Josef Frank Seating
Austrian, 1885-1967
Austrian architect and furniture and fabric designer Josef Frank was a leading voice for a gentle, humane modernism. His advocacy of warm, comfortable, eclectically styled environments was highly influential in his adopted country of Sweden, and it’s now widely regarded as a harbinger of the backlash against doctrinaire modernism and the embrace of the homespun that occurred in the late 1960s.
The son of a successful Viennese textile manufacturer, Frank studied architecture at Vienna University of Technology, graduating in 1910. From the first years of his practice, he marched counter to the orderly, symmetrical architectural layouts and decors prescribed by contemporaries such as Adolf Loos.
Frank drafted rooms of varying shapes and called for flexible interior-design arrangements. His furniture pieces are light and easy to move — and his chairs are always made of wood, most often with lushly curved steam-bent arms and slatted backs. Frank openly loathed the tubular steel furnishings and “machine for living” aesthetic promoted by Le Corbusier and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and other Bauhaus principals. “The home must not be a mere efficient machine,” Frank once said. “It must offer comfort, rest and coziness…. There are no puritan principles in good interior decoration.”
Frank — who was Jewish — sensed the dire implications of the rise of Nazism in Germany and Austria, and in 1933 he moved to Stockholm with his Swedish wife, Anna. He became the design chief for the furnishings maker Svenskt Tenn and found a perfect match culturally for his brand of simple, relaxed and bright creations. Like many modernists — notably Charles and Ray Eames and Alexander Girard — Frank had a deep love of folk art, which influenced his designs for a wide array of colorful, richly patterned upholstery fabrics, many based on the classic “Tree of Life” motif.
In all his designs, Frank took inspiration from a broad variety of sources. In his furniture, one can discern traces of Asian patterns, Rococo, Italian Renaissance, Scandinavian handicrafts and even Chippendale pieces. As such, the work of Frank — the friendly modernist — is at home in any type of décor.
Find vintage Josef Frank pillows, armchairs, floor lamps and other furniture on 1stDibs.
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Creator: Josef Frank
Josef Frank, Stool or Bench, Mahogany, Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1970s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in High Point, NC
A mahogany stool or bench designed by Josef Frank and produced by Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1970s.
Category
1970s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Josef Frank Seating
Materials
Mahogany
Two Original J.Hoffmann & Oswald Haerdtl Chairs Art Deco New Fabric Josef Frank
By Josef Hoffmann, Josef Frank, Oswald Haerdtl
Located in Vienna, AT
Created by Josef Hoffmann and Oswald Haerdtl for the Otto Beyer fashion style pattern store in Vienna, Singerstrasse 14 which is shown on one of the images. Fabric "Notturno," design...
Category
1930s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Josef Frank Seating
Materials
Fabric, Beech
Josef Hoffmann Bentwood & Cane "Prague" Thonet 811 Chairs, Set of 9
By Josef Hoffmann, Josef Frank, Thonet
Located in Round Top, TX
Set includes a mixed collection, accumulated over time, of (9) "Prague" 811 bentwood + cane armchairs and side chairs, designed by architects Josef Hoffmann and Josef Frank in the mi...
Category
Mid-20th Century Macedonian Mid-Century Modern Josef Frank Seating
Materials
Cane, Bentwood
Josef Frank Armchair, Model No. 403/F, 1928
By Josef Frank, Thonet
Located in Chicago, IL
Josef Frank Armchair, Model No. 403/F, 1928
This Armchair, designed by Josef Frank in 1928, features a stained bent beech frame and stained beech plywood. It was manufactured by Gebr...
Category
1930s Austrian Vintage Josef Frank Seating
Materials
Bouclé, Beech
Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn 'Liljevalchs' Sofa in Green Fabric
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sofa Nr. 345, fabric, beech, Sweden, design 1934, later production
This spacious and extremely comfortable sofa is designed by Austrian architect and d...
Category
1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Josef Frank Seating
Materials
Fabric, Beech
Set Of Four Josef Frank Chair For Wiesner Hager 1950s
By Josef Frank
Located in Čelinac, BA
Set Of Four Josef Frank Chair For Wiesner Hager Austria 1950s
Category
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Josef Frank Seating
Materials
Palisander
Art Deco Era Josef Frank Beech Vintage Windsor Chairs Vienna, circa 1925
By Josef Frank
Located in Vienna, AT
Art Deco outstanding and rare set of 6 Windsor chairs designed by Josef Frank for Haus & Garten and executed by Thonet, circa 1925. (Labeled underneath)
The set consists of 5 green Windsor chairs...
Category
1920s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Josef Frank Seating
Materials
Beech
Midcentury Modern Leather Ottoman, Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Stockholm, SE
Ottoman by Josef Frank, made from mahogany with elegantly sculpted legs. Original black leather upholstery with patina, decorative brass nails around the edge of the seat.
Category
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Josef Frank Seating
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Set of 4 Prague Model 811 Chairs by Josef Frank for Stendig, Poland, c. 1960s
By Josef Frank
Located in Deland, FL
Introducing a rare and beautiful set of four (4) Bentwood Prague Model 811 Dining Chairs by the renowned designers Josef Frank and Josef Hoffmann for Stendig. Designed in the 1960s,...
Category
1960s Polish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Josef Frank Seating
Materials
Walnut
Model 811 Side Chair, Josef Frank, Stendig w/ Cane Seat & Back, Poland, c. 1960s
By Josef Frank
Located in Deland, FL
Introducing a rare and beautiful single bentwood Prague Model 811 side chair by the renowned designers Josef Frank and Josef Hoffmann for Stendig. Designed in the 1960s, this chair ...
Category
1960s Polish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Josef Frank Seating
Materials
Walnut
Josef Frank, Stool, Mahogany, Brass, Leather, Sweden, 1950s
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in High Point, NC
A mahogany, green-dyed leather and brass stool designed by Josef Frank and produced by Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, c. 1950s.
Dimensions: 17” H x 19” W x 12.5” D
Category
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Josef Frank Seating
Materials
Brass
Sofa Designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn in 1930 Lotus Print
By Josef Frank
Located in Basildon, London
Sofa Designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn Reupholstered in Lotus Print
Josef Frank’s iconic designs are synonymous with colour, pattern, and a sense of joyful modernity. This vi...
Category
1930s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Josef Frank Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Josef Frank Bench in Mahogany and Brass Nails, Svenskt Tenn, Sweden
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Josef Frank & SCANDINAVIAN MODERN
A beautiful bench by Josef Frank, for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1960s.
The frame is made of mahogany, upholstered seat with brass nails. The feet are elegantly sculpted and the bench can also be used as a table, end of bed stool...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Josef Frank Seating
Materials
Fabric, Mahogany
Midcentury Modern Mahogany and Leather Dining Chairs, Josef Frank, Sweden, 1950s
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
Set of eight dining chairs by Josef Frank, made from mahogany with green leather seats. Elegant slender lines with tall, ribbed backs. Decor of brass nails around the corners of the ...
Category
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Josef Frank Seating
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
20th Century Swedish Vintage Svenskt Tenn Pair of Beech Armchairs by Josef Frank
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Swedish Art Deco pair of armchairs made of hand crafted polished Beechwood, designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn in good condition. The set of two Scandinavian dining room chairs have a slightly reclined backrest which is enhanced by a rattan pattern. The slim arched armrests are partly upholstered and the seat cushions are particularized by bonze nailheads. The chairs are standing on four wooden legs. Model Nr. 969. Newly upholstered in a white-grey cotton velour. Wear consistent with age and use. Dated 1939, Stockholm, Sweden, Scandinavia.
Seat: 19" H x 21.5" W x 19" D
Josef Frank was born in 1885, in Baden, Austria and passed away in 1967, in Stockholm, Sweden. He was an architect, artist, and designer. Frank studied architecture at the Vienna University of Technology and was a founding member of the Vienna Werkbund. Frank was considered one of the most prestigious designers in the Stockholm design company Svenskt Tenn.
Svenskt Tenn is a Swedish interior design store founded in 1924, in Stockholm, Sweden by a Swedish teacher and pewter artist Estrid Ericson. In the early time, Svenskt Tenn was appointed as a royal warrant. Later on, Ericson and the pewter artist Nils Fougstedt produced modern pewter objects. In 1925, the Svenskt Tenn won a Gold Medal at the 1925 Exposition...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Art Deco Josef Frank Seating
Materials
Fabric, Cotton, Upholstery, Beech
A Vintage Side Table in Mahogany by Josef Frank for Svenkt Tenn, Sweden 1970s
By Josef Frank
Located in Hønefoss, 30
A beautiful side table or stool by Swedish designer Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, c. 1970s. This fine piece of furniture is made entirely out of massive Mahogany which makes it rathe...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Josef Frank Seating
Materials
Mahogany
Set of 2 Thonet Armchairs, Model B246, 1930s, Restored & Reupholstered
By Thonet, Josef Frank
Located in Wrocław, Poland
This set of 2 armchairs was produced by Thonet (original paper labels are still under the seats as you may see in the attached picture) and most probably designed by Josef Frank. Thi...
Category
1930s Austrian Vienna Secession Vintage Josef Frank Seating
Materials
Linen, Bentwood
Josef Frank, rare stool model B313, Thonet, 1928
By Thonet-Mundus, Josef Frank
Located in Uppsala, SE
Bentwood stool, model B 313, designed by Josef Frank for Thonet-Mundus in 1928. This example have an (for this model) unusual rattan seat. Possibly a later addition since the holes o...
Category
1920s Austrian Bauhaus Vintage Josef Frank Seating
Materials
Rattan, Birch
Original Vintage Josef Frank Josef Hoffmann Bentwood Beech Prague Armchair
By Josef Frank, Josef Hoffmann
Located in Basel, BS
Mid-Century original bentwood beech Prague Armchair model 811 designed in the 1920's by Austrian architect Josef Frank and Josef Hoffman for Thonet. The chair is stamped made in Pola...
Category
20th Century Polish Josef Frank Seating
Materials
Beech
Josef Hoffmann Bentwood Beech Prague Model 811 Chairs in Black and Leather Weave
By Josef Hoffmann, Stendig Co., Josef Frank
Located in Los Angeles, CA
In the 1920s, Michael Thonet's company crafted the iconic No. 811 Bentwood Chair. Josef Hoffmann is commonly credited with creating the "Prague chair," the design is also attribute...
Category
1960s European Modern Vintage Josef Frank Seating
Materials
Bentwood, Cane
Pair of Armchairs No. 752 by Josef Frank for Thonet, 1930s
By Thonet, Josef Frank
Located in Praha, CZ
A pair of legendary bentwood armchairs Model No. 752, designed by Josef Frank in 1933 for Thonet, Very good condition relative to age.
Carefully cleaned and gently restored while pre...
Category
1930s Austrian Art Nouveau Vintage Josef Frank Seating
Materials
Bentwood
Thonet Armchair No. 752 by Josef Frank
By Josef Frank, Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH
Located in Vienna, AT
Beach bentwood fully restored with new caning. Made in the 1920s, price per chair 2 pieces available.
Category
1920s Austrian Bauhaus Vintage Josef Frank Seating
Materials
Cane, Beech
Art Deco Vintage Brown Beech Windsor Chairs Josef Frank, circa 1930, Vienna
By Josef Frank
Located in Vienna, AT
Art Deco vintage Windsor chairs or dining chairs Josef Frank attributed circa 1930 in Vienna and executed by Thonet-Mundus. It features a company´s branding label.
The chairs from br...
Category
1930s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Josef Frank Seating
Materials
Bentwood, Beech
Joseph Frank Classic 'Prague' Bentwood Chair
By Josef Frank
Located in Sharon, CT
Nice early example of this famous and perhaps best modern version of the bentwood and woven canning techniques.
Category
1920s Austrian Bauhaus Vintage Josef Frank Seating
Materials
Wood
Art deco armchairs A752F by Jozef Frank for Thonet
By Thonet, Josef Frank
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Art deco armchairs A752F by Jozef Frank for Thonet. Professionally stained and repolished.
Category
1930s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Josef Frank Seating
Materials
Beech, Bentwood
Josef Frank Stools Model 973 Produced by Svenskt Tenn in Sweden
By Josef Frank
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare pair of stools model 973 designed by Josef Frank. Produced by Svenskt Tenn in Sweden.
Category
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Josef Frank Seating
Materials
Brass
Easy Chair in Beech and Original Fabric by Josef Frank, 1934
By Josef Frank
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Easy Chair in Beech and Original Fabric by Josef Frank, 1934
Additional Information:
Material: Beech and original fabric
Style: Mid century, Scandinavian
Rare easy chair model 336
P...
Category
20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Josef Frank Seating
Materials
Beech, Fabric
Josef Frank Three Legged Stool
By Josef Frank
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A charming, three legged stool, Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden.
Category
1940s Swedish Vintage Josef Frank Seating
Materials
Cherry
Stool Boucle by Josef Frank with Paper Label Thonet, 1920s
By Josef Frank
Located in Wien, AT
Designed by Josef Frank for Thonet in the 1920s, with paper label. The upholstery consists of a coconut fiber core, covered with a wonderfully soft English boucle cover made of wool....
Category
Early 20th Century Czech Art Deco Josef Frank Seating
Materials
Wool, Bentwood, Coconut
White Painted Stool, Josef Frank Upholstery
By Josef Frank
Located in New York, NY
White painted stool with upholstery by Josef Frank, Svensk Tenn length 44, width 36, height 44 cm. Cording is loose but we can replace cording i...
Category
20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Josef Frank Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
Josef Frank A 63/F Armchairs for Thonet, 1930s
By Josef Frank, Thonet
Located in PRAHA 5, CZ
Pair of rare modernist armchairs first showcased at the Vienna Werkbund exhibition in 1928.
Crafted from solid beech (bentwood) and plywood, adorned with a brown lacquer coating, th...
Category
1930s Austrian Bauhaus Vintage Josef Frank Seating
Materials
Beech
Stool in Mahogany and Reupholstered in Aino Aalto Fabric by Josef Frank, 1950's
By Josef Frank
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Stool in Mahogany and Reupholstered in Aino Aalto Zebra Fabric by Josef Frank, 1950's
Additional Information:
Material: Mahogany and reupholstered in Aino...
Category
20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Josef Frank Seating
Materials
Mahogany, Fabric
Armchair A63/F by Josef Frank for Thonet Mundus
By Josef Frank
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Armchair A63/F by Josef Frank for Thonet Mundus. Professionally stained and repolished with new seat.
Category
1930s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Josef Frank Seating
Materials
Bentwood
Josef Frank Art Deco Rectangular Vintage Beech Bast Stool, c 1928, Austria
By Josef Frank
Located in Vienna, AT
Art Deco vintage authentic stool from beech and rope bast by Josef Frank circa 1928 Austria.
The rectangular stool appears sleek and simple and throughout its bast seat chess like w...
Category
1920s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Josef Frank Seating
Materials
Beech
Art Deco Cherrywood Stool Ottoman Josef Frank Haus and Garten Vienna c 1925
By Josef Frank
Located in Vienna, AT
Art Deco vintage stool from cherrywood and fabric by Josef Frank for Haus and Garten, circa 1925 Vienna.
While the frame from solid cherrywood in an amazing warm color tone the uphol...
Category
1920s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Josef Frank Seating
Materials
Fabric, Cherry
Art Deco Two Vintage Ash Viennese Mesh Armchairs Josef Frank Vienna, circa 1928
By Josef Frank
Located in Vienna, AT
Art Deco two armchairs from ash wood and Viennese mesh by Josef Frank, Vienna circa 1928.
The armchairs show a Viennese mesh structure at the back. Furth...
Category
1920s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Josef Frank Seating
Materials
Ash
Pair of armchairs model A413F by Josef Frank for Thonet-Mundus
By Josef Frank
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Pair of armchairs model A413F by Josef Frank for Thonet-Mundus with bamboo backrest. Professionally stained and repolished.
Category
1930s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Josef Frank Seating
Materials
Bamboo, Beech
Two Original J.Hoffmann & Oswald Haerdtl Chairs Art Deco New Fabric Josef Frank
By Josef Hoffmann, Josef Frank, Oswald Haerdtl
Located in Vienna, AT
Created by Josef Hoffmann and Oswald Haerdtl for the Otto Beyer fashion style pattern store in Vienna, Singerstrasse 14 which is shown on one of the images. Fabric "Notturno," design...
Category
1930s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Josef Frank Seating
Materials
Fabric, Beech
Antique Armchair No. 752 by Josef Frank for Thonet, 1920s
By Thonet, Josef Frank
Located in Praha, CZ
This antique armchair, model no. 752, was designed in the 1920s by Josef Frank for Thonet and originates from Austria. It is made from beech and features an upholstery seat. This pie...
Category
1920s Austrian Vienna Secession Vintage Josef Frank Seating
Materials
Beech, Bentwood, Upholstery
Bruno Matthsson "Pernilla" Easy chair by Karl Mathsson 1944 Josef Frank cushion
By Bruno Mathsson, Josef Frank
Located in Brønshøj, DK
Bruno Mathsson – an early ‘Pernilla’ chair
Frame of laminated beech with patinated lightblue canvas webbing and headrest upholstered with Josef Frank ‘loops’ fabric. Made and marked ...
Category
1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Josef Frank Seating
Materials
Canvas, Beech
Art Deco Vintage Wood Armchairs and Coffee Table Josef Frank Vienna
By Josef Frank
Located in Vienna, AT
Art Deco Vintage Wood Armchairs and Coffee Table by Josef Frank Vienna circa 1930.
We present a stunning ensemble of two armchairs and one coffee table by Josef Frank, Vienna circa 1...
Category
1930s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Josef Frank Seating
Materials
Wood
Set of Six Chairs Model 2025 Designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn
By Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
Set of six chairs model 2025 designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn,
Sweden, 1950s.
Lacquered wood frame and a fabric upholstered seat.
Marked.
Josef Frank designed this chair i...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Josef Frank Seating
Materials
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Bentwood, Lacquer
Art Deco Vintage Brown Beech Armchair Windsor Chair Josef Frank, Austria
By Josef Frank
Located in Vienna, AT
Art Deco vintage brown beech armchair or Windsor chair, which was designed by Josef Frank, circa 1925, Austria.
The armchair was made from solid beech, cherry stained and natural lac...
Category
1920s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Josef Frank Seating
Materials
Beech
Josef Frank Side Chair Easy Chair Model 2067 for Svenskt Tenn circa 1948 Sweden
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Vienna, AT
Josef Frank side chair or easy chair model no. 2067 from walnut and fabric for Svenskt Tenn 1947, Sweden.
A fabulous side chair or easy chair designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Ten...
Category
1940s Swedish Vintage Josef Frank Seating
Materials
Fabric, Walnut
Josef Frank Easy Chair Model 508 Produced by Svenskt Tenn in Sweden
By Josef Frank
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Very rare easy chair model 508 designed by Josef Frank. Produced by Svenskt Tenn in Sweden.
Category
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Josef Frank Seating
Materials
Mahogany, Cane
Pair of Bamboo & Rattan Chairs by Josef Frank
By Josef Frank
Located in London, Charterhouse Square
A pair of Bamboo & Rattan Chairs designed in 1947 by Josef Frank in Sweden.
The Austrian born architect is considered to be one of the most important figures in Swedish design. Fra...
Category
1940s Swedish Vintage Josef Frank Seating
Materials
Cane
Rare Thonet B 313 Stool by Josef Frank
By Josef Frank, Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH
Located in PRAHA 5, CZ
Designed for Haus & Garten, Vienna, c. 1928, manufactured by Thonet-Mundus AG. Dimensions: height 39 cm, 45 x 42 cm. Very good original condition, firm and stable. Some former woodwo...
Category
1930s Austrian Jugendstil Vintage Josef Frank Seating
Materials
Beech
Very rare Thonet B 946 chairs by Josef Frank
By Josef Frank, Thonet-Mundus
Located in PRAHA 5, CZ
Extremely rare set of chairs designed by Josef Frank. This type of chairs was used by Adolf Loos for the kitchen of famous Villa Müller in Prague. Solid ...
Category
1930s Austrian Bauhaus Vintage Josef Frank Seating
Materials
Beech
Set of 5 Josef Frank Prague Chairs Made in Czechoslovakia, circa 1970s
By Thonet, Josef Frank
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional set of five bentwood armchairs design attributed to Josef Frank, marked Made in Czechoslovakia. The chairs are constructed of steam bent wood, probably beech, and nylon, circa 1970's. A Mid 20th C version of the early 20th C Frank...
Category
Mid-20th Century Czech Vienna Secession Josef Frank Seating
Materials
Beech, Bentwood
A Pair of Josef Frank Model 354 Chairs
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in New York, NY
A pair of Model 354 lounge chairs designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn. Each chair has a sculpted solid mahogany frame with a gently angled back and curved legs. The front legs a...
Category
1930s Swedish Vintage Josef Frank Seating
Materials
Mahogany
Josef Frank Dining Chairs Model 695 Produced by Svenskt Tenn
By Josef Frank
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Very rare set of 10 dining chairs model 695 designed by Josef Frank. Produced by Svenskt Tenn in Sweden.
Category
1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Josef Frank Seating
Materials
Brass
Set of Six Chairs Designed by Josef Frank for Svensk Tenn, Model 725, Sweden
By Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
Set of six chairs designed by Josef Frank for Svensk Tenn, Model 725.
Sweden. 1938.
Mahogany and original leather.
Literature: Kristina Wängberg Eriksson, Jan Christer Eriksson, "Josef Frank Möbelformgivaren", Carlsson Bokförlag, Stockholm 2014, p. K 18
H: 90 cm
W: 58 cm
D: 63 cm
SH: 43 cm
Armrest height: 69 cm (at the highest point)
Josef Frank was a true European, he was also a pioneer of what would become classic 20th century Swedish design and the “Scandinavian Design Style”.
Austrian- born Frank started his design career as an architect after having trained at the Technische Hochschule in Vienna between 1903 and 1910. After his training he went on to teach at Kunstgewerbeschule (The Viennese School of Arts and crafts) where he developed and espoused the new school of modernist thinking towards Architecture and Design that was coming to fruition in Vienna at the time. He also went on to lead the Vienna Werkbund throughout the 1920s. This was a truly progressive group of Architects and Designers who set about improving the daily lives of Austrian people through modernist design and architecture in partnership with Arts and Crafts ideals and construction. Frank’s leadership of the Werkbund had already cemented his place at the forefront of European design.
Frank’s time in Vienna was typified by his design for the “Die Wohnung” exhibition of the Deutscher Werkbund in Stuttgart, 1927 where he exhibited along side his contemporaries at the forefront of design, such as the likes of Le Corbusier and Walter Gropius. Here he showed a specially designed pair of flat-roofed reinforced concrete houses in what is now seen as a typical modernist style.
What separated Frank’s house from the other 32 houses of the exhibition was the interior and furniture inside the building. It was described as “Neo-Classical” and filled with an eclectic mix of period pieces, modern design and pieces designed by Frank himself that seemed to cross the two worlds. This was a complete opposite direction to that which his fellow Architects were travelling in with their pared back and angular aesthetics. Frank said of his own work: “The house is not a work of art, simply a place where one lives,” and by this reasoning Frank rejected the regimental mechanisation of the living space that his contemporaries believed in, instead he set about creating congenial and spontaneous interiors. Frank’s practice saw him placing the bright colours and the soft forms of nature back into the furnishings and interiors that he thought modernism sorely mist.
Frank, along with Oskar Walch set up Haus und Garten in Vienna in 1925. This was Frank’s first commercial foray into furniture and home furnishings and the company went on to become the most influential furnishing house in Vienna with a riotous depth of colour and interesting shapes becoming the trademark of their design. However this success was to come to an end with rise of Nazism in Vienna in the early 1930’s. Frank was Jewish, and he and his wife Anna decided they would leave Vienna for her motherland: Sweden, in 1933. Frank continued to design for Haus and Garten, visiting Vienna occasionally and designing the pieces that would continue to be the company’s best...
Category
1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Josef Frank Seating
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Josef Frank seating for sale on 1stDibs.
Josef Frank seating 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 Josef Frank seating, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original seating by Josef Frank were created in the mid-century modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider seating by Roland Rainer, Norell Möbel AB, and Johannes Spalt. Prices for Josef Frank seating can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $995 and can go as high as $32,732, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $4,937.
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