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.
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
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
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
1960s Metal Sunburst Mirror
Located in Tarrytown, NY
1960s Metal Sunburst mirror. One rod is missing a circle, as shown in picture.
Metal
$2,332
H 31.89 in W 21.26 in D 1.58 in
Svenskt Tenn Organic Wall mirror Josef Frank Rattan/Wicker , Bamboo 1950s
Located in Boden, SE
A large wall mirror retailed by Josef Frank,Svenskt Tenn In finely braided wicker/ rattan/ cane & Bamboo. Age- related wear may occur. Josef Frank was an Austrian-born architec...
Bamboo, Wicker, Cane, Rattan, Mirror
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
$7,058
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
$3,691Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 31.11 in W 25.2 in D 1.97 in
Pair of Rattan Bamboo Oval Sunburst Mirrors / Wall Mirrors, 1960s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Pair of Spanish Sunburst Oval Mirrors in Rattan Amazing pair of bamboo and rattan sunburst oval mirrors. Handcrafted in Spain, 1960s. They have all the taste and freshness of the Med...
Bamboo, Rattan, Mirror
$3,110
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
Important Italian Mirror by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte
By Max Ingrand
Located in New York, NY
Rare Italian Mid-Century mirror with a round central panel surrounded by 18 delicately chisel cut smaller mirrors, each faceted to gilt iron stems forming a composition of a sunburst...
$5,024
H 29.73 in W 24.61 in D 1.97 in
Mid-Century Modern Vintage Oval Sunburst Mirror Wall Mirror Rattan, Italy, 1960s
By Franco Albini
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid-Century Modern vintage organic sunburst mirror or wall mirror from rattan and mirror glass, 1960s Italy. While the large size from this sunburst mirror allows to hang up in an en...
Rattan, Mirror
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
$12,000
H 22 in W 22 in D 2 in
Flower-Shaped Wall Mirror by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, Italy, circa. 1960
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in New York City, NY
Wall mirror by Max Ingrand for Fontana Arte, Italy, circa. 1960. This striking, flower-shaped wall mirror designed by Max Ingrand features curved pink petals and beautifully patin...
Mirror
48" MCM Style Gilt Wood Starburst Mirror by Carol Canner for Carvers Guild
By Carol Canner
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Starburst Mirror by Carol Canner for Carvers’ Guild. A striking mirror interpretation of the classic sunburst form. Radiating rays extend outward in layered dimension, punctuated by ...
Plaster, Wood
Sold
H 15.36 in W 15.36 in D 0.6 in
Sunburst Wall Brass Loop Mirror by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn Sweden, 1950s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
A vintage brass framed mirror with wire loop rim designed by Josef Frank for Svensk Tenn is a beautiful piece of home decoration. The mirror itself is surrounded by a wire loop rim t...
Brass
Sold
H 15.36 in W 15.36 in D 0.6 in
Sunburst Wall Brass Loop Mirror by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn Sweden, 1950s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
A vintage brass framed mirror with wire loop rim designed by Josef Frank for Svensk Tenn is a beautiful piece of home decoration. The mirror itself is surrounded by a wire loop rim that adds a touch of elegance to the design. The frame of the mirror is made of brass, giving it a warm, vintage feel. Designed by famous architect and designer, Josef Frank, who is known for his work with the Swedish design...
Brass
Large Brass Wall Mirror by Josef Frank for Svensk Tenn 1950.
By Josef Frank
Located in Brussels, BE
Big curved brass mirror surrounded by a scalloped frieze.. Designed by Josef Frank. Sweden c.1950.
Brass
Round Wall Mirror in Brass with Decorative Surround by Josef Frank
By Josef Frank
Located in London, GB
Round brass wall mirror with decorative corona-effect surround by Josef Frank (circa 1950s - 1960s). Original styling and elegant presence, this mirror is the centre of attention in ...
Brass
Small Brass Mirror by Josef Frank
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 discreet pared back statement in...
Brass
Josef Frank Circular Brass Loop Mirror, Sweden, 1950s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Barcelona, ES
Beautiful small and delicate mirror with brass loop frame designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn. J.Frank was born in Austria and is one of the most ...
Brass