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Paul Frankl Credenzas

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 for Johnson Furniture Black Lacquered Mahogany Sideboard Credenza
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern sideboard, credenza, or bar cabinet By Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture USA, 1950s Black lacquered mahogany, with lacquered cork top and b...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Credenzas

Materials

Brass

Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture 10 Drawer Double Dresser Solid Brass X Pulls
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern tan walnut finish double dresser credenza by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl Credenzas

Materials

Brass

Paul Frankl for Johnson White Wash Marble Top 10 Drawers Dresser Brass x Pulls
By Johnson Furniture Company, Paul Frankl
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Paul Frankl for Johnson white wash marble top 10 drawers dresser brass x pulls. Retains John Stuart retailer label. Solid brass X pulls.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl Credenzas

Materials

Marble

Mid Century Wood And Cork Sideboard - Paul Frankl For Johnson Furniture
By Paul Frankl
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An ebonized wood sideboard with cork top, designed by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture and retailed by John Stuart. The cabinet with cantered corners having three top drawers surmou...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl Credenzas

Materials

Brass

Paul Frankl Sideboard with Lacquered Cork and Brass
By Paul Frankl
Located in Atlanta, GA
Large and impressive sideboard or credenza piece by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Co, USA, dated 1940s, in the taste of American Art Deco transitioning into Modern. The main construction is mahogany, with center door of lacquered cork...
Category

1940s American Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Credenzas

Materials

Brass

Art Deco Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Mahogany and Cork Sideboard
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Co.
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...
Category

Mid-20th Century Art Deco Paul Frankl Credenzas

Materials

Brass

Paul Frankl Cork Credenza for Johnson Furniture Co
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Co.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Paul Frankl’s cork furniture pieces are among his longest-lasting contributions to American modernism and are highly sought after to this day. This mahogany example, a cork top crede...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Paul Frankl for Brown-Saltman Lacquered Sideboard Credenza
By Paul Frankl
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Rare Mid-Century Modern Swedish style lacquered sideboard or credenza cabinet designed by Paul Frankl for Brown Saltman. Features a sleek mahogany case fitted with three drawers in t...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl Credenzas

Materials

Brass

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Restored 'Station Wagon' Ten-Drawer Dresser by Paul Frankl, c. 1945, Signed
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Brass

Ten Drawer Dresser by Paul Frankl
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Paul Frankl Lacquered Bureau
By Johnson Furniture Company, Paul Frankl
Located in Cambridge, US
USA, ca. 1950s. A large and versatile bureau by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture. Features impressive maple construction with ten generous drawers in staggered sizes. Polished brass...
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Paul Frankl Lacquered Bureau
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Paul McCobb Dresser for Calvin Furniture
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Paul Frankl Petite Mahogany Chest of Drawers for Johnson Furniture Co. USA 1940s
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Co.
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Previously Available Items
1950s Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Company Mahogany and White Cork Credenza
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company
Located in Farmington Hills, MI
We are very pleased to offer a timeless credenza designed by Paul Frankl for The Johnson Furniture Company, circa the 1950s. Back in the day, Johnson company in Grand Rapids, Michiga...
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Mahogany, Cork, Paint

Paul Frankl Johnson Furniture Long 8 Drawers Dresser Credenza Buckle Brass Pulls
By Paul Frankl, John Stuart Inc.
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Paul Frankl Johnson furniture long 8 drawers dresser credenza buckle brass pulls MINT!.
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Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Black Lacquered Sideboard, Newly Refinished
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Vintage Cerused and Brass Dresser by Paul Frankl for Brown Saltman
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Wonderful vintage cerused and brass credenza designed by Paul Frankl for Brown Saltman in the United States, circa 1950s. The beautiful black cerused oak grain gives it a unique styl...
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Sideboard by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Co. in Mahogany and Cork
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Co.
Located in Littleton, CO
A rare and elegantly handsome mahogany sideboard with a lacquered cream cork top and gilt "x" pulls by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Co. The cork top is heathered with very su...
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1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Credenzas

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Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Eight Drawers Long Dresser Credenza
By Johnson Furniture Company, Paul Frankl
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Stunning walnut Mid-Century Modern long dresser by Paul Frankl with solid brass buckle style pulls hardware.
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20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl Credenzas

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Brass

Vintage Cerused and Brass Dresser by Paul Frankl for Brown Saltman
By Brown Saltman, Paul Frankl
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Wonderful vintage cerused and brass credenza designed by Paul Frankl for Brown Saltman in the United States, circa 1950s. The beautiful black cerused oak grain gives it a unique styl...
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Paul Frankl Mid-Century Modern Credenza
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Vintage Cerused and Brass Dresser by Paul Frankl for Brown Saltman
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This fabulous vintage dresser designed by Paul Frankl for Brown Saltman in the United States, circa 1950s. Features six large pull-out dovetailed drawers, all integrated with origina...
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Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Credenza/ Dresser
By Johnson Furniture Company, Paul Frankl
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Paul Frankl cork front credenza or buffet. All original! Needs to be refinished, but you can decide how! Loads of storage, doors open to reveal pull out drawers. Use in the dining ro...
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Paul Frankl Black Lacquered Double Dresser or Credenza, Newly Restored
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern black lacquered ten-drawer double dresser or credenza By Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture and retailed by John Stuart USA, 1950s Black lac...
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Paul Frankl credenzas for sale on 1stDibs.

Paul Frankl credenzas 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 credenzas, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original credenzas by Paul Frankl were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider credenzas by Bernhard Rohne, Romweber Furniture Co., and Thayer Coggin. Prices for Paul Frankl credenzas can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $3,680 and can go as high as $12,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $5,748.

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