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 Black Cerused Dining Set Brown Saltman California Mid Century
By Paul Frankl, Brown Saltman
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration a dining set designed by Paul Frankl in black cerused oak wood for Brown Saltman CA, USA circa the 1950s. Dining table and six dining chairs. Dining set: 4 c...
Fabric, Oak
$4,140Sale Price / set|40% Off
Restored Rattan 3-Strand "Hour Glass" Dining Table & Chairs Dining Set
By Paul Frankl
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Restored Mid-Centyury 4-person 3-strand mahogany dining table and 4 "Hour Glass" rattan back chairs. Dimensions: Chair: 32" H x 24" W x 22" D Ta...
Fabric, Rattan, Mahogany
Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Mahogany and White Cork Dining Set, Set of 5
By Johnson Furniture Company, Paul Frankl
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
$6,660Sale Price / set|40% Off
Paul Frankl Dining Table & Buffet Cabinet by Johnson Furniture
By Johnson Furniture Company, Paul Frankl
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Elegant Walnut dining table with matching buffet cabinet, designed by Paul Frankl for The Johnson Furniture Company, American, circa 1940. The table ha...
Wood
Art Deco Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Mahogany and Cork Dining 9 Piece Set
By Johnson Furniture Co., Paul Frankl
Located in Chicago, IL
Art Deco Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture mahogany and cork dining set - 9 piece set. An exquisite, iconic and truly timeless and unparalleled classic dining set...
Fabric, Mahogany, Cork
1950s Paul Frankl for Brown Saltman Combed Dining Set Modernism, 9 Piece Set
By Brown Saltman, Paul Frankl
Located in Monrovia, CA
Vintage Paul Frankl dining room set by Brown - Saltman. 9 piece dining table one leaf six chairs with matching buffet all with honey combed design ico...
Wood
Palm Beach Rattan Dining Set with Six Chairs
By John and Elinor McGuire
Located in Redding, CT
Palm Beach Rattan Dining Set with Six Chairs. Amazing cobweb designed back to these sculptural chairs. Covered in a neutral oatmeal chenille. Large o...
Bamboo, Rattan, Glass
$3,495 / set
H 29.5 in W 42 in D 42 in
Coastal Island Style Rattan Glass Top Dining or Game Table & 4 Chairs a Set
Located in Topeka, KS
Marvelous vintage Coastal Island Style Rattan glass top dining or game table & 4 matching chairs, a set. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that these are vintage and not new so wi...
Fabric, Rattan, Glass, Foam
Set of Six Rattan or Bamboo Dining Chairs
Located in Atlanta, GA
Set of six rattan or bamboo dining chairs, American, circa 1960s. They retain their warm original patina. This came from an estate with the matchi...
Bamboo, Cane, Rattan
McGuire Style Rattan Dining Table & Chairs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Odd rattan bases with woven faux leather seats with high backs. Table has rattan base with oval glass top. 2 arm chairs measure 49" H x 26 1/4" W x 26" D. Seat height 18 1/2". 6 ...
Rattan
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
Paul Frankl Cork Console Table for Johnson Furniture Co.
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 top console table designed f...
Oak, Cork
Paul Frankl, Console Table, Mahogany, Cork, USA, 1950s
By Johnson Furniture Company, Paul Frankl
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, 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
$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
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 Cork Top Two-Tier Side Table for Johnson Furniture
By Johnson Furniture Company, Paul Frankl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This striking two-tier side table by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture is a perfect example of his innovative approach to modern design. Featuring a natural cork top, it offers a bea...
Mahogany, Cork
Pair of Espresso Paul Frankl Occasional Tables
By Brown Saltman, Paul Frankl
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful pair of Paul Frankl for Brown Saltman two-tier occasional tables with splayed and tapered legs and espresso finish.
Wood
Rare Museum Quality Dining Room Table and Chairs Set By Paul Frankl
By Paul Frankl
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Rare museum quality Art Deco Paul Frankl dining room set featuring a large dining table with 4 matching dining chairs. The table features 2 vertically stacked rattan columns fixed to...
Rattan, Hardwood
Restored Paul Frankl Museum Quality Dining Room Table and Chairs Set
By Paul Frankl
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Rare museum quality Art Deco Paul Frankl dining room set featuring a large dining table with 4 matching dining chairs. The table features 2 vertical...
Rattan
Restored Original Paul Frankl Living and Dining Room Furniture Set
By Paul Frankl
Located in Van Nuys, CA
All original Paul Frankl rattan furniture set including a full dining and living room with two lounge chairs, two love seats, four-seat sofa, d...
Wicker, Rattan, Mahogany
Sold
H 27 in W 36 in D 36 in
Mid Century Modern Paul Frankl for Johnson Game Table Set 4 Orange V Chairs
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is a unique, cork topped, quatrefoil game table, with a set of four V shaped chairs, by Paul Frankl for Johnson, circa the 1970s. In vintage condition. The tab...
Wood, Cork
Sold
H 29.25 in W 127 in D 40 in
Paul Frankl Waxed Cork and Oak Dining Table with Two Model 5008 Consoles
By Johnson Furniture Company, Paul Frankl
Located in Dallas, TX
A scarcely seen Paul T. Frankl dining table suite in waxed cork and solid bleached oak. The set includes a Minimalist rectangular dining table and a pair of complementary model 5008 console tables. The consoles were designed to be used against the wall and could be pulled up to the ends of the table to accommodate additional guests as need. The tops have the antiqued white-washed wax finish but could easily be sanded down to expose the natural cork. Alternatively, the consoles can also be put together to function as a game table. This set was acquired from the original owners and was manufactured by Johnson Furniture Company, circa 1951. It is one of the most modern dining table designs created by Frankl and would be the perfect piece to feature a set of rare Pierre Jeanneret...
Oak, Cork
Paul Frankl Dining Chairs
By Paul Frankl
Located in Atlanta, GA
Set of six dining chairs, designed by Paul Frankl for The Johnson Furniture Company, American, circa 1940s. These chairs are currently being refinished and reupholstered. The price n...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Paul Frankl Dining Table
By Paul Frankl
Located in Atlanta, GA
Elegant cork top dining table, designed by Paul Frankl for The Johnson Furniture Company, American, circa 1940s. This table is currently being refinished and can be completed in your...
Cork, Mahogany
Original Paul Frankl Living and Dining Room Furniture Set
By Paul Frankl
Located in Van Nuys, CA
All original Paul Frankl rattan furniture set including a full dining and living room with two lounge chairs, two love seats, four-seat sofa, dining table and four chairs. New cushions will be made either your choice of Beverly Hills Martinique or pink/green stripe fabric. Nine strand three-seat sofa by Paul Frankl Cushions and fabric ( Beverly Hills) Six strand two-seat sofa by Paul Frankl Cushions and fabric ( Beverly Hills) Six strand chair...
Wicker, Rattan, Mahogany
Restored Rare Paul Frankl Dining Room Table and Chairs Set
By Paul Frankl
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Rare museum quality Paul Frankl dining room set featuring a large dining table with 4 matching dining chairs. Measures: Chairs 30" tall x 21" wide x 23" deep Table 28" tall x 36" w...
Rattan, Hardwood
Dining Room Ensemble by Paul Frankl, USA, 1940s
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Co.
Located in Greding, DE
Round dining table with four chairs, designed by Paul T. Frankl (Austria, 1886-1958) for Johnson Furniture in the 1940s. Chairs and table base show the same decorative criss-cross st...
Wood
Sold
H 29 in W 71 in D 42 in
Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl Cork Top Mahogany Dining Set Table Four Chairs
By Johnson Furniture Co., Paul Frankl
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is a magnificent dining set, including a cork top table and four side dining chairs, by Paul Frankl, circa 1950s. In excellent condition. Chairs just came back...
Cork
Gorgeous Dining Room Set by Paul Frankl
By Paul Frankl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gorgeous Dining Room Set by Paul Frankl which consists of a table, 6 chairs, 2 armchairs. The measurements below are for the table with 2 leaves. Each leave is 10" and can be removed.