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 Armchair, Model No. 403/F, 1928
By Josef Frank, Thonet
Located in Chicago, IL
Josef Frank Armchair, Model No. 403/F, 1928 This Armchair, designed by Josef Frank in 1928, features a stained bent beech frame and stained beech plywood. It was manufactured by Gebr...
Bouclé, Beech
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
$21,896 / set
H 35.44 in W 19.1 in D 20.48 in
Midcentury Modern Mahogany and Leather Dining Chairs, Josef Frank, Sweden, 1950s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Set of eight dining chairs by Josef Frank, made from mahogany with green leather seats. Elegant slender lines with tall, ribbed backs. Decor of brass nails around the corners of the ...
Leather, Mahogany
$4,087
H 15.75 in W 31.5 in D 14.18 in
Josef Frank Bench in Mahogany and Brass Nails, Svenskt Tenn, Sweden
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
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
$1,393Sale Price|20% Off
H 28.25 in W 16.25 in D 18.5 in
Josef Hoffmann 'Fledermaus Bat' Chair Model No.728
By Thonet, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Basel, BS
Designed by the renowned Viennese architect Josef Hoffmann in 1907 for the Fledermaus Cafe in Vienna, this single "Fledermaus" Model number 728, aka "Bat" Cafe chair features black upholstery covering the seat and backrest. The chair is supported by four cylindrical legs with spherical elements, showcasing a tub back with a horseshoe form base. Crafted from bent beech wood, this rare chair was specifically created for the Cabaret Fledermaus in Vienna as one of Hoffmann's iconic designs. Representing a significant moment in design history, the chair is featured in the J. & J. Kohn catalogues as model no. 728. With its sleek bentwood frame, swooping armrests, and curved backrests, the chair exudes elegance and sophistication. The Fledermaus chairs embody Hoffmann's renowned Viennese Secessionist style, known for its simple geometric shapes and use of high-quality materials. Considered a bold departure from traditional European nightclubs, the design quickly gained popularity for its iconic and innovative aesthetic. This is an authentic Hoffmann chair manufactured by Wittman, the authorized manufacturer of the Fledermaus starting in the 1970s. This chair was sold by "Teo Jacob...
Leather, Faux Leather, Beech
$7,570 / set
H 35.04 in W 22.05 in D 24.02 in
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
Josef Frank, Bench, Mahogany, Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1970s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in High Point, NC
A mahogany bench designed by Josef Frank and produced by Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1970s. All items ship from High Point, North Carolina.
Mahogany
$1,765Sale Price|24% Off
H 30.71 in W 27.17 in D 30.71 in
1940s, Green Floral Jacquard Arm-Lounge Chair, Sweden
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
This is a lounge chair upholstered in green jacquard fabric with a floral motif, dating from the mid-20th century. The chair features a solid wooden frame with elegantly curved armre...
Fabric, Jacquard, Elm
1950s Bamboo Lounge Chairs
Located in Miami, FL
1950s Bamboo Lounge Chairs with original green finish. Chairs have casters in the front. Chairs need to be recovered, we can help.
Fabric, Bamboo, Wicker, Wood
$2,655Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 27.17 in W 21.66 in D 20.48 in
Rare Set of Two Bauhaus Armchairs B 246 by Josef Frank for Thonet, 1930s
By Josef Frank, Thonet
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
$1,528Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 32.68 in W 19.69 in D 17.72 in
Josef Hoffmann Armchair – Model No. A 811/F for Thonet
By Josef Hoffmann, Thonet
Located in Budapest, HU
Josef Hoffmann Armchair – Model No. A 811/F for Thonet (1900s) This exquisite armchair, Model No. A 811/F, designed by the renowned architect and designer Josef Hoffmann for Thonet ...
Reed, Beech
$3,800 / set
H 16 in Dm 27.5 in
Beautiful Ottomans, Stools in Josef Frank Teheran Linen Fabric by Svenskt Tenn
By Josef Frank
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of beautiful Ottomans covered in Josef Frank Teheran Linen Fabric by Svenskt Tenn. Each ottoman has four apple shaped stained wood feet. Ready for a new home.
Wood, Linen
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
Swedish Modern Easy Chair, Sweden, 1940s
Located in Hammarö, SE
The Swedish Modern movement sought to create furniture that felt natural rather than imposed—pieces shaped by comfort, proportion, and an intuitive understanding of how people live. ...
Velvet, Oak
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 Thonet, Josef Frank
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 Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
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