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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
Paul Frankl Set of 14 Dining Chairs in Bleached Mahogany & Latte Bouclé c. 1950
By Paul Frankl
Located in Saint Louis, MO
A most special and large iconic set of Mid Century Modern Dining Chairs designed by one of the most beloved of all Paul Frankl fully restored from top to bottom with newly refinished bleached mahogany frames and new cushions and latte bouclé upholstery. Our shop has carried several Paul Frankl dining sets...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl

Materials

Mahogany, Bouclé, Upholstery

Set of 14 Paul Frankl Corset Oak Dining Chairs for Brown Saltman in Latte Bouclé
By Paul Frankl
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Sultry large set of 14 Oak Corset Dining Chairs designed by Paul Frankl and produced by Brown Saltman newly professionally restored and refinished in original stain with new cushions...
Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl

Materials

Bouclé, Upholstery, Oak

Paul Frankl Pretzel Six Strand Club Chairs with Ottomans, Set of 4
By Paul Frankl
Located in Miami, FL
Paul Frankl Pretzel Six Strand Club Chairs with Ottomans, Set of 4 Offered for sale are 2 pairs of iconic Paul Frankl 6-strand Pretzel club chairs with...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl

Materials

Fabric, Rattan, Foam

Paul Frankl Large Cork Mirror for Johnson Furniture, 1950s
By Paul Frankl
Located in Coronado, CA
A large and uncommon solid cork mirror designed by Paul Frankl and manufactured by Johnson Furniture in the 1950s. The large piece was intended to be hung on a wall and is equipped w...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl

Materials

Glass, Cork

Paul Frankl Cork Mirror
By Paul Frankl
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An oversized Cork Mirror from the Johnson Furniture Company Collection C.1949 Original lacquered Cork.
Category

1950s North American Vintage Paul Frankl

Materials

Cork

Paul Frankl Cork Mirror
Paul Frankl Cork Mirror
H 36 in W 30 in D 3 in
Paul Frankl, Dining Table, Cork, Mahogany, USA, 1940s
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company
Located in High Point, NC
A cork and stained mahogany dining table designed by Paul Frankl and produced by Johnson Furniture Company, USA, c. 1940s.
Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl

Materials

Mahogany, Cork

Mid-Century Ebonized Walnut & Nickel X Form Pull Nightstands by Paul Frankl
By Paul Frankl
Located in New York, NY
This elegantly reserved Pair of Mid-Century Modernist Nightstands in Ebonized Walnut and Nickel X Form Pulls is by the esteemed designer Paul Frankl and originates from the United St...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl

Materials

Nickel

Paul Frankl Johnson Furniture Company MCM Station Wagon Maple and Leather Mirror
By Johnson Furniture Company, Paul Frankl
Located in Countryside, IL
Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Company Mid Century Station Wagon Maple and Leather Mirror This mirror measures: 33.75 wide x 2.25 deep x 49.75 inches high All pieces of furnitur...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl

Materials

Maple

Browse all Furniture from Paul Frankl
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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
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Pretzel Sofa
Pretzel Sofa
Average Price
$4,475
Number Available
1
Pretzel Sofa
By Paul Frankl
Materials
Bamboo
Styles
Mid Century Modern
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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 Planner Group, John Stuart, and Widdicomb Furniture Co.. Prices for Paul Frankl furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $920 and can go as high as $85,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $6,490.

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