Paul McCobb Cigarette Table for Directional
View Similar Items
Paul McCobb Cigarette Table for Directional
About the Item
- Creator:Paul McCobb (Designer),Directional (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 22 in (55.88 cm)Diameter: 20.25 in (51.44 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Good vintage condition; professionally cleaned and polished.
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1645230161952
Paul McCobb
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.
Directional
A brand known to vintage mid-century modern furniture collectors everywhere, Directional Furniture opened its doors after American furniture designer Paul McCobb created the high-end Directional Modern line of sofas distributed by the New York–based Modernage Company.
In his pivotal introduction of postwar modernism to the mass market, the revered Massachusetts-born McCobb had established several lines, from the affordable and refined Planner Group for Winchendon to the swooping and unexpected arms of the Symmetric Group for Widdicomb, a Shaker-inspired collection that included a sofa and a lounge chair. Like all of McCobb’s designs, the Directional pieces for Modernage are defined by a sleek aesthetic in which the focus is on elegant functionality, frequently using fine materials such as brass and walnut. In 1949, in partnership with New York furniture salesman B.G. Mesberg, McCobb set up the Directional Furniture Company.
The pair’s first pieces were upholstered chairs, intended to harmonize with the modular Multiplex pieces designed by Martin Feinman. McCobb then designed an array of furniture including storage, dining, seating, desks and other pieces with details such as leather tops, wood finishes and Roman Travertine surfaces. While Directional stopped production of McCobb’s work in the early 1960s, it still released numerous pieces by leading designers manufactured by a variety of companies.
Designer Paul Evans led the factory for a time after joining in 1964. His provocative work for the company often reflected his understanding of materials from his early training as a silversmith, such as the popular Cityscape series — a milestone in brutalist design — with its blocky forms accented with brass and chrome. At his shop in Lambertville, New Jersey, he collaborated with a design team to clad furniture pieces in metallic surfaces, like the Argente line that began production in 1968 and involved an acetylene torch to give its aluminum material a textural quality. He also worked on the Sculpted Bronze series with hand-formed resin shaped over plywood or steel that was then coated with atomized bronze.
Other Directional designers included Vladimir Kagan, who contributed biomorphic sofas and swivel chairs; Milo Baughman, who created tables and dressers inspired by Scandinavian modernism; and Jack Lenor Larsen, who covered sofas in dynamically patterned fabric.
Find authentic Directional Furniture seating, tables, case pieces and storage cabinets from top sellers around the world on 1stDibs.
- Pair of Edward Wormley Side Tables for DunbarBy Edward Wormley, Dunbar FurnitureLocated in Los Angeles, CAPair of Edward Wormley Side Tables for Dunbar, c.1940, USA. The tables feature a mahogany waterfall style body with olive green leather table top that cascades down one side of each ...Category
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern End Tables
MaterialsLeather, Mahogany
$9,500 / set - Knud Andersen Rosewood Folding Side Table for AarhusBy Knud Andersen, AarhusLocated in Los Angeles, CADanish rosewood side table by Knud Andersen c.1950s for Aarhus. The rectangular folding table features a rich wood grain on the table top and...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsRosewood
- Rare Greta Grossman Side Table for Glenn of CaliforniaBy Glenn of California, Greta Magnusson GrossmanLocated in Los Angeles, CARare Greta Grossman side table for Glenn of California, c.1950s. The table features an asymmetrical black laminate shelf that sits atop a rectangular walnut shelf. The shelves are he...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsMetal
- Joseph Carriero Triangular Tripod Side Table for Pine and BarkerBy Joseph Carreiro, Pine and BakerLocated in Los Angeles, CATriangular side table by Joseph Carriero for Pine and Barker, c.1950's, USA. The birch table features rounded edges and three steel legs. Dimensions 31" width x 15.25" depth x 13" h...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsSteel
- Petite Teak Tripod Side TableBy Albert LarssonLocated in Los Angeles, CATeak tripod side table is supported by a teak shaft and three flared legs. The perfect petite table for an office, library or living area. Dimensions 13" diameter x 19" height; 5.7...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsTeak
- Luther Conover Mahogany Side TableBy Luther ConoverLocated in Los Angeles, CAA design by Luther Conover for Pacifica c.1950s, USA. This table features a rectangular mahogany table top set atop iron hairpin legs. A simplistic design that can easily be used as ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern End Tables
MaterialsMetal, Iron
- Paul McCobb for Directional Brass and Vitrolite “Cigarette” Table, 1954By Directional, Paul McCobbLocated in Round Rock, TXPlease note one table has sold. Offered is a rare design from Paul McCobb that doesn’t come to market often. Commonly referred to as the “cigarette” table, model no. 1094 from Dire...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern End Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Paul McCobb Cigarette Side Table for DirectionalBy Paul McCobbLocated in San Francisco, CAPaul McCobb design "Cigarette" side table for Directional, Model 1094. Sophisticated looking tripod brass frame with a vitrolite top, perfect for drinks etc. Iconic Mid-Century moder...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Paul McCobb Cigarette TablesBy Paul McCobb, DirectionalLocated in Brooklyn, NYPair of occasional tables, model no. 1094, designed by Paul McCobb for Directional. Graceful pedestal base is elevated on three angular legs. Round table top is fitted with the orig...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsBrass
$11,500 - Paul McCobb Brass and Mahogany "Cigarette" Table for Directional, 1950sBy Paul McCobbLocated in Coronado, CAPaul McCobb Model '1094' "Cigarette" table produced by Directional in the 1950s. These tables were produced in very small numbers for only a brief time. Solid brass tripod form with ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Side Table by Paul McCobb for CalvinBy Paul McCobbLocated in Oklahoma City, OKSmall travertine and brass side table or cocktail table designed by Paul McCobb for Calvin.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsTravertine, Brass
- Travertine and Brass Side Table by Paul McCobb for Directional, 1950sBy Directional, Paul McCobbLocated in Miami, FLA fine Mid-Century Modern brass and travertine limestone model 8732 end table designed by Paul McCobb for the Directional Collection, d...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsTravertine, Brass