Skip to main content

Paul Frankl Mantel Clocks

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.

to
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Height
to
Width
to
1
1
1
159
34
28
25
25
Creator: Paul Frankl
Paul Frankl Telechron American Moderne Deco Clock, 1928
Paul Frankl Telechron American Moderne Deco Clock, 1928

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 ...

Category

1920s American Machine Age Vintage Paul Frankl Mantel Clocks

Materials

Glass

Related Items
Vintage Art Deco Mantel Clock
Vintage Art Deco Mantel Clock

Vintage Art Deco Mantel Clock

$680Sale Price|20% Off

H 8.5 in W 13 in D 3.75 in

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...

Category

Mid-20th Century German Art Deco Paul Frankl Mantel Clocks

Materials

Glass, Wood

Art Deco Marble Mantel Clock
Art Deco Marble Mantel Clock

Art Deco Marble Mantel Clock

$4,771

H 11.25 in W 15 in D 4.5 in

Art Deco Marble Mantel Clock

Located in Norwich, GB

Art Deco Mantel Clock Art Deco mantel clock house in a finely figured marble stepped case with applied Art Deco style brass mounts. Rectangular brass bezel opening to t...

Category

1920s French Art Deco Vintage Paul Frankl Mantel Clocks

Materials

Marble

Vintage Butterscotch Bakelite/Catalin GE Telechron, 1930s
Vintage Butterscotch Bakelite/Catalin GE Telechron, 1930s

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.

Category

1930s European Vintage Paul Frankl Mantel Clocks

Materials

Bakelite

1940's American Paint Decorated Grandmother's/Pencil Clock
1940's American Paint Decorated Grandmother's/Pencil Clock

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...

Category

1940s American American Colonial Vintage Paul Frankl Mantel Clocks

Materials

Wood, Paint

Vintage Art Deco Telechron Electroalarm  Skyscraper Desk Clock Bakelite
Vintage Art Deco Telechron Electroalarm  Skyscraper Desk Clock Bakelite

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....

Category

1930s Saint Pierre and Miquelon Art Deco Vintage Paul Frankl Mantel Clocks

Materials

Brass

Art Deco Mantel Clock
Art Deco Mantel Clock

Art Deco Mantel Clock

$700

H 7.88 in W 14.18 in D 5.12 in

Art Deco Mantel Clock

By Kienzle Clocks

Located in Vienna, AT

Original condition, perfect working Softwood covered with nutveneer attributed to Kienze

Category

1920s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Paul Frankl Mantel Clocks

Materials

Nutwood, Softwood

Paul Frankl Skyscraper Art Deco Bakelite Telechron Clock
Paul Frankl Skyscraper Art Deco Bakelite Telechron Clock

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 ...

Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Paul Frankl Mantel Clocks

Materials

Bakelite

Paul Dupré-Lafon, Hermès Desk Clock, c.1935
Paul Dupré-Lafon, Hermès Desk Clock, c.1935

Paul Dupré-Lafon, Hermès Desk Clock, c.1935

$2,000

H 5.71 in W 6.7 in D 3.15 in

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...

Category

1930s French Art Deco Vintage Paul Frankl Mantel Clocks

Materials

Brass

Alfred Dunhill 1928 Art Deco La Captive Squeeze Travel Clock In .925 Sterling
Alfred Dunhill 1928 Art Deco La Captive Squeeze Travel Clock In .925 Sterling

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...

Category

1920s Swiss Art Deco Vintage Paul Frankl Mantel Clocks

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver, Steel

Sessions Clock Co. American Victorian Bronze Column Wooden Case Mantel Clock
Sessions Clock Co. American Victorian Bronze Column Wooden Case Mantel Clock

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...

Category

Late 19th Century American Victorian Antique Paul Frankl Mantel Clocks

Materials

Metal, Brass, Bronze, Enamel

1940s Art Deco Telechron Electric Clock GE
1940s Art Deco Telechron Electric Clock GE

1940s Art Deco Telechron Electric Clock GE

$175

H 4.25 in W 4 in D 2.25 in

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

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl Mantel Clocks

Materials

Brass

Cartier Art Deco Table Clock
Cartier Art Deco Table Clock

Cartier Art Deco Table Clock

$28,500

H 4.75 in W 4.25 in D 2.25 in

Cartier Art Deco Table Clock

By Cartier

Located in New Orleans, LA

This Art Deco period table clock by Cartier is an extremely rare find and in a class of its own. Crafted of black lacquer, no detail was spared by the famed firm in creating this hig...

Category

20th Century French Art Deco Paul Frankl Mantel Clocks

Materials

Silver, Brass

Previously Available Items
Paul Frankl Modernique Art Deco Clock for Telechrone
Paul Frankl Modernique Art Deco Clock for Telechrone

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...

Category

1920s American Vintage Paul Frankl Mantel Clocks

Materials

Metal

Paul Frankl mantel clocks for sale on 1stDibs.

Paul Frankl mantel clocks are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of glass and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Paul Frankl mantel clocks, although gray editions of this piece are particularly popular. Prices for Paul Frankl mantel clocks can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $3,600 and can go as high as $3,600, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $3,600.