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.
Vintage Swedish Sofa Table by Josef Frank, Beechwood, Mid-Century
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Mid-Century Modern Swedish sofa table "diplomat" made of hand crafted polished Beechwood, designed by Josef Frank and produced by Svenskt...
Beech
Midcentury Modern Cabinet by Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn, 1960s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Rare cabinet by Josef Frank, made in elm with beautiful woodgrain. Signature design with an array of drawers on an elevated, airy base.
Elm
Midcentury Modern Sideboard by Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn, 1950s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Amazing sideboard by Josef Frank, in a rare design with multiple drawers and decorative details. Made from mahogany with brass handles and hinges. Inlayed line of lighter wood around...
Mahogany
Josef Frank Art Deco Era Round Walnut Side Table for Haus & Garten c 1926 Vienna
By Josef Frank
Located in Vienna, AT
Art Deco circular charming three-legged side table from walnut by Josef Frank for Haus & Garten, Vienna, circa 1926. The side table was made of solid walnut feet and walnut veneer. T...
Spruce, Walnut
$17,661 / set
Pair of Side Table in Mahogany by Josef Frank, 1939
By Josef Frank
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Pair of Side Table in Mahogany by Josef Frank, 1939 Additional Information: Material: Mahogany Style: Mid century, Scandinavia Rare pair of side table model 961 / San Francisco Prod...
Mahogany
Josef Frank round Side Table made for Haus & Garten, 1928, Austria
By Josef Frank
Located in Vienna, Austria
Side table by Josef Frank for Haus & Garten circa 1928. This sleek table from Frank has a walnut veneered round table top, the legs are slightly curved and are made from beech wood t...
Beech, Walnut
Mahogany Table Designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
Occasional table designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s. Mahogany. Measurements: H: 60 cm/ 23 1/2'' Length when extened: 104 cm/ 3' 5'' D: 54 cm/ 21 1/2'' Jose...
Mahogany
Pair of bedside tables 'Model 914' designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
Model 914 is a refined bedside table designed in the 1950s by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn. Executed in mahogany, the piece is defined by clear proportions and a practical, well-bala...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Gueridon Table by Josef Frank, Maplewood, 1950
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A light-brown, vintage Mid-Century Modern Swedish gueridon table with a round top. Designed by Josef Frank and produced by Svenskt Tenn, Modell 560. Shellac polished, beautiful bird'...
Maple
Art Deco Walnut Side Table or Coffee Table by Josef Frank for Thonet, circa 1925
By Josef Frank
Located in Vienna, AT
Art Deco Walnut Side Table or Coffee Table by Josef Frank for Thonet, circa 1925 A charming Art Deco side table by Josef Frank for Thonet Vienna from walnut in amazing shape. The cof...
Walnut
Midcentury Modern Library Table/Sideboard by Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn, 1950s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Striking library table or sideboard by Josef Frank, model 2226. Crafted from mahogany with brass drawer handles.
Mahogany
Side Table by Josef Frank
By Haus und Garten, Josef Frank
Located in Vienna, AT
Design by Josef Frank for House & Garden, Vienna circa 1925, nut, solid, nut veneer, original condition. Dimensions: Height 61 cm, diameter 78 cm.
Nutwood
Bedside Table Model 914 Designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
Bedside table model 914 designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s. Mahogany veneer and brass handle. Josef Frank’s elegant bedside table model 914 with sophisticated brass handles is one of Svenskt Tenn’s timeless classics. It works very well combined with modern or antique pieces. The overall simplicity of form and use of luxurious wood are characteristic of Josef Frank. L: 65 cm W: 40 cm H: 55 cm Josef Frank was a true European, he was also a pioneer of what would become classic 20th century Swedish design and the “Scandinavian Design Style”. Austrian- born Frank started his design career as an architect after having trained at the Technische Hochschule in Vienna between 1903 and 1910. After his training he went on to teach at Kunstgewerbeschule (The Viennese School of Arts and crafts) where he developed and espoused the new school of modernist thinking towards Architecture and Design that was coming to fruition in Vienna at the time. He also went on to lead the Vienna Werkbund throughout the 1920s. This was a truly progressive group of Architects and Designers who set about improving the daily lives of Austrian people through modernist design and architecture in partnership with Arts and Crafts ideals and construction. Frank’s leadership of the Werkbund had already cemented his place at the forefront of European design. Frank’s time in Vienna was typified by his design for the “Die Wohnung” exhibition of the Deutscher Werkbund in Stuttgart, 1927 where he exhibited along side his contemporaries at the forefront of design, such as the likes of Le Corbusier and Walter Gropius. Here he showed a specially designed pair of flat-roofed reinforced concrete houses in what is now seen as a typical modernist style. What separated Frank’s house from the other 32 houses of the exhibition was the interior and furniture inside the building. It was described as “Neo-Classical” and filled with an eclectic mix of period pieces, modern design and pieces designed by Frank himself that seemed to cross the two worlds. This was a complete opposite direction to that which his fellow Architects were travelling in with their pared back and angular aesthetics. Frank said of his own work: “The house is not a work of art, simply a place where one lives,” and by this reasoning Frank rejected the regimental mechanisation of the living space that his contemporaries believed in, instead he set about creating congenial and spontaneous interiors. Frank’s practice saw him placing the bright colours and the soft forms of nature back into the furnishings and interiors that he thought modernism sorely mist. Frank, along with Oskar Walch set up Haus und Garten in Vienna in 1925. This was Frank’s first commercial foray into furniture and home furnishings and the company went on to become the most influential furnishing house in Vienna with a riotous depth of colour and interesting shapes becoming the trademark of their design. However this success was to come to an end with rise of Nazism in Vienna in the early 1930’s. Frank was Jewish, and he and his wife Anna decided they would leave Vienna for her motherland: Sweden, in 1933. Frank continued to design for Haus and Garten, visiting Vienna occasionally and designing the pieces that would continue to be the company’s best...
Brass
Art Deco Josef Frank Vintage Circular Walnut Sofa Table Side Table Vienna c 1925
By Josef Frank
Located in Vienna, AT
Art Deco vintage authentic sofa table or side table in circular form from walnut and beech by Josef Frank for Haus & Garten circa 1925 Vienna. While the plate shows a wonderful stel...
Beech, Walnut
Marble and Mahogany Side Table by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Beautiful side table by Josef Frank, with an oval green marble table top on a slender mahogany base. Deep green marble, lovely sculpted legs and feet.
Marble
Mahogany Side Table with a Drawer by Josef Frank
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Beautiful, innovative side table by Josef Frank, made in mahogany. The upper section has a drawer with a brass handle. Lovely sculpted feet and rims framing the table tops.
Mahogany
Art Deco Vintage Walnut Circular Josef Frank Side Table Coffee Table 1926 Vienna
By Josef Frank
Located in Vienna, AT
Art Deco vintage circular like side table or coffee table from walnut, spruce and beech by Josef Frank circa 1926 Vienna. Wonderful side table or coffee table with circular like waln...
Beech, Walnut, Spruce
Art Deco Vintage Beech Walnut Circular Side Table Josef Frank circa 1927 Vienna
By Josef Frank
Located in Vienna, AT
Art Deco vintage circular side table or coffee table by Josef Frank circa 1927 Vienna. A stunning circular side table with 3 slightly curved feet topped with a beautiful veneered pla...
Beech, Walnut
Art Deco Josef Frank Walnut Wood Vintage Coffee Table Vienna circa 1926
By Josef Frank
Located in Vienna, AT
Art Deco coffee table or side table shows solid walnut feet with a walnut veneered table top with a wonderful wood grain Josef Frank furniture pieces stand for effortless and timeles...
Wood
Art Deco Circular Chess Walnut Side Table Josef Frank Haus und Garten c 1925
By Josef Frank
Located in Vienna, AT
Art Deco vintage side table or coffee table circular like with a chess table top from walnut, cherry and poplar veneer by Josef Frank for Haus & Garten circa 1925 Vienna. An amazing ...
Cherry, Poplar, Walnut
Josef Frank Art Deco Walnut Circular Side Table Haus & Garten circa 1928 Austria
By Josef Frank
Located in Vienna, AT
Art Deco vintage coffee table or side table by Josef Frank for Haus & Garten circa 1928 Austria. A stunning and sleek Josef Frank coffee table from the Viennese Art Deco period c...
Walnut, Spruce
Josef Frank Art Deco Vintage Circular Walnut Black Glass Side Table Vienna, 1925
By Josef Frank
Located in Vienna, AT
Art Deco era vintage circular side table or coffee table by Josef Frank circa 1925 Vienna from walnut veneer and solid walnut topped with a...
Glass, Walnut
Pair of Side Tables in Mahogany, Walnut and Brass by Josef Frank, 1950's
By Josef Frank
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Pair of Side Tables in Mahogany, Walnut and Brass by Josef Frank, 1950's Additional Information: Material: Mahogany, walnut and brass Rare pair of side tables modell 1073 Produced b...
Brass
Art Deco Walnut Brown Vintage Coffee Table Side Table Josef Frank, 1930s, Vienna
By Josef Frank
Located in Vienna, AT
Art Deco vintage coffee table or side table from walnut in brown color by Josef Frank 1930s Vienna. A stunning coffee table or side table by Josef Frank 1930s Vienna in beautiful war...
Walnut, Spruce
Art Deco Vintage Walnut Rectangular Side Table Josef Frank circa 1925 Austria
By Josef Frank
Located in Vienna, AT
Art Deco vintage rectangular walnut organic side table by Josef Frank circa 1925 Austria. A beautiful side table of coffee table by Josef Frank in rectangular form. This stunning and...
Walnut
Josef Frank Walnut Vintage Circular Coffee Table Side Table, Austria, 1930s
By Josef Frank
Located in Vienna, AT
Josef Frank walnut vintage round shape coffee table, which was designed and manufactured 1930s for Haus & Garten, Austria. A beautiful and elegant circular shape of the coffee table,...
Beech, Walnut
Art Deco Vintage Walnut Side Table Josef Frank Haus and Garten Vienna c 1925
By Josef Frank
Located in Vienna, AT
Art Deco vintage walnut side table / coffee table by Josef Frank for Haus & Garten, circa 1925 Vienna, shows a top with beautiful walnut burl...
Beech, Spruce, Walnut
Art Deco Vintage Walnut Coffee Table or Side Table Josef Frank, 1930s, Vienna
By Josef Frank
Located in Vienna, AT
Art Deco coffee table or side table designed by Josef Frank for Haus and Garten, 1930s, Vienna. A stunning coffee table from solid walnut and walnut veneer with a beautiful surface. ...
Walnut
Occasional Table Model 2168 Designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
Occasional table model 2168 designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden. 1950s. Walnut and marble. Josef Frank’s occasional table “model 2168” is one of his rarer models. Its beautifully carved, turned legs...
Marble
$14,717
H 28.35 in W 57.09 in D 57.09 in
Josef Frank Dining Table Model 1020 Produced by Svenskt tenn in Sweden
By Josef Frank
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare dining table model 1020 designed by Josef Frank. Produced by Svenskt tenn in Sweden.
Mahogany, Amboyna
$2,900
H 18.25 in Dm 27.38 in
French Art Deco Style Round Wooden Cocktail or Side Table with Marquetry Center
Located in Miami, FL
A good quality French Art Deco style three leg cocktail or side table. The center marquetry work adds to the elegance of this lovely and very versatile table. Offers mahogany wood c...
Mahogany, Satinwood
Art Deco Coffee Table by Josef Frank, Cuban Mahogany, Sweden, 1920s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A dark-brown, vintage Art Deco Swedish coffee, sofa table made of hand crafted polished cuban mahogany wood, designed by Josef Frank and produced by Svensk Tenn in good condition. Th...
Mahogany
Josef Frank Folding Bar Cart or Side Table by Svensk Tenn
By Josef Frank
Located in Munich, DE
Light and easy to store foldable table with a nice print by Josef Frank.
Formica
Square Coffee Table by Josef Frank
By Josef Frank
Located in Stamford, CT
Square coffee table by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn. Sweden.
Birch
$4,686
H 24.81 in W 27.56 in D 19.69 in
1930 Oval Side Table Coffee Table Art Deco by Osvaldo Borsani in Veneered Walnut
By Atelier Borsani Varedo, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Oval side table or coffee table Art Deco by Osvaldo Borsani in veneered walnut with lynx eye veneer top. Measures cm: H 63, W 70, D 50 (internal shelves H37cm).
Walnut
French Art Deco Wrought Iron Coffee or Side Table
Located in Long Island City, NY
A round French Art Deco wrought iron table with a green and white marble top that can be use as a coffee or side table. We are the rare source that specializes exclusively in French ...
Marble, Wrought Iron
Art Deco Italian Round Side Table in Walnut
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Side table, walnut veneer, Italy, 1930s This round side table is a great example of Italian Art Deco design from the 1930s. It’s made with a warm walnut veneer that gives it a opule...
Walnut
Pair of Side Tables by Knud Joos for Jason Mobler, 1960s
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A pair of side tables with a rosewood veneer top floating on a steel base, labeled 'Illums Bolighus, Kobenhavn'.
Steel
$6,900
H 23.75 in W 31.5 in D 31.5 in
Vintage Mahogany Coffee Table by Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn, 1950s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A square, vintage Mid-Century modern Swedish coffee table made of hand crafted polished Mahogany, designed by Josef Frank and produced by Svenskt Tenn in good condition. The Scandina...
Metal, Brass
$6,475
H 17.72 in W 31.5 in D 15.75 in
Josef Frank Occasional Table, Mahogany, Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
Occasional table designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden. 1950s. Mahogany. H: 45 cm L: 80 cm D: 40 cm Josef Frank was a true European, he was also a pioneer of what would become classic 20th century Swedish design and the “Scandinavian Design Style”. Austrian- born Frank started his design career as an architect after having trained at the Technische Hochschule in Vienna between 1903 and 1910. After his training he went on to teach at Kunstgewerbeschule (The Viennese School of Arts and crafts) where he developed and espoused the new school of modernist thinking towards Architecture and Design that was coming to fruition in Vienna at the time. He also went on to lead the Vienna Werkbund throughout the 1920s. This was a truly progressive group of Architects and Designers who set about improving the daily lives of Austrian people through modernist design and architecture in partnership with Arts and Crafts ideals and construction. Frank’s leadership of the Werkbund had already cemented his place at the forefront of European design. Frank’s time in Vienna was typified by his design for the “Die Wohnung” exhibition of the Deutscher Werkbund in Stuttgart, 1927 where he exhibited along side his contemporaries at the forefront of design, such as the likes of Le Corbusier and Walter Gropius. Here he showed a specially designed pair of flat-roofed reinforced concrete houses in what is now seen as a typical modernist style. What separated Frank’s house from the other 32 houses of the exhibition was the interior and furniture inside the building. It was described as “Neo-Classical” and filled with an eclectic mix of period pieces, modern design and pieces designed by Frank himself that seemed to cross the two worlds. This was a complete opposite direction to that which his fellow Architects were travelling in with their pared back and angular aesthetics. Frank said of his own work: “The house is not a work of art, simply a place where one lives,” and by this reasoning Frank rejected the regimental mechanisation of the living space that his contemporaries believed in, instead he set about creating congenial and spontaneous interiors. Frank’s practice saw him placing the bright colours and the soft forms of nature back into the furnishings and interiors that he thought modernism sorely mist. Frank, along with Oskar Walch set up Haus und Garten in Vienna in 1925. This was Frank’s first commercial foray into furniture and home furnishings and the company went on to become the most influential furnishing house in Vienna with a riotous depth of colour and interesting shapes becoming the trademark of their design. However this success was to come to an end with rise of Nazism in Vienna in the early 1930’s. Frank was Jewish, and he and his wife Anna decided they would leave Vienna for her motherland: Sweden, in 1933. Frank continued to design for Haus and Garten, visiting Vienna occasionally and designing the pieces that would continue to be the company’s best...
Mahogany
Swedish Art Moderne Walnut Intarsia Coffee or Side Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
Art Moderne Deco concave table with playful matchbook walnut for use as a side or coffee table, 1930s. Inlaid with rosewood. Recently refinished and Swed...
Walnut
Sold
H 17.92 in W 42.52 in D 17.72 in
Occasional table model 1112 designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden
By Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
Occassional table model 1112 designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s Stone top, walnut and stained beech base. H: 45.5 cm / 1' 6" L: 89 cm / 2' 11" W: 45 cm / 1' 5 ...
Stone
Mahogany Side Tables by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Set of 2
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Göteborg, SE
The Side Tables by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn are a stunning and iconic collection of furniture pieces designed by the celebrated architect and designer, Josef Frank, in collaborat...
Brass
Sold
H 23.63 in W 31.5 in D 17.72 in
Serving Trolley Model 470 Designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950
By Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
Serving trolley model 470 designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s. Mahogany. Stamped. H: 60 cm W: 80 cm D: 45 cm Josef Frank was a true European, he was also a pi...
Mahogany
Sold
H 14.97 in W 35.04 in D 13 in
A Vintage Side Table in Mahogany by Josef Frank for Svenkt Tenn, Sweden 1970s
By Josef Frank
Located in Hønefoss, 30
A beautiful side table or stool by Swedish designer Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, c. 1970s. This fine piece of furniture is made entirely out of massive Mahogany which makes it rathe...
Mahogany
Sold
H 22.05 in Dm 27.37 in
Art Deco Vintage Walnut Brown Side Table Josef Frank Haus & Garten Vienna c 1925
By Josef Frank
Located in Vienna, AT
Art Deco Vintage walnut side table or sofa table by Josef Frank for Haus & Garten, Vienna circa 1925. A stunning three legged shellac polished Art Deco vintage side table or sofa ta...
Walnut, Spruce
Table Designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s
By Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
Table designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden. 1950s. Mahogany. Measures: H: 55.5 cm / 1' 10" W: 80 cm / 2' 7" D: 40 cm / 15 3/4".
Mahogany
Sold
H 22.29 in W 15.75 in D 25.79 in
Pair of Bedside Tables Model 914 Designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn
By Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
Pair of bedside tables model 914 designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden. 1950s. Mahogany veneer and brass. Josef Frank’s elegant bedside table model 914 with sophisticate...
Brass
Table Designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s
By Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
Table designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s. Mahogany veneer. H: 55 cm W: 80 cm D: 40 cm Josef Frank was a true European, he was also a pioneer of what would bec...
Mahogany
Sold
H 22.25 in W 15.75 in D 25.79 in
Bedside Table Model ‘914’ Designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden
By Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
Bedside table model 914 designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s. Mahogany veneer and brass handle. Josef Frank’s elegant bedside table model 914 with sophisticated ...
Brass
Sold
H 22.45 in W 15.75 in D 25.6 in
Pair of Mahogany Bedside Tables by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s
By Josef Frank
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Pair of elegant bedside or side tables by Josef Frank, made in mahogany. Clean, slender lines, single drawers and neat brass handles.
Brass
Sold
H 22.05 in Dm 25.01 in
Art Deco Era Josef Frank Vintage Walnut Set Coffee Table Armchair, c 1930 Vienna
By Josef Frank
Located in Vienna, AT
Art Deco era vintage walnut set coffee table and armchair designed by Josef Frank for Haus & Garten circa 1930 Vienna. Beautiful Art Deco set consisting of a coffee table or side ta...
Fabric, Walnut, Spruce
Sold
H 21.75 in W 21.75 in D 14.5 in
20th Century Swedish Svenskt Tenn Set of Cherry Nesting Tables by Josef Frank
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A light-brown, vintage Mid-Century Modern Swedish set of three nesting tables, model 618 made of hand carved Cherrywood, designed by Josef Frank and produced by Svenskt Tenn, in good...
Cherry