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Rox & Fix
von Josef Frank (1885-1967)

für Svenskt Tenn
www.svenskttenn.se

Josef Frank (1885–1967) grew up in an assimilated Jewish family

in Vienna and studied architecture at the University of

Technology. In the 1920s, he designed several residential build-
ings and large housing complexes in Vienna. In 1925, he together

with his architect colleagues Oskar Wlach and Walther Sobotka

founded the “Haus & Garten” furnishing company. He was mar-

ried to a Swedish woman, and so Sweden became their new

home country when the couple had to flee from National

Socialism in December 1933. However, the crucial point for their

emigration was an inquiry about a possibly collaboration of

Estrid Ericson, owner of the Swedish furnishing firm Svenskt

Tenn. Josef Frank and Estrid Ericson established themselves as

a duo in both the Swedish and international design scene. Their

collaboration lasted a lifetime. At Svenskt Tenn, Josef Frank was

not only offered a unique stage but also valuable support of

Estrid Ericson, who was a manufacturer with an exceptional

artistic disposition. He rewarded her by being extremely produc-

tive: more than 2,000 furniture sketches and 160 textile patterns

by Josef Frank are still stored in the company archive today.

During the Second World War, Josef Frank had to go into exile

once again. In the midst of war he fled to New York. He created

the majority of his 160 textile patterns in a small two-room

apartment on the eighth floor in Upper Manhattan. About 40 of

them are still produced by Svenskt Tenn to this day.

In addition to Rox & Fix, we show in this issue:

Brazil (Seite 008/009)

Tre Öar I Svarta Havet (Seite 050/051)