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 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
$1,540 / item
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
$710
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
$2,310
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
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
Unavailable|$3,788
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 Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
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
$680
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
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
$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 Nils Fougstedt, Svenskt Tenn
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
$3,376
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
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 glass somehow cloudy due to age....
Brass
$3,317
H 9.85 in Dm 22.45 in
Mid-Century Modern Brass Vintage Eight-Arm Ceiling Lamp by Rupert Nikoll, 1950s
By Rupert Nikoll
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid Century Modern lovely vintage ceiling lamp/flush mount by Rupert Nikoll 1950s Vienna made from brass and features eight arms with perforated shades with eight E 14 sockets. . The...
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
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 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
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 Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
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 Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
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 Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
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 Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
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 34.65 in W 17.13 in D 0.4 in
Large 35" Golden Loops Mid-Century Wall Mirror Josef Frank for Svenkst Tenn 1950
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Niederdorfelden, Hessen
Elegant large mid-century wall mirror with original mirror glass, framed with golden brass bows on a solid wood back panel with the original golden cord. Designed by Josef Frank for ...
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 Munich, DE
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 Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
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 Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
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 Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
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