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
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
$2,355
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
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
Birch & Brass Table Mirror, Sweden 1940s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in NUEMBRECHT, NRW
This elegant Swedish modern table mirror was designed and manufactured in the 1940s. The frame is made from birch (mahogany) stained wood, showcasing its natural grain and warm tone...
Brass
$723
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
$664 / 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
$320 / 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
$5,797
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
$833
H 0.87 in Dm 12.21 in
brass Wall Mirror in JOSEF FRANK Style, by Vereinigte Werkstätten Germany 1950s
By Josef Frank, Vereinigte Werkstätten Für Kunst Im Handwerk
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
$2,294Sale 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
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
$4,227
H 18.51 in W 9.85 in D 9.06 in
Swedish Grace Adjustable Table Mirror in Marble & Brass, Sweden, 1930s
Located in Odense, DK
An elegant Swedish Grace table mirror from the 1940s, distinguished by its poised geometry and refined materiality. The mirror rests on a sculpted marble base in warm tones of rose a...
Marble, Brass
$1,750
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
Josef Frank Table or Wall Mirror, Sweden, 1950s
By Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
A mirror for table or wall in brass and stained walnut. Designed by Josef Frank for Firma Svenskt Tenn in the 1950s. Excellent vintage condition.
Brass
Sold
H 22.05 in W 22.05 in D 7.88 in
Midcentury Modern Table Mirror by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Stockholm, SE
Oversized, round brass table mirror by Josef Frank. Clean, elegant lines. Beautiful embossed pattern of stripes on the base of the mirror, woo...
Brass
Brass Table Mirror Josef Frank Firma Svenskt Tenn. 1950s
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare swedish table / vanity mirror in a very good condition produced by Svenskt Tenn, during the 1950s. Brass with a teak back. Adjustable angle.
Brass
Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn Vanity Mirror, Model 2214
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Rare large vanity mirror in brass by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn. Features an adjustable mirror which has close to 90 degrees of movement. Elegant and refined details throughout. Mo...
Brass
Sold
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
Sold
H 19.3 in W 14.38 in D 6.3 in
Table Mirror, Leather and Brass, Josef Frank for Firma Svenskt Tenn
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Stockholm, SE
Mirror in brass and leather, designed by Josef Frank for Firma Svenskt Tenn. Sweden, mid1900s.
Brass
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
Sold
H 22.05 in W 22.05 in D 7.88 in
Brass Table Mirror by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Stockholm, SE
Oversized, round brass table mirror by Josef Frank with heavy brass patina. Clean, elegant lines. Beautiful embossed pattern of stripes on the...
Brass
Sold
H 22.05 in W 22.05 in D 7.88 in
Brass Table Mirror by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Stockholm, SE
Oversized, round brass table mirror by Josef Frank. Clean, elegant lines. Beautiful embossed pattern of stripes on the base of the mirror, woo...
Brass
Large Brass Table Mirror Designed by Josef Frank for Svenst, Swede, 1940
By Josef Frank
Located in Brussels, BE
Elegant iconic adjustable brass table mirror designed by Josef Frank for Svenst, Sweden. Around 1940.
Brass
Josef Frank Table or Wall Mirror, Sweden, 1950s
By Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
A mirror for table or wall in brass and stained oak. Designed by Josef Frank for Firma Svenskt Tenn.
Brass
Josef Frank, Table Mirror ´2214´ Firma Svenskt Tenn, 1930s-1940s
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Stockholm, SE
Table mirror, model 2214, designed by Josef Frank, 1930s for Firma Svenskt Tenn, Stockholm. Made in brass and mahogany.
Brass