Paul T. Frankl Cork Desk for Johnson Furniture Company, circa 1950
View Similar Items
Paul T. Frankl Cork Desk for Johnson Furniture Company, circa 1950
About the Item
- Creator:Johnson Furniture Company (Manufacturer),Paul Frankl (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 27.17 in (69 cm)Width: 59.06 in (150 cm)Depth: 28.75 in (73 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950-1959
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Waalwijk, NL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU933113377941
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.
Established in 2006, Morentz has a team of approximately 55 restorers, upholsterers, interior advisers and art historians, making it a gallery, workshop and upholstery studio, all in one. Every day, a carefully selected array of 20th-century furniture arrives from all over the world at the firm’s warehouse, where the team thoroughly examines each piece to determine what, if any, work needs to be done. Whether that means new upholstery or a complete restoration, Morentz's aim is always to honor the designer’s intention while fulfilling the wishes of the client. The team is up to any challenge, from restoring a single piece to its original glory to furnishing a large-scale hotel project.
- Studio BBPR for Olivetti Spazio DeskBy Olivetti, Studio BBPRLocated in Waalwijk, NLStudio B.B.P.R. for Olivetti, 'Spazio' desk with drawers, metal, vinyl, plastic, Italy, circa 1960 This industrial 'Spazio' desk is designed by Studio B.B.P.R. A black vinyl tablet...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsMetal
- Gianni Moscatelli for Formanova Executive DeskBy Gianni Moscatelli, FormanovaLocated in Waalwijk, NLGianni Moscatelli for Formanova, desk, black lacquered wood, nickel-plated steel, Italy, 1960s This modern, streamlined writing desk is designed by Gianni Moscatelli in the sixtie...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsSteel, Nickel
- Gianfranco Frattini for Cantieri Carugati Desk in CherryBy Cantieri Carugati, Gianfranco FrattiniLocated in Waalwijk, NLGianfranco Frattini for Cantieri Carugati, writing desk, cherry, metal, Italy, 1958 This piece of furniture is based on a solid construction featuring straight lines and right-angle...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsMetal
- Gianni Moscatelli for Formanova Executive Desk in BlackBy Gianni Moscatelli, FormanovaLocated in Waalwijk, NLGianni Moscatelli for Formanova, desk, black lacquered wood, nickel-plated steel, Italy, 1960s This modern, streamlined writing desk is designed by Gianni Moscatelli in the sixties....Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsSteel, Nickel
- Early Franco Albini for Knoll Model '80' DeskBy Knoll, Franco AlbiniLocated in Waalwijk, NLFranco Albini for Knoll, model 80, glass, lacquered wood, lacquered steel, Italy, 1949 Franco Albini’s model 80 desk combines glass, steel and wood which resu...Category
1990s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsChrome
- Cees Braakman for Pastoe Desk in Teak and MetalBy Pastoe, Cees BraakmanLocated in Waalwijk, NLCees Braakman for Pastoe, desk, teak, brushed metal, The Netherlands, 1950s. Modest designed desk by Dutch designer Cees Braakman for Pastoe. The table top and drawer compartment are executed in teak. Curved plywood is used to furnish the inner part of the three different drawers, each with a metal handle. A modern exterior...Category
Vintage 1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsMetal
- Paul Frankl Kidney Desk for Johnson FurnitureBy Paul FranklLocated in Zürich, CHPaul Frankl Kidney Desk produced by Johnson Furniture Co., Grand Rapids, Michigan Overall in very good condition. The wooden tabletop with light surface scratches, indentations and...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsOak
- Paul Frankl Cork Top DeskBy Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture CompanyLocated 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
- 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
- Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture cork top cocktail tableBy Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture CompanyLocated in Ferndale, MIPaul T. Frankl designed a large collection of mid century modern pieces for Johnson furniture . Introduced after the war this table is a fine example from that collection . Origina...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsWood, Cork
- Rare Paul Frankl Cork and Mahogany Kneehole DeskBy Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture CompanyLocated in Brooklyn, NYC. 1940s, American, the mahogany eight- drawer desk encased in cork veneer on four sides, with book storage-well on the reverse. Bakelite and brass pulls....Category
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsMahogany, Cork
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.
You Don’t Need a Fictional Fairy to Get This Real Pinocchio Lamp
Warm chalet style meets cool Bauhaus functionality in Pietro Cascella’s cleverly carved creation.