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.
Set of 10 Paul Frankl Corset Back Dining Chairs in Ivory White Bouclé, c. 1950s
By Paul Frankl
Located in Saint Louis, MO
We are pleased to offer this one of a kind exquisite set of 10 Paul Frankl plunging corset dining chairs for Johnson Furniture, circa 1950 professionally reupholstered in ivory white...
Bouclé, Upholstery, Mahogany, Bentwood
Set of 12 Paul Frankl Corset Back Dining Chairs in Ivory White Bouclé, c. 1950s
By Paul Frankl
Located in Saint Louis, MO
We are pleased to offer this one of a kind exquisitely large set of 12 Paul Frankl plunging corset dining chairs for Johnson Furniture, circa 1950 professionally reupholstered in ivo...
Bouclé, Upholstery, Mahogany, Bentwood
Set of 18 Paul Frankl Corset Back Dining Chairs in Ivory White Bouclé, c. 1950s
By Paul Frankl
Located in Saint Louis, MO
We are pleased to offer this one of a kind exquisitely large set of 18 Paul Frankl plunging corset dining chairs for Johnson Furniture, circa 1950 professionally reupholstered in ivo...
Bouclé, Upholstery, Mahogany, Bentwood
Set of 16 Paul Frankl Corset Back Dining Chairs in Ivory White Bouclé, c. 1950s
By Paul Frankl
Located in Saint Louis, MO
We are pleased to offer this one of a kind exquisitely large set of 16 Paul Frankl plunging corset dining chairs for Johnson Furniture, circa 1950 professionally reupholstered in ivo...
Bouclé, Upholstery, Mahogany, Bentwood
Pair of Midcentury Paul Frankl Chairs in Cerused Oak
By Paul Frankl
Located in Pasadena, CA
Handsome, masculine pair of midcentury Paul Frankl chairs in cerused oak. Chairs have been newly refinished and reupholstered in a garnet color velvet.
Velvet, Oak
Set of 14 Paul Frankl Corset Back Dining Chairs in Ivory White Bouclé, c. 1950s
By Paul Frankl
Located in Saint Louis, MO
We are pleased to offer this one of a kind exquisitely large set of 14 Paul Frankl plunging corset dining chairs for Johnson Furniture, circa 1950 professionally reupholstered in ivo...
Bouclé, Upholstery, Mahogany, Bentwood
Paul Frankl Sculptural Lounge Chairs Refinished Reupholstered Art Deco Modern
By Paul Frankl
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Sculptural Lounge Chairs, designed by Paul Frankl, circa 1930s. These chairs are currently being refinished and reupholstered and can be completed in your choice of wood colo...
Wood, Upholstery
$9,000 / set
H 37 in W 19.5 in D 21 in
Set of Four Italian Midcentury Cerused Oak Chairs with Rushed Seats
Located in New York, NY
Set of four Italian midcentury Cerused oak chairs with rushed seats.
Oak
Vittorio Valabrega Dining Chairs, 1950, Set of 2
By Vittorio Valabrega
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Vittorio Valabrega dining chairs, green velvet and wood, Italy, 1950, set of two. These sculpted chairs recall the Art Deco Movement with their elegant shapes. The wooden structure ...
Velvet, Wood
$48,400 / set
H 34 in W 21 in D 23 in
Set of 14 Paul Frankl Corset Oak Dining Chairs for Brown Saltman in Latte Bouclé
By Paul Frankl
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Sultry large set of 14 Oak Corset Dining Chairs designed by Paul Frankl and produced by Brown Saltman newly professionally restored and refinished in original stain with new cushions...
Bouclé, Upholstery, Oak
Mid-Century Set of High Back Dining Chairs
By Ib Kofod-Larsen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stylish set of four matching dining chairs offer a shapely vinyl covered seat, with comfortable high backs. Hardwood walnut frames with tapered legs and clean modern lines add t...
Wood
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
$4,800 / set
H 31.5 in W 23.23 in D 19.69 in
4 Dining Chairs by Pizzetti Rome Italy 1950s, New Wool Boucle Upholstery
By Mobili Pizzetti
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Nice set of 4 Italian dining chairs produced by Pizzetti, Rome in the 1950s During restoration the original manufacturers labels showed up under the old upholstery and were saved to be added on again when finished The chairs have been restored with respect with new Pirelli rubber strapping and latex interior foam as they were done original Zumirez moonbeam wool bouclé fabric by Zinc from their Malibu collection The black enameled solid steel frames have been polished and have paint loss consistent with age and use but proving the age of these chairs and adding character Upon request the frames can be repainted or powder coated A nice set of Italian chairs...
Steel
Set of 6 Fine French 1950s Beech Dining Chairs
Located in Long Island City, NY
A set of six fine French mid-century beech dining chairs.
Beech
$850 / item
H 31.5 in W 19.69 in D 21.26 in
Mid-Century Modern Dining Chairs in New Bouclé Fabric by Spahn, Germany 1950s
Located in Almelo, NL
Mid-Century Modern Dining Chairs in New Bouclé Fabric by Spahn, Germany 1950s Mid-Century Modern dining chairs by Spahn, Germany 1950s. Newly reupholstered in a of white bouclé fabr...
Bouclé, Beech
$4,108 / set
H 33.86 in W 18.31 in D 16.74 in
Rare Set of 6 Michel Dufet 'Duffet' Dining Chairs, 1950s, France
By Michel Dufet, Michel Duffet
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A rare set of 6 original Michel Dufet (Duffet) dining chairs dating from the 1950s. In good original vintage condition, some signs of use and wear to the wood, including minor losses...
Wood
$21,911 / set
H 32.29 in W 14.97 in D 18.9 in
Set of 12 Gio Ponti Leggera Model 646 Dining Chairs for Cassina, Italy, 1950s
By Gio Ponti, Cassina
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A wonderful set of twelve original, early Gio Ponti Leggera Model 646 dining chairs, Cassina, Italy, 1950s. In restored condition with new ...
Fabric, Wood
Paul Frankl Bamboo Rattan Patio Chairs
By Ficks Reed, Paul Frankl
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stylish pair of Mid-Century bamboo chairs, boasting stylish and sturdy bamboo and rattan construction. Unique vintage design, padded seat, and gorgeous complementary colors. Please ...
Bamboo, Rattan
$4,250 / set
H 26.5 in W 25.75 in D 31.5 in
Paul Frankl Sculptural Lounge Chairs Refinished Reupholstered Art Deco Modern
By Paul Frankl
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Sculptural Lounge Chairs, designed by Paul Frankl, circa 1930s. These chairs are currently being refinished and reupholstered and can be completed in your choice of wood colo...
Wood, Upholstery
Sold
H 33 in W 18.25 in D 20 in
Paul Frankl Dining Chairs for Brown Saltman 3 Available Sold in Singles
By Paul Frankl, Brown Saltman
Located in San Diego, CA
Step into the realm of timeless sophistication with our collection of iconic Crisscross "X" Dining Chairs, designed by the legendary Paul Frankl for the esteemed Brown Saltman group ...
Upholstery, Oak
Important Paul Frankl Galleries Skyscraper Chair, circa 1927
By Paul Frankl
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Important jagged form chair by Paul Frankl. With Skyscraper Frankl Gallery metal label on underside. . Dated between 1926 and 1927. NY, Custom made, only one known of, made for New...
Walnut
Sold
H 33 in W 25.25 in D 23 in
Large Set of 10 Paul Frankl Mid-Century Modern Lattice Dining Chairs, c. 1950
By Johnson Furniture Company, Paul Frankl
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Fully professionally restored large set of ten Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl Lattice Dining Chairs hailing from the 1950s. This dining set consi...
Upholstery, Wood
Sold
H 32 in W 26 in D 24 in
Set of 18 Paul Frankl Corset Back Dining Chairs in Ivory White Bouclé, c. 1950s
By Paul Frankl
Located in Saint Louis, MO
We are pleased to offer this one of a kind exquisitely large set of 18 Paul Frankl plunging corset dining chairs for Johnson Furniture, circa 1950...
Bouclé, Upholstery, Mahogany, Bentwood
Sold
H 31.5 in W 25.2 in D 22.84 in
Six Paul Frankl "Corset" and "Zig Zag" Chairs for Johnson Furniture
By Paul Frankl, John Stuart Inc., Johnson Furniture Company
Located in Milano, IT
Wonderful set of six dining chairs in finely ebonized wood and fabric, designed by Paul Frankl (1886 - 1958) for Johnson Furniture and distributed by John Stuart in 1950. Paul Frank...
Fabric, Wood
Sold
H 32 in W 26 in D 24 in
Set of 18 Paul Frankl Corset Back Dining Chairs in Ivory White Bouclé, c. 1950s
By Paul Frankl
Located in Saint Louis, MO
We are pleased to offer this one of a kind exquisitely large set of 18 Paul Frankl plunging corset dining chairs for Johnson Furniture, circa 1950...
Bouclé, Upholstery, Mahogany
Pair of Paul Frankl Corset Side Chairs
By Paul Frankl
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Paul Frankl for Johnson Company Corset side chairs with new upholstery. Iconic design also known as V back chairs. Wood is in original condition ...
Wood
Midcentury Paul Frankl Dark Wood Dining Chair Set
By Paul Frankl, Brown Saltman
Located in Houston, TX
Six dining chair set designed by Paul Frankl for Brown Saltman. The wood is a deep brown mahogany with a sleek design. Seats were upholstered in a new fabric. Set comes with two end ...
Mahogany
Paul Frankl Vanity Stool
By Paul Frankl
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
"Skyscraper" style vanity stool by Paul Frankl, late 1930s. Period pink and gold silk upholstery with tassels. Ebonized wood base.
Upholstery, Wood
Sold
H 31.5 in W 25.5 in D 23 in
Mid-Century Modern Plunging Neckline Occasional/Desk Chair by Paul Frankl
By Paul Frankl
Located in New York, NY
This stunning and iconic "Plunging Neckline" chair was creating by the fabled designer Paul Frankl, circa 1950. Frankl's career spanned every major movement from streamline moderne A...
Velvet, Walnut
Pair of Paul Frankl Style Double Bamboo Pretzel Lounge Chairs
By Paul Frankl
Located in Stamford, CT
A pair of Paul Frankl style double bamboo Pretzel lounge chairs.
Bamboo
Paul Frankl for Johnson Mahogany and Upholstered Dining Chairs
By Paul Frankl
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Four Paul Frankl for Johnson mahogany and upholstered dining chairs, circa early 1950s. These examples have solid mahogany frames that have been newly and impeccably refinished. The ...