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.
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
$705
H 11.62 in W 12.21 in D 6.3 in
Midcentury Brass French Adjustable Table Mirror with a Two-Sides Stand, 1950s
Located in Roma, IT
Beautiful midcentury brass table mirror, the article was produced in France during the 1950s. This amazing piece is made of brass wit...
Brass
$647 / item
H 17.33 in Dm 15.75 in
“Fit Mirror” Travertine Marble and Rusty Iron Minimalist Mirror by Aparentment
By Josep Vila Capdevila
Located in Terrassa, Catalonia
The Fit Mirror is a minimalist style mirror consisting of three treated Travertine marble pieces as a base. The back part of the mirror is made of a rusty i...
Marble, Travertine, Iron
$312 / item
H 14.97 in W 4.73 in D 11.82 in
“Sun Mirror Brass” White Carrara Marble Minimalist Mirror by Aparentment
By Josep Vila Capdevila
Located in Terrassa, Catalonia
The Marblelous Sun Mirror is a minimalist style mirror consisting of a treated Carrara marble base. The back part of the mirror is made of solid brass and treated with special oils f...
Marble, Carrara Marble, Brass
$815
H 0.87 in Dm 12.21 in
brass Wall Mirror in JOSEF FRANK Style, by Vereinigte Werkstätten Germany 1950s
By Vereinigte Werkstätten Für Kunst Im Handwerk, Josef Frank
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Wall mirror Producer: Vereinigte Werkstätten München / Münchener Zierspiegel Design: in style of JOSEF FRANK Origin: Germany Material: Wood, glass, metal and br...
Metal
$2,237Sale Price|50% Off
H 26.78 in W 16.54 in D 1.97 in
"Ca'Mamaro" Antique Murano Glass Table Mirror by Fratelli Tosi in Venetian Style
By Fratelli Tosi
Located in Murano Venezia, IT
Ca'Mamaro, reproduction of 18th century Venetian table mirror, mirror entirely in Murano glass, with typical Venetian engraving, in the upper par...
Art Glass, Mirror, Murano Glass
$3,800 / item
H 17.92 in Dm 13.19 in
Table Mirror by Josef Frank, Firma Svenskt Tenn, Brass, Sweden, 1950s
By Nordiska Kompaniet
Located in Stockholm, SE
Table mirror in brass designed by Josef Frank for Firma Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s. Four pieces available, two different sizes. Measures: Height 47, diameter 38 cm 3 500 USD ...
Brass
$1,706
H 20.48 in W 20.08 in D 4.73 in
Italian Polished Brass Table Mirror with Marble Adjustable Vanity Base, 1950s
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful table mirror in brass with adjustable marble vanity base vanity. This elegant midcentury table or makeup mirror was designed and produced in Italy during the 1950s. ...
Brass
$3,180
H 20.48 in W 17.33 in D 10.63 in
Table Mirror by Uno & Östen Kristiansson for Luxus, Sweden, 1950s
By Luxus Vittsjö, Uno & Östen Kristiansson
Located in Hägersten, SE
Rare large table mirror designed by Uno & Östen Kristiansson. Produced by Swedish company Luxus during the 1950s. Frame made from solid lime treated oak with leather lining holding t...
Aluminum
Elegant Brass Wall or Table Make Up Vanity Mirror, France, 1950s
Located in Den Haag, NL
Brass table make up vanity mirror, France 1950s. You can put it on a table, vanity or wall and you can hang it around your neck to do your make up. Th...
Brass
Brass and Lucite Vanity Mirror by Charles Hollis Jones
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Glamorous 1970’s Lucite and polish brass vanity mirror by American renowned designer Charles Hollis Jones. Measurements: 13”wide, 6.25” deep and 16” high.
Brass
Oval Table Mirror with Floral Porcelain Frame, Italy, 1950s
Located in Barntrup, DE
Vintage oval table mirror with porcelain frame and golden-colored metal decors. Italy, the 1950s. The beautiful porcelain frame features detailed flo...
Metal
$2,179
H 11.03 in W 8.67 in D 4.14 in
Gio Ponti Table Mirror in Brass and Portoro Gold Marble, Fontana Arte Italy 1950
By Fontana Arte, Gio Ponti
Located in Roma, IT
Spectacular Mid-Century double-sided table mirror in brass and stunning Portoro marble. This unique piece is attributed to Gio Ponti for Fontana Arte and was produced in Italy during...
Marble, Brass
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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
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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
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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
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H 28.75 in W 18.12 in D 1.19 in
Josef Frank Mid-Century Brass Loop Wall Mirror with Hook for Svenskt Tenn, 1960s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Josef Frank Mid-Century Loop 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 mid...
Brass
Sold
H 26.78 in W 18.12 in D 1.19 in
Josef Frank Mid-Century Loop Wall Mirror in Brass for Svenskt Tenn, 1960s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Josef Frank Mid-Century Loop 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 mid...
Brass
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H 41.34 in W 27.56 in D 1.97 in
Midcentury Huge Loop Wall Mirror in Brass by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, 1960
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Gorgeous and rare wall mirror in this huge dimensions designed by Austrian Josef Frank and manufactured in Sweden by Svenskt Tenn in the mid-century. This mirror is made of full shi...
Brass
Sold
H 26.78 in W 17.72 in D 1.19 in
Midcentury Loop Wall Mirror in Brass by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, 1960s
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Gorgeous wall mirror designed by Austrian Josef Frank and manufactured in Sweden by Svenskt Tenn in the midcentury. This mirror is made of full shiny brass frame with spiral loop fr...
Brass
Brass Metal Round Mirror by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1960s
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: mirror Origin: Sweden Design: Josef Frank Producer: Svenskt Tenn Age: 1960s Description: This original vintage mirror was designed by Josef Frank and produced in the 1960s by Svenskt Tenn in Sweden. The mirror glass is surrounded by brass looped metal ring elements, in total the mirror has a diameter of 40cm and a depth of 4,5cm. The backside is in original white tone with the original little metal hanger...
Brass
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H 21.26 in Dm 20.48 in
Josef Frank, Large Table Mirror in brass, Firma Svenskt Tenn, Scandinavia Modern
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Stockholm, SE
Large beautiful vanity / table mirror model 2214 in brass and backplate innwood designed by Josef Frank ca 1934 for Firma Svenskt Tenn. This one is manufactured mid-1900s. In goo...
Brass
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H 26.38 in W 18.12 in D 1.19 in
Mid-Century Loop Wall Mirror in Brass by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, 1950s
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Gorgeous wall mirror designed by Austrian Josef Frank and manufactured in Sweden by Svenskt Tenn in the mid-century. This mirror is made of full shiny brass frame with spiral loop f...
Brass
Sold
H 26.38 in W 18.12 in D 1.19 in
Mid-Century Brass Loop Wall Mirror by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, 1950s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Gorgeous wall mirror designed by Austrian Josef Frank and manufactured in Sweden by Svenskt Tenn in the mid-century. This mirror is made of full shiny brass frame with spiral loop f...
Brass
Mid-Century Brass Wall Mirror by Josef Frank, circa 1950s
By Josef Frank
Located in London, GB
Brass wall mirror with decorative corona-effect surround by Josef Frank (circa 1950s). Original design, elegant presence and confident shape, this mirror is the centre of attention i...
Brass