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.
Swedish Modern Brass Table Mirror by Josef Frank, Firma Svenskt Tenn, 1940/1950s
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Oversized, round brass table mirror by Josef Frank. Clean, elegant lines. Beautiful embossed pattern of stripes on the base of the mirror, mahogany back. Beautifully aged patina. Mo...
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
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
Swedish Modern Brass and Mahogany Mirror
By Josef Frank
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful Swedish Modern brass and mahogany mirror in the style of Josef Frank and Svenskt Tenn. Filigree details goes around the glass in brass w...
Brass
$1,655
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
Mid-Century Birch and 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
$684
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
Mid-Century Modern Brass Framed Table Mirror, Finland, 1950s
Located in Karis, Nyland
A refined Finnish mid-century table mirror defined by its graphic geometry and solid brass construction. The circular mirror plate is set within a brass ring and suspended inside a r...
Brass
$302 / 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
$2,170Sale 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
Table Mirror, Sweden, 1950s
By Svenskt Tenn, NK (Nordiska Kompaniet)
Located in Stockholm, SE
Table mirror in brass, possibly manufactured by Nordiska Kompaniet, 1950s. Brass, wave-shaped border decoration. Adjustable.
Brass
$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
Josef Frank Brass and Glass Wall Mirror, Svenskt Tenn, 1940s
By Josef Frank
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
This rare and large mirror, attributed to Josef Frank and produced by Svenskt Tenn in Sweden during the 1940s, exemplifies the designer’s signature blend of timeless elegance and fun...
Brass
$4,797
H 18.71 in W 14.57 in D 1.11 in
Mid Century Modern Vintage Golden Loops Wall Mirror Josef Frank 1950s Sweden
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid Century Modern vintage oval wall mirror attributed to Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn 1950s Sweden. A stunning oval wall mirror attributed to Josef Frank features a frame with brass...
Metal
$656
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
$1,485 / item
H 18.51 in W 14.18 in D 0.79 in L 18.51 in
Black 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 (painted black). An absolute design classic from the 1950s. This brass mirror was designed by Austrian designer Josef Frank for the ren...
Brass
$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
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 Östermalm, Stockholms län
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 Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
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 Östermalm, Stockholms län
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 Östermalm, Stockholms län
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 Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
Table mirror, model 2214, designed by Josef Frank, 1930s for Firma Svenskt Tenn, Stockholm. Made in brass and mahogany.
Brass
Table Mirror by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
Table vanity mirror designed by Josef Frank produced by Firma Svenskt Tenn during the 1950s. Brass with a teak back. Adjustable angle.
Brass
Swedish Josef Frank Brass Table Mirror, Svenskt Tenn, 1950s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in NUEMBRECHT, NRW
This round vanity mirror was designed in Sweden in the 1950s by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn. It has got a round brass frame and a brass foot. The...
Brass
Table Mirror by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn in Sweden
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
Table vanity mirror designed by Josef Frank produced by Firma Svenskt Tenn during the 1950s. Brass with a teak back. Adjustable angle.
Brass