Sunburst Mirror by Josef Frank, West Germany 1960s
By Josef Frank
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find beautiful and rare Mid Century Modern Oval Sunburst Mirror designed by Josef Frank. It comes with a black metal frame and the rope that allow you to mou...
Metal
Mid Century Modern Oval Sunburst Mirror Josef Frank, West Germany 1960s
By Josef Frank
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find beautiful and rare Mid Century Modern Oval Sunburst Mirror designed by Josef Frank. It comes with a black metal frame and the rope that allow you to mou...
Metal
$1,323Sale Price|42% Off
Mirror by Joseph Frank for Svenskt Tenn
By Josef Frank
Located in London, GB
Brass framed mirror by Joseph Frank. This elegant timeless design would fit any style of interior from traditional to contemporary as it makes a very disc...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Brass Sunburst Loop Mirror by Josef Frank
By Josef Frank
Located in 'S-HERTOGENBOSCH, NL
Mid-Century Modern Sunburst loop Mirror in brass made by Josef Frank. Made by Svensk Tenn in the 1960. In a ferry good condition whit clear glass mirror. Josef frank was an Austr...
Brass
Mid Century Modern Round Sunburst Mirror by Josef Frank, West Germany 1960s
By Josef Frank
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find beautiful and rare Mid Century Modern Round Sunburst Mirror designed by Josef Frank. It comes with a black metal frame and the rope that allow you to mo...
Metal
Josef Frank Table Mirror Produced by Svenskt Tenn in Sweden
By Josef Frank
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare table mirror designed by Josef Frank. Produced by Svenskt Tenn in Sweden.
Brass
Table Mirror in Brass and Teak by Josef Frank, 1950's
By Josef Frank
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Table Mirror in Brass and Teak by Josef Frank, 1950's Additional Information: Material: Brass, teak Style: Mid century, Scandinavian Produced by Svenskt tenn in Sweden Dimensions (W...
Brass
Stunning German Starburst Sunburst Gilded Mirror, circa 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A gorgeous petite starburst sunburst flat mirror. Made of gilt resin. It measures approximate 15" in diameter, Mirror itself is approximate 5 3/4" in diameter. It stands approximate ...
Mirror, Resin
$697
H 10 in W 10 in D 5 in
J.T. Kalmar Midcentury Brass Wall Light, Sconce, Brass Pins, 1950s, Austria
By Kalmar Lighting, J.T. Kalmar
Located in Biebergemund, Hessen
Beautiful Modernist wall sconces made by J. T. Kalmar in the 1950s. The light is made of polished brass and the lampshades are made of acrylic glass. The faceted acrylic glass provid...
Brass
$1,460
H 2.25 in Dm 25.88 in
Extraordinary Sunburst Starburst Mirror Composition, German Germany, circa 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A gorgeous sunburst or starburst flat mirror. Made of gilded composition. It measures approximate: 25.88" in diameter, mirror itself is approximate 7" in diameter. It stands approxim...
Composition
$1,205Sale Price|20% Off
H 1.19 in Dm 24.41 in
Rattan Sunburst Mirror in Black Patina, Mid-Century Modern, 1960s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Black Mid-Century Modern Rattan mirror, Spain 1960s. This handcrafted mirror features a round rattan frame with loop decorations placed in sunburs...
Rattan, Mirror
Sunburst Flower Wall Mirror in Rattan, Mid-Cemtury Modern, Spain 1960s
Located in Barcelona, ES
French 1960s handcrafted rattan double layered flower shaped mirror A lovely Mediterranean style handcrafted rattan flower shaped mirror with two layers of petals in two sizes and py...
Wicker, Mirror, Rattan
French Rattan Oval Sunburst Mirror with Gold Paint, 1960s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Lovely rattan or wicker mirror with golden paint finishing, France, 1960s. This handcrafted sunburst mirror has a braided rattan frame. Painted in gold color to add a pinch of glam. ...
Wicker, Mirror, Rattan
$2,205
H 7.88 in Dm 19.89 in
Mid-Century Brass & Pleated Synthetic Textile Flush Mount, Finland, 1950s
By Paavo Tynell
Located in Karis, Nyland
A softly glowing Finnish mid-century flush mount from the 1950s, combining a pleated synthetic textile shade with a brass finial and central brass dome. The wide, shallow form create...
Brass
Midcentury Sculptural Round Brass Wall Mirror, Sweden, 1950s
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in NUEMBRECHT, NRW
This beautiful brass loop wall mirror was designed and manufactured in Sweden in the 1950s. The brass frame with nice warm vintage patina. The mirror glass somehow cloudy due to age....
Brass
Modern Circular Vintage Wall Mirror Circular Josef Frank Style 1970s
By Josef Frank
Located in Vienna, AT
Modern vintage wall mirror or sunburst mirror circular like framed with brassed metal Josef Frank style 1970s. A stunning wall mirror with sunburst frame from brassed metal, which i...
Metal
$6,849
H 31.5 in W 11.03 in D 0.4 in
1930 Mirror by Björn Trägårdh for Svenskt Tenn – Swedish Modernist Brass-Framed
By Bjorn Tragardh
Located in Stockholm, SE
Mirror, anonymous, Sweden, 1930s. Pewter and mirrored glass. Measurements: H: 161 cm/ 5' 3 1/2" W: 55 cm/ 21 3/4"
Pewter
$6,501
H 21.66 in W 21.66 in D 1.58 in
Estrid Ericson Mirror with Ivy and Gilded Detail for Svenskt Tenn 1950s
By Estrid Ericson, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Copenhagen, DK
ESTRID ERICSON AND SVENSKT TENN - SCANDINAVIAN MODERN A beautiful linen covered mirror by the Swedish pioneer in design, Estrid Ericson. The linen covered frame is decorated wi...
Fabric
Large French Tudor Wall Mirror by Line Vautrin
By Line Vautrin
Located in Atlanta, GA
A stunning French convex wall mirror by Parisian art jeweler Line Vautrin (1913-1997) circa 1950s-1960s. A relatively rare model called "Tudor". Textured talosel construction with si...
Silver Leaf
Wall Mirror by Josef Frank Svenskt Tenn, 1950s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Hannover, DE
A large mirror with a brass loop frame. An absolute design classic from the 1950s. Very rare in this form. This brass mirror was designed by Austrian designer Josef Frank for the ren...
Brass
Sold
H 18.12 in W 12.8 in D 0.99 in
Beautiful mid-century brass wall mirror by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn Sweden
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in München, DE
Beautiful heavy mid-century modern brass wall mirror by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn. Made in Sweden. Minimalist 1950s design with a decorative brass loop frame and a brass ring at t...
Brass
Wall Mirror by Josef Frank Svenskt Tenn, 1950s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Hannover, DE
A delicate mirror with a thin brass loop frame. An absolute design classic in a very rare version on a teak board (!) from the 1950s. The brass mirror was designed by the Austrian de...
Brass
Sold
H 20.87 in W 13 in D 1.19 in
Josef Frank Wall Mirror with Loop Frame and Wall Hook in Brass, 1960s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Josef Frank Wall Mirror with Loop Frame and Wall Hook in Brass, 1960s Gorgeous wall mirror with its proper leaf wall hook designed by Josef Frank in the midcentury. This mirror is m...
Crystal, Brass
Sold
H 29.93 in W 17.92 in D 1.58 in
Josef Frank Mid-Century Large Wall Mirror in Brass for Svenskt Tenn, 1960s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Josef Frank Mid-Century Large Wall Mirror in Brass for Svenskt Tenn, 1960s Gorgeous wall mirror designed by Austrian Josef Frank and manufactured in Sweden by Svenskt Tenn in the Mi...
Brass
Sold
H 29.53 in W 18.12 in D 1.58 in
Josef Frank Mid-Century Large Wall Mirror in Brass for Svenskt Tenn, 1960s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Josef Frank Mid-Century Large Wall Mirror in Brass for Svenskt Tenn, 1960s Gorgeous wall mirror designed by Austrian Josef Frank and manufactured in Sweden by Svenskt Tenn in the Mi...
Brass
Sold
H 29.93 in W 18.12 in D 1.19 in
Josef Frank Mid-Century Wall Mirror in Brass with Hook for Svenskt Tenn, 1960s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Josef Frank Mid-Century Loop Wall Mirror in Brass with Hook for Svenskt Tenn, 1960s Gorgeous wall mirror designed by Austrian Josef Frank and manufactured in Sweden by Svenskt Tenn ...
Brass
Sold
H 17.72 in W 9.45 in D 0.99 in
Elegant Wall-Mounted Mirror by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn Sweden 1950s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in München, BY
Gorgeous, highly decorative Mid Century Modern wall-mounted mirror with loop brass frame. Designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s. Executed in brass, mirror glass an...
Brass, Metal
Sold
H 18.9 in W 14.57 in D 0.91 in
Rare Black Wall Mirror by Josef Frank Svenskt Tenn Austria/Sweden Brass, 1950s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Andernach, DE
Mid-Century Modern oval shaped wall mirror, sculptural and elegant by Josef Frank Austria/Sweden for Svenskt Tenn, circa 1950s. Made of black finished metal in a beautiful loop-wir...
Metal, Brass
Wall Mirror by Josef Frank Svenskt Tenn, 1950s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Hannover, DE
A large mirror with a brass loop frame. An absolute design classic from the 1950s. Very rare in this form. This brass mirror was designed by Austrian designer Josef Frank for the ren...
Brass
Wall Mirror by Josef Frank Svenskt Tenn, 1950s
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Hannover, DE
A large mirror with a brass loop frame. An absolute design classic from the 1950s. Very rare in this form. This brass mirror was designed by Austrian designer Josef Frank for the ren...
Brass
Wall Mirror by Josef Frank Svenskt Tenn, 1950s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Hannover, DE
A delicate mirror with a thin brass loop frame. An absolute design classic from the 1950s. This round brass mirror was designed by Austrian designer Josef Frank for the renowned Swed...
Brass