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 Dining Table with Two Leaves, Cork Top, Mahogany Frame, Original
By Johnson Furniture Co., Paul Frankl
Located in Kansas City, MO
Cork top dining table designed by the most important American Art Deco furniture designer, Paul Frankl, for Johnsone Furniture Company. Thi...
Mahogany, Cork
Paul Frankl for Brown Saltman Expandable Dining Table
By Paul Frankl, Brown Saltman
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Paul Frankl for Brown Saltman expandable dining table. The rectangular top having (2) 15" wide leaves, above two supports having ribbed details, with branded mark to underside. Table...
Wood
Paul Frankl Cork & Mahogany Dining Table for Johnson Furniture Company m. 2443
By Johnson Furniture Company, Paul Frankl
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
Paul Frankl Cork and Mahogany Dining Table model 2443 for Johnson Furniture Company. USA c. 1955. Thick oversized and rounded legs with an inset circumferential border which appears ...
Mahogany, Cork
$2,360Sale Price|20% Off
Restored Rattan Original Paul Frankl 4 Person 3-Strand Mahogany Dining Table
By Paul Frankl
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Restored rattan mid-century four-person square dining table resting on three single strands "loop" legs with mahogany dark stain top featuring a slip rattan trim. The piece is finish...
Rattan, Mahogany
Cork Top Dining Table by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company
Located in Toledo, OH
This cork top dining table was designed by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Company. The top is natural cork with curved walnut support legs. The legs have an ebonized finish with d...
Walnut, Cork
Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture, Mid-Century Modern Dining Table, Cork, Mahogany
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company
Located in Stamford, CT
Paul Frankl Mid-Century Modern Cork Top Mahogany Dining Table, Johnson Furniture Cork top dining table designed by the most important American Art Deco furniture designer, Paul Fra...
Mahogany, Cork
Lines Top Dining Table with Metal Tinted Top
Located in Paris, FR
Dining table lines top with metal shades dark grey tinted top, in melted glass in 12mm thickness. With a forged metal base in dark grey finish. Also available on request in: L 200 ...
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
Paul Frankl Two-Tier Side Table for Brown Saltman
By Paul Frankl, Brown Saltman
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
Oval Rattan Dining Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
Oval racetrack shape rattan or bamboo dining table, American, circa 1960s. Retains warm original patina.
Bamboo, Cane, Rattan
$3,100
H 29.25 in W 40 in D 20 in
Rare 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 dark mahogany toned winged V oak base. A rare form designed by Paul Frankl whose iconic skyscraper book shelve units are ...
Oak, Cork
$8,000
H 29.25 in W 128.25 in D 41.25 in
Restored Paul McCobb Mahogany & Brass Expandable "Connoisseur" Dining Table
By Paul McCobb, H Sacks & Sons
Located in Toluca Ter, CA
An outstanding expandable dining table in mahogany and brass with ebonized accents from Paul McCobb's Connoisseur Collection, produced by H. Sacks & Sons in Brookline, MA in the ...
Brass
$3,235
H 29 in W 90.25 in D 40 in
Paul McCobb for Calvin Mid-Century Modern Walnut Dining Table, Newly Restored
By Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobb
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern walnut extension drop-leaf dining table designed by Paul McCobb for Calvin Furniture. The table features stunning walnut wood grain and aluminum str...
Aluminum
Paul Frankl Cork Top Two-Tier Side Table for Johnson Furniture
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company
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
$6,800
H 31.5 in W 96.5 in D 46.5 in
Vintage French Louis XVI Ebonized Mahogany Dining Table with 2-Leaves. Restored
Located in Highwood, IL
Vintage French Louis XVI Ebonized Mahogany Dining Table with 2-Leaves. We originally purchased this Louis XVI Ebonized Mahogany Dining Room Table around 25 years ago near Paris, Fra...
Brass
$6,995
H 29 in W 71.75 in D 40 in
Mid-Century Modern Expanding Dining Table by Paul McCobb for Calvin Furniture
By Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobb
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Introducing the exquisite vintage expanding dining table from the renowned designer Paul McCobb for Calvin Furniture. This timeless piece, part of The Irwin Collection, showcases exceptional design and superior craftsmanship. Crafted in the 1950s in Grand Rapids, Michigan, this table features a spacious surface supported by solid mahogany legs and brass tone stretchers, adding a unique touch to its classic design. The table comes with two extensions, each measuring 15", allowing the table to extend to a generous 101.5" when fully expanded. Perfect for accommodating unexpected guests, this dining table is a true statement of both style and functionality. If you're interested, we also have the matching dining chairs and credenza available to complete the look. Don't hesitate to contact us for more information. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- When you purchase vintage furniture from Danish Modern NoHo...
Brass
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 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 Cork Top Dining Table
By Paul Frankl
Located in Dallas, TX
A large cork top dining table with oak pedestal bases. Designed by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture. Fully restored.
Cork
Paul Frankl Cork Top Dining Table
By Paul Frankl
Located in Dallas, TX
A large cork top dining table with combed mahogany pedestal bases. Designed by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture. Fully restored.
Cork
Paul Frankl, Dining Table, Mahogany, Cork, USA, 1950s
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company
Located in High Point, NC
An extendable dark-stained mahogany and lacquered cork dining table designed by Paul Frankl and produced by Johnson Furniture Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA, c. 1950s. Stated ...
Mahogany, Cork
Paul Frankl Corked Topped 2 Leave Dining Table for Johnson Bros.
By Paul Frankl
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A very well crafted dark ebony toned based dining table with cork top , two 12" leaves extend the table from 72" to 96" and seats up to 10 people depending on the chairs you choose ....
Mahogany, Cork
Paul Frankl, Dining Table, Cork, Mahogany, USA, 1940s
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company
Located in High Point, NC
A cork and stained mahogany dining table designed by Paul Frankl and produced by Johnson Furniture Company, USA, c. 1940s.
Mahogany, Cork
Sold
H 29 in W 71 in D 47 in
Paul Frankl American Art Deco Oval Black Lacquer & Brass Extension Dining Table
By Paul Frankl
Located in Queens, NY
Art Deco American dining table with a black lacquered oval extension top with 2 removable leaves, resting on a fluted column brass and cream painted base...
Metal, Brass
Paul Frankl Dining Table with Architectural Base
By Paul Frankl
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Elegant Walnut top dining table, designed by Paul Frankl for The Johnson Furniture Company, American, circa 1940. This table has been refinished in a slight red hue on the tabletop w...
Wood
Sold
H 27.5 in W 36 in D 36 in
Paul T. Frankl Cloud Dining Table, Cork and Mahogany for Johnson Furniture 1948
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company
Located in Dallas, TX
Designed by Paul Frankl in 1948 this iconic cloud dining/game table model #5002 was produced by the Johnson Furniture company. Cloud-shaped cork top and solid bleach mahogany legs. A...
Mahogany, Cork
Cork Top Dining Table by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Co, c1950
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Excellent and very rare cork top dining table by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Co, circa 1950.
Mahogany, Maple, Cork
Paul Frankl Cork Top Dining Table with Ebonized Frame and 2 Leaves
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company
Located in Culver City, CA
This dining table is absolutely stunning! Professionally restored, this Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture, distributed by John Stuart cork top dining table with ebonized (black satin...
Mahogany, 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 Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company
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
Sold
H 30 in W 96.5 in D 42 in
Expandable Dining Table with Ribbed Detail by Paul Frankl for Brown & Saltman
By Paul Frankl
Located in Houston, TX
Beautiful dining table by Paul Frankl for Brown & Saltman. It has two leaves to expand the size. The table legs are rectangular with a ribbed detail on the wood. The table without ...
Wood