Josef Frank
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A Josef Frank cabinet by Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, probably 1950's.
Mahogany, the doors and sides of the cabinet with botanical handcoloured engravings from Sydenham Edwards 'The Botanical Register', James Ridgway & Sons, London, 19th century. Measurements 120 x 41 cm, height 130 cm. Key included.
Minor wear.
Literature
Åke H Huldt (ed), 'Konsthantverk och hemslöjd i Sverige 1930-1940', Uppsala 1941, a cabinet of the same model depicted p 377, however covered with a chintz fabric rather than these prints.
More information
The model is known since Josef Frank's early years in Sweden, in the 1930's. Already for Haus & Garten in Vienna, he designed a similar cabinet covered with a floral fabric that is now in the Hofmobiliendepot.
Compare Bukowskis Moderna sale 569, autumn 2012, lot 485.
Designer
Josef Frank was born in Austria and studied architecture in Vienna. As an architect, he worked with private home areas, villas and apartment buildings. In 1925 he started his own interior design firm Haus und Garten together with two architect colleagues. In connection with the advance of the Nazis, he emigrated to Sweden and was employed in 1934 at Svenskt Tenn. After the outbreak of World War II, Josef Frank, who came from a Jewish family, was forced into exile in New York. At Svenskt Tenn, he made an impact on the product range for four decades; especially when it comes to furniture and fabric prints.
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