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.
$4,200 / set
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
Maison Jansen Occasional Table
By Maison Jansen
Located in East Hampton, NY
Elegant marble-top table with a steel and brass base in the French Regency style.
Marble, Brass, Steel
French Empire Round Table or Gueridon of Mahogany with Marble Top
Located in Austin, TX
A handsome French round table or gueridon in the Empire style, featuring a circular top of figured black marble (25.5" diameter), set upon a tripod column support of mahogany with or...
Marble, Metal, 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
Art Deco Modernist Walnut Table, English, circa 1930
Located in Devon, England
Very stylish 1930s Art Deco Modernist occasional table. Ideal size for modern day use. The open tiered shelves provide an ideal space for display or as a side table for magazines etc...
Walnut
$4,475
H 26 in Dm 25.25 in
French Art Deco Two-Tiered Bookmatched Walnut & Black Lacquer Gueridon Table
Located in New York, NY
This stunning Art Deco Gueridon Table was realized in France, circa 1935. It features two round book-matched walnut tops connected by curving black lacquer supports. Scroll form feet...
Walnut, Lacquer
French 1930s Art Deco Gueridon Table
Located in Devon, England
Wonderfully stylish and totally authentic French, Art Deco Gueridon, dating to the 1930s. Fabulous piece of furniture to display items, perhaps figures or any other prized pieces. We...
Walnut
$4,475
H 26 in Dm 25.25 in
French Art Deco Two-Tiered Bookmatched Walnut & Black Lacquer Gueridon Table
Located in New York, NY
This stunning Art Deco Gueridon Table was realized in France, circa 1935. It features two round book-matched walnut tops connected by curving black lacquer supports. Scroll form feet...
Walnut, Lacquer
$6,850
H 29.25 in W 72 in D 41.75 in
Paul Frankl Dining Table with Two Leaves, Cork Top, Mahogany Frame, Original
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Co.
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
$1,575
H 30.71 in W 21.46 in D 13.59 in
French 1930s Art Deco Modernist Table Gueridon by Michel Dufet
By Michel Dufet
Located in Devon, England
Wonderfully stylish and totally authentic French, Art Deco Gueridon, dating to the 1930s and designed by Michel Dufet. Fabulous table is great to display items, perhaps figures or any other prized pieces. Features three-tiered circular platforms supported on chrome tubular poles the whole having an asymmetrical modernist spirit. We've had this table fully and professionally restored and so comes to you in showroom condition with no faults to mention. Measure: Diameter of the circular shelves...
Chrome
Pair of Paul Frankl Black Cerused End Tables.
By Johnson Furniture Company, Paul Frankl
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of iconic side/end tables by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Company. Much of Frankl’s work is influenced by the art deco period and these classic end tables are no exception....
Glass, Wood
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
Ebonised French Table
Located in Houston, TX
Ebonised French Gueridon with Fossil marble top on 3 oblong bun feet. Metal detail on each of the three columns along the top and the bottom.
Marble
Paul Frankl Lacquered Cork Table
By Paul Frankl
Located in Atlanta, GA
Elegant lacquered cork lamp table, designed by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture, American, circa 1950s. This table has subtle Asian design details. It ...
Wood, Mahogany, Cork
Pair of Tables with Curvaceous Legs designed by Paul Frankl
By Brown Saltman, Paul Frankl
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Tables or Gueridons designed by Paul Frankl for Brown Saltman, circa 1950's. We love the curvaceous legs on these! They are a versatile size and could be used as end tables, ...