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.
Restored Rattan Fireplace Surround Mantel Owned by Gary Cooper
By Elsie de Wolfe, Paul Frankl
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Transform your space with this restored piece of Hollywood history featuring a Paul Frankl inspired rattan fireplace surround custom-made for the timeless actor Gary Cooper. The ratt...
Rattan
$12,000
H 87.5 in W 55 in D 19 in
Antique French Fireplace Mantel Surround Renaissance Revival Carved Oak 19thC
Located in Tyler, TX
SUPERB Antique French Fireplace Mantel Surround ~~Renaissance Revival~~HIGHLY CARVED OAK~~c. 1880s This HANDSOME statement piece will add charm and character to your home or castle~...
Oak
Palladian Manner Hardwood Fireplace Surround.
Located in Edinburgh, GB
A substantial hardwood Palladian manner fireplace surround. A moulded top shelf, with dental check below- a wrap around top cornice of carved egg & dart moulding, below a Bolection s...
Hardwood
Old Fireplace Mantel
Located in Made, NL
Elegant mantelpiece of French limestone from the 19th century! This antique mantelpiece has beautiful lines and ornaments and is calm in appearance! A fireplace with a warm appearanc...
Limestone
Natural stone fireplace surround
Located in Greding, DE
Fireplace surround made of light natural stone with clean lines and subtly profiled frame. The timeless design integrates harmoniously into both cl...
Stone
$4,500
H 52 in W 68.5 in D 11.25 in
Antique English Fireplace Mantel Surround Renaissance Revival Oak c.1920s-30s
Located in Tyler, TX
SUPERB Antique English Fireplace Mantel Surround ~~Renaissance Revival~~HIGHLY CARVED OAK~~c. 1920s-30s This HANDSOME statement piece will add charm and character to your home or ca...
Oak
Custom Red Marble Fireplace Mantel, Luxury Stone Fireplace Surround
Located in İnegöl, TR
Material: Rosso Levanto Marble Dimensions: 36" W x 40" H x 8" D (2.5" Thickness) Style: Modern/ Minimalist Customization: Fully customizable dimensions and edge profiles available...
Stone, Marble
Antique French Fireplace Surround
Located in Antwerp, BE
This is an ornate fireplace screen with intricate metalwork and gilded elements. The piece features elaborate detailing, including classical mo...
Brass, Iron
Majolica Fireplace Mantel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Belle Époque South of France 19th century fireplace mantel frame, lavender color, hand sculptured and glazed. Measures: Middle part where the head is measures 21.5 and bottom middle ...
Majolica
Antique Fireplace Mantel
Located in Made, NL
Authentic French Louis XV Fireplace Mantel – 19th Century This magnificent French Louis XV fireplace mantel is a fine example of 19th-century craftsmanship. Made from French limesto...
Limestone
Antique Fireplace Mantel
Located in Haarlem, Noord-Holland
Antique Black Marble Corbel Fireplace Mantel with Fossil Inclusions Offered by Schermerhorn Antique Fireplaces This elegant 19th-century black marble fireplace mantel is a sophisti...
Marble, Belgian Black Marble
Court Fireplace Surround/Mantle
By Brent Warr
Located in Bainbridge, GA
A striking marriage of sculptural elegance and architectural presence, The Court Fireplace Surround/Mantle commands attention as the centerpiece of...
Fiberglass, Plaster, Hardwood, Paint
Renaissance Oak Fireplace Surround and Mantel, circa 1880
Located in Evergreen, CO
Crafted in the late 19th century, this substantial fireplace surround and mantel, made of oak and finished with a dark stain, features a frieze of scrolled leaves below a carved, bre...
Oak
Sold
H 32.29 in W 28.35 in D 32.68 in
Pair of Armchairs + Table in Rattan Bamboo Design Paul Frankl, 1940s
By Paul Frankl
Located in taranto, IT
splendid and very rare pair of rattan armchairs, production and design by paul Frankl, originals from the 1940s, complete with coffee table they measure 82 cm in height, 72 cm in ...
Bamboo
Sold
H 32 in W 100.5 in D 33.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl Pretzel 9-Piece Rattan Patio Set Sofa Armchairs
By Paul Frankl
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is a breathtaking, nine-piece, rattan patio set, by Paul Frankl, in his "Pretzel" style, circa 1960s. Set includes two small side tables (with no glass), a fou...
Rattan
Sold
H 32.5 in W 32 in D 34.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Frankl Pretzel Pair of Rattan Patio Lounge Armchairs Ottoman
By Paul Frankl
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is a phenomenal pair of rattan, patio lounge armchairs and matching ottoman, by Paul Frankl, in his "Pretzel" style, circa 1960s. Bases are in very good vintag...
Rattan
Bamboo Pretzel Sectional Sofa by Paul Frankl
By Paul Frankl
Located in Palm Springs, CA
An amazing three-piece bamboo "Pretzel" sectional, design by Paul Frankl n the 1940s. The frame is in original condition, the cushions have been newly recovered with light gray Sunb...
Fabric, Bamboo