Paul McCobb Furniture
American, 1917-1969
The single aesthetic attribute of vintage Paul McCobb furniture is that the designer completely forsook ornament — his pieces have no flourishes. And yet, because they are honest — McCobb’s chairs, desks and dining tables are made of solid wood, usually maple or birch, often paired with frames and legs of wrought iron; the cabinets are traditionally scaled; the seating pieces have historic antecedents such as the Windsor chair — his mid-century modern work has warmth and presence.
You could call the Massachusetts-born McCobb a man of parts. As a furniture designer, his work combined the attributes of many of his now better-known peers.
Like the work of Bauhaus designers such as Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Marcel Breuer, McCobb's furniture had purity of form and line. Like the designs of Florence Knoll and George Nelson and his associates, McCobb’s work was efficient and purposeful. And even like George Nakashima, he was adept at interpreting traditional forms, in particular those of chairs, for the 20th century.
More than any other designer besides Russel Wright, with his ubiquitous ceramic tableware, McCobb was arguably responsible for the introduction of modern design into middle-class American households — if for no other reason than that he designed the 1952 set for the original Today show.
McCobb, a repeat recipient of the Good Design Award from the Museum of Modern Art, also designed cohesive lines of furnishings, such as his best-known Planner Group, that gave homes an instant “look.” He designed for several companies, most notably Directional, which was home to McCobb’s Origami chair.
In 1949, in partnership with New York furniture salesman B.G. Mesberg, McCobb set up the Directional Furniture Company, a brand known to vintage mid-century modern furniture collectors everywhere. Directional opened its doors after McCobb created the high-end Directional Modern line of sofas distributed by the New York-based Modernage Company. Directional also produced designs by other legends such as Paul Evans and Vladimir Kagan.
As you can see from the offerings on 1stDibs, McCobb designs are the pin-striped suit, or the little black dress, of a decor: an essential.
Find vintage Paul McCobb credenzas, bookcases, nightstands and other furniture on 1stDibs.
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Item Ships From: Chicago
Creator: Paul McCobb
Paul McCobb Irwin Collection Monumental Display Table
By Paul McCobb
Located in Chicago, IL
Paul McCobb Irwin Collection Monumental Display Table, model C8707 Calvin USA, 1952
Crafted with eight equal rectangular 1/4" milk glass slabs on an...
Category
1950s American Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Brass
Paul McCobb Storage Unit Custom Matte Blackened Finish
By Paul McCobb
Located in Chicago, IL
Paul McCobb Storage Unit for Calvin Furniture features a custom matte blackened finish over walnut.
Three drawers, an open display cubby, and sliding doors for extra storage. Refinis...
Category
1960s American Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Vintage Paul McCobb "Samuel Marx" Lounge Chairs for Directional
By Paul McCobb
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Paul McCobb Lounge Chairs for Directional. Italian in influence.
This design was selected by Samuel Marx for the Highland Park Estate of Peggy and Lionel Nathan. Samuel Ma...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Wood
Paul McCobb Planner Group Nightstand or Side Table
By Paul McCobb
Located in Chicago, IL
A wrought Iron Paul McCobb Planner Group Nightstand or Occasional Table for Winchendon. Model #1572. A fairly rare design and a fine e...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Iron
A Rare Paul McCobb Brass and Marble Dinette Table
By Paul McCobb
Located in Chicago, IL
A rare architectural brass dinette table with X stretcher and a beautiful original marble top. Attributed to Paul McCobb. Still researching to determine the exact model and line. A...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
Pair of Paul McCobb of Consoles
By Paul McCobb, Directional
Located in Chicago, IL
Paul McCobb for Directional. Pair of model 8704 console tables. Square tubular brass frames with travertine top. Patina on brass consistent with age and use. Stool sold separately.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Travertine, Brass
Paul McCobb Sideboard for Calvin
By Paul McCobb, Irwin Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Paul McCobb Sideboard for Calvin-"Irwin Collection" walnut case with solid tapered legs connecting cross stretchers, finished on backside, travertine marble top, accordion folding do...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Travertine
Paul McCobb Dresser Chest w/Vitrolite Glass Top, Calvin Furniture 1960
By Irwin Furniture, Paul McCobb
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair Paul McCobb Dressers w/Vitrolite Glass Top, 1960 for Calvin Furniture. Restored in Sunshine yellow paint.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Paint, Vitrolite, Wood
Paul McCobb Travertine Brass Low Console, 1960
By Paul McCobb
Located in Chicago, IL
Paul McCobb Travertine brass low console, 1960.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Travertine, Brass
Pair of Paul McCobb Lounge Chairs
By Paul McCobb
Located in Chicago, IL
Introducing a stunning pair of Paul McCobb Lounge armchairs, epitomizing the sleek elegance and sophistication of Mid-Century Modern design. These iconic chairs feature a sturdy mapl...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Upholstery
Paul McCobb for Calvin Mahogany and Travertine Dresser with Dual Tri-Fold Doors
By Paul McCobb, Calvin Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Dual tri-fold door mahogany and travertine dresser by Paul McCobb for Calvin's Irwin Collection. Beautifully grained walnut tri-fold doors and solid mahogany stretchers with a creamy slab of travertine, this iconic piece of elegant modern design could also work as a clean lined credenza...
Category
1950s American Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Travertine
Paul McCobb King-Size Brass Frame Headboard
By Paul McCobb
Located in Chicago, IL
Brass frame headboard with mahogany panels. Fully restored and refinished in dark walnut. Designed by Paul McCobb for Calvin Furniture.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Brass
Paul McCobb Travertine Consoles and or Sofa Tables
By Paul McCobb, Directional
Located in Chicago, IL
Paul McCobb Travertine Consoles and or Sofa Tables, model 8704 for Directional.
Square tubular brass with 3/4" travertine.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Travertine, Brass
Paul McCobb for Calvin Dining Set
By Paul McCobb, Directional
Located in Chicago, IL
Paul McCobb for Calvin Dining Set, Features Six Dining Chairs, Two Arm Chairs, and Four Side Chairs, a Rectangular Table in mahogany veneer original medium tone with a solid brass st...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Brass
Paul Mccobb Room Divider for Calvin Furniture Company
By Paul McCobb, Directional
Located in Chicago, IL
Paul McCobb Room Divider for Calvin Furniture Company, Features Mahogany, solid brass and glass shelves.
Lower section has Five Drawers with brass...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Brass
Paul McCobb Coffee Table
By Paul McCobb, Winchendon
Located in Chicago, IL
Paul McCobb Coffee Table, Planner Group by Winchendon 1950, Maple Top with Wrought Iron frame.
Signed on the underside, Paul McCobb
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
Pair of Vintage Paul McCobb Calvin Milk Glass and Cane End Tables
By Paul McCobb
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Vintage Paul McCobb milk glass and cane end tables
Fully marked with Calvin labels on the interior drawers.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Cane, Milk Glass, Wood
Paul McCobb Brass Inset Leather Caned Magazine Table
By Paul McCobb
Located in Chicago, IL
Paul McCobb magazine table. Caned shelves with leather top. Brass edging. High quality Paul McCobb.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Wood
Vintage Paul McCobb Sofa for Directional
By Paul McCobb
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Paul McCobb sofa for Directional
reupholstered at one point. In pretty nice condition with fabric being usable as-is. minor wear.
finish to wood and legs shows...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Upholstery
Chaise Lounge in Striped Silk by Paul McCobb for Directional, USA 1950s
By Paul McCobb
Located in Chicago, IL
A Mid Century chaise lounge designed by Paul McCobb for Directional in the 1950s. This modernist piece stands on four tapered, lacquered wood legs and has beautiful patinated brass d...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Brass
Original Paul McCobb High Back Lounge Chair
By Paul McCobb
Located in Chicago, IL
Original Paul McCobb lounge chair in umber, gray and taupe striped loose weave wool upholstery and long tapered maple legs. Great front view as well as profile with M-shaped back and...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Maple, Wood, Wool
Pair of Paul McCobb Cane-Backed Lounge Chairs for Widdicomb
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., Paul McCobb
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Paul McCobb Cane-Backed lounge chairs for Widdicomb, From the 800 series.
Mahogany frames with upholstered seats on boucle.
Set designed to pair ...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of Paul McCobb for Calvin Four Drawer Dressers
By Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobb
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Paul McCobb for Calvin Four Drawer Dressers, Oiled walnut with vertical aluminum edge accents and beveled aluminum pulls.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Aluminum
Paul McCobb Milk Glass Small Coffee or Side Table
By Paul McCobb
Located in Chicago, IL
Paul McCobb wood frame side table with white Carrara glass ( vitrolite - milk glass) top.
The base shows wear to finish and would benefit from either refinishing or touching up or...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Wood
Paul McCobb for Calvin The Irwin Collection 3-Drawer End Tables or Nightstands
By Paul McCobb
Located in Chicago, IL
Paul McCobb for Calvin The Irwin Collection 3-drawer end tables or nightstands. Mahogany wood with solid tapered legs, brass pulls and edge trim.
[Label inside drawers: Paul McCobb,...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Brass
Paul Mccobb Dresser or Sideboard for Calvin The Irwin Collection
By Paul McCobb
Located in Chicago, IL
Paul Mccobb dresser or sideboard for Calvin The Irwin Collection.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair of Paul McCobb for Calvin Dressers
By Paul McCobb
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Paul McCobb for Calvin Dressers, the linear group, oiled walnut with stainless steel pulls and accent details.
One case has 4 drawers, the other has 3 with open storage.
La...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Stainless Steel
Paul McCobb Brass x Wall Mirror
By Paul McCobb
Located in Chicago, IL
PAUL MCCOBB Brass X Mirror. One of Mccobb's strongest Mirror Designs. Brass Pegs at each corner to suspend the mirror off the wall. Large brass X form on front of mirror. Decorative ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Brass
Paul McCobb Planner Group Jewelry Chest of Ten Drawers
By Paul McCobb
Located in Chicago, IL
Paul McCobb jewelry chest of ten drawers
Best to refinish this item. Finish shows wear as does the interiors of the drawers.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Wood
Paul McCobb Lounge Chair
By Paul McCobb
Located in Chicago, IL
1950s Paul McCobb lounge chair in beautifully restored walnut and reupholstered in an Italian ivory bouclé. This chair is stunning at every angle.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Bouclé, Walnut
Paul Mccobb Vintage Dresser for Calvin The Irwin Collection
By Paul McCobb
Located in Chicago, IL
Paul Mccobb vintage dresser for Calvin The Irwin Collection.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Wood
Paul McCobb Side Board
By Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobb
Located in Chicago, IL
Paul McCobb side board for Calvin-The Irwin collection walnut case, finished on back, walnut body and travertine marble top, accordion folding d...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Travertine
Paul McCobb Display or Cocktail Table
By Paul McCobb
Located in Chicago, IL
Paul McCobb for Irwin collection display table, model C8707
Comprised of eight equal rectangular 1/4" milk glass slabs on an architectural bridge like under structure.
Calvin, 195...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Brass
Four Paul McCobb Dark Maple Spindle-Back Dining Chairs
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Chicago, IL
Set of four Planner Group dark maple spindle back dining chairs by Paul McCobb for Winchendon. An iconic McCobb design.
Category
1950s American Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Maple
Paul McCobb Pitcher
By Paul McCobb
Located in Chicago, IL
Serving Pitcher with twist locking lid.
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Four Paul McCobb Winchendon Open Back Dining Chairs
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Chicago, IL
Rarely offered set of four Paul McCobb for Winchendon maple dining chairs with open back and large curved top rail. Free of ornamentation, the clean lined shape is only broken up by ...
Category
1950s American Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Maple
Paul McCobb Planner Group Coffee Table
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Chicago, IL
Clean-lined coffee table by Paul McCobb for Winchendon. Solid rock maple top with four conical legs.
Category
1950s American Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Maple
Paul Mccobb furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Paul McCobb furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Paul McCobb furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 901 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 16 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original furniture by Paul McCobb were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Dunbar, George Nelson, and John Widdicomb. Prices for Paul McCobb furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $195 and can go as high as $25,995, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $3,826.
Creators Similar to Paul McCobb
Questions About Paul McCobb Furniture
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022You can sell Paul McCobb furniture in a number of ways. Options include selling directly to someone else by advertising on social media or in the newspaper or going to a vintage furniture shop. You can also work with an auction house or choose a reputable online platform. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of Paul McCobb furniture.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022The best way to identify Paul McCobb furniture is to look for the signature hallmarks of his style. He didn't sign or add a brand marker to his pieces. McCobb preferred clean, simple lines with no ornamentation. Slightly angled legs and boxy drawers and chair backs are indicative of his work. On 1stDibs, find a variety of expertly vetted Paul McCobb furniture.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022To refinish Paul McCobb furniture, start by stripping away the old finish with a chemical stripper. Then, use a fine wire brush and steel wool to remove any lingering chemicals. Sand every surface and apply a wood conditioner. Finally, apply three to five coats of lacquer. Find a collection of Paul McCobb furniture on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022In most cases, Paul McCobb used a natural lacquer wood finish. In doing so, he emphasized the natural color and grain of the hardwoods used to build his tables, desks, cabinets and other furniture. Shop a collection of Paul McCobb on 1stDibs.
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