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.
$6,850
H 29.25 in W 72 in D 41.75 in
Paul Frankl Dining Table with Two Leaves, Cork Top, Mahogany Frame, Original
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Co.
Located in Kansas City, MO
Cork top dining table designed by the most important American Art Deco furniture designer, Paul Frankl, for Johnsone Furniture Company. Thi...
Mahogany, Cork
Cork Top Dining Table by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture
By Johnson Furniture Company, Paul Frankl
Located in Toledo, OH
This cork top dining table was designed by Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Company. The top is natural cork with curved walnut support legs. The legs have an ebonized finish with d...
Walnut, Cork
$14,500
H 29.5 in W 72 in D 42 in
Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture, Mid-Century Modern Dining Table, Cork, Mahogany
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company
Located in Stamford, CT
Paul Frankl Mid-Century Modern Cork Top Mahogany Dining Table, Johnson Furniture Cork top dining table designed by the most important American Art Deco furniture designer, Paul Fra...
Mahogany, Cork
Bourbon Art Deco Extension Dining Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
Fumed figured eucalyptus comes to life atop a dining table that is suspended by angled, contemporary metal braces. The wood’s Aged Bourbon finish results in a commanding presence tha...
Metal
$11,300
H 29.25 in W 71.75 in D 42 in
Paul Frankl Cork & Mahogany Dining Table for Johnson Furniture Company m. 2443
By Johnson Furniture Company, Paul Frankl
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
Paul Frankl Cork and Mahogany Dining Table model 2443 for Johnson Furniture Company. USA c. 1955. Thick oversized and rounded legs with an inset circumferential border which appears ...
Mahogany, Cork
$29,000
H 33.47 in W 102.37 in D 42.52 in
Art Deco Dining Table 1930, France, '10 People', Material: Wood
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Logistics and International Shipping We provide a comprehensive export service so that your only concern is enjoying your acquisition. • Door-to-Door Service: Pieces located in our A...
Wood
French 1930s Art Deco Oak Dining Table
Located in Zhongzheng Dist., TW
This French oak dining table was made circa 1920–1940 and represents a classic example of the Art Deco style, with an overall proportion that is elegant and well balanced. Checkerboa...
Oak
$1,977Sale Price|20% Off
H 29.73 in W 66.34 in D 38.19 in
French Large Oak Dining Table - Design - Art Deco - France
By Rene Gabriel
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Large Art Deco wooden table dating from the 1950s. The table has 4 curved legs connected by an H-shaped spacer. Its characteristic features give it a very designer and modern spirit....
Wood, Oak
Art Deco Style Dining Table, Light Oak
Located in Westwood, NJ
Art Deco style dining table with a light brushed quarter oak veneered top with walnut banding and with canted corners on twin tapered geometric pedestal bases and a bold stretcher. ...
Wood
1930's Art Deco Large Dining Table or Hall Table
Located in Miami, FL
This table was manufactured in France circa 1930 and is a versatile table that can be used as an occasional dining table, hall table or desk The top is supported by lyre shaped end ...
Metal
Edward Wormley Magazine Table for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in San Francisco, CA
Edward Wormley magazine table for Dunbar, Berne Indiana. Classic mid-century design by Edward Wormley, sophisticated yet modern. Newly refinished with original order tags intact, rea...
Walnut
Fletcher Aviation Desk Designed by Frank Fletcher for Hughes Aircraft
By Frank Fletcher
Located in San Francisco, CA
American Art Deco Aviation Desk, designed by Frank Fletcher and manufactured by Fletcher Aviation for Hughes Aircraft in Pasadena, California ca. 1945. The rounded triangular shaped ...
Aluminum
Hans Wegner Dining Table, Model AT-314 for Andreas Tuck
By Andreas Tuck Møbelfabrik, Hans J. Wegner
Located in San Francisco, CA
Rare largest size Hans Wegner dining table produced, Model AT-314. drop leaf at either side each side with a pullout support, opening up to 122"in. Wide. High quality materials and c...
Brass
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Surfboard Coffee Table
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in San Francisco, CA
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings design surfboard coffee table for Widdicomb, U.S.A.. High quality construction and materials used in this elegant eliptical form coffee table. Sculpted walnut ...
Walnut
Paul McCobb Connoisseur Collection Games Table and Chairs
By Paul McCobb
Located in San Francisco, CA
Paul McCobb Connoisseur collection games table and four matching side chairs. Classic Mid-Century Modern games table with inlaid mahogany diamond ...
Brass
Hans Wegner Coffee Table
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in San Francisco, CA
Hans Wegner deign coffee table for Andreas Tuck, Denmark. Having a sculpted teak lip top on oak legs and supports, perfectly refinished and stamped.
Oak, Teak
