Mid-Century Modernist Desk or Vanity by Paul Frankl in Book-Matched Walnut
View Similar Items
Mid-Century Modernist Desk or Vanity by Paul Frankl in Book-Matched Walnut
About the Item
- Creator:Paul Frankl (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 28 in (71.12 cm)Width: 48 in (121.92 cm)Depth: 21 in (53.34 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Circa 1950
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: 15030979345408
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.
- Art Deco Book-Matched & Burled, Chrome Pulls & Fluted Back Walnut Vanity / DeskLocated in New York, NY-This Art Deco Vanity / Desk Originates in the United States Circa 1935 and is a brilliant example of the Art Deco style and fabrication techniques. Made entirely of walnut and finis...Category
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Vanities
MaterialsChrome
- Mid-Century Modernist X Form Low Chest in Rich Brown Walnut by Paul FranklBy Paul FranklLocated in New York, NYThis beautifully fabricated and distinctive Mid-Century Modernist X Form low chest in rich brown Walnut is by the esteemed designer Paul Frankl and originates from the United States...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- Modernist Vanity Table in Lucite & Mirrored GlassLocated in New York, NYThis Modernist Vanity, originating from the United States, circa 1970. is a unique and elegant example of modernist design. Constructed in Lucite and mirror glass, the piece exemplifies Mid-Century Modernism in its use of minimal, sleek and transparent materials. Elegant curved supports bend to create the top surface of the desk with a mirrored front drawer that opens to reveal a spacious interior for possessions of your choosing. A floating vanity...Category
Vintage 1970s American Modern Vanities
MaterialsMirror, Lucite
- Mid-Century Ebonized Walnut & Nickel X Form Pull Nightstands by Paul FranklBy Paul FranklLocated in New York, NYThis elegantly reserved Pair of Mid-Century Modernist Nightstands in Ebonized Walnut and Nickel X Form Pulls is by the esteemed designer Paul Frankl and originates from the United St...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsNickel
- Mid-Century Modernist Bar Cabinet in Book-Matched Walnut with Inset Glass PullsLocated in New York, NYThis stunningly bold and sophisticated Mid-Century Modernist Bar Cabinet in Bookmatched Walnut with Inset Antiqued mirrored Glass Pulls originates from France, Circa 1950. Features a...Category
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Dry Bars
MaterialsGlass, Walnut
- Art Deco Secretary Cabinet Desk in Book Matched Walnut by Gilbert RohdeBy Gilbert RohdeLocated in New York, NYThis rare and captivating Art Deco Drop Front Secreter Desk in Book-matched Hand-Rubbed Walnut is by the esteemed furniture designer Gilbert Rohde and originates from the United Stat...Category
Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Desks
MaterialsWalnut
- Classy Paul Frankl Writing Desk for Johnson FurnitureBy Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Co.Located in Chicago, ILElegant proportions, conical tapering legs and brass X-handles. Reminiscent of Tommi Parzinger. This item should be purchased with the intent to refinish. Structurally sound. Priced ...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsWood
- Lady’s Desk or Vanity in Mahogany, Czechoslovakia, 1970sBy Up ZávodyLocated in Zohor, SKBeautiful midcentury desk, originally used as a desk for a lady, or vanity in the bedroom. The table is elegant combination of lighter birch wood on the sides and mahogany wood on to...Category
Vintage 1970s Czech Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsBirch, Mahogany
$642 Sale Price25% Off - Rare French Mid-Century Modern Lucite & Glass Writing Desk / Vanity by P. VandelBy Pierre VandelLocated in New York, NYElegant French Mid-Century Modern lucite and glass desk /writing table / vanity by Pierre Vandel. This piece expresses the essence of modernism. It's transparent, minimal and functio...Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Dutch Mid-Century Modern Solid Birch Vanity Desk by Everest Furniture, 1950sBy EverestLocated in bergen op zoom, NLUnusual and rare modernist vanity desk produced in the Netherlands by Everest Furniture early 1950s. Solid birch frame and, veneered plywood and exotic wood (Wenge) details in the...Category
Vintage 1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vanities
MaterialsBirch, Teak, Wenge, Plywood
- Early 19th Century Empire Greek Vanity or Ladies' DeskLocated in Berlin, DEAn early 19th century gilt bronze and walnut veneer ladies desk or dressing table or vanity, with a rectangular grey fossil marble top above two mirror paneled doors and two drawers, flanked by Greek Revival female caryatids, above a folded leather lined writing surface and a frieze drawer, raised on square legs, joined by an incurved stretcher. The whole mounted with finely chased ormolu casts depicting winged figures, ribbons and foliage. Beautiful early 19th century French Empire small desk...Category
Antique 1810s French Empire Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsBronze
- 21st Century American Walnut Veneer Vanity Desk with MirrorBy Merve KahramanLocated in New York, NY"La Nouvelle Vanité" is a make up desk made of American walnut veneer with an arc shaped mirror behind, designed by Merve Kahraman design studio. This work/makeup desk...Category
2010s Turkish Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsWood
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
How to Work Rattan and Wicker Furniture into Any Space
Interior designers Celerie Kemble and Angie Hranowsky dish out their advice on artfully bringing these natural materials into today's homes.
20th-Century Design Shines at the High Style Deco Auction
New York furniture dealer Howard Williams not only has an eye for top-notch pieces from a range of eras but also meticulously restores them to their original glory.