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.
$15,000 / item
H 29.93 in W 59.06 in D 23.63 in
Elefante Desk 19 Stylish, Adapts to Any Setting, Solid Wood
By Joel Escalona
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Elefante Desk 19 Stylish, Adapts to Any Setting, Solid Wood — Introduction: Crafting Elegance with a Modernist Touch NONO, renowned for its decade-long journey in redefining every...
Wood, Hardwood, Oak
$15,000 / item
H 29.93 in W 59.06 in D 23.63 in
Joel Escalona Desk 2 Compact, Ideal for Studies, Solid Wood
By Joel Escalona
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO — Introduction: Crafting Elegance with a Modernist Touch NONO, renowned for its decade-long journey in redefining eve...
Wood, Hardwood, Oak
$12,000Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 29.93 in W 59.06 in D 23.63 in
Elefante Desk 1 Sleek Workstation, Joel Escalona Design, Two Legs
By Joel Escalona
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO — Introduction: Crafting Elegance with a Modernist Touch NONO, renowned for its decade-long journey in redefining eve...
Wood, Hardwood, Oak
Mid-Century Modern Desk/ Table by Borsani, Italy, 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Desk/ Table by Borsani, Italy, 1950s
Wood
Writing Desk By Edward Wormley For Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Beautiful and rare walnut desk designed by Edward Wormley, manufactured by Dunbar ca' 1950's. Single drawer, dark walnut original finish, with nice graining. Edges are raised to give...
Walnut
Flow Desk by Hermhaus, Lacquered, Mid-Century Modern
By hermhaus
Located in istanbul, TR
The Flow Desk – Black by Hermhaus is a contemporary writing desk that brings a refined and confident presence to modern workspaces through its elegant, fluid lines. Inspired by organ...
Wood
$15,000 / item
H 29.93 in W 59.06 in D 23.63 in
Joel's Desk 17 Perfect Blend of Form and Function, Solid Wood
By Joel Escalona
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Joel's Desk 17 Perfect Blend of Form and Function, Solid Wood — Introduction: Crafting Elegance with a Modernist Touch NONO, renowned for its decade-long journey in redefining eve...
Wood, Hardwood, Oak
$14,900 / item
H 29.93 in W 59.06 in D 23.63 in
Elefante Desk 21 Clean Lines, Office Elegance, Made of Wood
By Joel Escalona
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Elefante Desk 21 Clean Lines, Office Elegance, Made of Wood — Introduction: Crafting Elegance with a Modernist Touch NONO, renowned for its decade-long journey in redefining every...
Wood, Hardwood, Oak
$12,000Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 29.93 in W 59.06 in D 23.63 in
NONO Desk 8 Spacious, Converts to Conference Table, Asymmetrical
By Joel Escalona
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
NONO Desk 8 Spacious, Converts to Conference Table, Asymmetrical — Introduction: Crafting Elegance with a Modernist Touch NONO, renowned for its decade-long journey in redefining ...
Wood, Hardwood, Oak
$12,000Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 29.93 in W 59.06 in D 23.63 in
Joel's Desk 10 Sleek Functionality, Multi-Purpose Use, Made of Wood
By Joel Escalona
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Joel's Desk 10 Sleek Functionality, Multi-Purpose Use, Made of Wood — Introduction: Crafting Elegance with a Modernist Touch NONO, renowned for its decade-long journey in redefini...
Wood, Hardwood, Oak
Writing Desk by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A single pedestal writing desk by George Nelson for Herman Miller with a built-in pivoting lamp. Lamp is 18" H.
Steel
End Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
Dunbar's low walnut "Janus" end table of Asian inspiration, with raised edges to the legs and diagonal "cloud-lift" stretchers.
Walnut
Mahogany Writing Desk by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An octagonal mahogany writing desk designed by Edward Wormley with a single drawer. Made by Dunbar in the USA, circa 1957.
Mahogany, Walnut
Modernist Desk by John Van Koert for Drexel, 1960s
By John Van Koert, Drexel
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A boldly angled modernist single pedestal desk having a distinctive raised gallery with sliding doors and a warm dark grey leather surface.
Brass
Paldao End Table by Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller
By Gilbert Rohde, Herman Miller
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A Mid-Century Modern end table having a lower shelf and studded, tapering imitation leather-wrapped legs, the top surfaced with quadrants of bookmatched acacia burl. Designed by Gilb...
Paldao, Burl
Pair of Side Tables by Knud Joos for Jason Mobler, 1960s
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A pair of side tables with a rosewood veneer top floating on a steel base, labeled 'Illums Bolighus, Kobenhavn'.
Steel
