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.
Pair of Paul Frankl Ivory Lacquered Nightstands with Brass X Pulls, circa 1950
By Johnson Furniture Company, Paul Frankl
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Everyone loves Paul Frankl furniture. A pillar of design, he created some of the most iconic midcentury pieces of furniture. And here we have a lovely pair of Paul Frankl ivory lacqu...
Brass
Paul Frankl Style Tripod Dark Walnut End Side Table
By Paul Frankl
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Single round top dark walnut/espresso finish wood side or end table. Solid wood construction table resting on gently curved tripod legs.
Wood
$7,040Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Paul Frankl Cork Top Nightstands or End Tables in Dark Walnut and Ivory
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company
Located in Saint Louis, MO
A Mid-Century Modern pair of Paul Frankl cork top mahogany nightstands or end tables professionally restored to their original finishes - dark walnut mahogany stain and ivory lacquer...
Brass
Newly Refinished - 1945 Paul Frankl 'Station Wagon' Nightstands by Johnson Co.
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare and important 1945 Paul Frankl Station Wagon Nightstands/end tables for Johnson Furniture Company USA. Made from mahogany, birch, lea...
Leather, Birch, Mahogany, Maple
Pair of Paul Frankl Walnut Nightstands for Johnson Furniture Solid Brass Pulls
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of stunning Mid-Century Modern walnut end tables night stands with solid brass buckle shape pulls.
Walnut
$5,250 / set
Pair of Paul Frankl Cork Top Tables
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Clean Lined Cork Top Tables, designed by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Company, American, circa 1940s. They have been refinished and are ready to use.
Wood, Cork
Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Cork and Mahogany Corner Table, ca 1951
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company
Located in Cathedral City, CA
Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Cork and Mahogany Corner Table, ca 1951 Unique large corner table that would be perfect with two larger mid-century sofas set in a L-shape arrangem...
Mahogany, Cork
$12,500 / set
Cork Top End Tables by Paul Frankl
By Paul Frankl
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A pair of cork top end tables by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture, ca' 1950's. Triangular top with protruding lower shelf these are modern and organic. Rare to find as a pair.
Maple, Cork
$586Sale Price|30% Off
Restored Stick Leg Rattan Side Table with Two-Tier Wood Tops
By Paul Frankl
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Stick leg rattan side table with two-tier wood tops, circa 1950. Designed in the manner of Paul Frankl. Restored to new for you. We only purchase and sell only the best and finest...
Wicker, Rattan, Formica
$4,220 / set
Paul Frankl Ebony Nightstands for John Stuart
By Paul Frankl, John Stuart
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Extremely rare Paul Frankl nightstands for John Stuart. Made of mahogany with espresso satin finish. USA, circa 1940. Each nightstand features a pull-down top drawer with two additio...
Birch, Maple
$2,604Sale Price / set|30% Off
Paul Frankl-Style Stacked Rattan Side Tables with Mahogany Top, Pair, circa 1930
By Paul Frankl
Located in Van Nuys, CA
These beautifully restored Paul T Frankl style two-tier stacked rattan end tables blend style and vintage charm with modern comfort, with cut-out sides and mahogany wood tops. Both a...
Rattan, Mahogany
Mid-Century Modern Bleached Walnut Cork Tops Paul Frankl End Side Tables MINT!
By Paul Frankl, John Stuart Inc.
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern Bleached Walnut Cork Tops Paul Frankl Two Drawers End Side Tables MINT!.
Walnut, Cork
Rare Paul Frankl Station Wagon Nightstands End Tables
By Johnson Furniture Co., Paul Frankl
Located in Chicago, IL
Rare Paul Frankl station wagon nightstands end tables.
Wood
Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Cork Top Two Drawer Sqaure End Table Stand
By Paul Frankl
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern blond birch square side end table by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture. Excellent original condition.
Birch, Cork
Paul Frankl Cork Side Table 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 side table produced by Johnson Fur...
Brass
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 Lacquered Cork Top Dark Mahogany Table
By Paul Frankl
Located in Westport, CT
Rare Paul Frankl crème lacquered cork top dark mahogany square designed base. In exceptional condition and nice size.
Cork, Mahogany
Midcentury Paul Frankl Painted Rattan End Tables -A Pair
By Paul Frankl
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Fantastic pair of vintage end tables. Made by the iconic Paul Frankl. A gorgeous matte black painted finish. Acquired from a Palm Beach estate.
Rattan
Pair of Restored 1950s Solid Mahogany & Bamboo Reed Step End Side Tables Stands
By Paul Frankl
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of Restored 1950s Solid Mahogany & Bamboo Reed Step End Side Tables Stands MINT!
Rattan, Mahogany
Paul Frankl Square Cork Top Cocktail / Coffee Table
By Paul Frankl
Located in Queens, NY
American mid-century square cocktail / coffee table with a cork top and cork veneer, resting on four squared legs. (PAUL FRANKL)
Wood
Paul Frankl Cork Nightstands for Johnson Furniture
By Paul Frankl
Located in Dallas, TX
Great looking pair of Paul Frankl cork top nightstands by Johnson Furniture. Nightstands feature two drawers each, a cork top and brass cross pulls.
Brass
Pair of Paul Frankl Mid-Century Modern End Tables
By Paul Frankl
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Paul Frankl black cerused Mid-Century modern end tables with stepped motif and smoke glass top.
Wood, Smoked Glass
Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Company Black and White Cork and Wood End
By Paul Frankl
Located in Queens, NY
Mid-Century rectangular end / side table with a white painted cork top resting on a white painted wooden frame with a lower rectangular stretcher shelf and four square legs. (PAUL FR...
Wood, Cork, Paint
Pair of Baker Neoclassical End Tables or Nightstands
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in Atlanta, GA
Elegant pair of Neoclassical end tables or night stands, by Baker, American, circa 1980s. Like all Baker furniture, they are extremely well made wi...
Wood
$4,400
H 24 in W 24 in D 16 in
Pair of Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture and John Stuart Mahogany Nightstands
By John Stuart, Paul Frankl
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed in the 1950s by the iconic designer of the Skyscraper bookcases and Pretzel sofa Paul Frankl, this pair of nightstands was made for retail by John Stuart in the heart of New...
Brass
Pair of John Stuart Neoclassical Nightstands End Tables
By John Stuart
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of Mid-Century Modern end tables by John Stuart. Dark walnut finish. Solid Brass Pulls. One drawer stands with shelves.
Walnut
$3,400 / set
H 22 in W 18 in D 21 in
Pair of Art Deco Burl Wood End Tables Nightstands with Brass Hardware Pulls
By Gilbert Rohde
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of very nice Mid-Century Modern or Art Deco end tables in burl walnut with brass hardware.
Brass
Pair of Brutalist Modern Walnut Nightstands
By Broyhill Brasilia
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This midcentury pair of sculpted front nightstands adds distinctive brutalist modern style and spacious bedside storage. Interior cabinet offers a shelf for additional organization o...
Walnut
$1,760Sale Price|20% Off
H 22.5 in W 28 in D 24 in
Milo Baughman Style Burl Walnut Parson Side End Table
By Milo Baughman
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Mid-century modernist burl wood Parsons side/end table in the style of Milo Baughman. The table features a squared-off look with a beautiful deep walnut burl wood veneer. We love usi...
Burl
Lacquered Horn Nightstand or End Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
*The one seen on the right has been sold. Lacquered horn nightstand or end table, American, circa 1980s. It is constructed of lacquered horn with bea...
Wood, Horn
$2,425 / set
H 24.25 in W 24.63 in D 17 in
Drexel French Regency Louis XVI White Lacquered Nightstands, Newly Refinished
By Drexel
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of mid-century French Regency Louis XVI style nightstands or end tables By Drexel USA, Circa 1950s White lacquered walnut, with original brass hardware. M...
Brass
$7,821 / set
H 20.48 in W 20.48 in D 13.78 in
Modern Handcrafted Black Walnut & Oak Nightstands by SUM Furniture
By SUM Furniture
Located in London, GB
A pair of black walnut hand-crafted nightstands, or end tables, in a modernist design. Constructed from finest American black walnut with the inner dovetailed jointed drawer carcass...
Oak, Walnut
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
Pair of Italian Nightstands in Walnut and Marquetry Work
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Early 20th Century pair of Italian nightstands in walnut with marquetry work on the doors and the drawers. This pair of Gustavian or Louis XVI style night tables each has a drawer an...
Walnut
Pair of Modern French Walnut Nightstands
Located in Westwood, NJ
Modern French Walnut Nightstands with a transparent, low-luster finish. The drawer fronts feature figured walnut in a traditional book match p...
Metal
Pair of Paul Frankl Cork Top End Tables
By Paul Frankl
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of cork top end tables, designed by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture, American, circa 1940s. The clean lined form of these tables exhibit the Asian influences seen in many of F...
Wood, Cork
Pair of Paul Frankl Cork Side Tables 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 pair of side tables produced by Jo...
Brass
Pair of Paul Frankl Cork Nightstands 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 pair of cork top waterf...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl Nightstands Lacquered in Ebony, Pair
By Johnson Furniture Company, Paul Frankl
Located in Wilton, CT
Stunning pair of Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl Nightstands, expertly lacquered in Ebony. Each nightstand has a pull down top drawer with two bottom drawers. Original hardware in sol...
Brass
Sold
H 21 in W 30 in D 18 in
Pair of Paul T. Frankl for Johnson Cork Top Two Tier Side or End Tables, 1950s
By Johnson Furniture Company, Paul Frankl
Located in Camden, ME
A pair of mahogany side or end tables with cork tops designed by Paul Frankl for the Johnson Furniture Company in the 1950s. The tables are in excellent vintage condition and were r...
Mahogany, Cork, Lacquer
Large Paul Frankl Lamp Table with Cork
By Paul Frankl
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A classic cork top side table or occasional table by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture, USA, ca' 1940's. Two tier design with a stylized greek key base. The table is very heavy.
Maple, Cork
Sold
H 21 in W 24 in D 22 in
'Station Wagon' Nightstands by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture, c 1945, Signed
By Johnson Furniture Company, Paul Frankl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This rare collectors set of nightstands are 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 drawers. The large size of these nightstands allow them to be used as end tables to a sofa or sectional, or side tables to large club chairs or lounge chairs, as a chest of drawers under a dining table so the table can be used as a desk, or as a pair of stand-alone commodes. *Note, we have the matching dresser available in another listing, photos of the dresser with these 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
Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Company Ebonized and Limed End Tables
By Johnson Furniture Company, Paul Frankl, John Stuart Inc., Johnson Furniture Co.
Located in New Windsor, NY
A fine pair of limed and ebonized Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Company two drawer end tables. Burn in mark and John Stuart retailer labels are in the top drawer. The pair featur...
Mahogany, Walnut
Paul Frankl Two-Tiered Table by Brown-Saltman
By Paul Frankl, Brown Jordan
Located in Highland, IN
This elegant design by Paul Frankl for Brown-Saltman has many uses. The three gracefully curved and tapered legs support a pair of round tops and the form, shape and scale allow it to serve as a side table, an end table, nightstand, lamp table, or occational table...
Ash
Paul Frankl Night Stands by Johnson Furniture
By Johnson Furniture Company, Paul Frankl
Located in Highland, IN
This pair of nightstands designed by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Co. has his classic X-shaped pulls and have been newly restored with an ebonized finish. One has a deep upper d...
Brass
Paul Frankl Stacked Rattan Bamboo Side Tables Nightstand, a Pair
By Paul Frankl
Located in West Hartford, CT
Rare pair of matching Paul Frankl side tables / nightstands, circa early 1940's. These feature Frankl's coveted two tiered design with mahogany top and stacked bent bamboo frame. Ic...
Bamboo, Rattan, Wood, Mahogany
Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Co. End Tables, a Pair
By Johnson Furniture Company, Paul Frankl
Located in New Windsor, NY
Pair of custom re-finished Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Company end tables. Featuring contoured fronts with two drawers and original brass pulls. Signed with Johnson burn in sta...
Brass