Dressing Mirror
Paul T. Frankl (American, born Austria, 1887–1958), designer
Details
Title
Dressing Mirror
Artist/Maker
Paul T. Frankl (American, born Austria, 1887–1958), designer
Date
ca. 1931
Medium
Brushed, chrome-plated steel, lacquered wood, and glass
Dimensions
68 x 51 x 12 inches
Credit
Purchase in memory of Donald Peirce, Curator of Decorative Arts, 1980–2001, with funds from the Decorative Arts Acquisition Endowment and gifts in his memory
Accession #
2012.63
Location
Currently not on view
An émigré to the United States in 1914 from Vienna, Paul T. Frankl is a significant contributor to American Modern design in the first half of the 20th century. His work embraced the wonder of the modern metropolis, specifically the glamour of New York City. This bold, geometric dressing table is a later example of his important Skyscraper series. As this series and Frankl’s work evolved, he continued to capture the essence of “the new” with modern materials in simple, strong forms while maintaining a love of asymmetry and use of lacquer. This unique dressing table is one of the last works he completed before moving from New York to Los Angeles.