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.
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
$14,900
H 27 in W 34.87 in D 34.87 in
Renzo Rutili, Table, Cork, Wood, Johnson Furniture Company, USA, 1940s
By Johnson Furniture Company, Renzo Rutili
Located in High Point, NC
A wood and cork table designed by Renzo Rutili and produced by Johnson Furniture Company, Grand Rapids Michigan, USA, 1940s.
Wood, 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
$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
Paul Frankl Amoeba Cork Card Table for Johnson Furniture Co.
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company, Johnson Furniture Co.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Paul Frankl’s cork furniture pieces are among his longest-lasting contributions to American modernism and are highly sought after to this day. This amoeba card table produced by John...
Cork, Mahogany
Paul Frankl Cork Side Table for Johnson Furniture Co.
By Johnson Furniture Co., Paul Frankl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Paul Frankl’s cork furniture pieces are among his longest-lasting contributions to American modernism and are highly sought after to this day. This side table produced by Johnson Fur...
Brass
Paul Frankl, Console Table, Mahogany, Cork, USA, 1950s
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company
Located in High Point, NC
A mahogany and lacquered cork console table designed by Paul Frankl and produced by Johnson Furniture Company, USA, 1950s Multiple water rings present. The tabletop presents with a...
Mahogany, Cork
$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 Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company
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
$3,295
H 24.25 in W 25.25 in D 29 in
Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Mid Century Cork and Mahogany Side End Table
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Company
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Mid Century Cork and Mahogany Side End Table This side table measures: 25.25 wide x 29 deep x 24.25 inches high Excellent Vintage Condition - Cork...
Mahogany, Cork
$4,595
H 14.25 in W 48 in D 24 in
Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Mid Century Mahogany and Cork Coffee Table
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Co.
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Mid Century Mahogany and Cork Coffee Table This coffee table measures: 48 wide x 24 deep x 14.25 inches high Fair Vintage Condition - Table has He...
Mahogany, 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
Wormley Game Table for Dunbar, Solid Walnut & Olive Burlwood
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
Edward Wormley Game Table for Dunbar, Solid Walnut & Olive Burlwood Gorgeous Dunbar table with a four-panel bookmatched olive burl wood top and a solid...
Walnut, Burl
Paul McCobb Carrara Top Game Table From the Linear Group for Directional 1957
By Paul McCobb, Directional
Located in Dallas, TX
Uncommonly seen Carrara top game table from the Linear Group designed by Paul McCobb for Directional in 1957. The McCobb Linear Group was selected as part of the Alcoa Forecast...
Carrara Marble, Aluminum
Mario Bellini Il Colonnato Coffee Table in Solid Italian Travertine 1970s
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Dallas, TX
A striking example of Mario Bellini’s architectural vision, this Il Colonnato (The Collonade) coffee table is crafted in solid Italian travertine and measures 48 inches in diameter. ...
Travertine
Edward Wormley Rosewood Occasional Table for Dunbar with Murano Glass Tile Top
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
Rare Edward Wormley for Dunbar solid Brazilian Rosewood occasional table with green Murano Glass mosaic tile top and brass banding. Retains green rectangular Dunbar metal label. A ve...
Cut Glass, Rosewood
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
