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.
$28,200Sale Price|40% Off
Paul T. Frankl 4-Strand Square Pretzel Round-Back Settee
By Paul Frankl
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This rare, museum-quality four-strand square pretzel round-back settee was designed by Paul T. Frankl using the highest-quality rattan poles and reeds available and restored by ratta...
Fabric, Rattan
$3,800
H 34 in W 50 in D 32 in
Paul McCobb Curvaceous Wing Back Settee or Sofa Refinished Reupholstered
By Paul McCobb
Located in Atlanta, GA
Curvaceous Wing back settee or sofa, designed by Paul McCobb for Directional, American, circa 1950s. This sofa is currently being refinished and reupholstered and can be completed in...
Upholstery, Wood
French Louis XV Style Cane Back Settee
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Large French Louis XV style cane back settee, also called canapé or sofa. Sofa in a very good state, no damage to the cane, rare find. Double-caned s...
Velvet, Cane, Wood
Old Hickory Barrel-Back Settee
By Old Hickory Furniture Company
Located in Chireno, TX
Old Hickory barrel-back settee with a bent hickory frame and a woven splint seat and back. Note: Regional differences in humidity and climate during shipp...
Hickory
Paul Frankl Pretzel 4 Seat Rattan Sofa.
By Paul Frankl
Located in Miami, FL
Paul Frankl Pretzel 4 seat Rattan Bamboo Sofa.
Bamboo, Rattan
$6,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 32 in W 101 in D 36 in
Paul Frankl Pretzel Six Strand 4-Seat Rattan Bamboo Sofa
By Paul Frankl
Located in Pasadena, TX
Paul Frankl Pretzel 4-seat rattan bamboo sofa. Rare 4 seat version this classic design. Pretzel rattan sectional sofa designed by Paul Frankl. Thi...
Bamboo
$4,000Sale Price|33% Off
H 31 in W 77 in D 40 in
Paul Frankl Pretzel Six Strand 3-Seat Rattan Bamboo Sofa
By Paul Frankl
Located in Miami, FL
Paul Frankl Pretzel Six strand 3-Seat Rattan Bamboo Sofa Offered for sale is a Paul Frankl six-strand three-seat bamboo and rattan sofa with loose seat...
Fabric, Bamboo, Foam
English Ribbon Back Settee
Located in New York, NY
Rare English mahogany settee, delicately carved with a tied ribbon back splat, on scrolled cabriole legs. This tied ribbon style was favoured by Chippendal...
Mahogany
Swedish Painted Settee with Lyre Back
Located in Pembroke, MA
Nicely-carved, painted Swedish settee in the neoclassical style. The carved elements feature a lyre back terminated with eagles' heads, women's faces on the ...
Wood, Upholstery
$4,900 / set
H 34 in W 73 in D 37 in
Four Band Pretzel Living Room Set Sofa Settee Coffee End Tables Paul Frankl
By Paul Frankl
Located in Forest Grove, PA
A vintage five piece rattan living room set after Paul Frankl consisting of a three seat sofa, a two seat settee, a coffee table and two end tables. All five pieces are fresh from a ...
Fabric, Rattan, Glass
English Chippendale Mahogany Shield Back Settee, Circa 1790
By Thomas Chippendale
Located in Charleston, SC
English Chippendale mahogany shield back settee with carved Price of Wales plumes, ribbon and bell flower motif, reeded serpentine arms, and termin...
18th C. Swedish Rococo 2-Chair Back Settee
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish period Rococo two-chair back style settee with upholstered seat, from the 18th century. This antique love-seat from Sweden features a nicely-carved two-chair back, defined ...
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
Camel Back Settee
Located in London, England
Recently reupholstered 3 seat camel back settee on walnut bun feet. UK Circa 1930 H 120cm x W 205cm x D 85cm x SH 52cm
Fabric, Walnut
Sold
H 29 in W 55.25 in D 37 in
Original Hand Made Rattan By Paul Frankl, His Historic Six Strand Square Settee
By Paul Frankl
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This is a rare museum quality restored rattan Paul Frankl living room set featuring a six-strand square pretzel settee and a matching lounge chair. Feat...
Rattan
Rare Museum Quality Six-Strand Square Pretzel Settee by Paul Frankl
By Paul Frankl
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Paul Frankl six-strand square pretzel rattan arm settee. This loveseat settee dates from 1934. This comes directly for a Paul Frankl decorated house located in Los Angeles and is doc...
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
Restored Paul Frankl Nine Strand Settee Loveseat
By Paul Frankl
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Amazing restored and updated nine strand settee or loveseat by Kosuga for Paul Frankl. Authentic Japanese steam-bent rattan frames with rare nine strand width arms. Midcentury redux ...
Fabric, Rattan
Paul Frankl Speed Settee
By Paul Frankl
Located in Chicago, IL
Frankl for Frankl Galleries, Rare and important speed Settee. Reupholstered with Great Plains silk mohair.
Mohair, Wood