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 T. Frankl pair of side chairs curly walnut mohair velvet 1933
By Paul Frankl
Located in Paris, IDF
This beautiful pair of side chairs was designed and produced by Paul T. Frankl in 1933, and clearly embodies the smooth lines of Frankl early 1930s Art Deco work. The structure is m...
Walnut
$1,806Sale Price / set|30% Off
Paul Frankl for Brown Saltman Dining Chair, Set of Four
By Brown Saltman, Paul Frankl
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Set of lattice-back dining chairs by Paul Frankl for Brown Saltman group. The chairs upholstered in high quality blue cotton fabric. The set include...
Wood
Set of 8 Paul Frankl Continental Ebonized & Upholstered "Skyscraper" Side Chairs
By Paul Frankl
Located in Queens, NY
SET of 8 Continental Art Deco (1929) \"Skyscraper\" dining / side chairs with reeded carved black lacquered curving wooden frames, upholstered in a beige and gold geometric patterned...
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Lacquer
Pair of Paul Frankl for Johnson Corset Side Dining Chairs
By Paul Frankl
Located in St. Louis, MO
Pair of Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Co. Corset side or dining chairs also know as plunging neckline or "V" back chairs. Chairs are in need of re-upholstery, price includes refi...
$3,900Sale Price / set|50% Off
H 31 in Dm 21 in
Set of Four Bertha Schaefer Dining Chairs Italian Mid Century
By Bertha Schaefer, M. Singer & Sons
Located in New York, NY
A set of sculptural light/medium walnut chairs by Bertha Schaefer for Singer and Son. Reupholstered in a golden cream/off white cotton/linen blend. Original Tag. Chairs were made in ...
Walnut, Cotton
$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
$3,200 / set
H 31.5 in W 18 in D 16 in
Kai Kristiansen Set of Four Dining Chairs in Teak for K.S. Mobler Denmark, 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen, Niels Otto Møller, K.S. Mobler
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Fantastic set of four dining chairs in teak with wool seats designed in the 1960s by Kai Kristiansen for K.S. Mobler of Denmark. The style of these Kai Kristiansen chairs is often mi...
Teak
Set of Four Carved Bent Lucite Dining Chairs
By Neal Small
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very nice Mid-Century Modern set of carved beveled Lucite shield back style dining chairs.
Upholstery, Lucite
$5,395 / set
H 33 in W 19 in D 20.5 in
Set 6 Paul Frankl Style Mid Century Dining Chairs 2 Arm + 4 Side with New Fabric
By Paul Frankl
Located in Troy, MI
Circa 1950s set of six dining chairs in manner of Paul Frankl. Found in the US - unknown maker - these chairs are similar in style to the Corset chair des...
Upholstery, Wood
Set of Eames upholstered side chairs by Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Highland, IN
This set of side chairs by Charles and Ray Eames are post-war classics. The seats are elephant hide gray fiberglass with olive green naugahyde upholstery and they sit on cast aluminu...
Aluminum
Set of 8 J. Stuart Clingman Dining Chairs for John Widdicomb
By John Widdicomb, John Stuart
Located in Hanover, MA
Set of EIGHT modernist dining chairs in walnut with upholstered seat and floating back cushions held suspended by brass fittings. Designed by J. Stuart Clingman for John Widdicomb. ...
Brass
Pair of Jens Risom 666 Side Chairs for Knoll
By Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare Jens Risom chairs made in the 1940s, model “666” of the 600 series from 1941.
Birch
$2,941 / set
H 34.65 in W 21.66 in D 18.9 in
Set of Four Rainer Daumiller Pine Wood Dining Chairs, 1970s
By Hirtshals Savvaerk, Rainer Daumiller
Located in Echt, NL
Set of four solid pine wood chairs in very good condition. Designed by Rainer Daumiller and manufactured by Hirtshals Savvaerk in the 1970s The chairs have a carved seat and backr...
Wood, Pine
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
Set of Four Chrome Dining Chairs by Bertoia for Knoll
By Harry Bertoia, Knoll
Located in New York, NY
Set of matching Bertoia side, or dining, chairs in chrome with original white pad seat covers. This nice set is in very fine, original, clean and ready to use condition, the only cav...
Chrome
$3,400Sale Price / set|22% Off
H 45.5 in W 22 in D 26.5 in
Set of Four Dining Side Chairs by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates, 1960s
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed by iconic mid-century modernist Adrian Pearsall and produced by Craft Associates in the 1960s, this elegant set of four (4) high-back side chairs (Model 2051-C) showcases th...
Fabric, Wood
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H 34 in W 19 in D 18.25 in
1950s Mid Century Modern Paul Frankl for John Stuart Pair of Chairs Z Style
By John Stuart, Paul Frankl
Located in Saddle River, NJ
Vintage Paul Frankl for John Stuart Mid-Century Modern Cane Back Chairs These vintage chairs are a must-have for any collector of mid-century modern furniture. The iconic design and...
Cane
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
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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 Lattice Back Chairs
By Johnson Furniture Co., Paul Frankl
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of mid century modern lattice back chairs by Paul Frankl.
Pair of Plunging Neckline Chairs by Paul Frankl
By Paul Frankl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful set of four Paul Frankl dining chairs, by Johnson Furniture.
The plunging v-back forms with wood bar detail to tops of seats make these chair very elegant and appeal...
Oak, Velvet