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 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
Amoeba Table by Paul T. Frankl for NO GA Projects (authorized by Paul T. Frankl)
By Paul Frankl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Paul T. Frankl (1886-1958) designed the Amoeba Coffee Table (also called “Model no. 5005” and “Cloud Table”) for the Michigan-based Johnson Furniture Company in the late 1940s. The l...
Beech, Oak, Cork, Plywood
Big Foot Table by Paul T. Frankl for NO GA Projects (authorized)
By Paul Frankl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Paul T. Frankl (1886-1958) designed the Big Foot Coffee Table for the Michigan-based Johnson Furniture Company in the late 1940s. The low, cloud-shaped table was marketed as a “cockt...
Beech, Oak, Cork, Plywood
Plectrum Table by Paul T. Frankl for NO GA Projects (authorized)
By Paul Frankl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Paul T. Frankl (1886-1958) designed the Plectrum Coffee Table for the Michigan-based Johnson Furniture Company in the late 1940s. The low, cloud-shaped table was marketed as a “cockt...
Beech, Oak, Cork, Plywood
$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
$2,895
H 16 in W 18 in D 18 in
Expertly Restored - Paul Frankl Cork Top Side Table for Johnson Furniture
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Co.
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 in the Chinoiserie Style, circa 1940s
By Johnson Furniture Company, Paul Frankl
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
Classic Mid Century Cork Cocktail Table By Paul Frankl
By Paul Frankl
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Iconic 1940’s Design by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture. Classic Elemental from Cocktail Table with thick Natural Cork Top supported by three Architectural Mahogany shaped legs wit...
Wood, Cork
Classy Paul Frankl Writing Desk for Johnson Furniture
By Johnson Furniture Co., Paul Frankl
Located in Chicago, IL
Elegant proportions, conical tapering legs and brass X-handles. Reminiscent of Tommi Parzinger. This item should be purchased with the intent to refinish. Structurally sound.
Wood
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
$2,245
H 16.5 in W 47.75 in D 21 in
Paul Frankl for Brown Saltman Black Lacquered Coffee Table, Newly Refinished
By Brown Saltman, Paul Frankl
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Mid-Century Modern Hollywood Regency black lacquered oak coffee table By Paul Frankl for Brown Saltman USA, 1940s Measures: 47.75"W x 21"D x 16.5"H. Newly refi...
Oak, Lacquer
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 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
$2,995
H 28.25 in W 32 in D 32 in
Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Cork and Mahogany Corner Table, ca 1951
By Johnson Furniture Company, Paul Frankl
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
Cork-Topped End Table by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Co.
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Co.
Located in Sagaponack, NY
Tapered dowel legs support a bleached mahogany two (2) drawer end table with a cork top, having hammered brass round pulls.
Brass
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
Pair of Stools American Cork by Paul Frakl in Brown Wood, 1960s
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company
Located in Milano, IT
Pair of stools designed by American designer Paul Frankl in 1960s for the Johnson Furniture Company. The pair of stools are made with a seat in an elegant and resistant cork. While i...
Wood, Cork
Paul Frankl Cork Console Table
By Johnson Furniture Co., Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company
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
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
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
Paul Frankl Console Table
By Johnson Furniture Co., Paul Frankl
Located in Houston, TX
This dramatic console was designed by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Company in the 1940s. The smooth, curved top is contrasted by the fluted textured legs. The table has been ref...
Wood
Rare Custom 8' Axel Hjorth Console Table
By Paul Frankl
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Rare custom Axel Hjorth 8' console table circa 1940's. This example was commissioned by Elsa Lanchester and Charles Loughton and has a beautifully grained top, four custom hand carved drawer pulls...
Wood