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.
to
1
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
5
5
4
1
5
1
2
2
4
2
1
1
1
5
5
5
5
5
164
26
24
18
18
Creator: Paul Frankl
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
Lacquer
Paul Frankl Freeform "Station Wagon" Desk for Johnson Furniture, 1950
By Paul Frankl
Located in Coronado, CA
A delightful and uncommon desk designed by Paul Frankl and manufactured by Johnson Furniture as part of the "Station Wagon" line in 1950. This freeform beauty features a mahogany ven...
Category
1950s American Art Deco Vintage Paul Frankl Desks
Materials
Mahogany, Maple
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
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl Desks
Materials
Walnut
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 ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl Desks
Materials
Wood
$1,840 Sale Price
20% Off
Seldom seen Mahogany and Cork Desk by Paul Frankl for Johnson
By Johnson Furniture Company, Paul Frankl
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
...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Desks
Materials
Brass
Related Items
Paul Frankl, Dresser, Wood, Brass, USA, 1950s
By Paul Frankl
Located in High Point, NC
A wood and brass dresser designed by Paul Frankl and produced by Johnson Furniture Company, USA, c. 1950s.
With John Stuart retail plaque.
Overall Dimensions (inches): 32.25"H x 72...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Desks
Materials
Brass
Original 1950s Mid-Century Modern Desk by Paul McCobb for Planner Group
By Winchendon, Paul McCobb
Located in Lafayette, IN
This fantastic little desk is an original 1950s piece designed by the renowned Paul McCobb for the Planner Group and manufactured by the Winchendon Furniture Company. Desk has lots o...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Desks
Materials
Wood
$1,799 Sale Price
28% Off
H 29 in W 48 in D 24.25 in
Mid-century Bleached Oak Basket Weave Desk by Paul Laszlo for Brown Saltman
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Restored Mid-century bleached oak "Basket Weave" Desk designed by Paul Laszlo for Brown Saltman. This classic California Modern desk features two side cabinets and a center pull-out ...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Desks
Materials
Oak
$4,030 Sale Price
40% Off
H 28 in W 68 in D 18.5 in
Mahogany and Brass Sideboard, Paul Frankl, Brown Saltman, 1940's
By Brown Saltman, Paul Frankl
Located in Culver City, CA
This credenza epitomizes Paul Frankl's California cool. Frankl, who's know for his enormously collectable design worked with Richard Neutra, R.M. Schindler, Gregory Ain, J.R. Davidso...
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Desks
Materials
Brass
$12,400 Sale Price
20% Off
H 38 in W 62 in D 21 in
American Mid Century rare desk Paper tray by Jens Risom in Walnut
By Jens Risom
Located in San Diego, CA
Desk tray designed by Jens Risom. Solid walnut with dovetail joinery. Labeled on the bottom.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl Desks
Materials
Walnut
Vintage French Directoire Style Black Lacquered Writing Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
The Vintage French Directoire Style Black Lacquered Writing Desk is a stylish piece of furniture characterized by its antique design and polished black finish. It exudes a sense of e...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Paul Frankl Desks
Materials
Wood
$4,640 Sale Price
20% Off
H 30.5 in W 55 in D 29 in
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 Desks
Materials
Brass
$9,600
H 33 in W 73 in D 23 in
Paul Frankl Mid-Century Modern Highboy Dresser Black Lacquered Walnut
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company
Located in Roanoke, VA
A vintage Paul Frankl highboy dresser with iconic brass “x” knobs and newly lacquered black walnut is a truly exceptional piece of furniture. Its c...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Desks
Materials
Walnut, Lacquer
Paul Frankl Dresser and Nightstand for Johnson Furniture, 1950s
By Johnson Furniture Company, Paul Frankl, John Stuart
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fantastic 1950s ten-drawer double dresser and nightstand was designed by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture and retailed by John Stuart duri...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Desks
Materials
Metal
$5,900 Sale Price / set
37% Off
H 17 in W 24 in D 24 in
Vintage Paul McCobb Planer Group Writing Desk
By Paul McCobb
Located in Chicago, IL
48” x 18.5” x 29”H; knee hole 21.5” x 24”H
Single pedestal writing desk designed by Paul McCobb for the Planner Group line.
•solid maple
•tobacco finish
•original cone-shaped so...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl Desks
Materials
Brass
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Fall Front Desk
Located in Huntington, NY
A two part Swedish Gustavian fall front desk. Upper section top opens to an ample work surface, eleven drawers with brass pulls and four storage cubbies. The lower section has three ...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Paul Frankl Desks
Materials
Brass, Iron
Paul Frankl Petite Mahogany Chest of Drawers for Johnson Furniture Co. USA 1940s
By Johnson Furniture Co., Paul Frankl
Located in Miami, FL
Petite mahogany chest of drawers or dresser with inset handles, fully incased with a stepped edge detail. Johnson Furniture Co. USA 1940s
Category
Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Paul Frankl Desks
Materials
Mahogany
$1,000
H 24 in W 36 in D 14 in
Previously Available Items
Paul Frankl Kinney Desk for Johnson Furniture
By Paul Frankl
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare kidney shaped desk with mahogany top and birch legs. Designed by Paul Frankl for Johnson furniture and sold through John Stuart.
Category
1940s Vintage Paul Frankl Desks
Materials
Mahogany
Paul Frankl Cork Mahogany Desk, Circa 1940s
By Paul Frankl
Located in San Antonio, TX
Mid-century modern Paul Frankl cork mahogany desk, with birch handles, circa 1940s for Johnson Furniture, Grand Rapids, MI.
Dimensions:60"x26"x29"
"Paul T. Frankl (October 14, 1886...
Category
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl Desks
Materials
Birch, Mahogany, Cork
Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Company 'Pallet' Wooden Writing Desk
By Paul Frankl
Located in Queens, NY
Mid-Century wooden 'pallet' kidney-shaped desk with two drawers flush to desk edge, resting on three rectangular legs with rounded edges. (PAUL FRANKL FOR JO...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl Desks
Materials
Wood
Desk by Paul Frankl for Brown Saltman
By Paul Frankl, Brown Saltman
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Desk by Paul Frankl for Brown Saltman. Desk measures 29" wide, 13.75" deep and 38" high. Desk has been professionally refinished.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Desks
Materials
Mahogany
Early 1950's Paul Frankl Desk Vanity for John Stuart Johnson Furniture
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company, John Stuart
Located in Dallas, TX
This fine example of early 1950's streamlined furniture designed by Paul T. Frankl and made by Johnson Furniture Company. Two-tone black satin lacquer and bleached wood finish make t...
Category
1950s American Art Deco Vintage Paul Frankl Desks
Materials
Wood
Early 1950s Paul Frankl Desk Vanity for John Stuart Johnson Furniture
By Paul Frankl, John Stuart, Johnson Furniture Co.
Located in Miami, FL
Rarely seen exquisite Paul Frankl designed mid century modern desk or vanity in cherry and black satin lacquer with brass X-pulls. With a John Stuart store tag and made by Johnson Fu...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Desks
Materials
Cherry, Lacquer
Rare Writing Desk by Paul Frankl
By Paul Frankl, Brown Saltman
Located in Danville, CA
Very rare and early modernist ebonized mahogany desk with sculpted saber legs and stylized bail pulls by Paul T. Frankl for Brown-Saltman. The desk has been completely restored and r...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Desks
Materials
Brass
Rare Cork and Mahogany Desk by Paul Frankl
By Paul Frankl
Located in Pawtucket, RI
This rare desk is in two pieces and was designed to allow you to slide the top from one side to the other. This also allows you to configure a right or left handed desk...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Desks
Paul Frankl Desk
By Paul Frankl
Located in Chicago, IL
Frankl for Johnson furniture, parchment colored cork wrapped desk, Features eight drawers, mahogany pulls with brass accents, main structure on a plinth base, with cutout display box in front.
[Signed Paul Frankl...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Paul Frankl Desks
Materials
Brass
Mid-Century Mahogany and Cork Desk And Chair By Paul Frankl For Johnson Furniture Co.
By Paul Frankl
Located in New York, NY
A bleached gray mahogany 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
f...
Category
1950s American Vintage Paul Frankl Desks
Materials
Chrome
H 29.13 in W 53.75 in D 21 in
Art Deco Skyscraper Furniture Desk and Chair by Paul Frankl
By Paul Frankl
Located in Atlanta, GA
Rare Art Deco "Skyscraper Furniture" Desk and Chair, designed by Paul Frankl, American, circa 1930's. Signed with metal tag inside drawer. Inspire...
Category
1930s American Vintage Paul Frankl Desks
Materials
Silk, Upholstery
Paul Frankl For Johnson Ebonized Desk
By Paul Frankl
Located in Pasadena, TX
An Art Deco/mid century modern desk designed by Paul Frankl and made by Johnson Furniture. Ebonized wood with a single pedestel with three drawers and V-shaped support.
Category
1940s American Vintage Paul Frankl Desks
Materials
Wood
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.