Fiberglass Origami Chair by Paul McCobb
By Paul McCobb
Located in Atlanta, GA
A rare design by Paul McCobb (American, 1917-1969) for St. John, circa 1950s, this all original
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Metal
Fiberglass Origami Chair by Paul McCobb
By Paul McCobb
Located in Atlanta, GA
A rare design by Paul McCobb (American, 1917-1969) for St. John, circa 1950s, this all original
Metal
$999 / item
H 32 in W 21 in D 23 in
Original Midcentury white Paul McCobb Origami Fiberglass Chair spider base
By Paul McCobb
Located in Brooklyn, NY
original mid century off white Paul McCobb origami fiberglass shell has steel spider bases. Can be
Steel
Rare White Paul McCobb Origami Chair on Spider Base
By Paul McCobb
Located in Brooklyn, NY
1960s vintage white molded fiberglass Origami shell chair designed by Paul McCobb on very scarce
Fiberglass
$4,995 / set
H 37.5 in W 32.5 in D 28 in
Mid 20th MCM Mr. Chair Lounge Chair & Ottoman by George Mulhauser for Plycraft
By George Mulhauser, Plycraft
Located in Topeka, KS
Directional Industries. He participated in the design development of Paul McCobb’s faceted fiberglass chair
Metal
Unavailable
H 32.5 in W 21 in D 21 in
Origami Side Chair on Swiveling Pedestal Base by Paul McCobb for St John
By Paul McCobb
Located in Dorchester, MA
Designed in 1959 as the Faceted form chair, Paul McCobb’s fiberglass seating has become known as
Metal
Unavailable
H 32.25 in W 21 in D 21 in
Fiberglass Origami Chair on Spider Base by Paul McCobb for St. John
Located in Dorchester, MA
Designed in 1959 as the faceted form chair, Paul McCobb’s fiberglass seating has become known as
Metal
Large Mid-Century Modern Ceramic Table Lamp with Original Shade
By Marshall Studios, Bitossi, Paul McCobb, Gordon & Jane Martz, Design Technics
Located in Framingham, MA
Lovely Large Incised Sgraffito Ceramic Mid-Century Modern table lamp with the original Fiberglass
Ceramic, Leather, Pottery, Fiberglass
Paul McCobb Fiberglass chair
Located in North Miami, FL
A midcentury fiberglass chair by Paul McCobb. Beautiful accent chair.
Steel
Paul McCobb Fiberglass Origami Chairs, Pair
By Paul McCobb
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare pair of Mid-Century Modern molded fiberglass "origami" chairs By Paul McCobb for St. John
Steel
Sold
H 33.5 in W 24 in D 23.5 in
Iconic and Rare Origami Fiberglass Chair with Spider Leg Base by Paul McCobb
By Paul McCobb
Located in Bernville, PA
Rarely seen and spectacular example of a 1960’s Vintage Paul McCobb fiberglass arm chair with
Steel
A Paul McCobb Faceted Origami Chair on Spider Base, circa 1960
By Paul McCobb
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed in 1959 as the faceted form chair, Paul McCobb’s fiberglass seating has become known as
Metal
Paul McCobb Mid-Century Modern Fiberglass Origami Chair, 1950s
By Paul McCobb
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare Mid-Century Modern molded fiberglass "origami" chair By Paul McCobb for St. John Seating
Steel
Sold
H 32 in W 21 in D 23 in
Original Mid century orange Paul McCobb Origami Fiberglass Chair spider base
By Paul McCobb
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Original mid century orange Paul McCobb origami fiberglass shell has steel spider bases. Can be
Steel
Sold
H 32 in W 21 in D 23 in
4 Original Midcentury white Paul McCobb Origami Fiberglass Chairs spider base
By Paul McCobb
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Set of (4) original mid century off white Paul McCobb origami fiberglass shells has steel spider
Steel
Sold
H 32 in W 21 in D 23 in
Original Midcentury Orange Paul McCobb Origami Fiberglass Chairs Set of 4 Rare
By Paul McCobb
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Set of four original midcentury orange Paul McCobb origami fiberglass with reinforced plastic has
Steel
Sold
H 32 in W 21 in D 22 in
Paul McCobb Mid-Century Modern Fiberglass Origami Chair on Spider Base, 1950s
By Paul McCobb
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Mid-Century Modern molded fiberglass "origami" chair on rare spider base By Paul
Steel
Sold
H 32.68 in W 21.26 in D 22.84 in
Pair of White Paul McCobb Origami Fiberglass Side Chairs on Rare Base, USA 1950s
By Paul McCobb
Located in Berlin, DE
Extremely rare versions of the Paul McCobb Origami chair for St. John Seating. The fiberglass seat
Metal
Sold
H 32.5 in W 21 in D 22.5 in
Paul McCobb Faceted Form Origami Yellow Fiberglass Dining Chairs, S/6 by St John
By Paul McCobb
Located in Grand Rapids, MI
USA, 1960s A matched set of six Paul McCobb faceted form or 'Origami' dining chairs in lemon
Metal
Paul McCobb Origami Armchair on Spider Base
By Paul McCobb
Located in Dronten, NL
1960s vintage white molded fiberglass Origami arm shell chair designed by Paul McCobb on a very
Steel
Paul McCobb faceted form chairs with spider bases
By Paul McCobb
Located in Highland, IN
McCobb's fiberglass chairs features angular lines that earned them the nickname "Origami" chairs
Iron
Sold
H 32 in W 21 in D 20 in
Mid-Century Modern Pair of Molded Fiberglass Origami Side Chairs by Paul McCobb
By Paul McCobb, St. John
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
reminiscent of Japanese origami, designed by Paul McCobb for St. John, circa the 1950s. In excellent condition
Fiberglass
Paul McCobb Light Blue Origami Side Chair, USA, 1950s
By Paul McCobb
Located in Berlin, DE
A 1950s light blue Paul McCobb Origami chair for St. John Seating. The fiberglass seat is molded at
Metal
Paul McCobb Origami Ivori Desk Patio Chair Model 61
By Paul McCobb
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful elegant classic origami chair lightly used great color and condition, designed by Paul
Metal
Sold
H 33 in W 24 in D 18 in
Midcentury Small Cabinet by Paul McCobb circa 1950 Planner Group #1512 Blonde
By Paul McCobb
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Beautiful midcentury small cabinet by Paul McCobb circa 1950 planner group #1512 has 1 shelve
Iron
Sold
H 32.29 in W 21.26 in D 22.84 in
Paul McCobb Yellow Origami Side Chair on Rare Solid Base, USA, 1950s
By Paul McCobb, St. John
Located in Berlin, DE
A 1950s yellow Paul McCobb Origami chair for St. John seating. The fiberglass seat is molded at
Iron
Paul McCobb Mid-Century Modern Fiberglass Origami Chair, 1950s
By Paul McCobb
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare Mid-Century Modern molded fiberglass "origami" chair By Paul McCobb for St. John Seating
Steel
Vintage Paul McCobb set of Four Fiberglass Origami Gray Chairs
By Paul McCobb
Located in New York, NY
. Designed by Paul McCobb for St John Seating Corporation, USA.. McCobb designed these molded seats at angles
Metal
Sold
H 32.5 in W 21 in D 23 in
Vintage Midcentury 1960s Paul McCobb Blue Fiberglass Origami Space Age Chair
By Paul McCobb
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Wonderful and rare in blue, the McCobb version of the midcentury molded chair.
Fiberglass
Sold
H 32 in W 21 in D 23 in
Four Paul McCobb Cream Fiberglass & Steel Origami Space Age Chairs St. John N.Y
By Paul McCobb
Located in Toledo, OH
Four cream Paul Mc Cobb Fiberglass with reinforced plastic and brushed steel Origami Space Age
Fiberglass
Sold
H 33 in W 24 in D 18 in
Midcentury Small Cabinet by Paul McCobb circa 1950 Planner Group #1512 Black
By Paul McCobb
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Beautiful midcentury small cabinet by Paul McCobb circa 1950 planner group #1512 has 1 shelve
Iron
Paul McCobb Fiberglass Chairs
Located in San Francisco, CA
Faceted chairs in fiberglass designed by Paul McCobb for St John Seating Corporation. Wonderful
Chrome
1950s Paul McCobb Fiberglass Origami Chair
By Paul McCobb
Located in New York, NY
fiberglass (see photo).
Metal
Set of Four Paul McCobb Fiberglass Chairs
Located in Treasure Island, CA
Bold Set of Three Side Chairs and One Armchair
Metal
Paul McCobb Origami Chair on a Spider Base
By Paul McCobb
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Rare 1960s original molded fiberglass Origami chair on a spider base by Paul McCobb.
Fiberglass
Origami Chair by Paul McCobb
By St. John, Paul McCobb
Located in 성동구, KR
A 1950s Paul McCobb Origami chair for St. John. The fiberglass seat is molded at angles
Steel
Pair of Fiberglass Chairs by Paul McCobb
Located in Dorchester, MA
Pair of geometric grey fiberglass armchairs by Paul McCobb with metal base.
Steel
Rare Paul Mccobb Origami Armchair in salmon
Located in Maastricht, NL
A rare 1950s 'Origami' arm chair in fiberglass on a metal base, by Paul McCobb for St. John Seating
Metal
Rare White Paul McCobb Origami Chair on Spider Base
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A rare white molded fiberglass Origami shell chair designed by Paul McCobb on a spider base, circa
Chrome
Paul McCobb Fiberglass Chair
By Paul McCobb
Located in St. Louis, MO
Nice iconic fiberglass Paul McCobb chair in grey.
1950s Paul McCobb Fiberglass Origami Chairs
By Paul McCobb
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A rare design by Paul McCobb (American, 1917-1969) for St. John, circa 1950s, this all original
Pair of Fiberglass Chairs by Paul McCobb
By Paul McCobb
Located in Dorchester, MA
Pair of geometric cream fiberglass armchairs by Paul McCobb with metal base.
Steel
Modern Counter Stools in Walnut, Cicely Collection
By Bertu Furniture
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
These walnut counter height cicely stools are beautifully constructed from solid walnut in Ohio, USA. This stool was style-spotted at the Spring 2022 High Point Market. These stools ...
Walnut
$934 / item
H 11.03 in W 5.91 in D 33.86 in
Pair of Articulated Sconce Mid-Century Modern Solid Brass Black and White
By Stilnovo, Arredoluce, Gino Sarfatti
Located in Tavarnelle val di Pesa, Florence
This exquisite sconce is a nod to the timeless pieces crafted by mid-century modern Italian studios Arteluce and Stilnovo in the 1950s, but with a unique and distinctive design that ...
Metal, Aluminum, Brass
Picasso Marble Cone Side Table
By Kiwano Concept
Located in Eindhoven, NB
Introduce monumental elegance and a grounded detail to your interior with the stunning Picasso marble CONE side table. The sculptural geometric shape of this contemporary design piec...
Marble
Pair of 70s Style Italian Bamboo and Brass Table Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Monumental size Bamboo lamps. Crafted in Italy and made to order, these lamps are modern and chic. Production lead time 2-4 weeks. Base diameter 8 inches, hat diameter 20 inches, he...
Brass
Paolo Buffa, Walnut Mid-Century Daybed, Italy 1940s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Argelato, BO
Paolo Buffa (1903-1970) Rare and very elegant wooden daybed Varnished walnut and fabric Model created circa 1940 H 58 × L 205 × W 95 cm Paolo Buffa was an Italian furniture des...
Velvet, Walnut
$1,155Sale Price / item|30% Off
H 16.1 in Dm 11.5 in
'Plissé White Edition' Pleated Textile Table Lamp by Folkform for Örsjö
By Örsjö Industri AB
Located in Glendale, CA
'Plissé White Edition' pleated textile table lamp by Folkform for Örsjö. This unique table lamp was awarded “Lighting of the Year 2022” by Residence Magazine Sweden, who called it “...
Textile
$2,475 / item
H 11.8 in W 11.8 in D 7.5 in
Tulip Organic Modern Contemporary Wall Sconce, Wall Light in White Plaster
By Hannah Woodhouse
Located in London, GB
Handmade Tulip organic modern wall light/ wall sconce, in silky smooth white plaster, created by artist Hannah Woodhouse in her London studio. Contemporary organic modern design insp...
Plaster
Sculptural Curved Display or Side Table in Cerused Oak
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Large side or coffee table, cerused oak, Europe, 1960s This eccentric large display table or coffee table is made in a precise manner, implementing geometrical shapes and straight l...
Oak
$5,452 / item
H 42.01 in W 25.99 in D 1.19 in
Mid century style Ceiling Suspended Mirror with Bronze Patina Frame, Vintage N.4
By Alguacil & Perkoff Ltd.
Located in London, London
Mid-century style Vintage Four ceiling suspended mirror with a high quality pure brass full frame with a bronze patina finish inspired by the celebrated work of Italian designer Gio ...
Brass, Bronze
$2,200Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 17.72 in Dm 14.97 in
Soda Blown Murano Glass High Coffee Table in Amber by Yiannis Ghikas
By Miniforms, Yiannis Ghikas
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Soda was born upside-down, with a puff of air. It weighs 20 kilos, and it is blown, drawn out and shaped by three master glassmakers. The result is a single volume of glass with thre...
Blown Glass
$1,735Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 72.84 in W 7.88 in D 11.82 in
Midcentury Italian Style Brass and Black Lacquered Counterweight Floor Lamp
By Stilnovo
Located in Berlin, DE
This beautiful floor lamp from Italy in the style of Stilnovo is in excellent condition and shows great patina. The angle of the base can be adjusted and the lamp shades can be tu...
Brass, Metal
$1,533Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 27.56 in Dm 25.6 in
Classic Chandelier, 5 Arms Green Murano Glass Simplicissimus by Multiforme
By Multiforme
Located in Trebaseleghe, IT
Classic chandelier, 5 arms green Murano glass Simplicissimus by Multiforme This collection in Murano glass is characterized by superb simplicity. It is the result of a research which...
Blown Glass
Danish Lounge Chair in Teak
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Lounge chair, fabric, teak, Denmark, 1960s Sculptural egg-shaped lounge chair made in Denmark in the 1960s. This wingback chair is a wonderful example of Scandinavian design, featur...
Fabric, Teak
Forsyth Mushroom Pouf Ottoman in Zebra
Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO
This Forsyth mushroom pouf ottoman was created and designed by the Forsyth design team. Each ottoman is handcrafted in Saint Louis. A cute decorative piece for any room adding textur...
Zebra Hide
1950s Swedish Velvet Samspel Sofa by Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten
Located in London, England
Carl Malmsten 'Samspel' Sofa, circa 1950s First designed in 1956 and produced by AB Record in Bollnas, Sweden, the 'Samspel' sofa is one of the finest pieces to be drawn by Sweden...
Wool, Cotton, Beech
$3,000 / item
H 38.5 in W 18.75 in D 21 in
Craftassociates Counter Stools, Cane Counter Height Stools, Walnut and Leather
By Craft Associates
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Craftassociates counter stools, cane counter height stools, walnut and leather, Craftassociates counter stools, cane counter height stools, walnut and leather "Modernism, rebellin...
Walnut, Cane
Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.
ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS
VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS
The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.
Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair, respectively.
Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer.
Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.
The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by celebrated manufacturer Knoll, a chief influencer in the rise of modern design in the United States, thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.
As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture designers caught the spirit.
Classically oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb, who designed holistic groups of sleek, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.
Generations turn over, and mid-century modern remains arguably the most popular style going. As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.
With entire areas of our homes reserved for “sitting rooms,” the value of quality antique and vintage seating cannot be overstated.
Fortunately, the design of side chairs, armchairs and other lounge furniture — since what were, quite literally, the early perches of our ancestors — has evolved considerably.
Among the earliest standard seating furniture were stools. Egyptian stools, for example, designed for one person with no seat back, were x-shaped and typically folded to be tucked away. These rudimentary chairs informed the design of Greek and Roman stools, all of which were a long way from Sori Yanagi's Butterfly stool or Alvar Aalto's Stool 60. In the 18th century and earlier, seats with backs and armrests were largely reserved for high nobility.
The seating of today is more inclusive but the style and placement of chairs can still make a statement. Antique desk chairs and armchairs designed in the style of Louis XV, which eventually included painted furniture and were often made of rare woods, feature prominently curved legs as well as Chinese themes and varied ornaments. Much like the thrones of fairy tales and the regency, elegant lounges crafted in the Louis XV style convey wealth and prestige. In the kitchen, the dining chair placed at the head of the table is typically reserved for the head of the household or a revered guest.
Of course, with luxurious vintage or antique furnishings, every chair can seem like the best seat in the house. Whether your preference is stretching out on a plush sofa, such as the Serpentine, designed by Vladimir Kagan, or cozying up in a vintage wingback chair, there is likely to be a comfy classic or contemporary gem for you on 1stDibs.
With respect to the latest obsessions in design, cane seating has been cropping up everywhere, from sleek armchairs to lounge chairs, while bouclé fabric, a staple of modern furniture design, can be seen in mid-century modern, Scandinavian modern and Hollywood Regency furniture styles.
Admirers of the sophisticated craftsmanship and dark woods frequently associated with mid-century modern seating can find timeless furnishings in our expansive collection of lounge chairs, dining chairs and other items — whether they’re vintage editions or alluring official reproductions of iconic designs from the likes of Hans Wegner or from Charles and Ray Eames. Shop our inventory of Egg chairs, designed in 1958 by Arne Jacobsen, the Florence Knoll lounge chair and more.
No matter your style, the collection of unique chairs, sofas and other seating on 1stDibs is surely worthy of a standing ovation.