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 Console Table in the Chinoiserie Style, circa 1940s
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A striking example of Paul Frankl’s sophisticated design vocabulary, this sculptural console table embodies both modernist and Chinoiserie influences. Executed in rich dark-stained w...
Mahogany
Paul Frankl, Console Table, Mahogany, Cork, USA, 1950s
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company
Located in High Point, NC
A mahogany and lacquered cork console table designed by Paul Frankl and produced by Johnson Furniture Company, USA, 1950s Multiple water rings present. The tabletop presents with a...
Mahogany, Cork
Paul Frankl, Console Table, USA, 1940s
By Paul Frankl
Located in New York, NY
Frankl’s console table has a confident profile with refined proportions and strong horizontal lines. It speaks to the American interpretation of modernism in the 1940s, where decorat...
Wood
Paul Frankl Cork Console Table for Johnson Furniture Co.
By Johnson Furniture Co., Johnson Furniture Company, 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 cork top console table designed f...
Oak, Cork
Paul Frankl, Console Table, Wood, USA, 1950s
By Paul Frankl
Located in High Point, NC
A black-lacquered wood console table with cabinet attributed to Paul Frankl for Barzilay, USA, c. 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 28.5" H x 35.8" W x 11.8" D Materials: Wood A...
Wood
Paul Frankl, Console Table, Wood, USA, 1950s
By Paul Frankl
Located in High Point, NC
A wood console table produced by Brown Saltman, USA, 1950s. Designed attributed to Paul Frankl, Overall Dimensions (inches): 29.375"H x 42.0"W x 17.875"D All items ship from High ...
Wood
Paul Frankl Cork Top Console Table model # 5008 for Johnson Bros.
By Paul Frankl
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A smaller scale console entrance way table with cork top and honey toned winged V oak base . A rare form designed by Paul Frankl who's iconic skyscraper book shelve units are present...
Oak, Cork
Paul Frankl Continental Mid-Century Walnut and Brass 2-Drawer Console Table
By Paul Frankl
Located in Queens, NY
Continental Mid-Century walnut contole table having two drawers with X-shaped brass drawer pulls, resting on four tapered round legs ending in brass sabots. (PAUL FRANKL) Wear to fi...
Metal, Brass
Paul Frankl American Art Deco Mahogany and Leather Extendable Console Table
By Paul Frankl
Located in Queens, NY
American Art Deco mahogany console table with a rectangular top with one concave side and green leather inset top, which slides and folds open to create a larger surface resting on a...
Leather
Pair of Paul Frankl Ebonised Two-Drawer Commodes/Consoles
By Paul Frankl
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Paul Frankl Mid-Century Ebonised Two-Drawer Commodes/Consoles
Wood
Paul Frankl Continental Mid-Century Walnut and Brass 2-Drawer Console Table
By Paul Frankl
Located in Queens, NY
Continental Mid-Century walnut contole table having two drawers with X-shaped brass drawer pulls, resting on four tapered round legs ending in brass sabots. (PAUL FRANKL) Wear to fi...
Walnut
Paul Frankl Cork and Ebonized Oak Console Table
By Johnson Furniture Company, Paul Frankl
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Minimal, Paul Frankl model 5008 console table for Johnson Furniture Company features a natural beige cork top with folded ebonized oak legs.
Cork, Oak
Paul Frankl Cork Top Console Table
By Paul Frankl
Located in Dallas, TX
A cork and mahogany console table with brass hardware. Designed by Paul Frankl for Johnson furniture.
Cork
Paul T. Frankl Cork and Mahogany Occasional Table, Model 5026, 1948, USA
By Johnson Furniture Company, Paul Frankl
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Paul T. Frankl Cork and Mahogany Occasional table, Model 5026, Johnson Furniture Company, USA, 1948-1952. 22 h × 30 w × 20 d in. Stenciled manufacturer's mark to underside '5026 #280...
Cork, Mahogany
Spanish Console Table with Two Carved Drawers, 1940s
Located in Miami, FL
Spanish console table with two carved drawers, with iron handles that stand on four legs in the shape of domed columns and in turn carved with straight lines. These four legs are joi...
Walnut
$2,517
H 33.47 in W 42.52 in D 14.97 in
Italian Console Table 1950s In Ebonized Wood And Verde Alpi Marble
Located in Prato, Tuscany
Elegant Italian console table from the 1950s, crafted from solid wood with an ebonized finish and featuring a fine “Verde Alpi” marble top. The demilune profile of the top, combined ...
Wood
White Marble Top Demilune Wall Console circa 1940s
By Frances Elkins
Located in Atlanta, GA
Elegant White Marble Top Demilune Wall Mounted Console Table, American, circa 1940s. It is constructed of a white marble top with a wooden wall mou...
Marble, Metal
$5,830 / set
H 29 in W 72 in D 42 in
Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Mahogany and White Cork Dining Set, Set of 5
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company
Located in Farmington Hills, MI
We are very pleased to offer a timeless dining set designed by Paul Frankl for The Johnson Furniture Company, circa the 1940s. Back in the day, Johnson company in Grand Rapids, Michigan was one of the largest furniture companies in the United States. In the early 1950s, Paul Frankl produced several lines for the furniture company, among them the “Contemporary” line, made from exquisite hardwoods with cork counter tops, and chairs with cutout backs that mimicked women’s fashions of the day. This complete dining set...
Mahogany, Cork
Danish Modern, Sculptural Oak Side / Console Table, 1940s
Located in Odense, DK
A beautiful vintage Danish table in stained beech from the 1950s. With a height comparable to a dining table, this versatile piece can function as a dining table, console table, or d...
Beech
1950s Jansen Style Console Table
Located in Charlottesville, VA
Sleek metal console in the style of Maison Jansen, featuring a black glass top and classic cross-stretcher design with central rosette medallion. The tapered legs and lower curved st...
Metal
$15,900
H 12 in W 74 in D 21 in
Paul Frankl, Low Coffee Table, Painted Cork, Stained Mahogany, 1940s America
By Johnson Furniture Co., Paul Frankl
Located in High Point, NC
An all original coffee or cocktail table designed by Paul Frankl and produced by Johnson Furniture Company in the 1940s. An off-white/yellow painted cork-top is mounted on a base in ...
Mahogany, Cork
$2,895
H 16 in W 18 in D 18 in
Expertly Restored - Paul Frankl Cork Top Side Table for Johnson Furniture
By Johnson Furniture Co., Paul Frankl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precision. With over 17 years of artisanal exper...
Brass
Pair of French 1940s Consoles
By Travail Francais
Located in Bridgewater, CT
Pair of 1940s wall consoles in cast iron and Sienna marble top. Measures: Height 32.3", width 30.1".
Marble, Iron
Mid 20th Century Console Table in Walnut, 1940s
Located in Miami, FL
Rare Mid-Century Spanish-style console table, it has the typical turned bars of this period. Shown in original condition, includes refinishing.
Walnut
Paul Frankl Cork Top Game Table
By Paul Frankl
Located in Dallas, TX
A cork top game table with mahogany legs. Beautiful patina to cork. Designed by Paul Frankl for Johnson furniture.
Cork
Paul Frankl, Organic Coffee Table, Cork Top, Mahogany Base, 1950s
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Co.
Located in High Point, NC
A very rare cork top coffee table or cocktail table by Paul Frankl for American manufacturer Johnson Furniture Company, circa 1955. The playful cork top features a tear-drop shaped ...
Mahogany, Cork
Paul Frankl Mahogany Console Table
By Paul Frankl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Paul Frankl’s furniture pieces are among his longest-lasting contributions to American modernism and are highly sought after to this day. This console table has gone through a full r...
Mahogany
Paul Frankl Combed Wood Console Table Cabinet Brown Saltman
By Paul Frankl
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Rare early midcentury console table with cabinet by Paul Frankl for Brown Saltman company features his trademark combed wood sides with black lacquer top.
Hardwood
Sold
H 14 in W 72 in D 18.5 in
Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Rosewood Coffee Table, c. 1950s, Stamped
By Johnson Furniture Company, Paul Frankl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This long Rosewood coffee table by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Co features a greek key form and a long slender size. This piece can work wonderfully as a coffee table and presents a unique solution to be used as a low console table or media table, excellent option for those with console devices such as an Apple TV, DVD Player or game system. Consider placing this against the wall with a flat screen television on top and devices in the shelving platforms underneath. Or just a vase with flowers. The unique shape is the perfect piece for those looking for a low, wide and shallow table...
Rosewood
Paul Frankl Cork Console Table
By Johnson Furniture Company, 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 cork t...
Cork, Oak
Rare Midcentury Paul Frankl Credenza
By Paul Frankl
Located in Bellport, NY
This was an early prototype production piece designed by Paul Frankl for Brown Saltman, the craftsmanship is exquisite and unlike some of the later pieces produced for Brown Saltman....
Mahogany
Sold
H 27 in W 38.5 in D 17.5 in
1950s Paul Frankl Bleached Oak & Cork Console Table for Johnson Furniture
By Paul Frankl
Located in Dallas, TX
Minimalist console designed by Paul T Frankl for Johnson Furniture with a bleached oak base and a cork top. All original.
Oak, Cork
Sold
H 26 in W 34 in D 15 in
Classic 1940s Paul Frankl Rattan /Bamboo Step End Tables, Art Deco Design
By Paul Frankl, Tropi-cal
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic 1940s Paul Frankl Rattan /bamboo step end tables. Art Deco design, tops have been restored, amazing design.
Bamboo, Rattan, Wood
Oak Console or Sofa Table by Paul Frankl for Brown Saltman
By Paul Frankl
Located in Pasadena, CA
A 1940s console table by Paul Frankl for Brown Saltman, featuring an oak top resting on 2 combed oak pedestals and 1 oak shelf at the bottom.
Oak
Paul Frankl Console for Johnson Furniture Company, circa 1949
By Johnson Furniture Company, Paul Frankl
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Paul Frankl Model 5007 console for Johnson Furniture Company, circa 1949. This piece has been professionally restored.
Mahogany, Cork
Rare Cork and Mahogany Console by Paul Frankl
By Johnson Furniture Co., Paul Frankl
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Rare asymmetrical cork and mahogany console table by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture.
Wood, Cork
Wood Console Table in the Manner of Paul Frankl
By Paul Frankl
Located in Pasadena, TX
Wood console table in the manner of Paul Frankl Wood construction Slim tapered sabre legs. Measure: 35".
Walnut
Rare Mid-Century Paul Frankl Credenza
By Paul Frankl
Located in Bellport, NY
This was an early prototype production piece designed by Paul Frankl for Brown Saltman, the craftsmanship is exquisite and unlike some of the later pieces produced for Brown Saltman....
Mahogany