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 for Haus & Garten: small chest of drawers on wheels, 1920s
By Josef Frank
Located in Purkersdorf, AT
Josef Frank designed this delicate chest of drawers in the late 1920s. It was manufactured by Haus & Garten. The original design drawing is housed in the Museum of Applied Arts (MA...
Brass
Josef Frank 'Gustav V' Cabinet in Rosewood, Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in The Hague, NL
This elegant rosewood cabinet was designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn in the late 1930's. In the Svensk Tenn archive's furniture book, Estrid Ericson (the founder of Svenskt Tenn) has made a pencil sketch of the cabinet and written "designed for the King", Gustaf V, likely for his 80th birthday in 1938. So this particular model 792 also became known as the Gustav V model. The rare cabinet on offer here was produced by Svenskt Tenn in Sweden in the early 1950s. The model was usually produced in pyramid mahogany, only a few pieces were made in rosewood. The cabinet has double doors, veneered in mirorred rosewood, with a solid oak interior with a total of 10 pull-out drawers. Brass key and round brass door hinges...
Wood, Oak, Rosewood
Bookcase model "1142" by Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1940s
By Josef Frank
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Freestanding bookcase designed by Josef Frank in the 1940s. Executed in mahogany with a warm, even tone. Open construction with three adjustable shelves. Sculptural feet with a dis...
Mahogany
Cabinet 'Model 522' Designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Stockholm, SE
This cabinet, model 522, designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, stands among the most expressive examples of Swedish modern design. The rectilinear mahogany case is entirely clad ...
Mahogany
Exceptional Josef Frank Chest of Drawers, Cabinet, Svenskt Tenn, Mahogany, Brass
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Miami, FL
Beautiful chest of drawers by Josef Frank, Mahogany and Brass pulls, six drawers. Cabinet has age-related wear. We will have it refinished for the buyer. Great piece of Swedish Moder...
Brass
Chest of drawers 'Flora' model 1050 designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
Designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn in the late 1930s, the Flora chest of drawers, model 1050, is one of the most poetic expressions of Scandinavian design. This vintage chest of drawers is crafted in warm mahogany with three spacious drawers, each fronted by hand printed botanical plates from Nordens flora by C. A. Lindman. The prints are framed by Frank’s characteristically slender mouldings and the piece stands on delicately turned ball feet that lend it a light, elevated character. The Josef Frank Flora...
Mahogany
Josef Frank Cabinet for Svenskt Tenn
By Josef Frank
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Beautiful, elegant and large sideboard designed by Josef Frank. Manufactured by Svenskt Tenn, circa 1940s. Cabinet features four doors concealing one adjustable shelf per compartment...
Brass
Cabinet model 2135 Designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Stockholm, SE
Model 2135 by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn is a cabinet that exemplifies the refined balance between material richness and architectural lightness that defines Frank’s work. Raised o...
Cherry
Josef Frank 'Model 2106' Sideboard, Mahogany & Birch, 1950s, Sweden
By Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
Designed in the 1950s by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Model 2106 is a sideboard that reflects Frank’s distinctive vision of modern living. Crafted in richly figured pyramid mahogany...
Brass
Mahogany and Brass Chest of Drawers by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Cool mahogany chest of drawers by Josef Frank, with an amazing, playful silhouette. Elegant brass handles.
Brass
Josef Frank 'Model 2194' Sideboard, Walnut & Brass, Scandinavian, 1950s
By Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
Model 2194 is a sideboard that illustrates the quieter, more architectural side of Josef Frank’s work for Svenskt Tenn. While Frank is widely celebrated for his vivid and expressive ...
Brass
Pair of Bookcases in Mahogany, Brass and Mirrored Glass by Josef Frank, 1950's
By Josef Frank
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Pair of Bookcases in Mahogany, Brass and Mirrored Glass by Josef Frank, 1950's Additional Information: Material: Mahogany, brass and mirrored glass Style: Mid century, Scandinavian ...
Brass
Rare Freestanding Bookcase in Mahogany by Josef Frank, 1940's
By Josef Frank
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare Freestanding Bookcase in Mahogany by Josef Frank, 1940's Additional Information: Material: Mahogany Style: Mid century, Scandinavia Produced by Svenskt Tenn in Sweden Dimension...
Mahogany
Display Cabinet / Table Vitrine in Mahogany and Glass by Josef Frank, 1960's
By Josef Frank
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Display Cabinet / Table Vitrine in Mahogany, Glass and Mirrored Glass by Josef Frank, 1960's Additional Information: Material: Mahogany, glass and mirrored glass Style: Mid century,...
Mahogany, Glass
Serving trolley model 2777 designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden 1950
By Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
Serving trolley model 2777 designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s. Mahogany with a black arborite top. Brass handles. H: 105 cm / 41 3/8" L: 81 cm / 31 7/8" D: 50...
Brass
Josef Frank Sideboard 'Model 1148', Walnut & Alder, Svenskt Tenn, 1950s
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Stockholm, SE
Sideboard model 1148 designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s. Walnut and alder root veneer. This sideboard model 1148 with two clever extension flaps was designed b...
Walnut
$900
H 24.02 in W 19.1 in D 16.93 in
Japanese Antique Drawer 1860s-1920s/Chest of Drawers Wabisabi Art
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
It is an old Japanese drawer. It is an item of the Meiji era (1860s-1920s) The material is cedar. The shade of brown is beautiful and the taste is wonderful. The drawer also ...
Cedar
Vintage Josef Frank Style Swedish Cabinet, 1960s
By Josef Frank
Located in Round Rock, TX
Vintage Swedish cabinet, after Josef Frank. Wildflower front with a grounded frame. The loose botanical motif echoes the Svenskt Tenn aesthetic with a nice balance of movement. Solid...
Textile, Beech
IVY Cabinet, Cherry, Brass, Josef Frank
Located in Miami, FL
IVY Cabinet by Dosbananos. Two-door cabinet covered in original Josef Frank 'Paradiset' wallpaper. Cherry wood with brass hinges and brass stretchers. Cabinet has four adjustable she...
Brass
$3,950
H 33.5 in W 44.25 in D 19.75 in
Antique French Chest of Drawers, Solid Wood, Bronze Pulls, 1920s
Located in Austin, TX
Antique chest of drawers from France made of solid wood construction. This piece has three dovetailed drawers, all with bronze pulls. This piece is in very nice antique condition str...
Bronze
Ralph Lauren Mahogany Chest of Drawers
By Ralph Lauren
Located in Astoria, NY
Ralph Lauren Mahogany Chest of Drawers, the six drawers with brass and leather horse bit style pulls, marked "Polo Ralph Lauren" to interior. 48.75" H x 38" W x 19.75" D. Pro...
Brass
$4,113
H 26.38 in W 25.6 in D 12.6 in
1950s Scandinavian Modern Commode with Josef Frank Clover Motif Wallpaper, Teak
By Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
A distinctive 1950s Scandinavian Modern three-drawer commode, professionally wallpapered with Josef Frank’s iconic clover leaf motif. The decorative surface adds a vibrant yet refine...
Teak
$12,399
H 39.77 in W 31.89 in D 19.89 in
Serving trolley model 2777 designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden 1950
By Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
Serving trolley model 2777 designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s. Mahogany with a black arborite top. Brass handles. H: 105 cm / 41 3/8" L: 81 cm / 31 7/8" D: 50...
Brass
Swedish 3 Door Cabinet - Nordens Flora Illustrations
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
A Swedish three-door sideboard or cabinet, circa 1950s. The cabinet features clean lines and a balanced interior layout behind two doors, opening to separate compartments. One compar...
Birch, Paper
Art Deco Small Chest of Drawers
Located in New York, NY
A small Art Deco chest of drawers. Amboyna and ebonized fruitwood with fluted leg details and patinated brass pulls.
Ebony, Amboyna
$4,900
H 29.625 in W 32.875 in D 15 in
Classic Louis XVI Chest of Drawers, Ebonized Mahogany, French, 1920s
Located in Austin, TX
Chest of drawers from France in the Louis XVI style. This piece is made of solid wood construction, primarily mahogany. The chest has been ebonized and finished with a lustrous Frenc...
Carrara Marble, Brass
$4,525
H 81.89 in W 46.86 in D 20.48 in
Børge Mogensen Oak Cabinet, Scandinavian Modern Design, Sweden, 1950s
By Børge Mogensen
Located in Berlin, DE
Shelving and storage cabinet in oak by Borge Mogensen.
Wood, Oak
$3,950
H 30.5 in W 25.5 in D 17.5 in
Georgian Era Small Cabinet Chest of Drawers of Mahogany from England
Located in Austin, TX
A fine period English small chest of mahogany from the Georgian era, featuring a moulded top over a frieze of four drawers with oval brass pulls, each drawer with brass escutcheon, a...
Metal, Brass
Wall bookcase by Josef Frank
By Josef Frank
Located in Brescia, IT
Small solid wood wall bookcase, 1950s Scandinavian production, attributed to Josef Frank. Solid wood wall bookcase, Scandinavian production 1950s, attributed to Josef Frank. The com...
Teak
Sold
H 27.96 in W 12.6 in D 6.7 in
Suspended bookcase designed by Josef Frank manufactured by Svenskt Tenn 1950s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Brescia, IT
Rare hanging bookcase designed by Josef Frank in the 1950s in mahogany wood. Produced by Svenskt Tenn in Sweden in the 1950s. Good conditions. A conservative restoration was done w...
Mahogany
Sold
H 19.3 in W 14.97 in D 6.5 in
Vintage Modernist Table Vitrine Cabinet by Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn, 1950s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Beautiful table vitrine cabinet by Josef Frank, made from mahogany in a sleek design. Glass shelves and mirror bottom let the light flow freely. Perfect for displaying cherished obje...
Glass, Mirror, Mahogany
Sold
H 39.89 in W 20.08 in D 10.44 in
Vintage Modernist Table Vitrine Cabinet by Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn, 1950s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Beautiful table vitrine cabinet by Josef Frank, made from mahogany in a sleek design. Glass shelves and mirror bottom let the light flow freely. Perfect for displaying cherished obje...
Glass, Mirror, Mahogany
Tallboy Cabinet by Josef Frank 'Model 955'
By Josef Frank
Located in Long Island City, NY
Tallboy Cabinet by Josef Frank ( Model 955 ) in mahogany with a brass key and joinery. About Josef Frank: Josef Frank was one of early Vienna mo...
Brass
Sold
H 27.96 in W 12.6 in D 6.7 in
Suspended Bookcase Designed by Josef Frank Produced by Svenskt Tenn in the 1950s
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Brescia, IT
Rare hanging bookcase designed by Josef Frank in the 1950s in mahogany wood. Produced by Svenskt Tenn in Sweden in the 1950s. Good condition. Conservative restoration has been ...
Mahogany
Sold
H 48.04 in W 37.8 in D 16.54 in
Swedish Modern Cabinet in Oak, Upholstered with Svenskt Tenn Fabric, 1940s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Odense, DK
Such a sculptural curvy cabinet made in oak, later upholstered with fabric from Svenskt Tenn. Made by a Swedish Cabinetmaker in the 1940s. Exclusively de...
Oak
Sold
H 55.12 in W 41.34 in D 17.33 in
Cabinet on Stand Model 2135 Designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden
By Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
Cabinet on stand model 2135 designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s. Cherry wood and alder root veneer. Signed. Dimensions: H: 140 cm / 4' 7" W: 105 cm / 3' 5 1/2"...
Cherry
Sold
H 17.33 in W 18.12 in D 13 in
Danish Art Deco Stools, Reupholstered in Josef Frank Fabric from Svenskt Tenn
By Josef Frank
Located in Odense, DK
A wonderful pair of Danish Art Deco stools, upholstered in fine vintage fabric from Svenskt Tenn, model "Hawaii" from 2015. Designed in 1943 by Swedish Designer Josef Frank. An exclu...
Fabric, Wood
Showcase Cabinet Josef Frank Swedish Design circa 1946 Mahogany
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Klosterneuburg, AT
Showcase Cabinet designed by Josef Frank executed by Svenskt Tenn Swedish Design circa 1946 Mahogany The architect, designer and theorist Josef Frank was born in Austria in 1885. Li...
Glass, Mahogany
Josef Frank Bar Cabinet Produced by Svenskt Tenn in Sweden
By Josef Frank
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare freestanding bar cabinet designed by Josef Frank. Produced by Svenskt Tenn in Sweden.
Glass, Mirror, Mahogany
Sold
H 28.35 in W 39.38 in D 17.72 in
Sideboard Model 1148 Designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950's
By Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
Walnut and alder root veneer. Measures: H 72 cm/ 28 1/4” D 45 cm/ 17 3/4” L 100 cm/ 39 1/2” Total length when open 150 cm/ 4' 11”.
Walnut