Paul Frankl Cityscape Storage Cube Table (Frankl Galleries, 1930)
Discover a unique piece of American design history with this Skyscraper occasional table, expertly crafted by Paul T. Frankl around 1930 for Frankl Galleries. A quintessential example of Machine Age design, this table combines art and function, showcasing geometric forms and industrial aesthetics.
Constructed from wood with a stunning combination of paint and silver leaf finishes.
Features a reverse-painted glass top, adding to its distinctive appearance.
Frankl, a pioneer of American Modernism.
Skyscraper/Machine Age, known for its architectural inspiration and elegant lines.
Structure: Includes a four-compartment cubby design with a tiered top and integrated base.
22¼ h × 17⅞ w × 17⅞ d in
Frankl’s Skyscraper furniture represents the first truly original American furniture style, drawing inspiration from the soaring verticality of 1920s New York City skyscrapers. His designs embody the following principles:
- Verticality & Setbacks: Features a wide base with slender upper sections that mimic the architectural "step back" of skyscrapers.
- Geometric Simplicity: Utilizes unadorned surfaces and sharp angles, focusing on modularity.
- Contrasting Finishes: Interiors often painted in vibrant colors like red or green, with exteriors finished in black lacquer or silver leaf.
Materials & Craftsmanship:
While embracing modernism, Frankl prioritized individual craftsmanship over mass production. Notable materials include:
- Primary Woods: Typically crafted from California redwood, maple, birch, and sycamore.
- Innovative Materials: Integrated Bakelite (an early plastic), aluminum, and chrome-plated steel.
- Luxury Accents: Frequently features silvered glass, nickel-plated steel, or mirrored tops to enhance light and optimism.
Condition Report:
Good condition. Painted surfaces with some hairline separations from underlying wood, while also showing assorted small chips and scratches in keeping with age. Areas of applied silver leaf also show some small assorted losses as well as some touch-ups as needed. One small and stable break to cross joint of one outer edge. Glass top with some losses to reverse-painted areas along edges.
A striking addition to any collection or interior, this Paul T. Frankl Skyscraper table serves as both functional furniture and a beautiful art piece, celebrating the innovation of early 20th-century design.
Paul T. Frankl and Modern American Design, Long, pg. 83 illustrates similar example
