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Paul Frankl Desks

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.

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Creator: Paul Frankl
Mid-Century Modern Black Lacquered Desk by Paul Frankl, USA, 3 Drawers
Mid-Century Modern Black Lacquered Desk by Paul Frankl, USA, 3 Drawers

Mid-Century Modern Black Lacquered Desk by Paul Frankl, USA, 3 Drawers

$24,500

Mid-Century Modern Black Lacquered Desk by Paul Frankl, USA, 3 Drawers

By Paul Frankl

Located in Queens, NY

American Mid-Century Black Lacquered Sculptural Desk with a geometric form of 3 drawers opposite an "S" form pedestal base with a shelf (PAUL FRANKL)

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl Desks

Materials

Lacquer

Seldom seen Mahogany and Cork Desk by Paul Frankl for Johnson
Seldom seen Mahogany and Cork Desk by Paul Frankl for Johnson

Seldom seen Mahogany and Cork Desk by Paul Frankl for Johnson

$4,800

Seldom seen Mahogany and Cork Desk by Paul Frankl for Johnson

By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company

Located in Buffalo, NY

Stunning mahogany and cork Mid-Century desk by Paul Frankl with three drawers above two cabinets, one fitted with pull out drawers and branded with "Johnson Furniture Company," all ...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Desks

Materials

Brass

Paul Frankl Mid-Century Walnut Skyscraper Desk, 1950s Fall-Front
Paul Frankl Mid-Century Walnut Skyscraper Desk, 1950s Fall-Front

Paul Frankl Mid-Century Walnut Skyscraper Desk, 1950s Fall-Front

$14,800

Paul Frankl Mid-Century Walnut Skyscraper Desk, 1950s Fall-Front

By Paul Frankl

Located in Queens, NY

American Mid-Century walnut fall-front skyscraper desk with a main multi-shelved cabinet flanked on either side by additional shelving units with a central panel that falls forward t...

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl Desks

Materials

Walnut

Paul Frankl for Brown Saltman Combed Wood Desk
Paul Frankl for Brown Saltman Combed Wood Desk

Paul Frankl for Brown Saltman Combed Wood Desk

$1,840Sale Price|20% Off

Paul Frankl for Brown Saltman Combed Wood Desk

By Paul Frankl

Located in Pasadena, TX

A desk designed by Paul Frankl for Brown and Saltman. This desk features combed wood restored to emphasize the beautiful tones and textures of the natural ...

Category

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

Materials

Wood

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H 44 in W 35 in D 19 in

Mid-Century Modern Chest of Drawers by Paul Frankl, Cerused Oak, 1940s

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H 30 in W 72 in D 21.25 in

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Previously Available Items
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Located in Palm Springs, CA

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Early 1950's Paul Frankl Desk Vanity for John Stuart Johnson Furniture

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Early 1950s Paul Frankl Desk Vanity for John Stuart Johnson Furniture

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Early 1950s Paul Frankl Desk Vanity for John Stuart Johnson Furniture

By Johnson Furniture Co., John Stuart, Paul Frankl

Located in Miami, FL

Rarely seen exquisite Paul Frankl designed mid century modern desk or vanity in cherry and black satin lacquer with brass X-pulls. With a John Stuart store tag and made by Johnson Fu...

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1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Desks

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Rare Writing Desk by Paul Frankl
Rare Writing Desk by Paul Frankl

Rare Writing Desk by Paul Frankl

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H 30.5 in W 50 in D 20 in

Rare Writing Desk by Paul Frankl

By Paul Frankl, Brown Saltman

Located in Danville, CA

Very rare and early modernist ebonized mahogany desk with sculpted saber legs and stylized bail pulls by Paul T. Frankl for Brown-Saltman. The desk has been completely restored and r...

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1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Desks

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Rare Cork and Mahogany Desk by Paul Frankl
Rare Cork and Mahogany Desk by Paul Frankl

Rare Cork and Mahogany Desk by Paul Frankl

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H 28 in W 56 in D 27 in

Rare Cork and Mahogany Desk by Paul Frankl

By Paul Frankl

Located in Pawtucket, RI

This rare desk is in two pieces and was designed to allow you to slide the top from one side to the other. This also allows you to configure a right or left handed desk...

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1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Desks

Paul Frankl Desk
Paul Frankl Desk

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H 28.5 in W 60 in D 26 in

Paul Frankl Desk

By Paul Frankl

Located in Chicago, IL

Frankl for Johnson furniture, parchment colored cork wrapped desk, Features eight drawers, mahogany pulls with brass accents, main structure on a plinth base, with cutout display box in front. [Signed Paul Frankl...

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Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Paul Frankl Desks

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Mid-Century Mahogany and Cork Desk And Chair By Paul Frankl For Johnson Furniture Co.
Mid-Century Mahogany and Cork Desk And Chair By Paul Frankl For Johnson Furniture Co.

Mid-Century Mahogany and Cork Desk And Chair By Paul Frankl For Johnson Furniture Co.

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H 29.13 in W 53.75 in D 21 in

Mid-Century Mahogany and Cork Desk And Chair By Paul Frankl For Johnson Furniture Co.

By Paul Frankl

Located in Plainview, NY

A bleached gray mahogany Mid-Century desk by Paul Frankl with three drawers above two cabinets, one fitted with pull out drawers and branded with "Johnson Furniture Company," all f...

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1950s American Vintage Paul Frankl Desks

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Art Deco Skyscraper Furniture Desk and Chair by Paul Frankl
Art Deco Skyscraper Furniture Desk and Chair by Paul Frankl

Art Deco Skyscraper Furniture Desk and Chair by Paul Frankl

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H 26.5 in W 48 in D 21.5 in

Art Deco Skyscraper Furniture Desk and Chair by Paul Frankl

By Paul Frankl

Located in Atlanta, GA

Rare Art Deco "Skyscraper Furniture" Desk and Chair, designed by Paul Frankl, American, circa 1930's. Signed with metal tag inside drawer. Inspire...

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1930s American Vintage Paul Frankl Desks

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Paul Frankl desks for sale on 1stDibs.

Paul Frankl desks 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 desks, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original desks by Paul Frankl were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider desks by Harvey Probber, John Van Koert, and Roger Sprunger. Prices for Paul Frankl desks can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,840 and can go as high as $24,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $16,500.

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