Frankl Cabinet
View Similar Items
Frankl Cabinet
About the Item
- Creator:Paul Frankl (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 30 in (76.2 cm)Width: 42 in (106.68 cm)Depth: 21 in (53.34 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1950
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: STGV1509111stDibs: f82201509153060623fs
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.
- Paul Frankl Style Skyscraper CabinetBy Paul FranklLocated in Philadelphia, PAPaul Frankl Style Cabinet or End Table. Overall 29.5" tall, lower level 23.75. Cabinet is 18" square with one side made up of 2 doors and one pull out d...Category
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Cabinets
MaterialsWalnut
Sold$1,560 - Paul Frankl small display cabinetBy Paul FranklLocated in Westport, CTPaul Frankl creme Cork Mahogany Display CabinetCategory
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
- Midcentury Paul Frankl Johnson Dresser Cabinet Buffet Furniture Newly LacqueredBy Paul FranklLocated in West Hartford, CTMagnificent, newly lacquered brilliant white lacquered multi purpose cabinet. All original, except the lacquer. Features the coveted X pulls. Now more than ever, home is where the he...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsLacquer, Wood
- Pair of Cabinets after Paul Frankl, circa 1940, Made in USABy Paul FranklLocated in Jersey City, NJPair of cabinets both with two doors and matching solid brass pulls. One cabinet opens to reveal four centre drawers flanked by a single shelf on either side. The second opens to a s...Category
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsWood
$2,800 Sale Price / set61% Off - Cabinet Mirror Set by Paul Frankl in Limed Oak, circa 1950sBy Paul FranklLocated in Westport, CTRustic-Modern cabinet and mirror set designed by Paul Frankl for Brown Saltman, circa 1950s. Fully restored in their original cerused finish. The mirror could be hung vertically or h...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirrors
MaterialsOak
Sold$7,800 / set - Paul Frankl BookcaseBy Paul FranklLocated in New York, NYRare custom bookcase/ storage cabinet designed by Paul Frankl. Orange and black lacquered wood, with gold painted face in a snaking geometric motif & thick...Category
Vintage 1930s American Bookcases
MaterialsGlass, Wood
$16,500