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.
Pair of Armchairs No. 752 by Josef Frank for Thonet, 1930s
By Josef Frank, Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
A pair of legendary bentwood armchairs Model No. 752, designed by Josef Frank in 1933 for Thonet, Very good condition relative to age. Carefully cleaned and gently restored while pre...
Bentwood
Rare Set of Two Bauhaus Armchairs B 246 by Josef Frank for Thonet, 1930s
By Thonet, Josef Frank
Located in Praha, CZ
Rare Bauhaus armchairs B 246 designed by Josef Frank and manufactured by Thonet in 1930s. Historically, this model was among those installed in the iconic Villa Rezek in Vienna, buil...
Bentwood
Midcentury Modern "Captain's Chair" by Josef Frank, Sweden, 1950s
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
“Captain’s Chair”, model #789A, by Josef Frank, made from mahogany with decorative brass nails and leather back and seat.
Leather, Oak
$2,522Sale Price / set|24% Off
Set of 2 Thonet Armchairs, Model B246, 1930s, Restored & Reupholstered
By Thonet, Josef Frank
Located in Wrocław, Poland
This set of 2 armchairs was produced by Thonet (original paper labels are still under the seats as you may see in the attached picture) and most probably designed by Josef Frank. Thi...
Linen, Bentwood
Art Deco Two Vintage Ash Viennese Mesh Armchairs Josef Frank Vienna, circa 1928
By Josef Frank
Located in Vienna, AT
Art Deco two armchairs from ash wood and Viennese mesh by Josef Frank, Vienna circa 1928. The armchairs show a Viennese mesh structure at the back. Furth...
Ash
Antique Armchair No. 752 by Josef Frank for Thonet, 1920s
By Thonet, Josef Frank
Located in Praha, CZ
This antique armchair, model no. 752, was designed in the 1920s by Josef Frank for Thonet and originates from Austria. It is made from beech and features an upholstery seat. This pie...
Upholstery, Beech, Bentwood
Art deco armchairs A752F by Jozef Frank for Thonet
By Thonet, Josef Frank
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Art deco armchairs A752F by Jozef Frank for Thonet. Professionally stained and repolished.
Beech, Bentwood
$3,934Sale Price / set|20% Off
Josef Frank A 63/F Armchairs for Thonet, 1930s
By Josef Frank, Thonet
Located in PRAHA 5, CZ
Pair of rare modernist armchairs first showcased at the Vienna Werkbund exhibition in 1928. Crafted from solid beech (bentwood) and plywood, adorned with a brown lacquer coating, th...
Beech
Bruno Matthsson "Pernilla" Easy chair by Karl Mathsson 1944 Josef Frank cushion
By Bruno Mathsson, Josef Frank
Located in Brønshøj, DK
Bruno Mathsson – an early ‘Pernilla’ chair Frame of laminated beech with patinated lightblue canvas webbing and headrest upholstered with Josef Frank ‘loops’ fabric. Made and marked ...
Canvas, Beech
Pair of armchairs model A413F by Josef Frank for Thonet-Mundus
By Josef Frank
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Pair of armchairs model A413F by Josef Frank for Thonet-Mundus with bamboo backrest. Professionally stained and repolished.
Bamboo, Beech
Art Deco Vintage Brown Beech Armchair Windsor Chair Josef Frank, Austria
By Josef Frank
Located in Vienna, AT
Art Deco vintage brown beech armchair or Windsor chair, which was designed by Josef Frank, circa 1925, Austria. The armchair was made from solid beech, cherry stained and natural lac...
Beech
$2,490 / item
Thonet Armchair No. 752 by Josef Frank
By Josef Frank, Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH
Located in Vienna, AT
Beach bentwood fully restored with new caning. Made in the 1920s, price per chair 2 pieces available.
Cane, Beech
Art Deco Vintage Wood Armchairs and Coffee Table Josef Frank Vienna
By Josef Frank
Located in Vienna, AT
Art Deco Vintage Wood Armchairs and Coffee Table by Josef Frank Vienna circa 1930. We present a stunning ensemble of two armchairs and one coffee table by Josef Frank, Vienna circa 1...
Wood
Armchair A63/F by Josef Frank for Thonet Mundus
By Josef Frank
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Armchair A63/F by Josef Frank for Thonet Mundus. Professionally stained and repolished with new seat.
Bentwood
Pair of Restored Art Deco Armchairs, by Josef Frank, Thonet, Beech, Czech, 1930s
By Josef Frank, Thonet
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
This elegant pair of Art Deco armchairs comes from Czechoslovakia from the first half of the 20th century and was manufactured by the renowned Thonet company according to the design ...
Wood, Beech, Lacquer
Restored Art Deco Armchair, by Josef Frank for Thonet, Beech, Czech, 1930s
By Josef Frank, Thonet
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
This elegant Art Deco armchair comes from Czechoslovakia from the first half of the 20th century and was manufactured by the renowned Thonet company according to the design of the si...
Wood, Beech, Lacquer
$4,012
H 15.75 in W 31.5 in D 14.18 in
Josef Frank Bench in Mahogany and Brass Nails, Svenskt Tenn, Sweden
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Josef Frank & SCANDINAVIAN MODERN A beautiful bench by Josef Frank, for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1960s. The frame is made of mahogany, upholstered seat with brass nails. The feet are elegantly sculpted and the bench can also be used as a table, end of bed stool...
Fabric, Mahogany
$3,954 / set
H 33.47 in W 22.05 in D 26.38 in
Restored Bauhaus Pair of Armchairs, by Thonet, by Marcel Breuer, Czech, 1930s
By Thonet, Marcel Breuer
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Restored Bauhaus Pair of Armchairs Made By Thonet. Designer: Marcel Breuer Maker: Thonet Material: Chrome-plated Steel Source: Czechia (Czechoslovakia) Period: 1930-1939 Made by in...
Steel, Chrome, Iron
$6,018
H 31.5 in W 20.08 in D 23.63 in
Armchair for Thonet, Sweden, First half of the 20th century, Josef Frank fabric
By Thonet
Located in Stockholm, SE
An armchair with a bentwood frame, marked Thonet on the underside and upholstered in Josef Frank’s textile “Poison” for Firma Svenskt Tenn. The chair has a rounded back, curved armre...
Fabric, Bentwood
Thonet Model 81 Three-Legged Armchair
By Thonet
Located in Highland, IN
This elegant three-legged chair by Thonet is made of stained beech with a seat upholstered in suede leather. 31.5"h X 25"w X 23"d
Beech
$3,180
H 30.32 in W 22.45 in D 32.29 in
Reupholstered Bauhaus Cantilever Armchair in Tubular Steel, Thonet, 1930s
By Thonet
Located in Almelo, NL
Reupholstered Bauhaus Cantilever Armchair in Tubular Steel, Thonet, 1930s Elegant 1930s Bauhaus cantilever armchair attributed to Thonet, featuring a polished tubular steel frame, n...
Chrome
Josef Frank, Lounge Chair, Mahogany, Fabric, Sweden, 1940s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in High Point, NC
A mahogany and printed fabric lounge chair designed by Josef Frank and produced by Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, c. 1940s. In vintage condition, with visible wear consistent with age and us...
Fabric, Mahogany
Josef Frank, Lounge Chair, Walnut, Fabric, Sweden, 1960s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in High Point, NC
A walnut and and red fabric lounge chair designed by Josef Frank and produced by Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, c. 1960s. Wear consistent with age and use. Chip to back leg, vintage fabric d...
Fabric, Walnut
Josef Hoffmann Armchair: Viennese Secession Design, 1902
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Klosterneuburg, AT
This piece is a significant example of furniture designed by Josef Hoffmann, created as a variation of the furnishings for the apartment of Dr. Salzer. Its strict, architectural desi...
Softwood
$2,006
H 33.08 in W 22.25 in D 24.02 in
Restored Bauhaus Armchair, Thonet, Marcel Breuer, Czechia, 1930s
By Marcel Breuer, Thonet
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Restored Bauhaus Armchair Designed by Marcel Breuer and made by Thonet. Source: Czechia (Czechoslovakia) Period: 1930-1939 Maker: Thonet Designer: Marcel Breuer Material: Chrome-Pla...
Metal, Steel, Chrome, Iron
A 811 Chair By Josef Hoffmann or Josef Frank for Thonet 1920s
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Čelinac, BA
Josef Hoffmann or Josef Frank chair A 811 for Thonet 1920s
Bentwood
$2,200 / set
H 32 in W 20.75 in D 17 in
Pair Josef Hoffmann Prague 811 Bentwood Cane Armchairs /Thonet Czech
By Josef Hoffmann, Thonet
Located in Buffalo, NY
A beautifully preserved antique bentwood armchair designed by Josef Hoffmann, the seminal Viennese architect and co-founder of the Wiener Werkstätte. This is the iconic Model 811, kn...
Cane, Bentwood
Vienna Secessionist Armchairs
Located in Stamford, CT
A pair of Vienna Secessionist armchairs newly upholstered in leather with nail head trim having an inlaid mahogany frame with square tapering legs ...
Leather, Mahogany
Josef Frank Pair of 'Liljevalchs' Lounge Chairs
By Josef Frank
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Josef Frank, set of two 'Liljevalchs' armchairs, grey fabric and wood, Sweden, 1930s. Wide and comfortable club chairs in fabric upholstery. Josef Frank designed a series of seat...
Fabric, Wood
Josef Frank Lounge Chair in Mahogany, circa 1934
By Josef Frank
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, armchair 352, brown fabric and mahogany, Sweden, design 1933, production 1934. This lounge chair by Josef Frank is produced by the firm Svenskt Tenn. The chair features a very deep seat and a relatively short back compared to the seat. The armrests are constructed of two circular wooden elements that bent slightly outwards. The playful, unusual look of this chair is typical for the design of Frank who believed that standardisation and modesty was the road to boredom. This chair was previously owned by the designer and artist Sven Erik Skawonius (1908-1981). Josef Frank (1885-1967) was an Austrian architect. He studied architecture at the Konstgewerbeschule. He started out by designing public housing and social architecture. Although at the beginning of his career he was one of the frontrunners of the Vienna modern...
Fabric, Mahogany
Josef Frank, armchair model 695, Svenskt Tenn, 1970s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Uppsala, Uppsala
Semi early production of Josef Frank armchair, model 695 produced by Svenskt Tenn. Frank came to Sweden from Austria in the early 1930s and was employed by Svenskt Tenn in 1934 so th...
Brass
Vintage Art Deco Armchairs by Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn, 1939
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Swedish Art Deco pair of armchairs made of hand crafted polished Beechwood, designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn in good condition. The set of two Scandinavian dining room chairs have a slightly reclined backrest which is enhanced by a rattan pattern. The slim arched armrests are partly upholstered and the seat cushions are particularized by bonze nailheads. The chairs are standing on four wooden legs. Model Nr. 969. Newly upholstered in a white-grey cotton velour. Wear consistent with age and use. Dated 1939, Stockholm, Sweden, Scandinavia. Seat: 19" H x 21.5" W x 19" D Josef Frank was born in 1885, in Baden, Austria and passed away in 1967, in Stockholm, Sweden. He was an architect, artist, and designer. Frank studied architecture at the Vienna University of Technology and was a founding member of the Vienna Werkbund. Frank was considered one of the most prestigious designers in the Stockholm design company Svenskt Tenn. Svenskt Tenn is a Swedish interior design store founded in 1924, in Stockholm, Sweden by a Swedish teacher and pewter artist Estrid Ericson. In the early time, Svenskt Tenn was appointed as a royal warrant. Later on, Ericson and the pewter artist Nils Fougstedt produced modern pewter objects. In 1925, the Svenskt Tenn won a Gold Medal at the 1925 Exposition...
Fabric, Cotton, Upholstery, Beech
Josef Frank easy chair 891 for Firma Svenskt Tenn, Sweden
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Forserum, SE
Easy chair 891 designed by Josef Frank for Firma Svenskt Tenn in 1937. Made from solid mahogany, reupholstered in a striking zebra-striped textile. The Austrian architect Josef Frank...
Textile, Mahogany
1930s Pair of Josef Frank Bentwood Armchairs no. 752 by Thonet
By Thonet, Josef Frank
Located in Praha, CZ
- Good /Very good original condition with minor signs of use - height of seat 39 cm.
Bentwood
Sold
H 41.93 in W 21.07 in D 23.63 in
Pair of armchairs model 652 designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn
By Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
Pair of armchairs model 652 designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1936. Oak and leather. H: 106.5 cm / 3' 6'' W: 53.5 cm / 21'' D: 60 cm / 23 1/2'' SH: 45 cm /...
Leather, Oak
Sold
H 30.12 in W 22.84 in D 25.6 in
Pair of Armchairs Model 789b ‘Captain’s Chair’ Designed by Josef Frank
By Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
Pair of armchairs model 789B ‘Captain’s Chair’ designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden. 1930s. Mahogany, leather and brass. Measures: H: 76.5 cm W: 58 cm D: 65 cm SH: 48 ...
Brass
Sold
H 30.12 in W 22.84 in D 25.6 in
Pair of armchairs model 789B ‘Captain’s Chair’ designed by Josef Frank
By Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
Pair of armchairs model 789B ‘Captain’s Chair’ designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden. 1938. Mahogany, leather and brass. Dimensions: H: 76.5 cm / 2' 6" W: 58 cm / 1' 10 ...
Brass
Rocking Chair Thonet A752, Josef Frank
By Thonet, Josef Frank
Located in Praha, CZ
The well-known armchair designed by Josef Frank for the Thonet company was in the past converted into a rocking chair by adding rails. Minor repairs to cracks. Original condition, pe...
Bentwood
Sold
H 31.11 in W 21.26 in D 22.05 in
Josef Frank/Josef Hoffmannn, Pair of Armchairs Model A 811/1 F for Thonet, 1930s
By Thonet, Josef Frank, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Uppsala, Uppsala
Pair of bent wood armchairs, model A 811/1 F designed by Josef Frank or Josef Hoffamnn in the 1930s. It's not established to this day which of the the two gentle...
Leather, Cane, Birch
Sold
H 22.05 in Dm 25.01 in
Art Deco Era Josef Frank Vintage Walnut Set Coffee Table Armchair, c 1930 Vienna
By Josef Frank
Located in Vienna, AT
Art Deco era vintage walnut set coffee table and armchair designed by Josef Frank for Haus & Garten circa 1930 Vienna. Beautiful Art Deco set consisting of a coffee table or side ta...
Fabric, Walnut, Spruce