Pair of Paul Frankl Gentleman Chests for John Stewart, 1950s
View Similar Items
Pair of Paul Frankl Gentleman Chests for John Stewart, 1950s
About the Item
- Creator:Paul Frankl (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 24 in (60.96 cm)Width: 24 in (60.96 cm)Depth: 17 in (43.18 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Late 1940s-Early 1950s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. recently refinished.
- Seller Location:Hudson, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU149426226563
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.
- Pair of Paul Frankl Four-Drawer Chests for Brown SaltmanBy Paul FranklLocated in Hanover, MAHOLIDAY SALE 27 November through 15 December 2023 Pair of 1950s four-drawer chests with distinctive polished brass "X" drawer pulls. Produced by Brown Saltman. Can be used when ov...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsWood
$1,960 Sale Price / set30% Off - Paul Frankl Dresser and Nightstand for Johnson Furniture, 1950sBy Johnson Furniture Company, Paul Frankl, John StuartLocated 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 - Paul Frankl Ebony Nightstands for John StuartBy Paul Frankl, John StuartLocated in Los Angeles, CAExtremely rare Paul Frankl nightstands for John Stuart. Made of mahogany with espresso satin finish. USA, circa 1940. Each nightstand features a pull-down top drawer with two additio...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern End Tables
MaterialsBirch, Maple
$6,500 / set - Pair of Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture and John Stuart Mahogany NightstandsBy John Stuart, Paul FranklLocated in Philadelphia, PADesigned in the 1950s by the iconic designer of the Skyscraper bookcases and Pretzel sofa Paul Frankl, this pair of nightstands was made for retail by John Stuart in the heart of New...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsBrass
- Pair of 1950s Paul Frankl Nightstands Lacquered in Farrow & Ball Pavilion GreyBy Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture CompanyLocated in Saint Louis, MOEveryone loves Paul Frankl furniture. A pillar of design, he created some of the most iconic mid century pieces of furniture. And here we have a lovely pair of Paul Frankl Farrow and...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsBrass
- Hollywood Regency Ebony Dresser or Chest, Paul Frankl / John Stuart, RefinishedBy Johnson Furniture Company, John Stuart, Paul FranklLocated in Stamford, CTHollywood Regency Ebony Dresser or Chest, Paul Frankl / John Stuart, Fully Refinished A spectacular gentlemen's chest designed by Paul Frankl for John Stuart in a fine ebony recently lacquered finish having bronze X polished drawer pulls. The case having alternating sized drawers. Stamped by the designer. This piece having the finest lacquered finish possible. This chest having a matching dresser and matching pair of nightstands to make a complete bedroom set. All items sold separately, pictured below. 456-12, 12A and 12B. We can accompany this set with a matching bed...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBrass