Pair of Cork Nightstands by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Co, circa 1950
View Similar Items
Pair of Cork Nightstands by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Co, circa 1950
About the Item
- Creator:Johnson Furniture Company (Maker),Paul Frankl (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 18 in (45.72 cm)Width: 24 in (60.96 cm)Depth: 17.75 in (45.09 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1950
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. This pair has been professionally restored.
- Seller Location:Costa Mesa, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU922013799782
Paul Frankl
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.
- David Cressey & Robert Maxwell Planter for Earthgender, circa 1970By David Cressey, Robert Maxwell, Robert Maxwell and David CresseyLocated in Costa Mesa, CADavid Cressey & Robert Maxwell Planter for Earthgender, circa 1970.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsCeramic
- Early Finn Juhl Bench for Bovirke, Denmark, circa 1953By Finn Juhl, BovirkeLocated in Costa Mesa, CAEarly Finn Juhl Bench for Bovirke, Denmark, circa 1953. New Expertly Upholstered Cushion in Kravet Couture Green Wool Fabric. Makers Mark to the Bott...Category
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Benches
MaterialsBrass, Steel
- David Cressey & Robert Maxwell Sunburst Planters for Earthgender, circa 1970By David Cressey, Robert Maxwell, Robert Maxwell and David CresseyLocated in Costa Mesa, CADavid Cressey & Robert Maxwell pair of “Sunburst” planters for Earthgender circa 1970. This pair is in very good original condition. Planter #1 measures: 18 1/8" wide x 17 1/...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsCeramic, Stoneware
- Stuart Barnes Brass Table Lamps for Robert Long, circa 1970By Robert Long, Stuart BarnesLocated in Costa Mesa, CAStuart Barnes brass table lamps for Robert Long, circa 1970. This pair was handcrafted at the Robert Long studio in Sausalito, California. Each lamp measures: 5" Diameter 1...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- David Cressey & Robert Maxwell Thumbprint Planter for Earthgender, circa 1970By David Cressey, Robert Maxwell and David Cressey, Robert MaxwellLocated in Costa Mesa, CADavid Cressey & Robert Maxwell Thumbprint Planter for Earthgender, circa 1970.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsCeramic, Stoneware
- Jane & Gordon Martz Ceramic Table Lamps for Marshall Studios, circa 1965By Marshall Studios, Gordon Martz, Gordon & Jane MartzLocated in Costa Mesa, CAJane and Gordon Martz Ceramic Table Lamps for Marshall Studios, circa 1965. Measures: 29.63" To the top of the socket. 22.38" To the top of the ceramic. 8.38" diameter (The lamp ...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsCeramic, Walnut
- Pair of Paul Frankl Cork Nightstands for Johnson Furniture Co.By Johnson Furniture Co., Paul FranklLocated in Los Angeles, CAPaul 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...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsBrass
- Pair of Paul Frankl Walnut Nightstands for Johnson Furniture Solid Brass PullsBy Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture CompanyLocated in Rockaway, NJPair of stunning Mid-Century Modern walnut end tables night stands with solid brass buckle shape pulls.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern End Tables
MaterialsWalnut
- Paul Frankl Nightstand by Johnson FurnitureBy Johnson Furniture Company, Paul FranklLocated in Lake Worth, FLThis Paul Frankl nightstand is a true vintage gem, embodying mid-century modern style with its sleek lines and warm brown color. Crafted by Joh...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsWood
- Paul Frankl Dresser and Nightstand for Johnson Furniture, 1950sBy Johnson Furniture Company, John Stuart, Paul FranklLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis fantastic 1950s ten-drawer double dresser and nightstand was designed by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture and retailed by John Stuart duri...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsMetal
$5,700 Sale Price / set39% Off - Pair of Paul Frankl Ivory Lacquered Nightstands with Brass X Pulls, circa 1950By Johnson Furniture Company, Paul FranklLocated in Saint Louis, MOEveryone 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...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsBrass
- Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Co. Single NightstandBy Paul FranklLocated in St. Louis, MOPaul Frankl designed nightstand for Johnson Furniture Company, circa 1950s. Brass X-pulls, pull down door and two drawers. To be refinished, custom color available. Patina to brass, ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsBrass