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 '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
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
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
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
$4,500
H 30 in W 79.75 in D 19 in
Michael Taylor Hollywood Regency Walnut Sideboard Credenza, Circa 1950s
By Baker Furniture Company, Michael Taylor
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional mid-century Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie sideboard, credenza, or bar cabinet By Michael Taylor for Baker Furniture USA, Circa 1950s Gorgeous walnut and oak, with o...
Brass
$4,210
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
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Cabinet with Brass Hardware, 1950s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautiful sideboard cabinet designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, made of sandalwood with solid brass hardware. Cabinet has drawers on each side, center Lucite pull out shelf and on...
Brass
Sideboard by Umberto Mascagni, 1950s
By Umberto Mascagni
Located in Budapest, HU
Sideboard by Umberto Mascagni. Four doors and four-drawer and the mirror. We have the complete dining suite: Table and six chairs and bar cabinet.
Aluminum
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
$24,000
H 31.11 in W 65.56 in D 20.08 in
Gio Ponti, Sideboard, Mahogany, Glass, Vinyl, Brass, Italy, 1950s
By Dassi, Gio Ponti
Located in High Point, NC
An asymmetric cabinet designed by Gio Ponti and produced by Dassi, Italy, c. 1950s. All items ship from High Point, North Carolina.
Brass
Monumental Danish Rosewood Credenza / Bar Cabinet
By Gunni Omann
Located in Buffalo, NY
Iconic solid rosewood credenza manufactured by Omann Jun of Denmark in the late 1950s. This particular piece in amazing original condition with...
Birch, Rosewood
$358,459
H 29.93 in W 51.97 in D 17.33 in
Chest of drawers 'Flora' model 1050 designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
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
$10,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 80 in W 65.5 in D 19 in
Edward Wormley Walnut and Olive Ash Burl Tall Cabinet for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Described in Dunbar catalogs as "#6027 High Piece" this incredible curved front cabinet is constructed of walnut with olive ash burled lower cabin...
Brass
$14,000Sale Price|37% Off
H 46.5 in W 114 in D 18 in
Vittorio Dassi Sideboard, Italian Walnut, La Permanente Mobili, 1950s
By La Permanente Mobili Cantù, Vittorio Dassi
Located in Camden, ME
A very rare and sophisticated sideboard by Vittorio Dassi stamped Permanente Mobili Cantu Italy from the 1950s consisting of four suspended cabinets, three of which have locking doors, the fourth has drawers with raised hexagonal pulls. Each cabinet has a chamfered top of a beautifully grained Italian walnut shaped in a distinctive diamond cut. This contrasts with more tightly grained fronts and side panels of the cabinets Above each cabinet is set a hexagonal glass shelf resting inset on brass supports detailed in a flat black lacquer and polished brass attached to the ends of tapering flat pillars of Italian walnut. The interiors of three of the four cabinets are finished in an aged off-white glazed birch with adjustable glass shelving. There are ten polished threaded bronze discs that are held in cast bronze hexagonal housings that allow the sideboard to adjust to uneven or stone flooring. The bronze bases are also accented in flat black lacquer. La Permanente Mobili Cantu was considered one of Italy's top cabinet makers and the cabinet work in this sideboard attests to how beautifully they executed their pieces. The metric measurements...
Bronze
$11,427
H 30.32 in W 96.07 in D 18.9 in
Midcentury sideboard designed by Franco Albini for Poggi, Italy 1950
By Poggi, Franco Albini
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Elegant sideboard, model MB 15, designed by Franco Albini for Poggi Italy, 1950s Sophisticated and timeless, the MB 15 sideboard is an iconic piece designed by Franco Albini for the ...
Wood
Swedish 3 Door Cabinet - Nordens Flora Illustrations
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
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
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
Sold
H 35.44 in W 55.12 in D 11.42 in
Josef Frank Freestanding Bookcase in Mahogany by Svenskt Tenn in Sweden
By Josef Frank
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Freestanding bookshelf designed by Josef Frank. Produced by Svenskt Tenn in Sweden.
Mahogany
Estrid Ericson & Josef Frank, Chest by Svenskt Tenn
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank, Estrid Ericson
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Storage unit designed by Estrid Ericson (chest) and Josef Frank (stand). Designed for and manufactured by Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1940s. Hand-painted parchment, teak base and brass f...
Mid-Century Josef Frank Sideboard
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Beautiful Mid-Century Josef Frank sideboard. Figured mahogany and inlay with brass handles.
Brass
Sold
H 51.19 in W 79.14 in D 19.3 in
1950s, Mahogany Wall Cabinet by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
Beautiful mahogany wall cabinet. This cabinet is designed by Josef Frank and produced by the company Svenskt Tenn in Sweden. Period 1950-1959. Dimensions: H 130 cm, W 201 cm, D ...
Mahogany
Sold
H 29.53 in W 17.72 in D 12.6 in
Josef Frank and Svenskt Tenn, Pair of Magazine Racks in Stained Beech 1940s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Copenhagen, DK
JOSEF FRANK & SVENSKT TENN - SCANDINAVIAN MODERN. This is an early edition of magazine racks designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn. Produced by Firma Svenskt Tenn (Estrid Erics...
Beech
Sold
H 48.43 in W 39.38 in D 13.19 in
Mid-20th Century Teak Cabinet Decorated with Wallpaper by Josef Frank
By Josef Frank
Located in Madrid, ES
Gorgeous teak sideboard decorated with Josef Frank's "Paradiset" wallpaper. Frank designed the "Paradiset" pattern in the 1940s for Swedish manufacturer Svenskt Tenn. The cabinet's i...
Teak, Wood
Elm, Oak and Walnut Sideboard by Josef Frank
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Striking elm, oak and walnut sideboard by Josef Frank, where Frank’s characteristic luxurious modernism includes streaks of Swedish traditionalism, creating an interesting blend of s...
Brass
Mahogany Sideboard by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Elegant airy mahogany sideboard by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, with different nuances of wood adding to the refinement. Beautiful wood g...
Mahogany
Sold
H 31.5 in W 86.62 in D 21.66 in
Sideboard Designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s
By Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
Sideboard in mahogany and brass designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s. Very rare model.
Brass
Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn Sweden 1940s Chest of Drawers
By Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
A small and delicious chest of drawers in mahogany designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn in the 1940s. Worldwide shipping.
Brass