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 Frankl Buffet for Brown Saltman
By Paul Frankl, Brown Saltman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Paul Frankl oak buffet for Brown Saltman, c.1950s, USA. The piece features four center drawers flanked by two cabinets. Each cabinet has two shelves for storage and the top drawer sh...
Brass
1950s Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Co. Cork and Mahogany Credenza Buffet
By Paul Frankl
Located in Portage, MI
Beautiful Paul Frankl buffet or credenza with rare lacquered cork top. Made by Johnson and Company in the 1950s. Has lots of storage options. Deep cabinets, silverware drawers and mo...
Brass
$4,700
H 30 in W 72 in D 21.25 in
Art Deco Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Mahogany and Cork Sideboard
By Johnson Furniture Co., Paul Frankl
Located in Chicago, IL
Art Deco Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Mahogany and Cork sideboard An exquisite, iconic and truly timeless and unparalleled classic sideboard by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furnitur...
Brass
Van Keppel for Brown Saltman Mid Century Credenza
By Brown Saltman
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Van Keppel for Brown Saltman Mid Century Credenza This credenza measures: 60 wide x 19 deep x 35.75 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restored vintage ...
Wood
$2,520Sale Price|40% Off
H 52 in W 54 in D 19 in
MCM Blonde Birch Buffet w/ China Cabinet by Paul Laszlo for Brown Saltman
By Paul Laszlo
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Elegant Mid-Century Modern buffet with china cabinet designed by Paul Laszlo for Brown Saltman. Crafted in warm blonde birch, it features clean architectural lines, sculpted drawer f...
Glass, Birch
$5,447
H 28.25 in W 63.5 in D 18.5 in
Paul Laszlo for Brown Saltman Mid Century Basket Weave Bleached Oak Desk
By Paul Laszlo, Brown Saltman
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Paul Laszlo for Brown Saltman Mid Century Basket Weave Bleached Oak Desk This desk measures: 63.5 wide x 18.5 deep x 28.25 high, with a chair...
Oak
$3,750
H 21.25 in W 24 in D 22 in
Paul Frankl "Station Wagon" Three-Drawer Chest for Johnson Furniture
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Co.
Located in Hanover, MA
Gorgeous three-drawer nightstand chest by Paul Frankl from his highly coveted "Station Wagon Group" created in 1945 for Johnson Furniture Company of Grand Rapids. Branded mark in top...
Brass
$3,995
H 27.25 in W 71.25 in D 19 in
Paul McCobb for Calvin Mid Century 16-Drawer Mahogany and Brass Sideboard Buffet
By Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobb
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Paul McCobb for Calvin mid century 16-drawer mahogany and brass sideboard buffet credenza Measures: 71.25 wide x 19 deep x 27.25 high Restored vintage condition. Piece is rest...
Brass
$12,200
H 45.75 in W 44 in D 22.13 in
1950s Paul Frankl "Station Wagon" Cabinet Johnson Furniture Company
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
A 1940s Mid century Modern Paul Frankl Cabinet Chest of Drawers. A part of the station wagon series in contrasting Philippine and Rock Mahogany and Maple featuring brass and leather...
Brass
$1,889Sale Price|20% Off
H 44.89 in W 57.09 in D 16.54 in
1950s Teak Buffet, Credenzas By Carl Löfving & Söner, Sweden
By Carl Löfving & Söner
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
Extremely beautiful and high quality buffet cabinet / credenzas with seven drawers and an extendable shelf allover in very good condition designed by Kurt Karlsson for Löfvings & Sön...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Light Wood Credenza by Century Furniture, 1950s
By Century Furniture
Located in Stamford, CT
Light wood century furniture credenza, sideboard or buffet.
Wood
Paul Laszlo for Brown Saltman Basket Weave Front Double Door Cabinet
By Brown Saltman, Paul Laszlo
Located in Hanover, MA
Paul Laszlo for Brown Saltman (signed) basket weave double door cabinet in American white oak newly refinished in dark walnut. Originally this cabinet was blonde and contained GE Mu...
Oak
Paolo Buffa Ribbed Buffet for Serafino Arrighi, 1952
By Paolo Buffa, Serafino Arrighi
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Paolo Buffa Ribbed Buffet for Serafino Arrighi, wood, Italy, 1952 Architectural yet richly ornamental, this sculptural buffet designed by Paolo Buffa for Serafino Arrighi in 1952 di...
Wood
Paul Frankl for Brown Saltman Combed Wood Desk
By Paul Frankl
Located in Pasadena, TX
A desk designed by Paul Frankl for Brown and Saltman. This desk features combed wood restored to emphasize the beautiful tones and textures of the natural ...
Wood
1950s Paul Frankl Black Cerused Oak Buffet Cabinet Brown Saltman
By Paul Frankl, Brown Saltman
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a 1950s Paul Frankl black cerused oak buffet dresser for Brown Saltman. Fabulous cerused oak finish, iconic x handles on combed wood. Dimensions: 64 x 20 dee...
Oak
Sold
H 23 in W 54 in D 18 in
Early Mid-Century Johnson Furniture Two-Tone Buffet Cabinet by Paul Frankl
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Elegant walnut buffet cabinet designed by Paul Frankl for The Johnson Furniture Company, American, circa 1940. This cabinet has been refinished in a slight red hue on the cabinet case with off-white doors. The cabinet features 4 pull...
Wood
Paul Frankl Mid-Century Modern Credenza
By Paul Frankl, Brown Saltman
Located in Fulton, CA
Mid-Century Modern combed fir credenza designed by Paul T. Frankl for Brown-Saltman. Quality craftsmanship with solid wood construction and dovetail detail. Brown-Saltman ink stamp o...
Wood
Sold
H 71.75 in W 48 in D 23 in
Paul Frankl Cork and Ebonized Sideboard and Hutch for Johnson Furniture
By Paul Frankl, John Stuart, Johnson Furniture Company
Located in Culver City, CA
These pieces are absolutely stunning! Professionally restored, this Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture, distributed by John Stuart sideboard cabinet with matching hutch...
Mahogany
Sold
H 32.5 in W 72 in D 21 in
Midcentury Paul Frankl Johnson Dresser Cabinet Buffet Furniture Newly Lacquered
By Paul Frankl
Located in West Hartford, CT
Magnificent, newly lacquered brilliant white lacquered multi purpose cabinet. All original, except the lacquer. Features the coveted X pulls. Now more than ever, home is where the he...
Wood, Lacquer
Paul Frankl Combed Wood Buffet or Credenza for Brown Saltman
By Paul Frankl
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This Mid-Century Modern buffet or credenza by Paul Frankl for Brown Saltman Company features his trademark combed wood sides with black lacquer top. It is branded beneath "Brown-S...
Brass
Sold
H 32 in W 66 in D 22 in
Sideboard / Cabinet with Ribbed Wood Border by Paul Frankl for Brown & Saltman
By Paul Frankl, Brown Saltman
Located in Houston, TX
Beautiful sideboard by Paul Frankl for Brown & Saltman. It has a ribbed wood detailed boarder. The middle section has three drawers and the sides have door...
Wood
Sold
H 30.32 in W 48.43 in D 24.41 in
Paul Frankl, Station Wagon Cabinet, Mahogany, Natural Leather Brass Grips, 1945
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Co.
Located in High Point, NC
A beautiful and practical cabinet or buffet executed in mahogany, birch, leather, maple, brass. Features practical storage and a bar section. Bears the iconic design of Austrian m...
Brass
Sold
H 71 in W 72 in D 20.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl for Johnson Cork Top Mahogany Credenza Hutch
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Co.
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is a phenomenal, cork top credenza and display hutch, with glass shelves, by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture, circa 1950s...
Cork Top Credenza by Paul Frankl
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Co.
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Cork top credenza buffet by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Company.
Brass
Sold
H 32.25 in W 72 in D 21 in
Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Company Cork Top Buffet or Sideboard
By Paul Frankl
Located in Kansas City, MO
Paul Frankl Buffet or Sideboard with expertly refinished cork top, original mahogany wood finish, and original polished brass pulls. See our listing for the companion dining table.
Brass
Paul Frankl Buffet of Cerused Oak and Lacquered Wood
By Paul Frankl
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Elegant 1940's Chinese influenced buffet by Paul Frankl. Pulls are polished brass and the lacquer is a dark brown. With cerused oak body.
Wood, Oak