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 Corked Topped Sideboard / Chest for Johnson Bros.
By Paul Frankl
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A very well crafted dark ebony toned sideboard with cork top , two doors to each end with a non adjustable shelve , above are two small divided drawers . Solid brass X pulls to the f...
Brass
Paul T Frankl Skyscraper Sideboard Frankl Galleries Ny Moderne Art Deco, C. 1928
By Paul Frankl
Located in Dallas, TX
Rare and important lacquered sideboard in two tone yellow ochre finish with silver leaf ornamentation, original mirrored tops, glass shelves, bullet hinges, faceted solid brass silver leafed hardware and silver plated shelf...
Wood
Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Co. x Pull Cork Top Sideboard
By Johnson Furniture Company, Paul Frankl
Located in Stamford, CT
Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Co. X Pull Cork Top Sideboard. As found condition with original black painted finish and cork tip that has been painted white. Brass X pulls retain ...
Brass
$4,400Sale Price|35% Off
Cork Sideboard / Dresser by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture, c. 1950s, Signed
By Johnson Furniture Company, Paul Frankl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This restored Paul T. Frankl for Johnson Furniture sideboard cabinet or dresser, circa 1950s, features beautiful refinished Mahogany and cork with brass x-shaped pulls and is signed ...
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...
Brass
Paul Frankl Cork Dresser 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 example, a cork top waterfall edge...
Brass
Paul Frankl MCM Debonaire Cork & Mahogany Sideboard with Hammered Brass Knobs
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company
Located in St. Louis, MO
Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Co., elegant handsome mahogany sideboard with a lacquered creme tone thick cork top with round hammered brass knobs. Five center...
Brass
$4,640Sale Price|20% Off
Paul Frankel 72" Cork Top Sideboard by Johnson Furniture Co. 1950s
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company
Located in Camden, ME
An exceptional example of Mid-Century Modern design, this stunning sideboard by Paul Frankl, manufactured by Johnson Furniture Co., features a spacious 72-inch cork top surface that ...
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...
Brass
$3,840Sale Price|33% Off
Paul Frankl Six Drawer Sideboard Cork Johnson Furniture 1950s
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company
Located in Camden, ME
Paul Frankl sideboard with two side doors and six drawers manufactured by Johnson Furniture Company of Grand Rapids, Michigan from the 1950s. Cork topped cabinet of rosewood stained ...
Maple, Cork
MCM Cork and Wood Sideboard with Mirror by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture
By Johnson Furniture Company, Paul Frankl
Located in Chicago, IL
Mid Century Modern Cork and Wood Credenza/Sideboard with Mirror by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture This amazing cork and wood credenza/sideboard is a great piece to bring together any type of mid century modern bedroom. This piece is a part of a set designed by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture. This credenza/sideboard has a glass top and cork doors. It has 8 drawers on the outside and when you open the two doors there are an additional 7 pull our...
Wood, Cork
Model 5019 Two-tier console table by Paul T. Frankl for Johnson Furniture Compan
By Johnson Furniture Company, Paul Frankl
Located in New York, NY
Model 5019 Two-tier console table by Paul T. Frankl for Johnson Furniture Company. Piece is made with lacquered cork and mahogany with original stenciled manufacturer's mark to under...
Mahogany, Cork
$5,280Sale Price|20% Off
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...
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...
Brass
$4,300
H 30 in W 72 in D 21.25 in
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...
Brass
$3,889
H 40.95 in W 45.28 in D 14.97 in
Fine Burr Walnut with Brass Gallery Rail Open Library Bookcase Etagere Whatnot
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer this very fine circa 1880 Burr walnut with Marquetry inlay, brass gallery rail and original porcelain castors, open librar...
Brass
$5,800
H 32.25 in W 71.5 in D 19 in
Paul McCobb for Calvin Irwin Travertine Top Black Mahogany Sideboard Credenza
By Calvin Furniture
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Vintage Mid Century Modern Paul McCobb for Calvin Irwin Collection Travertine Top Mah...
Travertine
$5,600Sale Price / set|40% Off
H 17 in W 24 in D 24 in
Paul Frankl Dresser and Nightstand for Johnson Furniture, 1950s
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company, 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...
Metal
$8,278Sale Price|20% Off
H 47.64 in W 34.26 in D 20.87 in
Eliel Saarinen Dresser in Birch for Johnson, USA - 1950s
By Johnson Furniture Company, Eliel Saarinen
Located in Berlin, DE
Eliel Saarinen Dresser for Johnson Furniture in Birch, USA - 1960s. Labeled and in Good Condition.
Birch
Mid-Century Modern Ebonized Dresser attributed Paul Frankl
By Paul Frankl
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a MCM Ebonized Dresser attributed to Paul Frankl. Double dresser, 3 drawers per side. All drawers open and close with ease. Iconic "X" pull handle. Dimensio...
Wood
$6,046
H 35.44 in W 47.25 in D 11.03 in
Art Deco Walnut Skyscraper Cabinet / Bookcase in the Manner of Paul T.Frankl
By Paul Frankl
Located in Köln, NW
Art Deco bookcase / cabinet in the style of Paul T. Frankl. Although the desciption says "In the style of Paul T.Frankl, the object can certainly be attributed to him. It has the typ...
Brass
Ten Drawer Dresser by Paul Frankl, C. 1950s
By Johnson Furniture Co., Paul Frankl
Located in Westport, CT
A meticulously restored Paul Frankl Dresser from Johnson Furniture, a mid-century masterpiece circa 1950s. This vintage gem, designed by the iconic Paul Frankl, features 10 drawers a...
Nickel
$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
$9,900Sale Price|44% Off
H 30 in W 84 in D 22 in
Modernist Patchwork Burl Credenza By Paul Evans For Directional
By Paul Evans
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stunning, modernist, patchwork burl, credenza by Paul Evans for Directional features a high sheen laminate finish with 48 inch wide, gunmetal steel center doors and two 16 inch wide ...
Steel
Paul Evans Burl Wood Credenza
By Paul Evans
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stunning burl wood patchwork credenza with chrome cabinet. Floating style sideboard with drawers, chrome cabinet with adjustable shelves. (Please confirm item location - NY or NJ ...
Chrome
$2,200
H 45.5 in W 40 in D 21 in
Rare Paul Frankl Tall Dresser High Chest Drawers X-Pulls From Johnson Furniture
By Johnson Furniture Company, Paul Frankl
Located in West Hartford, CT
A rare, sophisticated high chest designed by Paul Frankl for the Johnson Furniture Company, circa late 1940s-early 1950s. The coveted Johnson hallmark is incised inside. It is a prim...
Brass
Rare 1940s Paul Frankl Sideboard by Johnson Furniture
By Paul Frankl, Edward Wormley, Johnson Furniture Company
Located in Raleigh, NC
This exceptional Paul Frankl sideboard represents a masterpiece of American mid-century modern design, manufactured by Johnson Furniture during the 1940s when Frankl was at the heig...
Brass
Sideboard by Paul Frankl for Brown Saltman
By Paul Frankl, Brown Saltman
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Sideboard by Paul Frankl and manufactured by Brown Saltman. Top portion meaasures 33" wide, 18" deep and 34.25" high. Glass shelves are all original. Bottom portion is 36.25" wide...
Wood
Paul Frankl Cork Dresser for Johnson Furniture Co.
By Johnson Furniture Co., Paul Frankl
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 example, a cork top waterfall edge...
Brass
Sold
H 32.5 in W 72 in D 20.5 in
Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Mahogany Sideboard or Bar Cabinet, 1950s
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 Carved mahogany, with lacquered cork top and iconic brass "x"...
Brass
Sold
H 32.29 in W 72.45 in D 22.45 in
Ebonized Walnut Dresser Chest Of Drawers sideboard By Paul Frankl
By Paul Frankl
Located in London, GB
The Paul Frankl designed Ten-Drawer Dresser is expertly crafted using ebonized walnut, a luxury material that beautifully reflects light. The drawers are equipped with solid brass ha...
Brass
Sold
H 32.25 in W 72 in D 20.75 in
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...
Brass
Early Paul Frankl Dresser for Johnson Furniture in White Chocolate
By Johnson Furniture Company, Paul Frankl
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Exceptionally rare early 1940s Paul Frankl dresser or side board professionally refinished in white chocolate with original polished brass hardware...
Brass
Sold
H 31.75 in W 66 in D 22 in
'Station Wagon' Dresser by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture, c. 1945, Signed
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This rare collectors piece is by Paul T. Frankl for Johnson Furniture, circa 1945, and from the 'Station Wagon' series of bedroom furniture. Beautifully contrasting Mahogany and Maple refinished with an expensive French Polish; for the best of both worlds the leather and brass handles were kept original with decades of beautiful age and patina. Signed with Johnson Furniture Co stamp on inside drawer, and model and production codes stamped on rear (see photos). *Note, we have the matching nightstands available in another listing, photos of the dresser with matching nightstands at the end of the photo gallery in this listing. This design is important in context to Mid-Century Modern and California Ranch House history. In 1950 House Beautiful magazine promoted the Frankl Station Wagon collection within their 'The Station Wagon Way of Life' feature as a concept of American Modernity bolstered by the American Station Wagon and American Ranch House style, using a photo of a Cliff May...
Brass
Sold
H 32.13 in W 71.75 in D 20.75 in
Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Black Lacquered Sideboard, Newly Refinished
By Johnson Furniture Company, Paul Frankl
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...
Brass
Vintage Cerused and Brass Dresser by Paul Frankl for Brown Saltman
By Paul Frankl, Brown Saltman
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...
Brass
Sold
H 32.5 in W 72 in D 20.5 in
Sideboard by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Co. in Mahogany and Cork
By Johnson Furniture Co., Paul Frankl
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...
Mahogany, Cork
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...
Brass