Early Mahogany Chests of Drawers by Paul Frankl, 1940s
View Similar Items
Early Mahogany Chests of Drawers by Paul Frankl, 1940s
About the Item
- Creator:Paul Frankl (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 32 in (81.28 cm)Width: 32 in (81.28 cm)Depth: 20 in (50.8 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Art Deco (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1940s
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Westport, CT
- Reference Number:Seller: SM9291stDibs: LU92897357353
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.
- Gentleman's Chest by Paul Frankl, C. 1950sBy Paul FranklLocated in Westport, CTThe Gentleman's Chest by Paul Frankl, a tribute to mid-century elegance from the 1950s, meticulously restored to perfection by Stamford Modern. Crafted from exquisite maple, the ches...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsMaple
- Paul McCobb Gentleman's Chest of Drawers in Mahogany, circa 1950sBy Paul McCobbLocated in Westport, CTThe timeless Mahogany Gentleman's Chest of Drawers designed by legendary designer Paul McCobb in the 1950s, now fully restored by Stamford Modern. This stunning piece is a testament ...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBrass
- Set of Nightstands by Paul Frankl, C. 1950sBy Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture CompanyLocated in Westport, CTMeticulously restored Vintage Nightstands by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture, circa 1950s. These mid-century gems feature a drop-down door storage shelf and two drawers, each adorn...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern End Tables
MaterialsNickel
$6,500 / set - Stacked Chests of Drawers in Limed OakBy Stamford ModernLocated in Westport, CTInspired by the iconic designer Paul Frankl, these rustic modern dressers blend timeless elegance with contemporary flair. The oversized drawer frames and subtly curved fronts create...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and C...
MaterialsBrass
$14,000 / set - T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb Chest of Drawers, C. 1950sBy T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.Located in Westport, CTOne of T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings classics, designed for The Widdicomb Furniture Company, circa 1950-1950. This walnut chest of drawers or highboy features five large drawers providing a...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsNickel
- Ten Drawer Dresser by Paul Frankl, C. 1950sBy Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Co.Located in Westport, CTA meticulously restored Paul Frankl Dresser from Johnson Furniture, a mid-century masterpiece circa 1950s. This vintage gem, designed by the iconic Paul Frankl, features 10 drawers a...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsNickel
- Paul Frankl Petite Mahogany Chest of Drawers for Johnson Furniture Co.By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Co.Located in Miami, FLPetite mahogany chest of drawers or dresser with inset handles, fully incased with a stepped edge detail.Category
Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsMahogany
$4,400 Sale Price20% Off - Chest of Drawers by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture CoBy Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture CompanyLocated in Chicago, ILMid-century walnut wood dresser designed by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Co., Grand Rapids, Michigan. This chest consists of 5 pull out drawers featuring 2 shallow drawers and 3...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsNickel
- Russel Wright, Chest of Drawers, Mahogany, 1940sBy Heywood-Wakefield Co., Russel WrightLocated in High Point, NCA sizeable bleached mahogany chest of drawers designed by Russel Wright and produced by Heywood Wakefield, USA, c. 1940s.Category
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsMahogany
- French Deco Exotic Wood Vanity Mirror Chest of Drawers manner of Paul FranklBy Paul FranklLocated in Chicago, ILDeco vanity mirror with chest of drawers. Use of exotic woods on a deco skyscraper base. The handles are 2 types of wood. No markings or labels. Appears to be of French origin. An early piece that shows some age with loss of veneer and some of the white plastic deco detailing on the piece. Manner of Paul Frankl Skyscraper...Category
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Vanities
MaterialsWood
- 1940s Carlton House Mahogany Chest on Chest Of DrawersBy Carlton House Fine FurnitureLocated in Germantown, MDVery rare 1940s Carlton House mahogany chest on chest of drawers. Rock solid red mahogany wood. Fruitwood drawers. Heavy duty drop pull antique brass han...Category
Mid-20th Century English Chippendale Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBrass
$2,275 Sale Price35% Off - Vintage Cerused and Brass Chest of Drawers by Paul Frankl for Brown SaltmanBy Paul Frankl, Brown SaltmanLocated in North Hollywood, CAVintage chest of drawers / tall dresser designed by Paul Frankl for Brown Saltman, circa 1950s. This beautiful chest of drawers features four large pull-out dovetailed drawers, all i...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBrass
