-Skyscraper- bookcase c. 1926

brass, metal, wood

art-deco

brass

metal

furniture

united-states

wood

"Skyscraper" bookcase, designed by Paul T. Frankl in the 1920s, is a prime example of Art Deco style furniture. This striking piece, currently housed at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, embodies the era’s geometric forms and bold use of color. The black lacquered finish, accented by bright red shelves, creates a dramatic visual contrast, while the layered construction mimics the architecture of skyscrapers, reflecting the rapid urbanization of the time. This piece was an innovative approach to furniture design, seamlessly blending functionality with aesthetic appeal, highlighting the movement’s influence on everyday objects.

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minneapolisinstituteofart about 1 year ago

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Skyscrapers are familiar urban sights today, but in the 1920s they were still new and inspiring, a symbol of American ingenuity. Paul T. Frankl, an immigrant to the United States, got caught up in the excitement over skyscrapers and designed this bookcase to bring architecture inside the home in a practical way. Its cherry-red shelves look out like the windows of a building.