Paul Frankl Side Tables
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.
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl Side Tables
Cork
1950s American Art Deco Vintage Paul Frankl Side Tables
Brass
1940s Vintage Paul Frankl Side Tables
Rattan, Mahogany
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Side Tables
Metal
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Side Tables
Maple, Cork
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl Side Tables
Wood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl Side Tables
Cork, Paint, Wood
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Side Tables
Mahogany, Rattan
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Side Tables
Wicker, Rattan, Formica
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl Side Tables
Walnut, Cork
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Side Tables
Mahogany, Walnut
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Side Tables
Maple, Cork
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Side Tables
Maple
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl Side Tables
Cork, Mahogany
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Side Tables
Mahogany, Maple, Cork
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Side Tables
Rattan, Mahogany
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl Side Tables
Cork, Birch
1960s Vintage Paul Frankl Side Tables
Wood, Smoked Glass
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Side Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Paul Frankl Side Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl Side Tables
Cork, Mahogany
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Side Tables
Cork, Mahogany
20th Century American Art Deco Paul Frankl Side Tables
Wood
1970s American Bohemian Vintage Paul Frankl Side Tables
Wicker, Rattan
Mid-20th Century Unknown Bohemian Paul Frankl Side Tables
Rattan
1940s American Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Side Tables
Mahogany, Cork
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Side Tables
Teak
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl Side Tables
Wood, Beech, Mahogany, Plywood
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Side Tables
Mahogany, Rattan
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl Side Tables
Cork
1930s English Vintage Paul Frankl Side Tables
Marble
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Side Tables
Teak
20th Century American Organic Modern Paul Frankl Side Tables
Leather, Raffia, Rattan, Oak
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Side Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Paul Frankl Side Tables
Fruitwood
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Side Tables
Walnut
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Paul Frankl Side Tables
Oak
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl Side Tables
Mahogany, Cork, Lacquer
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl Side Tables
Brass
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Side Tables
Rattan, Maple
1940s North American Vintage Paul Frankl Side Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl Side Tables
Mahogany
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Side Tables
Ash
1950s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Paul Frankl Side Tables
Brass
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Side Tables
Lucite, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl Side Tables
Cork
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Side Tables
Mahogany