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Paul Frankl Sofas

Austrian, American, 1886-1958

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.

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Creator: Paul Frankl
Original Historic Hand Made 9 Strand Square Pretzel Rattan Sofa By Paul T Frankl
By Paul Frankl
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Extremely rare, museum-quality nine-strand square pretzel square-back four-seat sofa was designed by Paul T. Frankl in 1934 using the highest-quality rattan poles and reeds available...
Category

1930s Philippine Art Deco Vintage Paul Frankl Sofas

Materials

Wicker, Rattan

Original Historic Hand Made 4- Strand Square Pretzel Rattan Lounge & Sofa Set
By Paul Frankl
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Scarce, museum-quality four-strand square pretzel square-back Lounge chairs and sofa set designed by Paul T. Frankl in 1934 using the highest-quality rattan poles and reeds available...
Category

1930s Philippine Art Deco Vintage Paul Frankl Sofas

Materials

Rattan

Original Rattan By Paul Frankl, Multi-Strand Sofa and Chaise Lounge
By Paul Frankl
Located in Van Nuys, CA
A rare multi-strand set living room set. A museum-quality six-strand square pretzel sofa and five-strand chaise lounge were designed by Paul T. Frankl using the highest-quality grade...
Category

1940s Vintage Paul Frankl Sofas

Materials

Fabric, Rattan

Paul T. Frankl 4-Strand Square Pretzel Round-Back 3-Seat Sofa Restored
By Paul Frankl
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This rare, museum-quality four-strand square pretzel round-back three-seat sofa was designed by Paul T. Frankl using the highest-quality rattan poles and reeds available and restored...
Category

1930s Asian Vintage Paul Frankl Sofas

Materials

Fabric, Rattan

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...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Sofas

Materials

Fabric, Bamboo, Foam

Paul Frankl Pretzel 4 Seat Rattan Sofa.
By Paul Frankl
Located in Miami, FL
Paul Frankl Pretzel 4 seat Rattan Bamboo Sofa.
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Sofas

Materials

Bamboo, Rattan

Paul Frankl 3-seater sofa
By Paul Frankl
Located in Hilversum, NL
This distinctive 3-seater rattan sofa was designed by Paul Frankl and is known for its striking, looped armrests reminiscent of a pretzel. The sturdy rattan frame and rounded shapes ...
Category

1940s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Sofas

Materials

Rattan

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...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl Sofas

Materials

Bamboo

Paul T. Frankl 4-Strand Square Pretzel Round-Back 3-Seat Sofa
By Paul Frankl
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This rare, museum-quality four-strand square pretzel round-back three-seat sofa was designed by Paul T. Frankl using the highest-quality rattan poles and reeds available and restored...
Category

1930s Vintage Paul Frankl Sofas

Materials

Fabric, Rattan

Paul Frankl Custom Sofa, Pair Available, 1940s
By Paul Frankl
Located in Amarillo, TX
Paul Frankl sofa, matched pair available. USA, circa 1944. From an important estate. Silk over oak frame. Measures: 88 W x 27 D x 33 H in. 224 W x...
Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Sofas

Materials

Silk, Wood

Paul Frankl Custom Sofa, 1940s, Pair Available
By Paul Frankl
Located in Amarillo, TX
Paul Frankl sofa, matched pair available, USA, circa 1944. From an important estate. Silk over oak frame. Measure: 88 W x 27 D x 33 H in. 224 W x ...
Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Sofas

Materials

Silk, Oak

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Vintage Bamboo Lounge Set Paul Frankl, 1960s
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Rare Museum Quality Restored Nine-Strand Square Pretzel Sofa by Paul Frankl
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Paul Frankl nine-strand square pretzel arm rattan sofa. This four-seat sofa dates from the 1934. This sofa comes directly for a Paul Frankl decorated house located in Los Angeles and...
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1930s American Art Deco Vintage Paul Frankl Sofas

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Restored Paul Frankl Nine Strand Settee Loveseat
By Paul Frankl
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Square Pretzel Rattan Sectional Sofa by Paul Frankl
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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...
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Aerodynamic Black Leather Sofa in the Style of Paul Frankl
By Paul Frankl
Located in Pasadena, CA
Paul Frankl style leather speed sofa in its original leather which was faded and has been reconditioned.
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1940s American Vintage Paul Frankl Sofas

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Leather, Upholstery, Wood

1930s Frankl Speed Sofa Deco Moderne Machine Age & Streamline
By Paul Frankl
Located in Hyattsville, MD
USA, c.1930s. Paul Frankl Speed Sofa, Re-Upholstered in the Last Decade but the Fabric is Faded and Stained. Sofa Frame Sturdy and Foam is Good. W...
Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Paul Frankl Sofas

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Paul Frankl sofas for sale on 1stDibs.

Paul Frankl sofas are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of fabric and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Paul Frankl sofas, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original sofas by Paul Frankl were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the mid-20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider sofas by John Wisner, Donghia, and Weiman Preview Furniture. Prices for Paul Frankl sofas can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $2,950 and can go as high as $20,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $6,000.

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