Skip to main content

Josef Frank Vitrines

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.

2
to
2
2
2
2
1
2
2
2
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
236
26
19
14
10
Creator: Josef Frank
Vintage Modernist Table Vitrine Cabinet by Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn, 1950s
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Stockholm, SE
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...
Category

1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Josef Frank Vitrines

Materials

Glass, Mirror, Mahogany

Vintage Modernist Table Vitrine Cabinet by Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn, 1950s
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Stockholm, SE
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...
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Josef Frank Vitrines

Materials

Glass, Mirror, Mahogany

Related Items
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...
Category

1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Josef Frank Vitrines

Materials

Brass

Josef Frank Cabinet for Svenskt Tenn
Josef Frank Cabinet for Svenskt Tenn
H 31 in W 87 in D 24.5 in
Tall Vintage German Pine Haberdashery Shop Cabinet, 1950s
Located in Nijmegen, NL
This haberdashery cabinet was produced during the 1950s in Germany. This piece features 8 drawers in pine with glass fronts and metal handles. It was originally used in a shop for sewing supplies. The interior dimensions of the glass fronted drawers...
Category

1950s Dutch Industrial Vintage Josef Frank Vitrines

Materials

Pine

Andre Arbus Cabinet with Vitrine
By André Arbus
Located in Philadelphia, PA
French Art Deco cabinet with vitrine. Rosewood with beveled glass sliding doors and bronze mounts, circa 1938.
Category

1930s French Art Deco Vintage Josef Frank Vitrines

Materials

Rosewood

Andre Arbus Cabinet with Vitrine
Andre Arbus Cabinet with Vitrine
H 57.5 in W 42 in D 15 in
Suspended bookcase designed by Josef Frank manufactured by Svenskt Tenn 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 conditions. A conservative restoration was done w...
Category

1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Josef Frank Vitrines

Materials

Mahogany

Vintage Glass & Iron Medical Cabinet, 1950s
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Medicine cabinet made of iron and glass. The cabinet is from the 1950s and was produced in Hungary. The cabinet is stripped down to the metal and treated for rust. The cabinet comes...
Category

Mid-20th Century Hungarian Industrial Josef Frank Vitrines

Materials

Iron

Vintage Glass & Iron Medical Cabinet, 1950s
Vintage Glass & Iron Medical Cabinet, 1950s
H 70.08 in W 39.38 in D 15.75 in
1950s Mahogany Vitrine Display Table on Wheels and with Handles
Located in Germantown, MD
A 1950s Mahogany Vitrine Display Table on original Wheels and with Handles and faux bamboo Mahogany legs. Original green felt lining in place, includes a new black color felt, loose...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Josef Frank Vitrines

Materials

Brass

Vintage Glass & Iron Medical Cabinet, 1950s
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Medicine cabinet made of iron and glass. The cabinet is from the 1950s and was produced in Hungary. The cabinet is stripped down to the metal and finished with a transparent lacquer...
Category

1950s Hungarian Industrial Vintage Josef Frank Vitrines

Materials

Iron

Vintage Glass & Iron Medical Cabinet, 1950s
Vintage Glass & Iron Medical Cabinet, 1950s
H 66.54 in W 27.17 in D 13.39 in
Small Inlaid Vitrine Display Cabinet
Located in Wilson, NC
The top of this cabinet is inlaid with ebony and boxwood banding. The cabinet section has glass windows on all four sides that have shaped framing. The single drawer below the cabine...
Category

Early 1900s English Antique Josef Frank Vitrines

Materials

Brass

Small Inlaid Vitrine Display Cabinet
Small Inlaid Vitrine Display Cabinet
H 32.5 in W 13.5 in D 13.5 in
Italian Showcase Cabinet by Vittorio Dassi, 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Brussels, BE
Italian Showcase cabinet by Vittorio Dassi, 1950s.
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Josef Frank Vitrines

Materials

Glass, Wood

Josef Frank Bookshelf, Svenskt Tenn, 1950s
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Los Gatos, CA
Rare, Josef Frank (1885-1967). Bookshelf. Model number 1142. Company Svenskt Tenn 1950s. Veneered in mahogany. Measures: L 200, W 50, H 130 cm.
Category

1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Josef Frank Vitrines

Materials

Mahogany

Josef Frank Bookshelf, Svenskt Tenn, 1950s
Josef Frank Bookshelf, Svenskt Tenn, 1950s
H 51.19 in W 78.75 in D 19.69 in
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...
Category

1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Josef Frank Vitrines

Materials

Brass

Vintage Italian Beech Haberdashery Shop Cabinet, 1950s
Located in Nijmegen, NL
This haberdashery cabinet was produced during the 1950s in Italy. This piece features 10 drawers in light beech with glass fronts and metal handles. It was originally used in a shop ...
Category

1950s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Josef Frank Vitrines

Materials

Beech

Previously Available Items
Showcase Cabinet Josef Frank Swedish Design circa 1946 Mahogany
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
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...
Category

1940s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Josef Frank Vitrines

Materials

Glass, Mahogany

Mahogany Vitrine Cabinet by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Stockholm, SE
Beautiful, rare vitrine cabinet by Josef Frank, made in mahogany and glass. Mirrored glass reflects objects placed on the clear glass shelves. Sculpted feet, elegant smooth lines.
Category

1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Josef Frank Vitrines

Materials

Glass, Mahogany

Exceptional Mid-Century Wall Unit by Josef Frank
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Rarely seen three section wall unit by Josef Frank. Featuring two-toned wood pulls with keyed cabinets. White lacquered on a green base and fittings in walnut. The bookcase comes...
Category

1940s Austrian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Josef Frank Vitrines

Materials

Brass

Josef Frank vitrines for sale on 1stDibs.

Josef Frank vitrines are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. Many of the original vitrines by Josef Frank were created in the Scandinavian Modern style in sweden during the 1950s. Prices for Josef Frank vitrines can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $4,836 and can go as high as $14,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $9,418.

Recently Viewed

View All