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.
$26,500 / set
H 27 in W 32.5 in D 35.5 in
Exquisite Vintage Paul Frankl Style 5-Strand Rattan Cane Art Deco Club Chairs
Located in Atlanta, GA
An absolutely jaw-dropping pair of rare, meticulously restored Art Deco five (5)-strand Pretzel loungers, circa 1950. Matching three-seat sofa available in a separate listing. The pa...
Rattan, Cane
$2,400 / set
H 26.5 in W 23.5 in D 30 in
Pair of Art Deco Bamboo Armchairs by Ritts Tropitan , Paul Frankl
By Paul Frankl
Located in Buffalo, NY
Pair of Art Deco bamboo armchairs by Ritts Tropitan Las Angeles Ca. Attributted to Paul Frankl, stunning pair of club or armchairs, bamboo frames in exc...
Bamboo, Upholstery
$8,867 / set
H 31.11 in W 25.99 in D 34.65 in
Pair of Swedish Art Deco Style Bamboo Lounge Chairs in Belgian Linen, 1940s
Located in Karis, Nyland
A warm and expressive pair of Swedish lounge chairs in bamboo and rattan, produced during the 1940s. The chairs feature low, reclining proportions with softly curved armrests and lay...
Linen, Bamboo, Rattan
Art Deco Bauhaus Lounge Chairs by Erich Dieckmann, 1930s
By Erich Dieckmann
Located in Winter Park, FL
A pair of vintage Art Deco Bauhaus lounge chairs by Berlin born designer Erich Dieckmann (1896-1944). Sturdy bent beech wood frame with tightly woven wicker seat and back. Decorative...
Wicker, Beech
$12,364 / set
H 37.01 in W 27.17 in D 37.41 in
PAiR OF RARE COLLECTABLE RALPH LAUREN FRANCIS JOURDAIN ROPE LOUNGE ARMCHAIRS
By Francis Jourdain, Ralph Lauren
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this exquisite pair of very collectable Ralph Lauren Rope Lounge armchairs after the originals by Francis Jo...
Rope, Wood
$12,800 / set
H 30.52 in W 24.22 in D 28.35 in
Pair of Francis Jourdain Lounge Chairs in Woven Rush and Wood
By Francis Jourdain
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Francis Jourdain, pair of armchairs, rush, stained wood, France, ca. 1925 Designed by the French painter and cabinetmaker Francis Jourdain (1876–1958), these elegant chairs possess ...
Rush, Wood
$7,360Sale Price|20% Off
H 30 in W 30 in D 36 in
Rare 4-Strand like Carved Mahogany Square Pretzel Faux Rattan Lounge Chair, Pair
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This beautifully restored pair of mid-century hand-carved four-strand faux rattan lounge chairs. Each features the square pretzel arms and a classic stacked base. Each chair blends s...
Wood
Pair of Faux Bamboo Lounge Chairs New Upholstery
By Paul Frankl
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of very sharp looking Mid-Century Modern lounge chairs with new upholstery.
$5,500 / set
H 29 in W 25 in D 33 in
Restored MCM three-Strand Full Round Pretzel Lounge Chair w/ Arched Base, Pair
By Paul Frankl
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Pair of beautifully restored rare 3-strand round full pretzel arm rattan lounge chairs. Each with fancy wicker wrappings. This design is commonly attributed to designer Paul Frankl. ...
Wicker, Rattan
$2,810 / set
H 27.17 in W 22.45 in D 25.6 in
Art Deco Bauhaus Lounge Chairs by Erich Dieckmann, Germany, 1930
By Erich Dieckmann
Located in Almelo, NL
Art Deco Bauhaus Lounge Chairs by Erich Dieckmann, Germany, 1930 This stunning pair of Art Deco Bauhaus lounge chairs, designed by the renowned Erich Dieckmann (1896-1944), exemplif...
Cane, Beech
Pair Thomas Pheasant McGuire Rattan Lounge Chairs + Ottoman
By McGuire, Thomas Pheasant
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Rare pair of large lounge chairs or club chairs designed in the California coastal organic modern taste by Thomas Pheasant for McGuire. The set includes 2 lounge chairs and 1 matchin...
Bronze
Pair of French Art Deco Macassar Club Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Fantastic near pair of French Art Deco period armchairs featuring a unique architectural open design with "U" form front arm supports and wide flat arms. The design is heightened wit...
Fabric, Macassar, Wood
Pair of Modern Cerused Oak Faux Bamboo Bouclé Armchairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Dramatic pair of armchairs or lounge chairs featuring large oak frames with a whimsical, modern faux bamboo motif. The arms and legs are square with a chic, cerused finish. The gener...
Bouclé, Oak
Pair of Michael Taylor Far East Collection Greek Key Armchairs
By Michael Taylor, Baker Far East Collection
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Rare Mid-Century Modern pair of Greek key armchairs designed by Michael Taylor for Baker Far East Collection. The chairs feature a hardwood frame w...
Faux Leather, Naugahyde, Hardwood
Pair of Italian Gio Ponti Style Ebonized Lounge Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Dramatic pair of Italian Mid-Century Modern sculptural lounge chairs or wing chairs featuring a black lacquer ebonized finish. These radically redesigned wing chairs have gracefully ...
Leather, Wood
Pair of McGuire Cerused Rattan Mohair Library Armchairs
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Distinctive pair of rattan library armchairs made in the California coastal organic modern style by McGuire artisans. The chairs feature a pole rattan frame with a custom ordered cer...
Leather, Mohair, Rattan
Interior designers Celerie Kemble and Angie Hranowsky dish out their advice on artfully bringing these natural materials into today's homes.
The bold piece blurs the line between furniture and contemporary art.
Erin Lane Estate is based in the San Francisco Bay Area, and its team of furniture restorers, art curators, professional appraisers and Asia specialists sources prime vintage and antique furniture from the finest estates in Northern and Southern California. Erin Lane Estate specializes in Hollywood Regency, McGuire, Chinese and Japanese pieces.
