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Paul Frankl

Austrian, American, 1886-1958

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.

Average Sold Price
$4,759
Styles
Materials
Related Creators
Iconic Designs from Paul Frankl
Explore timeless pieces that have earned their place in history.
Pretzel Sofa
Pretzel Sofa
Paul Frankl Skyscraper
Paul Frankl Skyscraper
Paul T Frankl Cork & Mahogany Amoeba Coffee Table Model 5005 for Johnson 1950s
By Johnson Furniture Company, Paul Frankl
Located in Troy, MI
Paul T Frankl cork top Amoeba or Cloud cocktail table Model 5005 Johnson Furniture circa 1950s Asymmetrical lacquered cork surface on four sculpted and splayed mahogany legs Signed ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl

Materials

Mahogany, Cork

Paul Frankl Dining Chairs for Brown Saltman - Set of 10
By Paul Frankl
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This beautifully restored rattan blending style vintage charm with modern comfort. Set of 10 dining chairs by Paul Frankl for the Brown Saltman group. The chairs are upholstered in h...
Category

1950s Vintage Paul Frankl

Materials

Wood

Set of 10 Paul Frankl Corset Back Dining Chairs in Ivory White Bouclé, c. 1950s
By Paul Frankl
Located in Saint Louis, MO
We are pleased to offer this one of a kind exquisite set of 10 Paul Frankl plunging corset dining chairs for Johnson Furniture, circa 1950 professionally reupholstered in ivory white...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl

Materials

Bouclé, Upholstery, Mahogany, Bentwood

Expandable Mahogany and Cork Desk, Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture c.1950
By Johnson Furniture Company, Paul Frankl
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT An original expandable Paul Frankl desk with cork surface and a Mahogany base with brass hardware. Three drawers, open storage compartment on opposite side and Mahogany booksh...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl

Materials

Brass

Paul Frankl Model 5005 Amoeba Cork Top Coffee Table for Johnson Furniture 1950s
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company
Located in Troy, MI
Rare "Amoeba" coffee or cocktail table Model 5005 designed by Paul T Frankl for Johnson Furniture Grand Rapids Michigan circa 1950s Asymmetrical cloud shaped surface in lacquered ...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl

Materials

Mahogany, Cork

Paul Frankl Cork Top Two-Tier Side Table for Johnson Furniture
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This striking two-tier side table by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture is a perfect example of his innovative approach to modern design. Featuring a natural cork top, it offers a bea...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl

Materials

Mahogany, Cork

Pr. Cork Top Side Tables by Paul Frankl Johnson Furniture John Stuart c. 1940s
By John Stuart, Paul Frankl
Located in New York, NY
Chic pair of cork top side, or end tables, designed by Paul Frankl, made by Johnson Furniture, retailed by John Stuart circa 1940's. The tables feature thick rectangular cork tops, w...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Hollywood Regency Paul Frankl

Materials

Brass

Early Mid-century Combed Wood Vanity by Paul Frankl for Brown Saltman w/ Mirror
By Heywood-Wakefield Co., Paul Frankl
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Early Mid-century vanity with matching stool by Paul Frankl for Brown Saltman company features his trademark combed wood sides with curled brass pulls. The Vanity includes two convex...
Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl

Materials

Wood

Browse all Furniture from Paul Frankl
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Paul Frankl Sale Prices

Sold DateSold PriceCategoryMaterialCreation Year
2025$1,800Coffee and Cocktail TablesWood1930s-1940s
2025$11,000Commodes and Chests of DrawersWalnutCirca, 1935
2025$750Table LampsBrass, Cork, Walnutc1970s
2025$3,060Wall MirrorsBrass, Walnut, Mirrorc1970s
2025$3,472Side Tables, SofasRattan1950
2025$4,320End Tables, Side TablesMaple, Cork1940s
2025$4,050SofasCane, Rattan1950s
2025$3,230Dressers, Commodes and Chests of DrawersMetal, Wood1950s
2025$4,000Commodes and Chests of DrawersMaple1950s
2025$5,589DressersWalnut, Lacquer1960s
2025$5,000End Tables, Side TablesCork, Mahogany1950s
2025$4,200Vitrines, SideboardsRattancirca 1970s
2024$10,931Living Room SetsRattan1930
2024$2,500Desks and Writing TablesMahogany, Oak, Cork1950s
2024$2,800Buffets, CabinetsWood1940s
2024$14,400Dining Room TablesWood, Metal, Brass, Lacquer20th Century
2024$3,375Dry BarsRattan, ReedMid 20th Century
2024$7,920DressersLacquer, Brass, Wood1950
2024$6,715CabinetsOak1940s
2024$3,060DressersBrass, Walnut1950s
$4,759
Average sold price of items in the past 12 months
$200-$28,800
Sold price range of items in the past 12 months

Creators Similar to Paul Frankl

More Paul Frankl Designs
Pretzel Sofa
Pretzel Sofa
Average Price
$111,490
Number Available
6
Pretzel Sofa
By Paul Frankl
Materials
Natural Fiber, Rattan, Bamboo
Styles
Art Deco, Mid Century Modern
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Paul Frankl Skyscraper
Paul Frankl Skyscraper
Average Price
$6,209
Number Available
5
Paul Frankl Skyscraper
By Paul Frankl
Materials
Wood, Glass
Styles
Mid Century Modern
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Paul Frankl furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Paul Frankl furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Paul Frankl furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Paul Frankl were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Planner Group, John Stuart, and Widdicomb Furniture Co.. Prices for Paul Frankl furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $920 and can go as high as $85,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $6,490.

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