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Paul Evans Furniture

American, 1931-1987

A designer and sculptor, Paul Evans was a wild card of late 20th century modernism. A leading light of the American Studio Furniture movement, Evans’s sideboards, credenzas, coffee tables and other work manifests a singular aesthetic sense, as well as a seemingly contradictory appreciation for both folk art forms and for new materials and technologies.

Evans’s primary material was metal, not wood, which was favored by his fellow studio designers, and Bucks County, Pennsylvania, neighbors George Nakashima and Phillip Lloyd Powell. He trained in metallurgy and studied at the Cranbrook Academy of Art, the famed crucible of modern design and art in suburban Detroit. For a time early in his career, Evans also worked at Sturbridge Village, a historical “living museum” in Massachusetts, where he gave demonstrations as a costumed silversmith.

Evans’s earliest work unites these influences. The pieces that made his reputation are known as “sculpted-front” cabinets: wood cases faced with box-like high-relief patinated steel mounts laid out in a grid pattern. Each mount contains a metal emblem, or glyph, and the effect is that of a brawny quilt.

Evans’s later work falls into three distinct style groups. His sculpted-bronze pieces, begun in the mid-1960s, show Evans at his most expressive. He employed a technique in which resin is hand-shaped, and later sprayed with a metal coating, allowing for artistic nuance in the making of chairs, tables and case pieces. Later in the decade and into the 1970s, Evans produced his Argente series for celebrated manufacturer Directional (​​a brand known to vintage mid-century modern furniture collectors everywhere): consoles and other furniture forms that feature aluminum and pigment-infused metal surfaces welded into abstract organic forms and patterns.

Last, Evans's Cityscape design series — a milestone in the history of brutalist design — meshed perfectly with the sleek, “high tech” sensibility of the later ’70s. Evans constructed boxy forms and faced them with irregular mosaic patterns that mixed rectangular plaques of chromed steel, bronze or burlwood veneer. These, like all of Paul Evans’s designs, are both useful and eye-catching. But their appeal has another, more visceral quality: these pieces have clearly been touched by an artist’s hand.

Find a collection of authentic Paul Evans furniture today on 1stDibs.

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Creator: Paul Evans
Original Paul Evans Brutalist PE-11 Cocktail Table
By Paul Evans
Located in North Miami, FL
Welded and patinated steel PE-11 Brutalist coffee table by Paul Evans Studio for Directional, 1966.
Category

1960s American Brutalist Vintage Paul Evans Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Iron

"Salt & Pepper Set" Paul Evans, Pewter, Danish, Mid-Century Modern
By Paul Evans
Located in Bloomfield Hills, MI
"Salt & Pepper Set" is an exquisite and rare 2-piece polished pewter set designed for Raymor in Denmark. Underside of each impressed with Pewter and Raymor ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Modern Paul Evans Furniture

Materials

Pewter

Paul Evans Brushed Aluminum and Polished Steel "Cityscape" Table Lamp, 1970's
By Paul Evans
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Large Paul Evans "Cityscape" Brushed Aluminum & Polished Steel Tower Table Lamp. Featuring a rectangular form with Brushed Aluminum and Polished Steel vertical panels. 21H to top of...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Paul Evans Furniture

Materials

Aluminum, Steel, Nickel

Paul Evans & Phillip Lloyd Powell, Very Rare, Walnut and Pewter Bottle
By Phillip Lloyd Powell, Paul Evans
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a very rare bottle. Only 5 were made because it was very difficult to make. This one was a gift to one of our clients.
Category

1960s American Modern Vintage Paul Evans Furniture

Materials

Pewter

Paul Evans Wall-Mounted "Cityscape" Console in Tessellated Chrome 1970s 'Signed'
By Paul Evans
Located in New York, NY
Wall-mounted console table, supporting brackets in tessellated chrome with glass top, by Paul Evans, Cityscape Series, for Directional Furniture, American 1970s (signed “Paul Evans”).
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Evans Furniture

Materials

Chrome

Paul Evans Cityscape Mirror in Chrome, Signed
By Paul Evans
Located in Dallas, TX
Tall mirror by Paul Evans. Cityscape chrome and signed. Can be used as wall or floor mirror.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul Evans Furniture

Materials

Chrome

Paul Evans Mid Century Deep Relief Cabinet Credenza
By Paul Evans
Located in Countryside, IL
Paul Evans Mid Century Deep Relief Cabinet Credenza This credenza measures: 96.75 wide x 20.5 deep x 32 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restored vint...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Evans Furniture

Materials

Wood

Paul Evans Table Lamp for Directional
By Paul Evans
Located in New York, NY
Paul Evans for Directional Table Lamp, Cityscape Series. Graphic patchwork of chrome and brass. The Cityscape series by Paul Evans for Directional is a result of the company seeking...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Evans Furniture

Materials

Brass, Chrome

Welded Polychromed and Patinated Steel "Skyline Dining" Table by Paul Evans
By Paul Evans
Located in Montreal, QC
Welded polychromed and patinated steel "skyline dining" table by Paul Evans. Welded signature and date to base ‘Paul Evans 73’. Dimensions of the base: H:29 W:40 D:18 in. USA c.1973 ...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Evans Furniture

Materials

Steel

Paul Evans PE-11 Sculptured Metal Cocktail Table for Directional Furniture
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in Stamford, CT
The Mid-Century Modern design movement is known for many firsts brought to us by a wave of influential designers. Their work sought out to simplify the cluttered aesthetic they inher...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Evans Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Steel

Paul Evans City Scape Shelves
By Paul Evans
Located in Toledo, OH
These beautiful brass and glass cityscape shelves by Paul Evans could be used as a floating shelf or a floating credenza. The brass bases are 14" x 14" and the glass is 60" long and ...
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Paul Evans Furniture

Materials

Brass

Paul Evans "Cityscape" Display Shelf in Chrome and Glass
By Paul Evans
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The "Cityscape" style of Paul Evans makes this elegant three-shelf unit a beautiful storage or display piece in any setting. Freestanding Mid-C...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Evans Furniture

Materials

Chrome

Beautiful Paul Evans Floor Lamp
By Paul Evans
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful Paul Evans floor lamp. Measures: 51" Height without harp or shade. Base: 12" x 12". Top: 7" x 7".
Category

1960s American Vintage Paul Evans Furniture

Materials

Metal

Low Table by Paul Evans for Paul Evans Studio, 1960s
By Paul Evans
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A welded, patinated, and polychromed steel and glass low coffee / cocktail table of Brutalist influence.
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Evans Furniture

Materials

Steel

Paul Evans Cityscape 6 Chairs
By Paul Evans
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Paul Evans for Directional. Set of 6 cityscape dining chairs. Brass with original dark tan leather suede upholstery. 1970's Mid-Century Modern All chairs are on castor...
Category

1970s American Vintage Paul Evans Furniture

Materials

Brass

Pair of Argente Side Cube Tables by Paul Evans
By Paul Evans
Located in Miami, FL
Paul Evans argente cube side table Model (PE-37). Welded aluminum construction with etched patterns on oxidized and painted panels. Inset slat...
Category

1960s American Brutalist Vintage Paul Evans Furniture

Materials

Slate, Aluminum

Mid Century Paul Evans Cityscape Floating Shelf or Console Table Chrome & Brass
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An incredible design, a cityscape wall shelf designed by Paul Evans in the 1970's. The set features Fine heavy construction with brass & chrome clad patchwork design. Includes two L ...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Evans Furniture

Materials

Brass, Chrome

Sculpted Steel Low Table
By Paul Evans
Located in New York, NY
Paul Evans (1931–1987) was a visionary American furniture designer, sculptor, and artist celebrated for his groundbreaking role in the American Craft Movement of the 1970s. Renowned ...
Category

1960s North American Brutalist Vintage Paul Evans Furniture

Materials

Steel

Pair of Monumental Sconces
By Paul Evans
Located in New York, NY
In a breathtaking display of avant-garde design, this unique pair of Paul Evans Studio Monumental Sconces, boast an unexpected scale, each measuring an impressive 48 inches wide—a de...
Category

1960s North American Vintage Paul Evans Furniture

Materials

Steel

Paul Evans, 72'' Wall-mounted Sculpted Bronze Disc Bar
By Paul Evans
Located in New York, NY
A dynamic hand-sculpted, wall-mounted cabinet, Paul Evans’ Disc Bar, is arguably one of Evans’ most iconic designs. The sculptural design is monume...
Category

1970s American Vintage Paul Evans Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Important Rare Paul Evans, Cylindrical Console, Wavy Front Credenza C. 1980's
By Paul Evans
Located in Culver City, CA
Calling all serious collectors and lovers of glam—this is not just a credenza; it’s a showstopper, a one-of-a-kind, super rare prototype straight from the genius mind of Paul Evans. Let’s get one thing clear: this piece isn’t just furniture; it’s a statement, a mood, a literal golden wave of fabulousness. Originally owned by the legendary Todd Merrill (yes, that Todd Merrill—master of modern design and author of Modern Americana), this baby was snapped up by a private collector before making its way to us. And let me tell you, it’s dripping in glam from top to bottom. This Cylindrical Console (measuring a jaw-dropping 96” long, 32” tall, and 26” deep) was a prototype floor model from Evans' final design studio in NYC—his post-Pennsylvania chapter, when he was at the height of his boundary-pushing creativity. This is 1980s excess at its absolute finest. Picture it: brass-plated steel shimmering like a pool of liquid gold, with a wavy, undulating front—three connected cylinders flowing together in a perfectly elegant squiggle. It’s not just a visual feast; it’s a party for your living room. Each cylinder pulls open (hello, semi-circles!) to reveal luxuriously upholstered tan suede shelves inside. That’s right—three shelves per cylinder, giving you all the storage you could dream of, but with a touch of decadence. Oh, and did we mention the wheels? Yes, each cylinder moves like a dream. There are also 3 laminated, moveable shelves on the inside so you can store as much as you'd like. The top? Clad in crisp white plexiglass for that extra hit of 80s glam. This credenza was the final visual iteration of Evans’ experimental genius. It’s more than a piece of furniture; it’s history, art, and design all rolled into one. And because it’s a prototype, you won’t find another like it anywhere. This is the Paul Evans piece for the collector who already has everything—except this. A little on Evans -- Paul Evans—an iconic American designer who’s often associated with the Studio Craft movement—wasn’t just creating furniture; he was crafting art. Known for his sculptural, metallic designs, Evans blurred the line between function and form with his unique metalworking techniques, often blending bronze, copper, and steel into futuristic, brutalist shapes. He was constantly innovating, and this Cylindrical Console is a perfect example of his creative genius. Evans worked alongside Philip Lloyd Powell and was just down the street from the legendary George Nakashima in New Hope, Pennsylvania. Both Evans and Powell created some of the most groundbreaking and collectible furniture of the 20th century. While Powell leaned into the organic, hand-carved wood aesthetic, Evans went full throttle with high-gloss metals, merging craftsmanship with avant-garde artistry. By the time this prototype was made in the 1980s, Evans had moved to New York City, leaving his Pennsylvania roots behind and embracing a new, highly reflective, glamorous aesthetic. His partnership with Directional Furniture solidified his place as a master of bold, modern design. His pieces, like this one, have become legendary in the world of design collecting—fetching top-tier prices for their rarity and unmistakable style. About Todd Merrill Todd Merrill, a tastemaker in his own right, has spent decades curating some of the finest examples of 20th-century American furniture and Studio Craft. He’s known for representing top-tier designers and artists, both contemporary and classic, in his New York gallery, Todd Merrill Studio. His influence extends into the world of rare and custom furniture, often showcasing unique, one-of-a-kind pieces much like this stunning Paul Evans prototype. Todd Merrill is a legend in our (antique dealers) industry. The man was writing Modern Americana while I was sitting in Comm Theory class in college. With this piece you’re not just buying a credenza—you’re investing in an unforgettable slice of design history. Glam, bold, and just oozing with charisma, this Paul Evans prototype is not just sexy—it’s the conversation piece that will have your guests swooning. This piece is currently in our gallery alongside a Gabriella Crespi coffee table...
Category

1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Evans Furniture

Materials

Brass, Steel

Paul Evans, Sculpted Steel Floor Lamp, USA
By Paul Evans
Located in New York, NY
A fantastic example of an early, commissioned sculptural steel lamp by Paul Evans, the L-shaped lamp’s square obelisk body is formed from rectili...
Category

1960s American Vintage Paul Evans Furniture

Materials

Steel

Sculpture by Paul Evans
By Paul Evans
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
Important sculpture by Paul Evans, in welded and color enameled steel, New Hope, USA, 1965. Letter of Authenticity from Dorsey Reading and Provenance available on request.
Category

1960s American Modern Vintage Paul Evans Furniture

Materials

Steel

Paul Evans furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Paul Evans furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Paul Evans furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Paul Evans 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 Widdicomb Furniture Co., Mastercraft, and Harvey Probber. Prices for Paul Evans furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $713 and can go as high as $220,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $11,832.

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