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, mirror for Svenskt Tenn, 1960
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Saarbrücken, SL
Very large mirror by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, made of brass. High-quality craftsmanship.
Brass
$1,535 / 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 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 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 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 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
$1,354Sale Price|40% 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
Josef Frank Brass Mirror with Ball Feet for Svenskt Tenn, 1950s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Hamburg, DE
This elegant round mirror was designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn in Sweden during the 1950s. Crafted in solid brass, it features Frank's iconic looped brass border surrounding ...
Brass
Large Mid Century Modern Wall Mirror in brass frame by Josef Frank, Austria 1950
By Josef Frank
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find an elegant and understated circular wall mirror attributed to Josef Frank, produced in Austria during the mid-20th century. The design embodies Frank's ...
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
$708
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
French Bamboo Rattan Sunburst Mirror / Wall Mirror, 1960s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Eye-catching bamboo and rattan sunburst mirror with looped details. Handcrafted in France, 1960s. This cool rattan wall mirror combines midcentury and chinoiserie accents. It has all...
Bamboo, Rattan, Mirror
$1,224Sale 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
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
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
Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount Light, Fabric & Brass, Finland, 1950s
By Paavo Tynell
Located in Turku, Varsinais-Suomi
This Finnish 1950s off-white fabric flush mount perfectly captures mid-century modern elegance, featuring refined brass details that evoke the timeless style of Paavo Tynell. Crafted...
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 flawless. Measures: Diameter a...
Brass
$3,367
H 7.49 in Dm 25.99 in
Brass Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ceiling Lamp by Rupert Nikoll, 1950s, Vienna
By Rupert Nikoll
Located in Vienna, AT
This presented brass vintage ceiling lamp or flush mount by Rupert Nikoll, 1950s Vienna, shows ten arms with partly perforated lamp shades. Furthermore the ceiling lamp features ten ...
Metal, Brass
Mirror in the style of Josef Frank
By Josef Frank
Located in 'S-HERTOGENBOSCH, NL
Square mirror featuring a slightly tapered frame, designed in the style of Josef Frank. Gold loops are encircling the mirror.
Iron
$6,616
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 Svenskt Tenn, Estrid Ericson
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
$5,900
H 18.12 in W 24.02 in D 0.6 in
Nils Fougstedt 1926 for Firma Svenskt Tenn. Swedish Grace Pewter Mirror.
By Svenskt Tenn, Nils Fougstedt
Located in Skanninge, SE
Amazing pewter mirror by Nils Fougstedt 1926. Model "No 137". A great example of "Swedish Grace". Made for famous Swedish firm "Firma Svenskt Tenn". This model was first introduced ...
Brass, Pewter
Giltwood Sunburst Mirror, 1960s
Located in Benalmadena, ES
This sunburst mirror is a piece from the 1960s. The frame is made of carved wood and finished with gold leaf. It features a central circular mirror.
Wood
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
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 Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
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 Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
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 Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
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 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 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 Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
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