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 Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company
Located in Stamford, CT
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
Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Company Cork and Mahogany Coffee Table Bench
By Johnson Furniture Company, Paul Frankl
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Company Mid Century Cork and Mahogany Coffee Table Bench This bench measures: 71.5 wide x 21 deep x 13.25 high, with a seat height/chair clearance ...
Mahogany, Cork
$795
H 18.5 in W 48.25 in D 19.25 in
Lexington Furniture Chippendale Style Carved Mahogany Ball & Claw Bench
By Lexington Furniture 1
Located in West Chester, PA
A high quality Chippendale Style Carved solid Mahogany Bench by Lexington Furniture with the original upholstered seat.
Upholstery, Mahogany
Set of Six Paul Frankl for Johnson "Corset" Dining Chairs
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Co.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful set of six Paul Frankl dining chairs for Johnson Furniture. The chairs frames are made of cerused oak and are very sturdy and comfortable. Measures: 32 inches H x 23 in...
Upholstery, Oak
$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
Rustic Pine Bench, France 1950s
Located in New York, NY
Solid Pine bench with hand-carved joinery.
Pine
Solid Brazilian Rosewood Bench / Coffee Table
By Celina Decoracoes
Located in Oakland, CA
Celina Decoracoes mid century bench consisting of rare, solid Brazilian rosewood planks, each with varying grain.
Rosewood
Milo Baughman, Bench, Walnut, USA, 1950s
By Milo Baughman
Located in High Point, NC
A walnut bench designed by Milo Baughman and produced by Glenn of California, USA, c. 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 11.5"H x 48.0"W x 18.0"D Seat Height (inches): 11.5" All ...
Walnut
$6,196 / set
H 30 in W 72 in D 42 in
Art Deco Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Mahogany and Cork Dining 9 Piece Set
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Co.
Located in Chicago, IL
Art Deco Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture mahogany and cork dining set - 9 piece set. An exquisite, iconic and truly timeless and unparalleled classic dining set...
Fabric, Mahogany, Cork
Henredon Solid Walnut Bench Coffee Table
By Heritage-Henredon, Edward Wormley
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern stunning solid walnut grain long bench coffee table with rolled edges and one drawer similar to Edward Wormley for Dunbar bench.
Walnut
Rare Mid-Century Paul McCobb #1584 Coffee Table Bench All Black
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Beautiful Paul McCobb Planner Group #1584 - 60 inch coffee table bench all original black Lacquer finish, Minimalist Iron structure with 2 drawers...
Iron
Paul Frankl Armchair for John Stuart
By Johnson Furniture Company, Paul Frankl, John Stuart
Located in Brooklyn, NY
For your consideration is this rare model 2254 ½ armchair designed by Paul Frankl in all-original, unrestored condition. It features a sculptural solid wood frame with delicate curve...
Upholstery, Wood
Guglielmo Pecorini, Bench, Fabric, Wood, Brass, Italy, c. 1950s
By Guglielmo Pecorini
Located in High Point, NC
A wood, brass, and white fabric bench designed and produced by Guglielmo Pecorini, Italy, circa 1950s. Literature: M. R. Rogers, Italy At Work. Her...
Brass
“Florida” Bench by Ebbe Wigells, Sweden 1950s
By AB Bröderna Wigells Stolfabrik
Located in Utrecht, NL
The so-called ‘stick’ sofa has been around throughout the history of the popular “stick chair” and has had its peaks during the 20th century, especially the 1920s and 50s. Recently, ...
Wood
Sold
H 13 in W 70 in D 21 in
Paul Frankl Rectangular Cork Coffee Table or Bench for Johnson Furniture Co.
By Johnson Furniture Co., Paul Frankl
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.