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 Custom Dining Table
By Paul Frankl
Located in Chicago, IL
Paul Frankl custom dining table, designed for a project in La Jolla, California 1930c. Sold with two 24-inch leaves when both are inserted the tabl...
Glass, Wood, Cork
Paul Frankl Black Stepped Coffee Table for Brown Saltman
By Paul Frankl
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Paul Frankl noted for his "skyscraper" designed furniture of the 1930s, took a different direction on this design for the Brown Saltman Company. This elegant round table has an inver...
Glass, Oak
Paul Frankl Two-Tier Side Table for Brown Saltman
By Brown Saltman, Paul Frankl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Paul Frankl two-tiered occasional table by Brown Saltman of California, circa 1950. Solidly crafted and elegantly designed. Signed and marked. We have not refinished or restore...
Maple
Custom French Limestone Round Dining/Center Table with Baluster Base
Located in San Francisco, CA
Custom sizes and Belgian Bluestone option available; the classically-inspired table is comprised of a thick round top with dupont edge and baluster-form support on an octagonal plint...
Limestone
Custom Regency Style 56" Diameter Mahogany Dining Table
Located in Woodbury, CT
Swathed in the finest figured mahogany, this 56” diameter table features a bold pedestal comprised of a tapered octagonal column having an ebonized collar and terminating on a platfo...
Mahogany, Satinwood, Ebony
Paul M. Jones Bronze and Glass Coffee Table
By Maison Jansen
Located in Middlesex, NJ
Paul M. Jones bronze and glass coffee table.
Bronze
$7,600Sale Price|20% Off
H 30 in Dm 54 in
Custom Modern Round Porcelain Dining Table with Geometric Brass Base
By Carrocel
Located in North York, ON
Custom modern round porcelain dining table with geometric brass base. Custom designed by the artisans at Carrocel with imported Italian honed travertino porcelain top. Completed with...
Brass
Signed Paul Evans Octagonal Cityscape Pedestal Dining Table
By Paul Evans
Located in Middlesex, NJ
Signed Paul Evans octagonal cityscape pedestal dining table Table is showing reflection from floor.
Metal
Coffee Table / Bench by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Company
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautiful coffee table model #5004 designed by Paul T. Frankl, 1948 for Johnson Furniture Company. Constructed from mahogany and cork, this Asian inspired coffee table can also funct...
Mahogany, Cork
Custom Modern Round Oak Dining Table Washed Finish
By Carrocel
Located in North York, ON
Custom Modern Round Oak Dining Table Washed Finish. Featuring stunning sunburst oak top finished in a natural warm washed finish. Sitting atop a...
Metal
Custom Walnut Sunburst Round Dining Table by Carrocel
By Carrocel
Located in North York, ON
Carrocel custom made dining, entry, hall table, elegantly patterned and beautifully hand polished sunburst walnut top with a silver and gold leaf custom finished pedestal solid wood ...
Silver Leaf
Paul Evans Coffee Table
By Paul Evans
Located in Middlesex, NJ
Paul Evans coffee table signed and dated Measure: Base is 24" round.
Metal
Dos Gallos Custom Round Beehive Pedestal Dining/Center Table
By Dos Gallos Studio
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful custom pedestal table with layered beehive base. Can be made in custom sizes and finishes, in walnut, oak or mahogany. Can be made with leaves. Made in Los Angeles. Shown h...
Walnut
Custom, English Mahogany 48" Round Starburst Dining Table
Located in Woodbury, CT
Created in the style of tables from the 18th century, this circular, mahogany starburst table is supported by a single column pedestal with four splay legs ending in brass toe caps a...
Mahogany, Satinwood, Ebony
Biomorphic Rattan Coffee Table with Wood Top
By Paul Frankl
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Biomorphic coffee table with stacked rattan legs and a wood top with a rattan trim along the borders. Restored to new for you. All rattan, bamboo and wicker furniture has been pain...
Rattan, Wood
Biomorphic Rattan Coffee Table with Wood Top
By Paul Frankl
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Biomorphic coffee table with stacked rattan legs and a wood top with a rattan trim along the borders. Restored to new for you. All rattan, bamboo and wicker furniture has been...
Rattan, Wood
Biomorphic Rattan Coffee Table with Wood Top
By Paul Frankl
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Biomorphic coffee table with stacked rattan legs and a wood top with a rattan trim along the borders. Restored to new for you. All rattan, bamboo and wicker furniture has been pai...
Rattan, Wood
Cork Top Game Table by Paul Frankl
By Paul Frankl
Located in Dallas, TX
A small cork top table with mahogany legs and brass sabots. Designed by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture.
Sold
H 29 in W 47 in D 31 in
Rare American Art Deco Library or Center Table by Paul T. Frankl circa 1928
By Paul Frankl
Located in Buffalo, NY
This rare and important American art deco table was designed by Paul T. Frankl (1886-1958)for the Metropolitan Life North Building in New York,Schultze & Weaver, Architects,,Manufact...
Aluminum