Paul Frankl Buffets
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
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...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Buffets
Materials
Brass
1950s Paul Frankl Black Cerused Oak Buffet Cabinet Brown Saltman
By Brown Saltman, Paul Frankl
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1950s Paul Frankl black cerused oak buffet dresser for brown saltman
Fabulous cerused oak finish, iconic x handles on combed wood.
64 x 20 deep x 33.5 tall
Drawers 16.75 deep 21.25 ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl Buffets
Materials
Oak
Early Mid-Century Johnson Furniture Two-Tone Buffet Cabinet by Paul Frankl
By Johnson Furniture Company, Paul Frankl
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...
Category
1940s American Vintage Paul Frankl Buffets
Materials
Wood
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...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Buffets
Materials
Brass
Art Deco Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Mahogany and Cork Buffet Cabinet
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Co.
Located in Chicago, IL
Art Deco Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Mahogany and Cork buffet cabinet
An exquisite, iconic and truly timeless and unparalleled classic, complete buffet and display case by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Co.
The 2 door breakfront cabinet...
Category
Mid-20th Century Art Deco Paul Frankl Buffets
Materials
Brass
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Hays Company/Pier Luigi Colli
The firm was founded in Turin in 1850, as a laboratory that embroidered for the upholstery of armchairs and sofas. The manufactory collaborated with the Martinotti and C.ia furniture manufacturer, Giuseppe and then Luigi Martinotti, who since 1831 produced luxury furniture in style and from the end of the century in the most up-to-date liberty style.
At the death of Federico Martinotti, the last male descendant of the family, in the twenties, the widow gave way to Teresa and Maria Colli and the two companies reunited, assuming the name "Colli da 1831" (with the date they referred To the foundation of the firm Martinotti). Then came Pier Luigi Colli (1895-1968), younger brother of the two holders who had attended the courses of the École des arts décoratifs.
Pier Luigi Colli, thanks to his close relationship with Paris, imported Lalique glasses and Jean Perzel decor lamps in Turin. The company took care of the real train setup, built by Fiat Ferroviaria and the technical office, led by Pier Luigi Colli, designed and produced the chairs of the Magna University of Turin and the furniture of the Turin seat of the Bank Italy and the Prefecture. In addition to the furniture, the company produced embroidery for coverings and curtains, carpets, lamps with Seguso glasses, door locks and door handles.
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Previously Available Items
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Paul Frankl buffets for sale on 1stDibs.
Paul Frankl buffets are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Paul Frankl buffets, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original buffets 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 buffets by Dunbar, Lane Furniture, and Broyhill Brasilia. Prices for Paul Frankl buffets can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $3,680 and can go as high as $6,950, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $4,600.