LIFE BEYOND FIRST CLASS
DESIGN & ARCHTIECTURE
TIMELESS ELEGANCE IN ORGANIC FORM
Harvey G. Schwartz’s Private Collection debuts a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for collectors to own rare, museum-quality rattan furniture by Paul T. Frankl, showcasing the timeless elegance and modernist charm that defined Hollywood’s golden era.
KATHERINE GANNON
Step into a world where design transcends time, where the curves of nature meet the sophistication of modernity, and where the legacy of Paul T. Frankl’s rattan furniture is reborn through Harvey’s Private Collection. In an era dominated by fleeting trends, this exclusive offering reminds us of the enduring beauty of craftsmanship rooted in innovation and vision.
Paul T. Frankl, a luminary of modern American design, revolutionized the use of rattan in the 1930s and 1940s, elevating it from a utilitarian material to an emblem of elegance. With his iconic “Pretzel” armchairs and multi-strand sofas, Frankl captured the essence of Southern California living—sunlight filtering through lush greenery, the warmth of tropical breezes, and the seamless interplay of indoor and outdoor aesthetics. Harvey G. Schwartz, the premier connoisseur of Frankl’s work, has spent over four decades curating, restoring, and preserving these masterpieces, culminating in the launch of Harvey’s Private Collection.
Paul T Frankl
Paul T. Frankl (1886-1958) was a pioneering designer who brought rattan into the realm of high-end interior décor. His innovative designs in the 1930s and 1940s redefined modern American furniture, blending organic materials with sleek, minimalist forms. His original pieces are 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. They remain highly coveted by collectors and continue to influence contemporary design.
Photo credit: courtesy Paulette Frankl Collection
Each piece in this collection feels like a narrative woven from strands of rattan. The tactile allure of the handcrafted bindings and the gentle arcs of Frankl’s designs evoke the serenity of a bygone era while remaining distinctly contemporary. Imagine the buttery smoothness of a polished rattan chair under your fingertips or the gentle creak of its frame as you settle in, surrounded by the warmth of natural textures. These aren’t mere furnishings; they are experiences.
.jpg)
Paul T. Frankl Fan Chair and Ottoman
The Paul T. Frankl 1938 restored rattan Fan Arm Lounge Chair with Ottoman is a rare piece showcasing the distinctive Art Deco style with its fan-shaped armrests and rattan construction. Harvey Schwartz recreated this chair design for the living room set of “The Golden Girls” TV show. Price includes custom cushions.
Dimensions:
Chair—31” H x 33.5” W x 31” D, 16” Seat Height; Ottoman— 17” H x 21” W x 21” D
Price: $27,000
Fabric: selections from Hawaii Barkcloth or COM, 4 yards
_JPG.jpg)
Paul T. Frankl Cubist Coffee Table
This exquisite, rare, museum-quality Paul T. Frankl coffee table showcases museum-quality restoration, highlighting intricate rattan-pole detailing, a luxurious mahogany top, and distinctive cubist legs with intrinsic storage. The piece comes from a home Frankl designed in Los Angeles in the mid-to-late 1930s.
Dimensions: 16.75” H x 62” W x 25” D
Price: $22,000
.jpg)
Paul T. Frankl Bar Cart
A rare, museum-quality single-strand rattan and mahogany bar cart features two removable trays. Designed by Paul T. Frankl using the highest-quality rattan poles and reeds available and restored by rattan experts to ensure structural integrity and longevity, the cart features Frankl’s signature wrappings. The piece comes from a home Frankl designed in Los Angeles in the mid-to-late 1930s.
Dimensions: 39” H x 42” W x 18” D
Price: $18,000
Frankl’s genius lay in his ability to meld the organic with the architectural. The multi-strand compositions of his lounge chairs mimic the fluidity of ocean waves, while his casegoods and tables juxtapose rattan with bamboo and mahogany, creating visual symphonies of light and dark. His works, adored by Hollywood’s elite—Fred Astaire, Katharine Hepburn, and even Frank Lloyd Wright—continue to command admiration, seamlessly fitting into both mid-century modern and contemporary interiors.
Harvey’s meticulous restoration process ensures each piece retains its original charm while meeting the expectations of today’s discerning collectors. Whether it’s the iconic “Pretzel” armchair or an exquisitely crafted table, every item in the collection carries the weight of history and the promise of timeless elegance.
.jpg)
Paul T. Frankl Table Lamp Set
Rare, museum-quality pair of Paul T. Frankl round stacked-rattan table lamps features 10 rattan poles affixed to a round mahogany base and the original natural woven jute fiber lamp shades with stitching detail. The lamps are made of steam-bent rattan poles of the highest-quality available and restored by rattan experts to ensure longevity. The piece comes from a home Frankl designed in Los Angeles in the mid-to-late 1930s.
Dimensions: 29” H x 9.5” W
Price: $6,500
As you peruse Harvey’s Private Collection, you’re invited to imagine these treasures gracing your own space—a sunlit living room, a cozy reading nook, or a serene patio where form and function coexist in perfect harmony. These are not just furniture pieces; they are investments in artistry and a celebration of the enduring appeal of organic modernism.
Harvey’s Private Collection is more than a tribute to Frankl’s legacy; it’s a testament to the power of design to transform the everyday into the extraordinary. For those who value heritage, innovation, and the beauty of natural materials, this collection offers a rare chance to own a piece of design history—one that will continue to inspire for generations to come.
www.harveysprivatecollection.com