Paul Frankl Kidney Desk for Johnson Furniture
About the Item
- Creator:Paul Frankl (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 28.23 in (71.7 cm)Width: 48.23 in (122.5 cm)Depth: 23.23 in (59 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950
- Condition:Repaired: Some small parts of the veneer must have been replaced. It was executed by a professional. The tabletop surface was finely sanded and lacquered. Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Zürich, CH
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU9625238170212
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: Zürich, Switzerland
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- Lidded Vase by Gio Ponti for Richard Ginori, 1930sBy Gio PontiLocated in Zürich, CHGio Ponti Teal-coloured lidded vase/Urn 5756 Inscribed at the bottom '695T' Expertise conducted by the Gio Ponti Archives The vase is in great con...Category
Vintage 1930s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsCeramic
- Rare Giovanni Gariboldi Vase for Ginori, 1940sBy Giovanni GariboldiLocated in Zürich, CHGiovanni Gariboldi (1908 - 1971) for Richard Ginori An important craquelé ceramic vase by Giovanni Gariboldi for Richard Ginori in matte blue tones, the neck and bottom decorated wit...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Vases
MaterialsCeramic
- Riccardo Schweizer Giulietta e Romeo Set of Plates for 2, Ceramica PagnossinBy Riccardo SchweizerLocated in Zürich, CHDesigned by Riccardo Schweizer and produced by Ceramica Pagnossin. Made in glazed ceramic and in very good original condition. Some plates are stamped with the manufacturer's logo 'P...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Space Age Ceramics
MaterialsCeramic
- Giovanni Gariboldi, San Cristoforo 6736 Vase for Richard Ginori, 1930sBy Giovanni GariboldiLocated in Zürich, CHGiovanni Gariboldi Light blue vase model "6736", 1930s Manufactured by Richard-Ginori, San Cristoforo, Milan Marked under the base with yellow monogram and 6736 stamped Vase is in ...Category
Vintage 1930s Italian Vases
MaterialsCeramic
- Giovanni Gariboldi, San Cristoforo 6736 Vase for Richard Ginori, 1930sBy Giovanni GariboldiLocated in Zürich, CHGiovanni Gariboldi Blue and white vase model "6736", 1930s Manufactured by Richard-Ginori, San Cristoforo, Milan Marked under the base with green monogram, 6736 stamped and 720 in bl...Category
Vintage 1930s Italian Vases
MaterialsCeramic
- Carving Set by Robert Venturi & Denise Scott Brown for Swid PowellBy Robert Venturi and Denise Scott BrownLocated in Zürich, CHSubstantial silver-plated carving set with column handles designed by Robert Venturi for Swid Powell. The set was manufactured by Reed & Barton for Swid Powell. It is a playful adaptation of the classical greek orders...Category
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Knife Boxes
MaterialsSilver Plate
- Classy Paul Frankl Writing Desk for Johnson FurnitureBy Johnson Furniture Co., Paul FranklLocated 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
- PAUL FRANKL for JOHNSON Furniture Co. "Amoeba" Desk and Cabinet c. 1950sBy Paul FranklLocated in LAGUNA BEACH, CAPaul Frankl, a renowned American designer of the 20th century, crafted a timeless masterpiece in collaboration with Johnson Furniture Company—a kidney-shaped desk that blends functio...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsWood, Birch, Mahogany, Maple, Teak
- 1940s Paul Frankl Eight-Drawer Desk Art Deco Style By Johnson Furniture Co.By Johnson Furniture Co., Paul FranklLocated in Miami, FLRare Paul Frankl designed eight-drawer desk for the Johnson Furniture Co. of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Re-furbished and newly lacquered cork top, in a satin lacquer white finish. Body of desk also mahogany brown finish. Handles appear to be bakelite, with brass brackets, also newly polished. Exposed concave cut-out to center back of desk for storing books, much like a sculptural effect of a Sol LeWitt or Donald Judd floating square cut-outs piece of art and we say art, because it is an art form to pull off stunning design, with function as the forefront to any furniture, as the body floating has an ethereal quality. As does the body of the desk prove...Category
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Paul Frankl Rare Kidney Desk in Mahogany, Birch, Leather and Brass, USA, 1950sBy Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture CompanyLocated in New York, NYPaul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Company of Grand Rapids rare exquisite desk from Station Wagon Group, USA, 1940s. This organic desk consists of two separate parts - desk top in rich mahogany and three drawer cabinet in mahogany and birch with leather and brass pulls. This modernist design has beautiful and playful elements which allow modifications in orientation. The desk top with legs rests on the cabinet through the use of a circular birch column which can be adjusted anywhere on the cabinet top to create different angles in the configuration and different overall lengths. Truly an iconic design, this chic desk exemplifies Frankl early use of biomorphic form. Branded mark "JOHNSON FURNITURE CO. GRAND RAPIDS, MICH." Adjustable desk length: 55-66 in Desk top including legs measurements: H 28.25 x W 48 x D 23.5 in Cabinet measurements...Category
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsBrass
- 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
- Vintage Cerused Executive Desk by Paul Frankl for Brown SaltmanBy Paul FranklLocated in North Hollywood, CABeautiful vintage cerused executive desk by Paul Frankl for Brown Saltman in the United States, circa 1950s. This desk has a Minimalist design where the correct choice of materials used for its construction stands out. The desk has been constructed from black cerused oak wood, giving it a unique contrast and making it immediately stand out from the rest. Features five drawers, within which a drawer stands out since this is a file drawer, and it will be useful to keep your most important documents...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsWood, Oak
