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Paul Frankl Vanities

Austrian, American, 1886-1958

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.

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Creator: Paul Frankl
Classy Paul Frankl Writing Desk for Johnson Furniture/ Tommi Parzinger
Classy Paul Frankl Writing Desk for Johnson Furniture/ Tommi Parzinger

Classy Paul Frankl Writing Desk for Johnson Furniture/ Tommi Parzinger

$6,500

Classy Paul Frankl Writing Desk for Johnson Furniture/ Tommi Parzinger

By Johnson Furniture Co., Paul Frankl

Located in Chicago, IL

Elegant proportions, conical tapering legs and brass X-handles. Requires refinishing. Structurally sound. Style of Tommi Parzinger

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Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl Vanities

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Mid-Century Modernist Desk or Vanity by Paul Frankl in Book-Matched Walnut

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Paul Frankl vanities for sale on 1stDibs.

Paul Frankl vanities are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Paul Frankl vanities, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original vanities by Paul Frankl were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the mid-20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider vanities by and Herman Miller. Prices for Paul Frankl vanities can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $7,500 and can go as high as $7,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $7,500.