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Paul Frankl

Austrian, American, 1886-1958

Born in Vienna, Paul Frankl came to the United States in 1914 as part of a wave of Central European design luminaries — among them Kem Weber, Rudolph Schindler, and Richard Neutra — who were drawn by the energy and optimism of the American scene. Prolific and protean, Frankl would go on to design furnishings that are emblematic of nearly every key stylistic chord in American modernism, from the streamlined Art Deco to free-form organic shapes.

Frankl's Skyscraper cabinets, bookcases and more — introduced in 1924 — are his earliest and best-known designs (and the work by which he is most often represented in institutions, such as New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art). Tall and narrow, the pieces have staggered shelves meant to mimic the setbacks of Manhattan office towers. A later visually expressive line — the Speed chairs and sofas, which have a raked profile suggesting motion — links Frankl to Donald Deskey, Raymond Loewy and other creators of Streamline Moderne design.

Frankl moved to Los Angeles in 1934 and luxuriated in the climate and lifestyle. His designs became lighter and simpler and found an audience among the Hollywood élite. (Katharine Hepburn, Cary Grant and Fred Astaire were clients.) Fascinated by Asian arts, Frankl produced numerous pieces — tabletops with edges that curve upward; sofas, chairs and other seating with rattan frames — inspired by Chinese and Japanese forms and materials. In the 1940s, Frankl became one of the first designers to incorporate free-form, biomorphic shapes in his work, as well as novel upholstery fabrics such as denim and nubby wool.

Frankl biographer Christopher Long argues that the designer’s easy, elegant aesthetic had an enormous influence on movie set design. As the furniture below attests, Paul Frankl’s work is ready for its close-up.

Find vintage Paul Frankl tables, dining chairs, case pieces and storage cabinets on 1stDibs.

Iconic Designs from Paul Frankl
Explore timeless pieces that have earned their place in history.
Paul Frankl Skyscraper
Paul Frankl Skyscraper
Pretzel Sofa
Pretzel Sofa
Rare Museum Quality Paul Frankl Rattan Dining Chairs Circa 1934, Set of 10
By Paul Frankl
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Vintage set of 10 Original Paul Frankl Rattan Dining Side and Armchairs. This dining chair is made up of a total of 10 chairs, 4 side chairs, and 6 armchairs. All chairs feature a wo...
Category

1930s American Vintage Paul Frankl

Materials

Rattan

Rare Museum Quality Dining Room Table and Chairs Set By Paul Frankl
By Paul Frankl
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Rare museum quality Art Deco Paul Frankl dining room set featuring a large dining table with 4 matching dining chairs. The table features 2 vertically stacked rattan columns fixed to...
Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Paul Frankl

Materials

Rattan, Hardwood

Rare Museum Quality Paul Frankl Rattan Dining Chairs Circa 1934, Set of 6
By Paul Frankl
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Vintage midcentury slat leg rattan dining room chair with geometric back by designer Paul Frankl, included is a set of 4 side chairs and 2 matching armchairs. The side chairs feature...
Category

1930s American Vintage Paul Frankl

Materials

Rattan

Restored Rattan Original Paul Frankl Four Strand Square Pretzel Lounge Chair
By Paul Frankl
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This is a museum-quality restored rattan Paul Frankl four-strand square pretzel lounge chair. Featuring Paul Frankl's signature arm wrappings. This lounge chair dates from 1938 and c...
Category

1930s American Vintage Paul Frankl

Materials

Rattan

Rare Museum Quality Paul Frankl 1938 Coffee Table w/Reed Rattan Sides
By Paul Frankl
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This is a museum-quality restored rattan Paul Frankl coffee table with reed rattan sides and a storage base. This coffee table comes directly from a Paul Frankl-decorated house locat...
Category

1930s American Vintage Paul Frankl

Materials

Rattan

Rare Museum Quality Rattan Paul Frankl Six Strand Square Pretzel Lounge
By Paul Frankl
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This is a museum-quality restored rattan Paul Frankl six-strand square pretzel lounge chair. Featuring Paul Frankl's signature arm wrappings. This comes directly from a Paul Frankl-d...
Category

1930s American Vintage Paul Frankl

Materials

Rattan

Paul Frankl Pretzel Six Strand 3-Seat Rattan Bamboo Sofa
By Paul Frankl
Located in Miami, FL
Paul Frankl Pretzel Six strand 3-Seat Rattan Bamboo Sofa Offered for sale is a Paul Frankl six-strand three-seat bamboo and rattan sofa with loose seat...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl

Materials

Fabric, Bamboo, Foam

Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl / John Stuart Nightstands, Side, End Tables, 1950
By Paul Frankl, John Stuart, Johnson Furniture Co.
Located in Stamford, CT
Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl / John Stuart Nightstands, Side, End Tables, 1950 Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Co. and retailed by John Stuart. Branded Johnson Furniture Co. and...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl

Materials

Leather, Birdseye Maple, Mahogany

Browse all Furniture from Paul Frankl
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Paul Frankl Sellers

Tropical Sun Rattan by Harveys on Beverly
4.6
PRB / Ponce Berga
5.0
Greenwich Living Antique & Design Center
4.9
Soho Treasures
4.8
Vintage Grind House
5.0
20CDesign.com
4.6
Interior Motives LLC
5.0

Creators Similar to Paul Frankl

More Paul Frankl Designs
Paul Frankl Skyscraper
Paul Frankl Skyscraper
Average Price
$13,325
Number Available
4
Paul Frankl Skyscraper
By Paul Frankl
Materials
Wood, Glass
Styles
Art Deco, Machine Age, Mid Century Modern
Shop All
Pretzel Sofa
Pretzel Sofa
Average Price
$3,290
Number Available
2
Pretzel Sofa
By Paul Frankl
Materials
Bamboo, Mahogany, Natural Fiber, Rattan, Wood
Styles
Mid Century Modern, Organic Modern
Shop All

Paul Frankl furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Paul Frankl furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Paul Frankl furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Paul Frankl were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by James Mont, Planner Group, and John Stuart. Prices for Paul Frankl furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at £351 and can go as high as £68,107, while a piece like these, on average, fetch £5,208.

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