Paul Frankl Fall Front Walnut Skyscraper Desk and Bookcase Unit
View Similar Items
Paul Frankl Fall Front Walnut Skyscraper Desk and Bookcase Unit
About the Item
- Creator:Paul Frankl (Designer)
- Design:
- Dimensions:Height: 66 in (167.64 cm)Width: 48 in (121.92 cm)Depth: 12 in (30.48 cm)
- Style:Art Deco (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Unknown
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: DUF01141stDibs: LU977928109902
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.
- Set of 8 Paul Frankl Continental Ebonized & Upholstered "Skyscraper" Side ChairsBy Paul FranklLocated in New York, NYSET of 8 Continental Art Deco (1929) \"Skyscraper\" dining / side chairs with reeded carved black lacquered curving wooden frames, upholstered in a beige and gold geometric patterned...Category
20th Century Biedermeier Side Chairs
MaterialsLacquer, Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
- Austrian Biedermeier Walnut Ebonized BookcaseLocated in New York, NYAustrian Biedermeier (Circa 1825) walnut veneer and ebonized trimmed bookcase with demilune 3 drawer commode base and upper section with 2 doors and 4 small drawers.Category
Antique 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Bookcases
MaterialsWalnut
- Founders Walnut Lazy Susan Mini BookcaseBy Founders Furniture CompanyLocated in New York, NYAmerican mid-century walnut lazy susan mini-bookcase with a rectangular form of alternating panels and two compartment shelves on each side, on a ful...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
MaterialsMetal
- American Victorian Herts Brothers Slant Front DeskBy The Herts BrothersLocated in New York, NYAmerican Victorian mahogany slant front desk with gallery and turned legs and spindle design stretcher (signed HERTS BROTHERS, in drawer).Category
Antique 19th Century American Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsMahogany
- Founders Dark Walnut Lazy Susan Mini BookcaseBy Founders Furniture CompanyLocated in New York, NYAmerican mid-century dark walnut lazy susan mini-bookcase with a rectangular form of alternating panels and two compartment shelves on each side, on ...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
MaterialsMetal
- Paul Frankl Continental Mid-Century Walnut and Brass 2-Drawer Console TableBy Paul FranklLocated in New York, NYContinental Mid-Century walnut contole table having two drawers with X-shaped brass drawer pulls, resting on four tapered round legs ending in brass sabots. (PAUL FRANKL)Category
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Console Tables
MaterialsWalnut
- Antique English Satinwood Bookcase with Fall Front Desk, Circa 1870-1890Located in New Orleans, LASuperb quality antique English satinwood bookcase with fall front desk, Circa 1870-1890.Category
Antique 19th Century English Bookcases
MaterialsSatinwood
- Rare Paul Frankl Skyscraper Desk / Bench, Art Deco, Modernist, CubistBy Paul FranklLocated in Buffalo, NYStunning and rare bookcase desk and cork top seat designed and manufactured by Paul Frankl, I believe this was a transitional piece designed and built in the mid 1930s, stunning desi...Category
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsWood
- Antique Bureau Bookcase, Slant Front Desk, Bookcase Top, Scotland 1910, H244Located in Vancouver, BCAntique Bureau bookcase, Slant front desk, bookcase top, Scotland 1910, H244 Scotland 1910 Solid oak Original finish The top with glass doors and stitched interior The fall front op...Category
Vintage 1910s Scottish Bookcases
MaterialsOak
$575 Sale Price50% Off - French Art Deco Rosewood Desk and BookcaseLocated in West Palm Beach, FLFrench Art Deco Rosewood desk and bookcase ,in two-piece. The tiered bookcase with six half-moon shelves to the left and bronze-mounted c...Category
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Bookcases
MaterialsBronze
$37,500 / set - Paul Frankl Cork Top DeskBy Johnson Furniture Company, Paul FranklLocated in Denton, TXRare six-drawer desk designed by Paul Frankl featuring a curved cork top, adorned with brass drawer pulls and partial brass covered legs. Can also be used as a vanity.Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsMahogany, Oak, Cork
- Rare Paul Frankl Cork and Mahogany Kneehole DeskBy Johnson Furniture Company, Paul FranklLocated in Brooklyn, NYC. 1940s, American, the mahogany eight- drawer desk encased in cork veneer on four sides, with book storage-well on the reverse. Bakelite and brass pulls....Category
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsMahogany, Cork
