Josef Frank armchairs

This rare pair of armchairs, model 695, was designed in 1935 by Austrian-born architect and designer Josef Frank and produced by Svenskt Tenn in Sweden. The design reflects Frank’s distinct approach to furniture—favoring comfort, natural forms, and timeless elegance over the rigid functionalism that dominated early 20th-century modernism. The armchairs exhibit a finely balanced structure, with a cubic yet softened silhouette, made visually light by the slender proportions and the curvature of the components.

The frames are constructed from solid mahogany, a wood known for its durability and lustrous reddish-brown hue. The armrests are gently curved, contributing not only to visual grace but also to ergonomic support. The chairs are upholstered in their original black leather, which has developed a deep, natural patina over time. This aging process adds character and texture, bearing the tactile and visual marks of decades of use while remaining in well-preserved condition.

Josef Frank (1885–1967) was one of the most influential figures in Scandinavian design, known for blending Viennese modernism with Swedish functionalism and eclecticism. After relocating to Sweden in the 1930s, he began his long-standing collaboration with Svenskt Tenn, a Stockholm-based interior design firm founded by Estrid Ericson in 1924. Svenskt Tenn became a platform for Frank’s creative vision, promoting a humanistic design philosophy that resisted strict minimalism in favor of color, form, and individuality.

The armchairs exemplify Frank’s philosophy by combining refined craftsmanship with functional comfort and subtle ornamentation. They are emblematic of the transitional period in Scandinavian design when international modernist ideas were reinterpreted through the lens of local traditions and materials.

The dimensions of each chair are 61 cm wide, 61 cm deep, 85.5 cm high, with a seat height of 45 cm. In imperial units, this corresponds to approximately 24 inches wide, 24 inches deep, 33.7 inches high, with a seat height of 17.7 inches.