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, Wall Mirror, Cork, Mirror Glass, USA, C. 1950s
By Paul Frankl
Located in High Point, NC
A cork wall mirror designed by Paul Frankl and produced by Johnson Furniture company, c. 1951.
Mirror, Cork
Paul Frankl, John Stuart, Mid-Century Modern, Large Station Wagon Mirror, 1950s
By John Stuart, Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company
Located in Manhasset, NY
Paul Frankl, John Stuart, Mid-Century Modern, Large Station Wagon Wall, Console, or Pier Mirror, 1950s A hard to find example of a wall mirror from the 'Station Wagon' series design...
Mirror, Mahogany, Maple
$4,500
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.
Cork
Paul Frankl Large Waxed Cork Wall Mirror for Johnson Furniture 1950s
By Johnson Furniture Company, Paul Frankl
Located in Dallas, TX
Elegant and understated wall mirror designed by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture, executed in his signature waxed cork. The clean, rectilinear frame highlights the natural warmth an...
Mirror, Cork
Clean Lined Selection of Mirrors by Donald Deskey and Paul Frankl
By Paul Frankl, Donald Deskey
Located in Atlanta, GA
Clean lined selection of mirrors by Donald Deskey and Paul Frankl, American, circa 1930s-1950s. They are both currently being refinished and can b...
Mirror, Wood
Clean Lined Lacquered Mirror by Paul Frankl
By Johnson Furniture Company, Paul Frankl
Located in Atlanta, GA
Clean lined lacquered mirror, designed by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture and retailed by John Stuart of NYC, American, circa 1940s. This mirror is currently being refinished and c...
Mirror, Wood
$3,080Sale Price|20% Off
H 46 in W 36 in D 8.5 in
Handsome Paul Evans Cityscape Mirror and Console Chrome Mid-Century Modern
By Paul Evans
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Paul Evans Cityscape Series chrome console and mirror. This piece measures 46"t x 36"w x 8.5"d.
Chrome
Exceptional Large Murano Glass Wall Mirror 1950s
By Murano Glass Sommerso
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A stunning large Murano glass mirror surrounded with handmade clear glass flowers. Age approx. 1950s or older. A view small little distressed or blind spots in the mirror but this is...
Mirror, Wood, Murano Glass
Spanish Rattan Bamboo Round Mirror, 1960s
By Paul Frankl
Located in Barcelona, ES
Stunning Mid-Century Modern round bamboo wall mirror with wrapped rattan detail on the top. This mirror has reminiscences of Paul Frankl designs. Two concentric circular bamboo frame...
Wicker, Mirror, Bamboo, Rattan
Midcentury Walnut Mirror by Strata for Unagusta
By Unagusta
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Midcentury walnut mirror by Strata for Unagusta, sleek modern mirror, with inset 31"x 49" clear mirror. Can be hung horizontally or vertically.
Mirror, Walnut
Italian Carved and Gilt Mirror
Located in Rochester, NY
Finely carved and gilt solid wood beveled glass mirror, Italian, neoclassical style.
Gold Leaf
Mid-Century Modern Giltwood Oval Mirror by La Barge
By La Barge
Located in Rochester, NY
Vintage gitwood oval wall mirror by La Barge. Original gilding with areas of exposed red bole.
Mirror, Giltwood
1950s Murano glass mirror
By Murano Glass Sommerso
Located in Palermo, PA
1960s Murano glass mirror with delicate flowers. The mirror glass it self has a beautiful patina on the glass. The mirror is designed to be standing or hung on the wall.
Mirror, Murano Glass, Wood
Round Cork Mirror
By Paul Frankl
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Mid-Century Modern style round cork wall mirror. Only mirror is 21.5".
Cork
Italian Brass Wall Mirror, 1950s
Located in NUEMBRECHT, NRW
This beautiful Hollywood Regency style wall mirror was designed and manufactured in Italy in the late 1940s to early 1950s. It features a solid brass shield shaped frame and mirror g...
Brass
Wall Mirror by Münchner Zierspiegel, 1950s
By Münchner Zierspiegel
Located in Hannover, DE
A very rare mid-century mirror with a white-painted plastic mesh frame. It was made in Germany by the 'Vereinigte Werkstätten für Kunst im Handwerk, Munich'. The mirror itself is fra...
Mirror
$2,600
H 38 in W 28 in D 3 in
Pair of Mid Century Modern Rectangle Walnut Wall Mirrors by John Stuart MINT!
By John Stuart, T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of Mid Century Modern Rectangle Walnut Wall Mirrors by John Stuart MINT!
Walnut
Pair of LaBarge Mirrors
By LaBarge
Located in Hanover, MA
***SUMMER SALE*** Grand pair of over-sized mirrors imported from Italy by LaBarge, Inc. of Zeeland, Michigan. Scrolled oval cartouche form in carved mahogany. Price is for the pair.
Mahogany, Mirror
Sold
H 31 in W 53 in D 3 in
John Stuart Paul Frankl Large Light Walnut & Brass Rectangle Frame Wall Mirror
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company, John Stuart
Located in Rockaway, NJ
John Stuart Paul Frankl Large Light Walnut & Brass Rectangle Frame Wall Mirror MINT!
Brass
Paul Frankl Cork Wall Mirror for Johnson Furniture Co
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Co.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Paul Frankl’s cork furniture pieces are among his longest-lasting contributions to American modernism and are highly sought after to this day. This example, a rectangular cork edge w...
Cork, Mirror
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...
Glass, Cork
Sold
H 33.47 in W 50.01 in D 2.17 in
Paul Frankl, Large Station Wagon Mirror, Maple, Mahogany, USA, 1950s
By Johnson Furniture Company, Paul Frankl
Located in High Point, NC
A large "Station Wagon" mirror designed by Paul Frankl and produced by Johnson Furniture Company, USA, c. 1950s.
Mahogany, Maple
Paul Frankl Walnut and Brass Mirror 1950s 'Numbered'
By Paul Frankl
Located in Brooklyn, NY
One beautiful and large walnut with brass accents mirror by Paul Frankl. Mirror surrounded by a walnut frame and brass corners. Mirror originally sold with “Buckle Pull...
Brass
Classic 1940s Paul Frankl Mirror for Johnson Furniture
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Co.
Located in Miami, FL
REDUCED FROM $1200....From his extensive designs for Johnson Furniture by Paul Frankl. Easily used in countless ways with its simple yet elegant "D" shaped molding. Lacquered an almo...
Mirror, Wood
Cabinet Mirror Set by Paul Frankl in Limed Oak, circa 1950s
By Paul Frankl
Located in Westport, CT
Rustic-Modern cabinet and mirror set designed by Paul Frankl for Brown Saltman, circa 1950s. Fully restored in their original cerused finish. The mirror could be hung vertically or h...
Oak
Classic 1940s Paul Frankl Mirror for Johnson Furniture
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Co.
Located in Miami, FL
REDUCED FROM $1200....From his extensive designs for Johnson Furniture by Paul Frankl. Easily used in countless ways with its simple yet elegant "D" shaped molding. Lacquered an almo...
Mirror, Wood
Sold
H 51.13 in W 31.13 in D 2.5 in
Paul Frankl Mid-Century Modern Large Lacquer Mirror for Johnson Furniture
By Johnson Furniture Company, Paul Frankl
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
Elegant and beautiful "Debonair" mirror designed by Paul Frankl and manufactured by high quality manufacturer, Johnson Furniture. This large and very well made wall mirror has the or...
Mirror, Wood
Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Company Cork Mirror
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Co.
Located in Southampton, NJ
A large horizontal mirror from Paul Frankl's rare full cork series. Branded with model number on back.
Mirror, Wood, Cork
Sold
H 33.25 in W 27.25 in D 2.25 in
Paul Frankl Modern Mirror for Johnson Furniture, Blond Cherry and Black Lacquer.
By John Stuart Inc., Johnson Furniture Co., Paul Frankl
Located in Miami, FL
Beautiful Mid-Century Modern creation by master Paul Frankl, a Streamline Moderne mirror, the frame of blond cherry and black lacquer. Made by Johnson Furniture, it was retailed by J...
Art Deco Deep Round Mirror by Paul Frankl
By Paul Frankl
Located in Stamford, CT
An Art Deco deep round mirror with beveled glass, framed in silver leaf wood by Paul Frankl.
Glass, Wood