Calvin Seating
American
The Grand Rapids, Michigan-based company Calvin Furniture opened its doors in 1953 and became a sought-after contract manufacturer for the day’s top furniture designers and brands. Its appealing mid-century modern and Hollywood Regency offerings — nightstands, dressers and more — graced the showrooms of department stores all over North America during the 1950s and 1960s.
Calvin’s relationship with the work of Massachusetts-born designer Paul McCobb is well known to enthusiasts of mid-century modern furniture. McCobb, whose unadorned and efficient storage pieces, seating and desks drew on Shaker simplicity and Bauhaus minimalism, wasn’t exactly a designer for Calvin — in partnership with New York furniture salesman B.G. Mesberg, McCobb set up the Directional Furniture Company in Manhattan in 1949, and Calvin was one of the manufacturers contracted to produce the furniture he designed for Directional (and later, for pieces designed under his own name).
Among McCobb’s most acclaimed lines made by Calvin Furniture were the Calvin Group and the Irwin Collection. The travertine-topped sideboards and mahogany nightstands of those lines as well as the other Calvin-produced dressers, bookcases and chests of drawers designed by McCobb were elegant and spare, free of unnecessary embellishments.
Calvin also manufactured the very popular American Design Foundation line of furniture that Kipp Stewart and Stewart MacDougall designed. The Pennsylvania-born, California-raised MacDougall enjoyed a postwar collaboration with West Coast native Stewart that resulted in great success with manufacturers such as Glenn of California and Drexel Furniture. The duo’s celebrated Declaration line for the latter featured streamlined credenzas, dressers and more made in walnut with comely porcelain hardware. The dining chairs, tables and coffee tables manufactured by Calvin flaunt the pair’s signature clean lines, gentle curves and organic shapes.
In the late 1950s and early ‘60s, Calvin Furniture continued its business relationship with B.G. Mesberg National Sales and Directional Furniture. Calvin finally closed their doors during the early 1970s, but their legacy can be found in enduring pieces of modern furniture that remain popular today.
On 1stDibs, find a selection of vintage Calvin Furniture tables, credenzas, chairs and more.
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Creator: Calvin
Paul McCobb for Calvin Mahogany and Cane Dining Chairs - Set of 6
By Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobb
Located in Countryside, IL
Paul McCobb for Calvin Mahogany and Cane Dining Chairs - Set of 6
Each chair measures: 16.5 wide x 20.75 deep x 34.25 inches high, with a seat height/chair clearance of 17.5 inches
...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Calvin Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Cane, Mahogany
Set of 8 Kipp Stewart Dining Chairs - Refinished & Reupholstered in Your Fabric
By Calvin Furniture, Kipp Stewart
Located in Atlanta, GA
Set of Eight Curvaceous Dining Chairs, designed by Kipp Stewart for Calvin, American, circa 1960s. These chairs are currently being refinished ...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Calvin Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
Pair of Paul McCobb Midcentury Side Chairs with Walnut Frames and Bouclé Seats
By Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobb
Located in Saint Louis, MO
An inspiring pair of fully restored Paul McCobb walnut side chairs with new seat upholstery finished in softly textured ivory white bouclé. Paul McCobb is known for his talented deli...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Calvin Seating
Materials
Bouclé, Upholstery, Walnut
Paul McCobb Dining Chairs, Set of Six, Fully Restored
By Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobb
Located in Norwalk, CT
Classic dining chairs designed by Paul McCobb for Calvin Furniture, in the 1950s. This set has been comprehensively restored. The walnut frames have been refinished in a warm brown stain, satin lacquer finish. All new upholstery in luxurious wool boucle. The set features five side chairs and one arm chair...
Category
1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Calvin Seating
Materials
Walnut
Stunning Pair Kipp Stewart Dining Armchairs Jack Lenor Larsen, Calvin Furniture
By Calvin Furniture, Kipp Stewart
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Stunning pair of Jack Lenor Larsen dining chairs, designed by Kipp Stewart for Calvin, American, circa 1960s. The original Larsen fabric is amazing, vibrant, and in relatively good c...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Calvin Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Paul McCobb for Directional Irwin Collection Mahogany and Woven Leather Armchair
By Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobb, Directional
Located in South Bend, IN
A sleek and stylish Mid-Century Modern club chair or dining armchair
By Paul McCobb for Directional and produced by Calvin Furniture, "Irwin Collection"
USA, 1950s
Elegant s...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Calvin Seating
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Paul McCobb Mid-Century Modern Sculpted Walnut Armchairs, Newly Restored
By Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobb
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional pair of Mid-Century Modern armchairs or club chairs
By Paul McCobb for Calvin Furniture
USA, 1950s
Elegant sculpted walnut frames, with upholstered seats.
...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Calvin Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
Paul McCobb for Calvin Mid Century Dining Chairs, Set of 4
By Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobb
Located in Countryside, IL
Paul McCobb for Calvin mid century dining chairs - Set of 4
Each chair measures: 17.5 wide x 18 deep x 35 inches high, with a seat height of 18 inches
All pieces of furniture c...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Calvin Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Paul McCobb for Directional Black Lacquered Bow Tie Dining Chairs, Set of Twelve
By Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobb, Directional
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional set of twelve Mid-Century Modern bow tie dining chairs.
By Paul McCobb for Directional and produced by Calvin Furniture.
USA...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Calvin Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut, Lacquer
Paul McCobb for Calvin Mid-Century Brass X Base Stool Ottoman
By Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobb
Located in Countryside, IL
Paul McCobb for Calvin mid century brass x base stool ottoman.
Stool measures: 20 wide x 20 deep x 15.5 inches high.
All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restored...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Calvin Seating
Materials
Brass
Expertly Restored - Paul McCobb “Irwin Collection” Cognac Leather Bench
By Paul McCobb, Calvin Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Paul McCobb "Irwin Collection" Cognac leather with brass accents.
________________________________________
Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing his...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Calvin Seating
Materials
Brass
Paul McCobb Brass X-Form Leather Bench
By Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobb
Located in Hanover, MA
Solid brass square bar x-form bench seat by Paul McCobb for Calvin Furniture with black leatherette upholstered seat with raised sides and inset brass trimmed handles. 26" H X 28 1/2...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Calvin Seating
Materials
Brass
Paul McCobb for Calvin Mid Century Bowtie Walnut Dining Chairs, Set of 4
By Paul McCobb, Calvin Furniture
Located in Countryside, IL
Paul McCobb for Calvin mid century bowtie walnut dining chairs - Set of 4
Each chair measures: 18.5 wide x 19 deep x 34 high, with a seat height of...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Calvin Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
Pair Vintage Modern Paul McCobb Dining Chairs
By Paul McCobb, Calvin Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stylish pair of Paul McCobb dining chairs feature's sculpted walnut frames with contoured seat backs and tapered legs. Rich original finish is the perfect compliment to Mid-Cent...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Calvin Seating
Materials
Walnut
Mid-Century Paul McCobb Calvin Group Dining Set
By Paul McCobb, Calvin Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This vintage dining set features the unique Mid-Century design of Paul McCobb produced for the Calvin group. Stylish aluminum trim contrasts with the rich walnut finish of this expan...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Calvin Seating
Materials
Fabric, Walnut
Paul McCobb Irwin Collection Sculpted Mahogany and Cane Dining Chairs, Set of 6
By Paul McCobb, Directional, Calvin Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
A stunning set of six Mid-Century Modern dining chairs.
By Paul McCobb for Directional and produced by Calvin Furniture, "Irwin Collection"
USA, 1950s
Elegant sculpted solid...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Calvin Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Cane, Mahogany
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Previously Available Items
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Calvin seating for sale on 1stDibs.
Calvin seating 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 Calvin seating, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original seating by Calvin were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider seating by Allan Gould, Brown Saltman, and Monteverdi-Young. Prices for Calvin seating can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,365 and can go as high as $14,995, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $3,898.
Creators Similar to Calvin
Questions About Calvin Seating
- Why is Calvin Klein so popular?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 21, 2024Calvin Klein is popular for a few reasons. Known for his minimalist, comfortable womenswear as well as a range of sexually provocative ad campaigns that continue to generate conversation decades later, Klein led the designer jeans craze of the late 1970s. The brand’s skirts, jackets, day dresses and shirts, sold at modest prices and frequently created in soft fabrics and understated neutral hues, are still versatile components of everyday wear. Controversial marketing helped broaden the label’s reach, too. During the 1980s, Klein’s jeans were promoted in scandalous ads featuring Brooke Shields and others that were banned by television stations and challenged by politicians. More eye-catching ad campaigns with up-and-coming models and celebrities like Kate Moss and Mark Wahlberg followed in the ‘90s, also bringing fresh attention to the brand. On 1stDibs, shop a range of Calvin Klein apparel and accessories.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 25, 2024Yes, Calvin Klein is considered designer. Generally, a designer brand is any that features pieces produced by a particular fashion designer. Calvin Klein fits the definition, having been founded by designer Calvin Klein in 1968. Following Klein's retirement in 2004, other designers, such as Eric Sedeño and Jessica Lomax, have served as creative directors for Calvin Klein. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of Calvin Klein apparel and accessories.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022The Calvin Klein brand is known for their sensual ads featuring well-known celebrities as well as for producing simple, understated fashions. Among the brand's most popular offerings are fragrances, men's underwear and jeans for men, women and children. Find a range of Calvin Klein apparel and accessories on 1stDibs.
- Is Calvin Klein a good brand?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 13, 2024Yes, Calvin Klein is a good brand. Known for minimalist, comfortable womenswear as well as sexually provocative ad campaigns that continue to generate conversation decades later, Klein led the designer jeans craze of the late 1970s. The brand’s skirts, jackets, day dresses and shirts, sold at modest prices and frequently created in soft fabrics and understated neutral hues, are versatile components of everyday wear. Shop a range of Calvin Klein apparel and accessories on 1stDibs.