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.
$6,693Sale Price|31% Off
Paul Frankl Art Deco Speed Sectional Sofa, circa 1940
By Paul Frankl
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Original Art Deco speed sectional sofa designed by Paul Frankl. The sofa is broken down into two sections that come together to make a very large love s...
Wood
Paul Frankl Speed Sofa in Gray Boucle, 1932
By Paul Frankl
Located in Chicago, IL
Paul Frankl Speed Sectional 2 piece sofa in Gray Boucle, 1932.
Bouclé
$5,986 / set
H 21.66 in W 24.02 in D 36.23 in
Italian Mid-Century Modular Sofa or Seating Set in Ochre Boucle, 1970s Italy
Located in Zagreb, HR
Italian Mid-Century Modern lounge chairs or club chairs. Modules can be used as a modular sofa or modular seating set. Beautiful and unique shape. A 1970 design and production, fully...
Bouclé, Upholstery, Foam, Wood
$7,800
H 28 in W 108 in D 108 in
Mid-Century Modern Curved L Shape Sectional Sofa & Chaise in Art Deco Form
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A large vintage 2 piece sectional sofa with a gorgeous form. It features 2 sections with a low profile sculptural look. Feet are low profile 1 inch cylinders. Fabric is original and ...
Fabric, Wood
Paul Frankl Pretzel 4 Seat Rattan Sofa.
By Paul Frankl
Located in Miami, FL
Paul Frankl Pretzel 4 seat Rattan Bamboo Sofa.
Bamboo, Rattan
Contemporary Alabaster Boucle 2-Piece Chaise Sectional Sofa
Located in Chicago, IL
Contemporary 2-piece sectional with left-configuration wedge chaise, upholstered in alabaster boucle. Modern curved low-profile silhouette with modern finished blonde wood legs. Sect...
Bouclé, Wood
Post Modern 1990s Preview Sectional Sofa in Plush Ivory White Bouclé
By Preview
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Large Post Modern Sectional Sofa by Preview professionally reupholstered in highly durable super soft ivory white bouclé. If there was a ever a d...
Bouclé, Upholstery
$11,000Sale Price / set|35% Off
H 27 in W 96.5 in D 34 in
Adrian Pearsall Sectional Sofa w/ Slate Ends Reupholstered in Wool Gray Flannel
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A great sectional sofa set designed by Adrian Pearsall for his company Craft Associates. We’ve had it beautifully re-upholstered with new foam in a wool gray flannel. The ends featur...
Slate
Outdoor XL Sofa Set in Light Gray Upholstery
By Cotidiano
Located in Mexico City, MX
It's an original design for a getaway home the Arena Sofa XL is ultra-comfortable as it is practical for everyday family life. A geometric, still soft body ...
Fabric, Upholstery
Harvey Probber Sectional Sofa
By Harvey Probber
Located in Savannah, GA
Sectional corner sofa with integrated end table, 1960s. Original orange velvet upholstery. sofa with full back: 84 inches wide by 33 inches deep by 30 inches tall sofa with half...
Upholstery, Wood
Large Leather Sectional Sofa From France, Circa 1970
Located in Nashville, TN
Large Leather Sectional Sofa From France, Circa 1970. Very comfortable model upholstered in original light brown leather. Excellent condition.
Leather
$7,300 / item
H 26.78 in W 37.8 in D 37.8 in
Camaleonda Lounge Chair in Boucle Wool by Mario Bellini, Sectional Sofa, 1970's
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Antwerp, BE
Camaleonda, Mario Bellini, vintage; modular camaleonda, newly reupholstered in bouclé wool; white; Postmodern; Lounge chair; Sofa; Seating element; Italian design classics; Postm...
Wool, Foam
$17,600Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 29 in W 153 in D 113 in
Mid-Century Modern Seven-Piece Signed Paul Evans Sectional Sofa
By Paul Evans
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Amazing super rare seven-piece sectional sofa by Paul Evans. Unusual large random tubular tufted sections give this huge sofa a fabulous modern overall look. Upholstered in the first...
Upholstery
$10,500Sale Price / set|52% Off
H 26.25 in W 84.5 in D 39.5 in
Paul Frankl 'Speed' Art Deco Living Room Suite in Black Leather, circa 1930s
By Paul Frankl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This incredible Paul Frankl attributed 'Speed' full living room suite is comprised of a three-seat sofa, a 2-seat sofa, armchair and ottoman. The 3-seat sofa and armchair are original 1930s production based on the interior construction details and visible age. The 2-seat sofa and ottoman were created later in the 1980s to match the set and everything was then reupholstered to a thick quality black leather. I personally love this set - the wide arms are perfect for placing a glass of Scotch and an ashtray to enjoy a nice cigar. The deep black color and matching black block feet provide ample masculine style while the shape and silhouette provide a refined and classy vibe. The leather is thick and quality, also smooth and soft to the touch. The collector who acquired this sofa and armchair, purportedly in the 1980s, stated he found what he believed to be a Frankl Galleries (Paul Frankl's 1930s showroom) original example of the Speed sofa...
Leather, Wood
Sold
H 30 in W 239.5 in D 37 in
Vintage Paul Frankl Modular 11 Piece Sofa Sectional Set with End Tables
By Paul Frankl
Located in Madison, WI
Very sought after large and complete beautiful modular Paul Frankl sofa sectional set with three end tables. This is the very rare Six-strand stacked bamboo and rattan living room set to die for! Set includes: -1 Square bamboo and Mahogany coffee table -2 semi-circle bamboo and Mahogany coffee tables, together they make a circle if desired -5 end pieces (3 with right armrests, 2 with left armrests) -3 center pieces (without arms) -1 armchair with two armrests -Cushions for all pieces except for armchair are included Bamboo and rattan is in tact and in good vintage condition as pictured except for on the bottom of one chair which has some pieces which need to be further reinforced upon reupholstering. This is a very feasible process, that has not been done yet and will benefit from the work of a designer and a refinisher to add all last finishing touches. Priced accordingly because of these mentioned minor losses. We generally have our re-upholsterers and refinishers do this for us when vintage outdoor furniture is in need of being refinished, and for this set we are leaving this with the designer, as it should be reupholstered to customize for an end client anyways. Cushions with great support fit to size are included, and should be reupholstered-- they are not all matching, but covered in white covers as seen in photos. Arm Chair: 33.5" wide, 37" deep, 30" high, 19.5" arm height. Coffee Table: 35.25" square, 15" Tall. Center Pieces: 22" wide, 37" deep, 30" high End pieces: 28" wide, 37" deep, 30" high, 19.5" arm height. Semi Circle Tables...
Upholstery, Bamboo, Rattan
Vintage Coastal Paul Frankl Six Strand Painted Rattan Sectional Sofa
By Paul Frankl
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Incredible vintage painted rattan Three piece sofa. Made by the iconic Paul Frankl. Beautiful Robert Allen fabric in the Perfect View Chinoiserie p...
Rattan
Restored 3/4 3-Strand Round Pretzel Rattan Sofa Sectional
By Paul Frankl
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This round 3/4 three-strand round pretzel arm rattan three-seat sofa sectional. Sofa measures: 29“ high x 38“ deep x 70“ wide. Custom cushions C.O.M. (Costumers Own Material) a...
Wicker, Rattan
Bamboo Pretzel Sectional Sofa by Paul Frankl
By Paul Frankl
Located in Palm Springs, CA
An amazing three-piece bamboo "Pretzel" sectional, design by Paul Frankl n the 1940s. The frame is in original condition, the cushions have been newly recovered with light gray Sunb...
Fabric, Bamboo
Sold
H 32 in W 101 in D 36 in
Restored Square Pretzel Rattan Four-Seat Two-Piece Sectional Sofa by Paul Frankl
By Paul Frankl
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Square pretzel rattan sectional sofa designed by Paul Frankl. This sofa features a stacked rattan base with six strand square pretzel arms and is divided into a two pieces making a f...
Rattan
Natural Rattan Sectional Sofa by Paul Frankl
By Paul Frankl
Located in Rochester, NY
Large four piece natural bent rattan sectional sofa with six band end arms and nine band bases, designed by Paul Frankl and made in Japan, circa 1940. Structurally solid strong condi...
Metal
Square Pretzel Rattan Four-Seat Sectional Sofa by Paul Frankl
By Paul Frankl
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Square pretzel rattan sectional sofa designed by Paul Frankl. This sofa features a stacked rattan base with six strand square pretzel arms and is divided into a four personal section...
Bamboo, Rattan, Wicker