Paul T. Frankl 9-Strand Square Pretzel Square-Back 4-Seat Sofa
- Description
- Dimensions
Extremely rare, museum-quality nine-strand square pretzel square-back four-seat sofa was designed by Paul T. Frankl in 1934 using the highest-quality rattan poles and reeds available and restored by rattan experts to ensure structural integrity and longevity. Originally created for one of Frankl’s elite Hollywood clients, this is the only known model. Made of steam-bent rattan poles, the sofa features Frankl’s hallmark decorative wicker woven wrappings made of rattan strips. The piece comes from a home Frankl designed in Los Angeles in the mid-to-late 1930s. Price includes custom cushions and a first-edition copy of Frankl’s book (pictured) Space for Living: Creative Interior Decoration and Design (Doubleday Doran, 1938).
Fabric: selections from Hawaii Barkcloth or COM, 16 yards
7 Day Returns
Fabric Options by Hawaiian Barkcloth
FAQ
I saw there’s a fabric option COM. What does that mean?
COM stands for “Customer’s Own Material.” When ordering from Harvey’s Private Collection, you may chose from Hawaiian Barkcloth selections or provide your own fabric. The yardage requirements are stated in each product description.
What is rattan?
Rattan is a plant in the palm family, which grows in tropical jungles. The largest source today is still the Philippines. Tough, solid stems of palasan rattan vary from one to two inches in diameter and grow as vines 200 to 500 feet in length. An easily replenishable resource, rattan is almost impervious to rot, is lightweight, and easy to handle. It is extremely pliable and strong, which makes it an ideal material for furniture and a lighter alternative to wood. Once cleaned, the stems can be used in strands for wicker or whole for furniture frames. It withstands extreme conditions of humidity and temperature and has a natural resistance to bug damage. To learn more about rattan furniture, see Harvey Schwartz’s bookRattan Furniture: Tropical Comfort Throughout the House.
Who was Paul T. Frankl and why is he important?
Paul T. Frankl (October 14, 1886–March 21, 1958) was an Art Deco furniture designer and maker, architect, painter, and writer from Vienna, Austria. Historians credit him, more than any other designer, with shaping the distinctive look of American Modernism in the years between the two world wars. The definitive book on Frankl is Christopher Long’sPaul T. Frankl and Modern American Design. Frankl’sThe Autobiography of a Modern American Designerwas published posthumously in 2013. His furniture is in the collections of more than 15 significant international museums, including Cooper-Hewitt/Smithsonian Design Museum, Los Angeles County Museum of Art (purchased from Harvey’s Private Collection), The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Vitra Design Museum.
Shipping
How can I see the furniture in person before purchasing?
Our warehouse is near Los Angeles, at 7801 Noble Avenue, Van Nuys, CA 91405 US; (818) 387-6556. We are open Monday through Friday, 9am-4pm.
What are the terms of sale?
All items must be paid in full before being shipped out. Please contact us with any questions you might have before purchasing. California sales tax is applied to purchases made in California. We accept payment through credit card, wire transfer, and cash. We ship through USPS, UPS, FedEx, blanket wrap service, and Plycon; if you would like a difference shipping service please contact us before purchasing. Local pickup during normal business hours is free.
Returns
Items can be returned within 7 days of delivery. We do not accept returns on personalized, custom, or made-to-order items, such as seating cushions. A restocking fee of 15% of the item price applies. The buyer is responsible for return shipping charges and will not be reimbursed for the original shipping cost.