Large American Mid Century Commode by Paul Frankl, 1950s
About the Item
- Creator:Paul Frankl (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 32.3 in (82.05 cm)Width: 43.1 in (109.48 cm)Depth: 18 in (45.72 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Los Angeles, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- 18th Century Regency CommodeLocated in Los Angeles, CA18th century Regency commode with marble top.Category
Antique Late 18th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsMarble
- 18th Century Italian CommodeLocated in Los Angeles, CA18th century Italian drawers, white marble top. Parquetry inlay.Category
Antique 18th Century Italian Other Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsMarble
- Pair of 19th Century Italian Neoclassical CommodesLocated in Los Angeles, CAPair of Italian Neoclassical wooden two-drawer commodes made in the 19th Century with polychrome painted mythical figures around gracefully adorning the surfaces. These each include ...Category
Antique 19th Century Italian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsWood, Paint
- 1920s French CommodeLocated in Los Angeles, CA1920s French commode, mahogany, bird’s-eye and maple. Dimensions: 37.5"H x 94"W x 20"D.Category
Vintage 1920s French French Provincial Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBirdseye Maple, Mahogany, Maple
- Late 19th Century French Louis XV-Style Bombe CommodeLocated in Los Angeles, CALate 19th century French Louis XV-style Bombe Commode The book matched veneered chest with marble top over three drawers with bronze mounts and hardware Dimensions: 33.75...Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBronze
- Early 20th Century Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze Marquetry CommodeLocated in Los Angeles, CALouis XV style gilt bronze marquetry commode with mounted marmol. France, early 20th century.Category
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBronze
- 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 Frankl for Johnson Furniture Mid Century Modern X Pulls Dresser c. 1950sBy John Stuart Inc., Johnson Furniture Company, Paul FranklLocated in Denville, NJWe photograph and list inventory in the condition it arrives at our warehouse to streamline operations and focus on restoration for current orders. This also enables us to maintain a...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsWalnut
- Mid Century Two-Drawer Mahogany Commode Console By Paul Frankl, c1940sBy Paul FranklLocated in Chino Hills, CAWelcome to a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a piece of mid-century modern history. This stunning Mahogany and Nickel 2-Drawer Console Table, expertly designed by the celebrate...Category
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsNickel
- 1950s Modern Paul Frankl for John Stuart Ebonized Walnut ChestBy Paul FranklLocated in Kennesaw, GALove this! This is an ebonized walnut chest with plated brass hardware designed by Paul Frankl for John Stuart. It is in very good conditio...Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsNickel
- 1950s Paul Frankl Moroccan Red Lacquered Double Dresser / Chest of DrawersBy Paul FranklLocated in Saint Louis, MOIconic Paul Frankl 10-drawer chest with freshly polished brass X pulls, refinished and shown in Moroccan Red Lacquer from Frankl's Debonair Collection for Johnson Furniture. Pair Available. Please note buyer has the option to select any color for professional refinishing to match the desired interior. Certainly one of Paul Frankl's most celebrated designs, the chest is timeless and pairs well with contemporary, eclectic and mid century decor. Paul Frankl was known in the Art Deco period for his architectural skyscraper...Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsLacquer
- Compatible Pair Mid-Century Modern Dressers, Chests by Paul Frankl, John StuartBy Paul Frankl, John StuartLocated in Stamford, CTPair Mid-Century Modern Double dressers by Paul Frankl for John Stuart, Lacquer Highly compatible Set of two spectacular dressers designed by Paul Frankl for John Stuart, recently f...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass, Chrome
