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Desk in Mahogany, Brass & Glass Desk by Josef Frank, 1950s

Name: Desk in Mahogany, Brass & Glass Desk by Josef Frank, 1950s
Brand: Josef Frank
Rating: 4.9 (104 reviews)

$12,297.68

£9,112.64

€13,062.50VAT Included

CA$17,119.30

A$17,416.25

CHF 10,007.63

MX$209,431.83

NOK 116,837.35

SEK 117,536.79

DKK 79,681.57

About the Item

This very rare dressing table or desk, designed by Josef Frank and produced by Svenskt Tenn in Sweden, is a refined and highly collectible example of Frank’s vision for modern interiors—where function, craftsmanship, and poetic detail coexist in perfect harmony. Combining traditional materials with modernist structure, the piece reflects Frank’s belief in furniture as both practical and emotionally resonant. Crafted from solid mahogany, the desk features a rich, deep brown hue with finely figured grain patterns, offering a tactile warmth and visual depth that elevates its restrained form. The wood has aged gracefully, acquiring a gentle patina that enhances the natural character of the material. Topping the desk is a thick glass surface, cut to fit precisely within the raised perimeter frame. This glass not only protects the wood but also adds a reflective quality that lightens the overall appearance, subtly balancing the richness of the mahogany. The design is anchored by a symmetrical arrangement of six drawers—three on each side—each fitted with delicately shaped brass handles. These handles, aged to a mellow golden patina, are a hallmark of Frank’s work, subtly decorative without overpowering the clean lines of the composition. The drawers offer ample storage for personal items or work materials, making the piece highly versatile as both a writing desk and a dressing table. The slightly recessed center section provides generous legroom, ensuring ergonomic comfort whether the piece is used for writing, makeup application, or other tasks. The legs are straight and sturdy, contributing to a sense of architectural order and grounding the piece with quiet authority. The raised wooden edges along the back and sides of the top are both functional and decorative, acting as a containment feature to prevent objects from falling while also introducing a soft sculptural outline. Josef Frank (1885–1967), an Austrian-born architect who became a defining figure in Swedish design, brought a humanistic approach to modernism. Rejecting rigid minimalism in favor of organic forms and inviting interiors, Frank’s furniture designs—particularly those for Svenskt Tenn—stand out for their warmth, detail, and timeless appeal. This desk reflects his signature style: unfussy, beautifully made, and subtly expressive. Produced by Svenskt Tenn, one of Sweden’s most prestigious interior design firms, the desk represents the high standard of material and craftsmanship that defines the company’s legacy. Since Frank began his collaboration with Estrid Ericson in the 1930s, Svenskt Tenn has been synonymous with a distinctly Swedish take on modern design—simultaneously international, personal, and refined. In very good vintage condition, this desk shows only minor signs of wear consistent with age. The mahogany retains its luster and rich tone, while the brass elements exhibit natural surface oxidation that enhances the authenticity and vintage charm of the piece. The glass top is clean and well-fitted, with no major imperfections. Additional information: Producer: Svenskt Tenn Decade: 1950s Country: Sweden Style: Mid Century, Scandinavian Modern Material: Brass, Glass, Mahogany Designed in: 1950s Dimensions: W: 122 / D: 48 / H: 72 cm Item Number: 157872

Creator:
Josef Frank (Designer)
Dimensions:
Height: 28.35 in (72 cm)Width: 48.04 in (122 cm)Depth: 18.9 in (48 cm)
Style:
Scandinavian Modern (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Brass,Glass,Mahogany
Place of Origin:
Sweden
Period:
20th Century
Date of Manufacture:
1950s
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. The glass top is clean and well-fitted, with no major imperfections.
Seller Location:
Limhamn, SE
Reference Number:
Seller: 1578721stDibs: LU1050849980102

Shop All Josef Frank

Josef Frank

Austrian architect and furniture and fabric designer Josef Frank was a leading voice for a gentle, humane modernism. His advocacy of warm, comfortable, eclectically styled environments was highly influential in his adopted country of Sweden, and it’s now widely regarded as a harbinger of the backlash against doctrinaire modernism and the embrace of the homespun that occurred in the late 1960s.

The son of a successful Viennese textile manufacturer, Frank studied architecture at Vienna University of Technology, graduating in 1910. From the first years of his practice, he marched counter to the orderly, symmetrical architectural layouts and decors prescribed by contemporaries such as Adolf Loos.

Frank drafted rooms of varying shapes and called for flexible interior-design arrangements. His furniture pieces are light and easy to move — and his chairs are always made of wood, most often with lushly curved steam-bent arms and slatted backs. Frank openly loathed the tubular steel furnishings and “machine for living” aesthetic promoted by Le Corbusier and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and other Bauhaus principals. “The home must not be a mere efficient machine,” Frank once said. “It must offer comfort, rest and coziness…. There are no puritan principles in good interior decoration.”

Frank — who was Jewish — sensed the dire implications of the rise of Nazism in Germany and Austria, and in 1933 he moved to Stockholm with his Swedish wife, Anna. He became the design chief for the furnishings maker Svenskt Tenn and found a perfect match culturally for his brand of simple, relaxed and bright creations. Like many modernists — notably Charles and Ray Eames and Alexander Girard — Frank had a deep love of folk art, which influenced his designs for a wide array of colorful, richly patterned upholstery fabrics, many based on the classic “Tree of Life” motif.

In all his designs, Frank took inspiration from a broad variety of sources. In his furniture, one can discern traces of Asian patterns, Rococo, Italian Renaissance, Scandinavian handicrafts and even Chippendale pieces. As such, the work of Frank — the friendly modernist — is at home in any type of décor.

Find vintage Josef Frank pillows, armchairs, floor lamps and other furniture on 1stDibs.

Materials

Bronze

Desk in Mahogany, Brass & Glass Desk by Josef Frank, 1950s

About the Item

Josef Frank

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