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.
“Cloud” Cork Coffee Table
By Paul Frankl
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Organic shaped "Cloud" coffee table newly made in the style of Paul Frankl. Top is made of lacquered cork. Legs are solid cerused mahogany.
Cork
Paul Frankl Cork Coffee Table, 1951
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Co.
Located in Amarillo, TX
Paul Frankl. Coffee table. Johnson Furniture Company, USA, circa 1951. Lacquered cork, lacquered mahogany. Dimensions: 60 D x 14.25 H inches. Rare lacquered cork coffee t...
Cork, Mahogany
$28,000
H 14.5 in W 48 in D 35.5 in
Paul Frankl Cork Amoeba Cloud Coffee Cocktail Table Model 5005 USA 1950s
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company
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 ...
Mahogany, Cork
$30,529
H 14.18 in W 47.64 in D 14.18 in
Paul T. Frankl Amoeba cloud coffee table Johnson Furniture Company - USA, 1940s
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company
Located in London, GB
Furniture designer, architect, painter and writer Paul T Frankl (1886–1958) was born in Vienna and studied at the Berlin Polytechnic before settling in New York. An unlikely proponen...
Cork
Paul Frankl, Coffee Table, Cork, Mahogany, USA, 1950s
By Johnson Furniture Company
Located in High Point, NC
A lacquered cork and mahogany coffee table, designed by Paul Frankl and produced by Johnson Furniture Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA, 1950s. Minimal signs of wear. Fully refin...
Mahogany, Cork
California Modernist Coffee Table by Manuel Martin, 1944
Located in Coronado, CA
A California modernist coffee table constructed in mahogany by Los Angeles based furniture maker Manuel Martin. This early modernist table was made in 1944 and features a solid wood ...
Wood
$5,900 / item
H 14.5 in W 37 in D 48 in
Amoeba Table by Paul T. Frankl for NO GA Projects (authorized by Paul T. Frankl)
By Paul Frankl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Paul T. Frankl (1886-1958) designed the Amoeba Coffee Table (also called “Model no. 5005” and “Cloud Table”) for the Michigan-based Johnson Furniture Company in the late 1940s. The l...
Beech, Oak, Cork, Plywood
Kluskens Wild Spirit Coffee Table
By Kluskens
Located in Nederweert, NL
The Wild Spirit coffee table has various qualities that make it a striking piece of furniture. The design radiates both toughness and softness, and fits effortlessly in both large an...
Walnut
1970s Coffee Table By Harry de Groot For Leolux
By Leolux
Located in ECHT, NL
Vintage mid century modern design coffee table by Harry de Groot for leolux, 1976. The coffee table has a solid oak frame, is in good condition and has minimal signs of use.
Oak
Rare Paul T. Frankl Model '5025' Coffee Table in Cork
By Johnson Furniture Co., Paul Frankl
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Paul T. Frankl for Johnson Furniture Company, coffee table '5025', varnished cork, United States, 1950s Designed by Paul Frankl, this very rare coffee table features a striking biom...
Cork
Coffee Table / Bench by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Company
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautiful coffee table model #5004 designed by Paul T. Frankl, 1948 for Johnson Furniture Company. Constructed from mahogany and cork, this Asian inspired coffee table can also funct...
Mahogany, Cork
Paul Evans Studio Coffee Table for Directional
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in Dallas, TX
Welded and patinated steel coffee table by Paul Evans Studio for Directional. Table is in excellent condition.
Cut Steel
Coffee Table, Model 1640 by T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Dallas, TX
Rare, Early and Important, coffee table designed by Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb 1952, Model 1640. The table is in excellent original condition with the original and beautiful lig...
Gold, Brass
Robsjohn-Gibbings Biomorphic Cocktail Table w Interesting Anecdote of Noguchi
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Dallas, TX
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Biomorphic Cocktail Table with a Fascinating Noguchi Connection Designed by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb, this stunning biomorphic cocktail table is a...
Glass, Mahogany
PE-128 Coffee Table by Paul Evans
By Paul Evans
Located in Dallas, TX
Early production PE-128 Coffee Table designed by Paul Evans, 1969. This Incredible brutalist coffee table, part of the"Sculptured Metal Collection" that Paul Evans created for Direct...
Steel
Paul Frankl Brazilian Rosewood Coffee Table Model 5003 for Johnson Furniture 50s
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Co.
Located in Dallas, TX
Exceptional Paul Frankl model #5003 coffee table produced by the Johnson Furniture Company of Grand Rapids, Michigan, circa 1950s. This striking example is executed in richly figured...
Wood
