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.
$2,914
Serving trolley in brass
By Josef Frank
Located in 'S-HERTOGENBOSCH, NL
Mid century serving trolley in brass by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden.
Brass
$2,021 / set
H 19.3 in W 17.33 in D 15.36 in
Nest of Three Brass & Glass Trolley Tables by Maison Bagues France, Midcentury
By Maison Baguès
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning set of three original mid century modern Maison Bagues trolley nested tables A very good looking highl...
Brass
$990
H 2.37 in W 19.69 in D 11.82 in
Maison Baguès Attr. Cast Brass Faux Bamboo Handled Serving Drinks Tray 1950s
By Maison Jansen, Maison Baguès
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Maison Baguès attributed cast brass serving tray, perfect for entertaining with and carrying or displaying your favourite cocktails and drinks - perfect for the Hollywood Regency sty...
Brass
$601 / item
H 0.79 in W 12.21 in D 17.72 in
21st Century Foscari Serving Leather Tray with Brass Handles Handmade in Italy
By Pinetti
Located in Bagnatica, Lombardia
Foscari, here is one of the latest releases of Pinetti trays collection. Available in a choice of chic shades, Foscari trays are a stylish accessory i...
Brass
$759
H 2.76 in W 13.39 in D 13.39 in
Alberto Sordi Octagonal Floral Lucite and Brass Serving Tray, Italy, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Charming and unique octagonal serving tray in a combination of lucite and brass. This incredibly stylish piece was designed by Alberto Sordi and produced in Italy during the 1970s. T...
Brass
English mahogany inlaid serving tray with brass handles, c. 1800's
Located in Kenilworth, IL
English oval serving tray in mahogany with a standing rim in alternating blocks of mahogany and satinwood. The tray is fitted with cast brass standing bail handles and centered on a ...
Brass
$641
H 0.6 in W 14.97 in D 13.39 in
Italian Vintage Serving Square Tray in Faux Tortoiseshell Lucite & Brass, 70s
By Romeo Rega, Willy Rizzo
Located in Roma, IT
Square tray made in Italy undoubtedly dating back to the 70s. Made with a 3 mm thick quadrangular faux tortoise lucite panel enclosed in a solid brass frame with removable handles. T...
Brass
$1,981
H 30.71 in W 24.02 in D 17.33 in
Serving Bar Cart by Cesare Lacca in Wood, Brass and Glass, Italy, 1950s
By Cesare Lacca
Located in Rome, IT
Serving bar cart in wood and brass details composed of two removable glass trays by the Italian designer Cesare Lacca, 1950s.
Metal, Brass
Art Deco Aluminum Serving Tray with Sculptural Brass Supports
Located in New York, NY
This striking Art Deco serving tray, crafted circa 1935, exemplifies the elegance and ingenuity of Machine Age design. Its minimalist aluminum surface, paired with sculptural brass s...
Aluminum, Brass
$295Sale Price|34% Off
H 31 in W 32 in D 17.25 in
Circa 1950s-60s Salton "Hot Tray" Serving Trolley, American
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1950s-60s Salton "Hot Tray" serving trolley, American. The epitome of mid century modern America home entertaining conveniences. Walnut & brass with wor...
Wood
$514
H 2.76 in W 13.39 in D 13.39 in
Alberto Sordi Octagonal Floral Lucite and Brass Serving Tray, Italy, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Charming and unique octagonal serving tray in a combination of lucite and brass. This incredibly stylish piece was designed by Alberto Sordi and produced in Italy during the 1970s. T...
Brass
Charles Hollis Jones Clear Lucite and Brass Serving Trays
By Charles Hollis Jones
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Amazing set of folding trays and stand designed by Charles Hollis Jones in the 1960s and also manufactured in the 1960s. This fantastic set of trays is like we have never seen befor...
Brass
$565 / item
H 0.79 in W 12.6 in D 17.13 in
21st Century Venaria Serving Leather Tray with Brass Handles Handmade in Italy
By Pinetti
Located in Bagnatica, Lombardia
Elegant, timeless and endlessly chic. These are the new Venaria trays by Pinetti, a sophisticated addition to our tabletop collection, even more strong thanks to the aluminium compos...
Brass, Aluminum
Low Table Mod. 921
By Josef Frank
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Manufactured by Tenn.
Mahogany