Skip to main content

Josef Frank Side Chairs

Austrian, 1885-1967

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.

to
3
1
4
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
1
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
4
4
2
1
1
4
3
2
2
1
4
2
1
1
1
4
4
4
210
121
116
97
50
Creator: Josef Frank
Two Original J.Hoffmann & Oswald Haerdtl Chairs Art Deco New Fabric Josef Frank
Two Original J.Hoffmann & Oswald Haerdtl Chairs Art Deco New Fabric Josef Frank

Two Original J.Hoffmann & Oswald Haerdtl Chairs Art Deco New Fabric Josef Frank

By Oswald Haerdtl, Josef Hoffmann, Josef Frank

Located in Vienna, AT

Created by Josef Hoffmann and Oswald Haerdtl for the Otto Beyer fashion style pattern store in Vienna, Singerstrasse 14 which is shown on one of the images. Fabric "Notturno," design...

Category

1930s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Josef Frank Side Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Beech

Two Original J.Hoffmann & Oswald Haerdtl Chairs Art Deco New Fabric Josef Frank
Two Original J.Hoffmann & Oswald Haerdtl Chairs Art Deco New Fabric Josef Frank

Two Original J.Hoffmann & Oswald Haerdtl Chairs Art Deco New Fabric Josef Frank

By Oswald Haerdtl, Josef Hoffmann, Josef Frank

Located in Vienna, AT

Created by Josef Hoffmann and Oswald Haerdtl for the Otto Beyer fashion style pattern store in Vienna, Singerstrasse 14 which is shown on one of the images. Fabric "Notturno," design...

Category

1930s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Josef Frank Side Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Beech

Josef Frank Side Chair Easy Chair Model 2067 for Svenskt Tenn circa 1948 Sweden
Josef Frank Side Chair Easy Chair Model 2067 for Svenskt Tenn circa 1948 Sweden

Josef Frank Side Chair Easy Chair Model 2067 for Svenskt Tenn circa 1948 Sweden

By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank

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...

Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Josef Frank Side Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Walnut

1950s Pair of Caned Prague Dining Chairs, Model 811, by Josef Frank for Thonet
1950s Pair of Caned Prague Dining Chairs, Model 811, by Josef Frank for Thonet

1950s Pair of Caned Prague Dining Chairs, Model 811, by Josef Frank for Thonet

By Thonet, Josef Frank

Located in Philadelphia, PA

This is a Pair of Caned 811 Dining Chairs, initially designed by Josef Frank for Michael Thonet in 1920. This pair of chairs dates to the 1950s. The chairs have a pressed Vienna Brai...

Category

1950s Polish Modern Vintage Josef Frank Side Chairs

Materials

Bentwood, Cane, Braid

Related Items
Oswald Haerdtl Set of Four Chairs, the 1950s
Oswald Haerdtl Set of Four Chairs, the 1950s

Oswald Haerdtl Set of Four Chairs, the 1950s

$2,450 / set

H 31.11 in W 17.33 in D 18.9 in

Oswald Haerdtl Set of Four Chairs, the 1950s

By Thonet, Oswald Haerdtl

Located in Almelo, NL

Oswald Haerdtl set of four chairs, the 1950s A rare set of four chairs was designed by the Austrian designer Oswald Haerdtl and produced by Ton (Thonet) in the former Czechoslova...

Category

Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Josef Frank Side Chairs

Materials

Ash, Beech, Bentwood

1920s Art Deco Side Chairs in Walnut, Original Sitting with Abstract Upholstery
1920s Art Deco Side Chairs in Walnut, Original Sitting with Abstract Upholstery

1920s Art Deco Side Chairs in Walnut, Original Sitting with Abstract Upholstery

Located in Vigonza, Padua

Mid-20th century Art Deco side chairs in walnut, with original sitting and futurism abstract upholstery. Very special and aesthetic effect. Excellent conditions, restored and wax-po...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Josef Frank Side Chairs

Materials

Walnut, Fabric

Josef Frank Bench in Mahogany and Brass Nails, Svenskt Tenn, Sweden
Josef Frank Bench in Mahogany and Brass Nails, Svenskt Tenn, Sweden

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...

Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Josef Frank Side Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Mahogany

Unique English Oak Side Chair, Circa 1885
Unique English Oak Side Chair, Circa 1885

Unique English Oak Side Chair, Circa 1885

$795

H 35.63 in W 17.63 in D 15.5 in

Unique English Oak Side Chair, Circa 1885

Located in Incline Village, NV

Late 19th century very unique English side chair in solid oak with carved back in floral motif. Two long vertical open slats (one to each side of the back) add to the unique design o...

Category

1880s English Victorian Antique Josef Frank Side Chairs

Materials

Oak

Art Deco Two Vintage Ash Viennese Mesh Armchairs Josef Frank Vienna, circa 1928
Art Deco Two Vintage Ash Viennese Mesh Armchairs Josef Frank Vienna, circa 1928

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...

Category

1920s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Josef Frank Side Chairs

Materials

Ash

Oswald Haerdtl Beech Dining Chairs, 1950s
Oswald Haerdtl Beech Dining Chairs, 1950s

Oswald Haerdtl Beech Dining Chairs, 1950s

$2,450 / set

H 31.11 in W 17.33 in D 19.3 in

Oswald Haerdtl Beech Dining Chairs, 1950s

By Oswald Haerdtl, Thonet

Located in Almelo, NL

Oswald Haerdtl set of four chairs, the 1950s A rare set of four chairs was designed by the Austrian designer Oswald Haerdtl and produced by Ton (Thonet) in the former Czechoslova...

Category

Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Josef Frank Side Chairs

Materials

Ash, Beech, Bentwood

Set of 4 Bat Chairs by Josef Hoffmann for Wittmann Austria
Set of 4 Bat Chairs by Josef Hoffmann for Wittmann Austria

Set of 4 Bat Chairs by Josef Hoffmann for Wittmann Austria

$4,029 / set

H 36.62 in W 15.36 in D 16.54 in

Set of 4 Bat Chairs by Josef Hoffmann for Wittmann Austria

By Wittmann, Josef Hoffmann

Located in Nürnberg, Bayern

The wood is a feast for the eyes. The seat cushions need replacing, as they have holes and wear marks. The back cushions are OK, but probably need reupholstering too.

Category

1950s French Art Nouveau Vintage Josef Frank Side Chairs

Materials

Elm

4 Black Bentwood & Cane Josef Hoffman Prague 811 Armchairs for Stendig by Thonet
4 Black Bentwood & Cane Josef Hoffman Prague 811 Armchairs for Stendig by Thonet

4 Black Bentwood & Cane Josef Hoffman Prague 811 Armchairs for Stendig by Thonet

By Stendig Co., Josef Hoffmann, Thonet

Located in Topeka, KS

Iconic vintage Bauhaus black painted bentwood & cane Josef Hoffman Prague 811 armchairs imported by Stendig for Thonet, a set of 4. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that these are vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear even if it has been refinished or restored. Specifically, there have been a few small repairs in the caning of all chairs and one chair seat has been replaced completely. It has been replaced with sheet cane and not individually woven. Please see photos, zoom in for details, and see long description as they are part of the condition report. We attempt to portray any imperfections. Circa, Early to Mid-20th Century. Much like a fine wine or the Mona Lisa, some things just get better with age… That’s just a fact! Including these iconic vintage black painted bentwood & cane Josef Hoffman Prague 811 armchairs by Stendig for Thonet! Talk about the ability to withstand the hands of time!! This Josef Hoffman 811 chair was originally designed in 1925 but remains a current and fabulous design that is highly sought after today. This set of 4 is comprised of beautiful black painted bentwood frames bearing slender rounded arms, slightly flared legs, and marvelous natural cane seats AND backs!! SPECTACULAR!!! Can’t you just SEE these beauties surrounding your kitchen table, breakfast nook, game table, or simply used as extra seating in the family room? We certainly can! Just the right touch of Bauhaus magnificence to any room and they’re sure to complement your home with their classic, historical excellence, whatever your style whether its Bauhaus, Art Deco, Mid-Century Modern, or Modern!! Josef Hoffman was one of Austria's most important architects and designers and was central to the development of art and design in Vienna. He grew up with three sisters and was nicknamed Pepo. His father was the town mayor and a successful businessman. He was a founding member of the Vienna Secession, a radical anti-historicist movement, and together with Koloman Moser created the Wiener Werkstatte cooperative workshop. A highly individualistic architect and designer, Hoffmann's work combined the simplicity of craft production with a refined aesthetic ornament. Between 1901 and 1905, he designed four villas in Vienna and a sanatorium in Brussels that was called “Stoclet House”, for which he developed a “cubistic” language of form, with an emphasis on straight, unadorned lines. In 1905, he established the Kunstschau with painter Gustav Klimt and, two years later, founded the Deutscher Werkbund. Hoffmann worked well into his 80s, continuing to use the geometric motifs that influenced the art deco style of the 1920s. In 1928 his work appeared in the Art in Industry exhibition held at Macy’s in New York City, where it exerted a strong influence on American designer Donald Deskey. Hoffmann is one of the seminal figures in the modern decorative arts movement of the first half of the 20th century. Stendig was totally the brainchild and passion of Charles W. Stendig. You cannot write or talk about Stendig without explaining Charles. He was a pioneer of import goods in the mid-century. After serving in WWII as a paratrooper, he studied business with emphasis on international trade at NYU and City College of New York. Afterward first working for Raymor, another pioneering distribution company, for about two years, departing to start his own business: Stendig. He opened his first showroom in 1956 in midtown Manhattan. He is credited for sparking America’s interest in furniture from Finland, Switzerland, Italy, and Czechoslovakia. He imported from the likes of Thonet, Asko, and De Sede; and from iconic designers including Le Corbusier, Josef Hoffmann, Eero Aarnio, Tapio Wirkkala, Marcel Breuer, Jonathan De Pas, Donato D’Urbino, Paolo Lomazzi, Carlo Mollino, Carlo Scarpa, and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni to name just a few. By the late 1960’s, Stendig had showrooms in Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco with a large headquarters in NYC. They were exciting and good times but short lived. The business was a challenge and when an offer was made by Burlington Industries to purchase, Charles agreed. He stayed on till 1976 to oversee and then retired. I have searched the internet to no avail to find out if a Stendig division is still in operation. But I can only find the Stendig Calendar, the only calendar in MoMA’s collection, which was designed for Stendig by Mossimo Vignelli, still offered. But I am having a hard time deciding who is creating and offering it. I do know Burlington Industries was bankrupt by 2001, purchased in 2003, merged with Cone Mills in 2004 and subsequently into ITG or International Textile Group. But the Stendig name reins as an icon of high style mid-century offerings. Thonet was founded by Michael Thonet. Michael was born in 1796 and was apprenticed by his father to a cabinetmaker. Shortly after he married, Michael opened his one-man cabinetmaking shop creating furniture and cabinetry in the traditional manner by carving the needed parts and then joining them together. In 1830 he began experimenting with bending wood into curved shapes and thus began a successful furniture company that has remained continually in operation for nearly 200 years. Thonet’s early work was very Biedermeier in style and not made for the common man. Gradually his designs became more Art Nouveau. In 1951 his chairs for the Crystal Palace at the London World’s Fair won a prize medal and by the late 1950s he began to make his first “consumer” chair. In 1875, a year before Michael’s death, Thonet’s five factories made 620,000 chairs. Then in 1876 after his death the company became Gebruder Thonet. But all was not roses. In 1869 the Thonet patents lapsed and by 1893 there were 52 bentwood companies in Europe. However, Thonet persevered. They branched out. They merged. They added designs by Le Corbusier and Breuer and alternative materials such as tubular chrome in place of bentwood to their offerings. Business boomed and waned through the years and there was even a Thonet revival, so to speak, beginning in the 1940s on into the mid-20th century. Till today, in the 21st century, Thonet is still a furniture company to be reckoned with almost 200 years later. We are in love with this iconic set of 4 Prague 811 chairs...

Category

Early 20th Century Czech Bauhaus Josef Frank Side Chairs

Materials

Cane, Bentwood, Paint

Art Deco Chair by Josef Hoffmann, Austria, Early 20th Century
Art Deco Chair by Josef Hoffmann, Austria, Early 20th Century

Art Deco Chair by Josef Hoffmann, Austria, Early 20th Century

By Josef Hoffmann

Located in Antwerp, BE

Emerging from Josef Hoffmann’s early 20th century work, this Art Deco chair conveys the designer’s central role in shaping modern design in Austria. As a leading figure of the Vienna...

Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Josef Frank Side Chairs

Materials

Textile, Wood

Set of 5 Josef Frank Prague Chairs Made in Czechoslovakia, circa 1970s
Set of 5 Josef Frank Prague Chairs Made in Czechoslovakia, circa 1970s

Set of 5 Josef Frank Prague Chairs Made in Czechoslovakia, circa 1970s

$2,400Sale Price / set|20% Off

H 31 in W 20 in D 17 in

Set of 5 Josef Frank Prague Chairs Made in Czechoslovakia, circa 1970s

By Thonet, Josef Frank

Located in New York, NY

Exceptional set of five bentwood armchairs design attributed to Josef Frank, marked Made in Czechoslovakia. The chairs are constructed of steam bent wood, probably beech, and nylon, circa 1970's. A Mid 20th C version of the early 20th C Frank...

Category

Mid-20th Century Czech Vienna Secession Josef Frank Side Chairs

Materials

Beech, Bentwood

Antique Josef Hoffmann Prague 811 Bentwood Cane Armchair FMG Poland
Antique Josef Hoffmann Prague 811 Bentwood Cane Armchair FMG Poland

Antique Josef Hoffmann Prague 811 Bentwood Cane Armchair FMG Poland

By Josef Hoffmann, Thonet

Located in San Carlos, CA

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...

Category

Mid-20th Century Polish Vienna Secession Josef Frank Side Chairs

Materials

Cane, Bentwood

Previously Available Items
Midcentury Bentwood & Cane Cafe Chair by Joseph Hoffman for Stendig
Midcentury Bentwood & Cane Cafe Chair by Joseph Hoffman for Stendig

Midcentury Bentwood & Cane Cafe Chair by Joseph Hoffman for Stendig

By Josef Frank, Stendig Co., Josef Hoffmann

Located in Detroit, MI

This vintage midcentury Bentwood Prague Model 811 cafe dining chair was originally designed by Austrian architects Josef Hoffman & Josef Frank for Thon...

Category

Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Josef Frank Side Chairs

Materials

Cane, Beech, Bentwood

Josef Frank Side Chair in Black Lacquered Beechwood Made by Thonet
Josef Frank Side Chair in Black Lacquered Beechwood Made by Thonet

Josef Frank Side Chair in Black Lacquered Beechwood Made by Thonet

By Josef Frank

Located in London, GB

Josef Frank side chair made by Thonet. Designed and made before he left Vienna in the 1930s. Surface restored and with the original paper label to the underside of frame.

Category

20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Josef Frank Side Chairs

Materials

Beech

Josef Frank Black Lacquered Birch 2025 Spindle Back Chair Designed in 1925
Josef Frank Black Lacquered Birch 2025 Spindle Back Chair Designed in 1925

Josef Frank Black Lacquered Birch 2025 Spindle Back Chair Designed in 1925

By Josef Frank

Located in London, GB

A 2025 spindle back chair designed by Josef Frank in 1925 originally for his company Haus & Garten (House & Garden) in Vienna, this piece made by Svenks Tenn, circa 1950. The frame ...

Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Josef Frank Side Chairs

Materials

Birch

Josef Frank, Armchair / Sidechair, Mahogany, Green Velvet, Svenskt Tenn, 1940s
Josef Frank, Armchair / Sidechair, Mahogany, Green Velvet, Svenskt Tenn, 1940s

Josef Frank, Armchair / Sidechair, Mahogany, Green Velvet, Svenskt Tenn, 1940s

By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn

Located in High Point, NC

An early production armchair designed by Josef Frank, produced by Firma Svenskt Tenn, Stockholm, Sweden. Model was exhibited at the 1939 New York World's Fair. Frame in mahogany, reu...

Category

1940s Vintage Josef Frank Side Chairs

Materials

Velvet, Mahogany

Josef Frank Chair 2025
Josef Frank Chair 2025

Josef Frank Chair 2025

Sold

H 37.8 in W 17.52 in D 22.45 in

Josef Frank Chair 2025

By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn

Located in London, GB

A 2025 spindle back chair designed by Josef Frank in 1925 originally for his company Haus & Garten (House & Garden) in Vienna, this piece made by Svenks Tenn in the second half of 19...

Category

1920s Swedish Modern Vintage Josef Frank Side Chairs

Materials

Linen, Birch

Set of Four Midcentury Josef Hoffmann and Josef Frank 811 Chairs
Set of Four Midcentury Josef Hoffmann and Josef Frank 811 Chairs

Set of Four Midcentury Josef Hoffmann and Josef Frank 811 Chairs

By Josef Frank, Josef Hoffmann

Located in BROOKLYN, NY

Very nice set of midcentury bentwood and cane chairs designed by Josef Frank and Josef Hoffmann produced by Thonet. Measures: Seat height is 18.25".

Category

Mid-20th Century Czech Josef Frank Side Chairs

Pair of Rare Josef Frank Sidechairs
Pair of Rare Josef Frank Sidechairs

Pair of Rare Josef Frank Sidechairs

Sold

H 31.11 in W 16.15 in D 15.56 in

Pair of Rare Josef Frank Sidechairs

By Josef Frank, Thonet

Located in London, GB

Pair of early Josef Frank chairs made by Thonet. Designed and made before he left Vienna in the 1930s. Surface restored and with the original paper label to the underside of frame.

Category

1920s Austrian Modern Vintage Josef Frank Side Chairs

Materials

Wood

Josef Frank side chairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Josef Frank side chairs are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Josef Frank side chairs, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider side chairs by Nordiska Kompaniet, Yngve Ekström, and Carl Malmsten. Prices for Josef Frank side chairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $4,974 and can go as high as $4,974, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $4,974.