"Skyscraper" Step Table
Paul T. Frankl
1 of 3
Object Label
The magazine Good Furniture commented in 1927 that Paul T. Frankl “has developed one feature that is absolutely unique. This is the now somewhat celebrated skyscraper type of furniture, which is as American and as New Yorkish as Fifth Avenue itself.” Indeed, what could be more American and modern than furniture based on this unique contribution to architecture—the skyscraper. Frankl, who was creating furniture of this type by 1925, was one of the first modern designers of American decorative arts.
Caption
Paul T. Frankl (American, born Austria, 1887–1958). "Skyscraper" Step Table, late 1920s. Painted wood, 38 3/4 x 30 1/2 x 9 in. (98.4 x 77.5 x 22.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Designated Purchase Fund, 85.163.5. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Maker
Title
"Skyscraper" Step Table
Date
late 1920s
Geography
Place manufactured: New York, New York, United States
Medium
Painted wood
Classification
Dimensions
38 3/4 x 30 1/2 x 9 in. (98.4 x 77.5 x 22.9 cm)
Signatures
no signature
Inscriptions
no inscriptions
Markings
no marks
Credit Line
Designated Purchase Fund
Accession Number
85.163.5
Frequent Art Questions
Can you tell me why these two art works were paired to be shown next to each other?
That's a great question, our curators have teamed up to combine fine arts (painting, sculpture) with decorative arts (furniture, household objects) in the galleries. These two works are close in date, the Manship sculpture is 1924, and the Frankl piece is late 1920s. They are both associated with the Art Deco, or Art Moderne, movement and they use streamlined forms and fine materials.That makes sense because even though they look really different they sort of feel similar. Thanks!The Frankl piece is inspired by 1920s skyscraper architecture, and Manship was looking back to ancient Greek sculpture but they were both interested in smooth contours and surfaces.What is this?
The "Skyscraper" Step Table is by Paul T. Frankl. Frankl was born in Vienna, Austria in 1886 and emigrated to the United States. He worked as a designer in New York and later in Los Angeles. He was an important practitioner of the Art Moderne style, more commonly known as Art Deco.Frankl's most famous designs were his "skyscraper" tables, bookcases, dressing tables, and other pieces. They were influenced by the height, rectilinear forms, and streamlined appearance of the new office and apartment towers being built in New York in the late 1920s.
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