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, Johnson Furniture, Station Wagon Bench, Rock Maple, Fabric, 1950s
By Johnson Furniture Company, Paul Frankl
Located in Manhasset, NY
Rare Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl / John Stuart Storage Ottoman, Footstool Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Co. and retailed by John Stuart. Branded Johnson Furniture Co. and lab...
Fabric, Mahogany
Restored Rattan Three-Seater "Eye" Bench by Paul T Frankl
By Paul Frankl
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Rare, museum-quality rattan three-seat bench features a reed rattan top and a captivating eye-shaped arch. Designed by Paul T. Frankl using the highest-quality rattan poles and reeds...
Fabric, Rattan
$2,400
H 36.23 in W 59.06 in D 20.48 in
Danish Modern, Sculptural Three Seater Sofa / Bench, Made by Hans Dau, 1950s
By Charles Dudouyt
Located in Odense, DK
A lovely romantic Baroque style three seater sofa with cushions covered in vintage fabric. Made in solid oak. Handcrafted by Danish cabinetmaker Hans Dau in the 1950s. The overall im...
Fabric, Oak
Teak Wood Framed Bench, with Woven Rattan Seat
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
A hand-crafted teak framed & woven rattan strap bench. These benches are crafted by local artisans using a wood joinery technique without the use of nails. They feature a subtle wood...
Teak, Rattan
Exceptional Carved And Painted Three Seat Bench
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Colorful, stylish and very well made three seat Painted Bench. On six turned legs with stretcher supports providing support to the upper frame with well carved seat back with arched...
Rush, Wood
$4,750
H 14.25 in W 18.75 in D 92.5 in
1950s George Nelson for Herman Miller 4992 Slatted Bench in Maple 92"
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Slat Bench, Model 4992, originally designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller in 1947. This particular example dates to the 1950s. The bench is comprised of entirely of ma...
Maple
$495Sale Price|67% Off
H 34 in W 55 in D 24 in
Heywood-Wakefield Three-Seat Folding Bench, United States, Midcentury
Located in New York, NY
Midcentury American Heywood-Wakefield three-seat folding bench. Bronze number discs are original.
Wood
Paolo Buffa Maple Wood Bench, Italy, circa 1950
By Paolo Buffa
Located in New York, NY
Paolo Buffa maple wood bench with thick upholstered velvet seat. Italy, circa 1950 Size: 16" high x 24" wide x 14 1/2" deep
Velvet, Maple
$1,940 / item
H 18.12 in W 55.12 in D 15.75 in
Teak Wood Framed Bench, with Woven Synthetic Rattan Seat
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
A hand-crafted teak framed & woven synthetic rattan bench. These benches are crafted by local artisans using a wood joinery technique without the use of nails. They feature a subtle ...
Synthetic, Rattan
1950s french pine farmhouse bench
Located in LYON, FR
The essence of peasant furniture: simple, useful, and beautiful. This long 1950s pine farmhouse bench has been fully restored in our workshop to meet the demands of a modern home. Wi...
Pine
$4,640Sale Price|20% Off
H 19.5 in W 72 in D 22 in
Spectacular Bench, Saber Leg, Fabric, Brown, in the style of Gibbings, 1950s
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Miami, FL
Beautiful bench, fabric is new. Ready for a new home.
Wood, Fabric
Rustic Pine Bench, France 1950s
Located in New York, NY
Solid Pine bench with hand-carved joinery.
Pine
Set of Three Mid-Century Rattan Stools, Paul Frankl 1950s
By Paul Frankl
Located in Stamford, CT
Set of 3 1950s bentwood rattan swivel stools in three different colored vinyl seats. Seats are in great condition. The rattan has a few areas wher...
Rattan
Paul Bench by Lawson-Fenning
By Lawson-Fenning
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Paul bench features a solid lacquered brass base and an upholstered seat with piping. Each leg features a rounded leveler. The Lawson-Fenning Colle...
Brass
Sold
H 13 in W 70 in D 21 in
Paul Frankl Rectangular Cork Coffee Table or Bench 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 produced by Johnson Furnit...
Mahogany, Cork
Sold
H 19 in W 64.75 in D 17 in
Paul Frankl, Bench, Green Velvet, Wood, Johnson Furniture United States 1950s
By Johnson Furniture Company, Paul Frankl
Located in High Point, NC
A bench designed by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States, 1950s. In solid wood and newly reupholstered in green velvet fabric.
Velvet, Wood
Classic Paul Frankl Bench with Cork Top and Raised Ends
By Paul Frankl
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A classic cork top bench by Paul Frankl, in natural finish. Splayed legs with cut outs, raised ends.
Mahogany, Cork
Paul Frankl Cork Top Coffee Table / Bench
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company
Located in Fulton, CA
A Paul Frankl cork top coffee table or bench, circa 1940s. Asian influence design with curved table top. Base crafted in solid hardwood. Top refi...
Mahogany, Cork
Rosewood Coffee Table or Bench by Paul Frankl
By Paul Frankl
Located in Denton, TX
Stunning Greek key design of rosewood and mahogany.
Mahogany, Rosewood
Paul Frankl Asian Influenced Cork Top Coffee Table or Bench
By Paul Frankl
Located in Atlanta, GA
Low Slung Asian form coffee table or bench, designed by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture, circa 1940s. It has been refinished in ivory color lacquered cork top, which contrasts nice...
Wood, Mahogany, Cork
Paul Frankl Low Cork Table
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Co.
Located in New York, NY
Asian-inspired form with cork-wrapped top above dark-stained mahogany base. This piece is designed by Paul Frankl for Johnson furniture company from the post war period.
Mahogany, Cork
Sold
H 13 in W 71.25 in D 20.88 in
Paul Frankl Lacquered Cork Coffee Table for Johnson Furniture Company, circa1950
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Paul Frank lacquered cork coffee table or bench for Johnson Furniture Company, circa 1950. This piece has been professionally restored.
Mahogany, Cork
Cork Top Bench by Paul Frankl
By Paul Frankl
Located in Dallas, TX
Exceptional mint condition cork top bench design by Paul Frankl.
Cork
Cork Top Bench by Paul Frankl
By Paul Frankl
Located in Dallas, TX
A cork top bench with mahogany base. Designed by Paul Frankl for Johnson furniture.
Sold
H 13 in W 70.25 in D 21 in
Asian-Inspired Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Cork Top Bench or Low Table
By Paul Frankl
Located in San Francisco, CA
An Asian-inspired midcentury Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture cork top bench or low table with open wood supports; the elegantly long rectangular cork top with flared ends raised on...
Cork
Paul Frankl Cork Top Bench
By Paul Frankl
Located in Dallas, TX
A mahogany and cork bench / coffee table by Paul Frankl for Johnson furniture.