Josef Frank stools

This is a rare pair of stools, model 973, designed by Austrian-born architect and designer Josef Frank and produced by Svenskt Tenn in Sweden during the 1950s. The stools feature solid mahogany frames with upholstered seats in green leather, detailed with perimeter brass rivets that secure the material to the wooden structure. The mahogany is finely finished with a warm reddish-brown tone and visible, tight grain. The legs are elegantly tapered, terminating in small pad-like feet that subtly curve outward, lending a sculptural and handcrafted impression to an otherwise minimal form.

The seat construction is lightly convex and padded for comfort, while the leather displays signs of aging through light creasing and subtle patina, consistent with careful use and age. The overall construction reflects a balance between precision woodworking and an expressive material palette.

Josef Frank was one of the most influential figures in 20th-century Scandinavian design, known for blending Viennese modernism with Swedish craft traditions. After emigrating to Sweden in the 1930s, Frank became a central designer for Svenskt Tenn, where he developed an extensive range of furnishings that embodied his philosophy of comfort, individuality, and material richness. These stools reflect Frank’s preference for elegant restraint and the integration of refined curves and natural finishes within a functional object.

This pair is in good vintage condition, showing small signs of usage, including wear to the leather consistent with age, but no structural defects.

Each stool measures 43 cm in width, 43 cm in depth, and 43 cm in height. In imperial units, this corresponds to approximately 16.9 inches wide, 16.9 inches deep, and 16.9 inches high. These pieces are representative of mid-century Scandinavian modern design at the intersection of traditional craftsmanship and architectural clarity.