Paul Frankl Desks
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 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 ...
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Early 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl Desks
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Black Lacquered Sculptural Desk by Paul Frankl
By Paul Frankl
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century Black Lacquered Sculptural Desk with a geometric form of 3 drawers opposite an "S" form pedestal base with a shelf (PAUL FRANKL)
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl Desks
Materials
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Paul Frankl American Mid-Century Fall Front Walnut Skyscraper Desk
By Paul Frankl
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century walnut fall-front skyscraper desk with a main multi-shelved cabinet flanked on either side by additional shelving units with a central panel that falls forward t...
Category
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Seldom seen Mahogany and Cork Desk by Paul Frankl for Johnson
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company
Located in Buffalo, NY
Stunning mahogany and cork Mid-Century desk by Paul Frankl with three drawers above two cabinets, one fitted with pull out drawers and branded with
"Johnson Furniture Company," all
...
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Materials
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Paul Frankl desks for sale on 1stDibs.
Paul Frankl desks 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 desks, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original desks 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 desks by Harvey Probber, John Van Koert, and Roger Sprunger. Prices for Paul Frankl desks can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,840 and can go as high as $24,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $16,500.