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.
Josef Frank, Lounge Chairs, Mahogany, Fabric, Sweden, 1940s
By Josef Frank
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of mahogany and white fabric lounge chairs designed by Josef Frank and produced by Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, c. 1940s. Wear to wood frame consistent with age and use. Reupholster...
Fabric, Mahogany
Josef Frank, Lounge Chair, Mahogany, Leatherette, Sweden, 1950s
By Josef Frank
Located in High Point, NC
A mahogany and black leatherette lounge chair or armchair designed by Josef Frank and produced by Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, c. 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 27.25"H x 21.5"W x 23....
Faux Leather, Mahogany
Josef Frank Easy Chair Model 508 Produced by Svenskt Tenn in Sweden
By Josef Frank
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Very rare easy chair model 508 designed by Josef Frank. Produced by Svenskt Tenn in Sweden.
Cane, Mahogany
$6,955
H 29.53 in W 24.81 in D 31.5 in
Rustic Swedish Pinewood Lounge Chair 1930-1940s - Reupholstered in Sheepskin
By Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Stockholm, SE
A stunning rustic armchair, a so-called “Sportstuga” (summer cottage–style) piece, probably made in Sweden in the 1940s. The chair is crafted from veneered plywood with sturdy, well-...
Sheepskin, Wood
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
$6,595
H 28.15 in W 21.86 in D 23.63 in
Josef Frank Side Chair Easy Chair Model 2067 for Svenskt Tenn circa 1948 Sweden
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Vienna, AT
Josef Frank side chair or easy chair model no. 2067 from walnut and fabric for Svenskt Tenn 1947, Sweden. A fabulous side chair or easy chair designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Ten...
Fabric, Walnut
$14,390 / set
H 37.8 in W 17.52 in D 23.23 in
Set of Six Chairs Model 2025 Designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
Set of six chairs model 2025 designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s. Lacquered wood frame and a fabric upholstered seat. Marked. Josef Frank designed this chair i...
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Bentwood, Lacquer
$10,193 / set
H 36.62 in W 29.14 in D 31.5 in
Midcentury Modern Big Adam Lounge Chairs NK, Sweden, 1950s
By Kerstin Horlin Holmquist, NK (Nordiska Kompaniet)
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
This set of two lounge chairs with elegant and sensual forms was named “Big Adam” and was a series "Paradise" designed by Kerstin Hörlin-Holmquist for NK (Nor...
Fabric
Finn Juhl Easy Chair Model 138 Produced by France & Son in Denmark
By Finn Juhl
Located in Buffalo, NY
Rare easy chair model 138 designed by Finn Juhl. Produced by France & Son in Denmark. Retains original John Stuart badge, Wonderfull original condition.
Fabric, Teak
Pair of 1950s Lounge Chairs
By Paul McCobb
Located in Denton, TX
Paul McCobb style chairs very angular with sharp edges and sprawled maple legs and new firm upholstery.
Upholstery, Wood
$4,240Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 31.5 in W 17.33 in D 18.12 in
Set Of Four Josef Frank Chair For Wiesner Hager 1950s
By Josef Frank
Located in Čelinac, BA
Set Of Four Josef Frank Chair For Wiesner Hager Austria 1950s
Palisander
Set of 6 Dining Chairs by Josef Frank, Model B 2027, 1950s
By Josef Frank
Located in New York, NY
A set of six Model B 2027 dining chairs designed by Josef Frank for Firma Svenskt Tenn. Crafted in elm with sculptural backs composed of interlacing curves—one of Frank’s most refine...
Brass
$9,533
H 32.29 in W 29.14 in D 30.71 in
Swedish Modern lounge chair by Erik Karlén for Firma Rumsinteriör, Sweden, 1940s
By Firma Rumsinteriör, Eric Karlén
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Very rare lounge chair designed by Erik Bertil Karlén for Firma Rumsinteriör, Sweden, 1940s. Frame of elm and upholstered in sheepskin with leather butto...
Leather, Sheepskin, Elm
$22,484
H 40.95 in W 31.11 in D 26.78 in
Scandinavian Midcentury Lounge Chair, Carl-Axel Acking, Sweden, 1940s
By Carl-Axel Acking
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Beautiful, stately lounge chair by Carl-Axel Acking, with elegant curved lines. Neck cushion attached with leather straps. Loose cushion.
Upholstery, Wood
Swedish modern lounge chair by Sven Staaf, Sweden 1940s
By Sven Staaf, Almgren & Staaf
Located in Hägersten, SE
Lounge chair attributed to Sven Staaf. Likely produced by Almgren & Staaf during the 1940-50s. Beige/grey wool fabric and beech legs. Great oversized back rest and overall beautiful ...
Wool, Beech
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
Coppia poltrone n.752 di Josef Frank per Thonet
By Thonet, Josef Frank
Located in Premariacco, IT
Connubio di design ed eleganza, questa coppia di poltroncine in faggio modello 752 sono state disegnate da Josef Frank per Thonet e prodotte in Cecoslovacchia nei primi anni '30. Pa...
Beech
Josef Frank armchair model 868 by Svenskt Tenn in Sweden
By Josef Frank
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare armchair / easy chair model 868 designed by Josef Frank. Produced by Svenskt Tenn in Sweden.
Brass
Model A 752 Bentwood Chair by Josef Frank for Thonet, 1930s
By Josef Frank, Thonet
Located in Uppsala, SE
Bentwood lounge chair model A 752 designed by Josef Frank for Thonet in the 1930s. Seat with rattan upholstery. Wooden parts with patina. Later upholstered rattan in good condition.
Rattan, Bentwood
Model 868, Easy Chair by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, 1950s
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Uppsala, SE
Early production Josef Frank easy chair model 868, produced by Svenskt Tenn. Frank was inspired by the lightness of some 18th century chairs when he designed this model in 1938. This...
Brass
Sold
H 28.75 in W 22.05 in D 24.41 in
Pair of Easy Chairs / Armchairs Designed by Josef Frank Produced by Svenskt Tenn
By Josef Frank
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare pair of easy chairs / armchairs designed by Josef Frank. Produced by Svenskt Tenn in Sweden.
Leather, Walnut