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.
Paul Frankl Telechron American Moderne Deco Clock, 1928
By Paul Frankl
Located in Sharon, CT
The iconic American Deco Frankl 'Skyscraper' mantel clock. Polished silver over brass with black bakelite base. This rare 'top of line' deco item retains the original bevelled glass ...
Glass
Vintage Art Deco Mantel Clock
Located in San Diego, CA
Elegant vintage Art Deco mantel clock with a German Hermie movement, circa 1950s. The clock is in very good vintage condition and holds a...
Glass, Wood
Art Deco Mantel Clock
By Kienzle Clocks
Located in Vienna, AT
Original condition, perfect working Softwood covered with nutveneer attributed to Kienze
Nutwood, Softwood
$1,100
H 7.75 in W 6 in D 3.75 in
Vintage Art Deco Telechron Electroalarm Skyscraper Desk Clock Bakelite
By Paul Frankl
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A beautiful Art Deco bakelite desk clock with alarm. Model 700 made ca' 1930's. In very good original condition, the clock is running and alarm works, though not tested for accuracy....
Brass
1940's American Paint Decorated Grandmother's/Pencil Clock
By Colonial Furniture Company
Located in Morristown, NJ
20th c., USA, a paint decorated Grandmother's/Pencil clock with the dial marked "Colonial", circa 1940, Colonial Manufacturing Co., Zeeland, Michigan. Hand painted in Adams style with floral designs and a Colonial scene on the central cartouche. The front door opens to reveal a storage space for umbrellas, walking sticks and the like. This is a whimsical, fun and useful decorative piece. Colonial Manufacturing Company...
Wood, Paint
Vintage Butterscotch Bakelite/Catalin GE Telechron, 1930s
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage Bakelite Alamar Clock by General Electric, realized between the late 1920s and 1930s. Signs of cosmetic wear, otherwise very good condition. Alarm clock not working.
Bakelite
Paul Frankl Skyscraper Art Deco Bakelite Telechron Clock
By Paul Frankl
Located in Chicago, IL
Beautiful Period Art Deco Bakelite Telechron Clock in the manner of Paul Frankl As Found Condition. Missing the glass lens. the metal piece in front is ...
Bakelite
$1,500
H 12.25 in W 15.5 in D 6 in
Sessions Clock Co. American Victorian Bronze Column Wooden Case Mantel Clock
Located in Queens, NY
American Victorian mantel clock with an ebonized wood case and white enamel & brass clock face flanked by bronze columns topped with a red faux marble...
Metal, Brass, Bronze, Enamel
Paul Dupré-Lafon, Hermès Desk Clock, c.1935
By Hermès
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Vintage Hermes Brown Leather Desk/Table Clock, 1930s This is a beautiful Art Deco style table/desk clock. Original leather with gold brass details. hand-stitched by Hermès echappeme...
Brass
$2,120Sale Price|20% Off
H 1.3 in W 1.8 in D 1.14 in
Alfred Dunhill 1928 Art Deco La Captive Squeeze Travel Clock In .925 Sterling
By Alfred Dunhill
Located in Miami, FL
Art deco La Captive travel-purse clock designed for Alfred Dunhill. Beautiful and very unusual squeeze concealed "La Captive" travel-clock, created in Swit...
Silver, Sterling Silver, Steel
1940s Art Deco Telechron Electric Clock GE
By General Electric
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents Electric Clock Telechron General Electric 7H209 Maker label 4.25 h x 4 w x 2.25 d Electric. Non-Working condition. Preowned unrestored. Refer to images
Brass
Art Deco Marble Mantel Clock
Located in Norwich, GB
Classic Art Deco mantle clock standing on a beige marble base with black inserts. A gilded dog is leaping over the clock. Gilded dial with ‘Deco’ numerals and original ‘Deco’ han...
Marble
Art Deco Alabaster Table Clock
Located in Vienna, AT
Alabaster with brass movement, digits and pointer, made in Germany in the 1930.
Alabaster, Brass
Paul Frankl Modernique Art Deco Clock for Telechrone
By Paul Frankl
Located in Miami, FL
This is a Paul Frankl "Modernique" model 431 Art Deco clock for Warren Telechron Company. It was designed in 1928 and produced from 1928 to 1932. The clock features a skyscraper-s...
Metal
Paul Frankl Modernique Clock
By Paul Frankl
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Nick-named the $50.00 clock. This was the most expensive clock in the telechron line. Original silver plate and enamel Working condition.
Silver Plate
Paul Frankl Modernique Clock
By Paul Frankl
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This is the rare enameled version nicknamed the fifty-dollar clock. Very few of these remain in this condition.
Brass, Enamel, Chrome
Sold
H 8 in W 5.75 in D 5.5 in
"Modernique" Clock by Paul Frankl for Warren Telechron Company, circa 1928
By Paul Frankl, Warren Telechron Co.
Located in New York, NY
This rare iteration of the iconic “Modernique" was designed for the Warren Telechron Company by Paul Frankl, circa 1928. During a time when the majori...
Enamel, Chrome