Vanity Table in Cherrywood with Brass Nautical Pulls by Josef Frank, Vienna, Austria, 1930s

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A unique vanity table attributed to josef frank – cherrywood elegance with nautical motifs
this newly rediscovered vanity table, attributed … Read more A unique vanity table attributed to josef frank – cherrywood elegance with nautical motifs
this newly rediscovered vanity table, attributed to josef frank and likely produced in vienna around 1920, represents a rare convergence of elegance, function, and early modernist experimentation. Constructed in solid wood with light cherry veneer and retaining all of its original components, the piece offers a remarkable glimpse into frank’s lesser-known one-off interior commissions from the interwar period.

the vanity features a tripartite mirrored superstructure mounted above a glass-covered work surface, with a lower cabinet consisting of drawers and three subdivided compartments beneath the mirror. These compartments are separated by sculpted, wave-like dividers, adding both rhythm and a sense of organic tactility to the design. The refined vertical structure rests on slender square legs connected by a stabilizing stretcher — a formal element also found in frank’s other early viennese furniture.

among the table’s most striking details are its original brass drawer pulls, shaped as a stylized anchor intersected by a three-blade maritime propeller. This rare motif is documented in the archive of the museum für angewandte kunst (mak), vienna, under inventory number m/3103, and attributed to one of three designers: josef hoffmann, hugo gorge, or josef frank. Through stylistic elimination and comparative analysis, attribution to frank is the most consistent: hoffmann’s ornament-heavy gridwork and gorge’s monolithic volumes diverge from the lightness, rhythm, and conceptual wit evident here.

the fittings themselves were produced by paul ritter’s nachfolger, a respected viennese metalwork firm that regularly supplied hardware to frank and the wiener werkstätte. The furniture piece, however, was most likely crafted by cabinetmakers affiliated with either the wiener werkstätte or frank’s own haus & garten werkstätten, known for their tailored, architect-designed interiors.

the cherrywood veneer is both unusual and luxurious for viennese vanity furniture of this era. Its pale tonality and tight grain subtly elevate the understated geometry of the object, blending modernist clarity with intimate domestic charm. The lacquered finish remains original, with only minimal wear. The original mirrored glass panels and tabletop are intact, and an elegant chrome lighting fixture — likely added in the 1940s or 1950s — continues to function today.

the piece’s provenance adds further depth: it was purchased from a viennese antiques dealer in the 1960s as a gift for the owner’s wife. She kept it in careful use until her death, after which the piece was stored under cover for nearly three decades. In 2025, it resurfaced untouched and unrestored — preserving its full authenticity and structural integrity.

this exceptional vanity is not merely a decorative object. It encapsulates the poetic pragmatism of josef frank’s design philosophy, where functionality, warmth, and imaginative detail converge. As such, it stands as a rare and tangible relic of the early viennese modernist movement.

– height: approx. 155 cm (with lamp)
– width: 100 cm
– depth: 45 cm i have official proof of authenticity such as vintage catalogs,
designer records,
or other literature sources and take full responsibility for any authenticity issues arising
from
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