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.
Paul Evans for Directional Modern Parsons Upholstered Side Chairs or Dining Chai
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of Modern or Postmodern Parsons blue upholstered dining chairs By Paul Evans for Directional USA, Circa 1970s Measures: 19.5"W x 27"D x 40"H. Seat height: 20". Ve...
Upholstery, Wood
Paul Evans for Directional PE-105/106 MCM Bronze Stalagmite Chairs - Set of 6
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Paul Evans for Directional PE-105/106 Mid Century Bronze Stalagmite Chairs - Set of 6 Each armless chair measures: 21 wide x 23 deep x 32.5 high, with a seat height of 18 inches Eac...
Bronze
Paul Evans for Directional MCM Chrome Cantilever Dining Chairs – Set of 8
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Paul Evans for Directional Mid Century Chrome Cantilever Dining Chairs – Set of 8 Each chair measures: 19.75 wide x 23 deep x 33.5 inches high, with a seat height/chair clearance of...
Chrome
$12,600Sale Price / set|30% Off
Paul Evans for Directional Set of Eight Dining Chairs
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in Kansas City, MO
Set of eight dining chairs designed by Paul Evans and produced by Directional. Two armchairs and six side chairs, all expertly reupholstered a grey Maharam fabric. Great style and co...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Set 6 Paul Evans for Directional Chrome Cantilever Dining Chairs, 1960
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in Chicago, IL
6 Paul Evans for Directional Chrome Cantilever Dining Chairs, 1960. 2 captain chairs and 4 side chairs. Original upholstery in good vintage condition. We can also reupholster thes...
Chrome
Set of Eight Chrome Cityscape Dining Chairs by Paul Evans for Directional
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in Atlanta, GA
A nice set of eight cityscape dining chairs by Paul Evans for Directional, circa 1974. The set consists of two armchairs model PE-241 and six side chairs model PE-240. Chromed steel ...
Steel, Chrome
Paul Evans for Directional Modern Parsons Upholstered Dining Chairs, Set of Six
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous set of six Modern or Postmodern Parsons blue upholstered dining chairs By Paul Evans for Directional USA, Circa 1970s Measures: 19.5"W x 27"D x 40"H. Seat height: 20". ...
Upholstery, Wood
$2,684 / set
Set of 4 chairs by Paul Evans for directional
By Paul Evans
Located in Miami, FL
Paul Evans for Directional Collection 77 cantilevered chrome dining chairs
Chrome
Paul Evans for Directional Modern Parsons Dining Chairs, Set of Eight
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous set of eight Modern or Postmodern Parsons blue upholstered dining chairs By Paul Evans for Directional USA, Circa 1970s Measures: Side chairs - 19.5"W x 27"D x 40"H. S...
Upholstery, Wood
$29,500 / set
Paul Evans Set of Eight Cityscape Dining Chairs
By Paul Evans
Located in Chicago, IL
A complete set of eight inclusive of two armchairs. Almost all eight of these are signed with labels to underside. White leather shows wear but should be restorable to retain origina...
Upholstery
Vintage Boho Paul Evans Cityscape Chrome Dining Chairs - Set of 6
By Paul Evans
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This striking set of six dining chairs is a masterful celebration of 1970s Hollywood Regency glamour, specifically evoking the iconic "Cityscape" aesthetic of Paul Evans. Each chair ...
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
Paul Evans Cityscape Cubist Dining Chairs Mid-Century Modern Boucle Fabric 1970s
By Barbara Barry, Paul Evans
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Set of 4 Iconic Paul Evans PE240 Directional Cityscape Cubist Mid-Century Modern dining chairs. Back and seat cushions are soft and comfortable. Features sturdy wooden chair frame wi...
Metal
Set of 8 Mid-Century Paul Evans Burl Patchwork Dining Chairs
By Paul Evans
Located in Queens, NY
SET of 8 Mid-Century burl wood patchwork veneer dining chairs with brown leather upholstery, 2 armchairs and 6 side chairs (PAUL EVANS)
Wood
Set of Four Chrome Cityscape Dining Chairs by Paul Evans for Directional
By Paul Evans
Located in Dallas, TX
A nice set of four Cityscape dining chairs by Paul Evans for Directional, circa 1975. The set consists of four side chairs model PE-240. Chromed steel patchwork legs with original up...
Chrome
On Hold|$178,000 / set
H 31.5 in W 21 in D 22 in
Paul Evans Set of Twelve Brutalist Sculpted Bronze Dining Chairs, USA 1970
By Paul Evans
Located in Miami, FL
Paul Evans set of twelve brutalist sculpted bronze dining chairs, USA 1970 This extremely rare to find set is comprised of two armchairs (Model PE 105) and ten side chairs (Model PE ...
Metal, Bronze
$3,500Sale Price / set|22% Off
H 31 in W 23.25 in D 25 in
Set of Four Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin Cantilever Chrome Dining Chairs
By Thayer Coggin, Milo Baughman
Located in Peabody, MA
Set of four Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin cantilever arm chairs in bright polished flatbar chrome. Due to their generous size, these could serve equally well as dining chairs or a...
Chrome
$1,792Sale Price / set|28% Off
H 37.5 in W 24 in D 25 in
Linen Dining Chairs by Directional Furniture Co, Set of 6
By Directional
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and handle all the shipping details. However, if you let us know what 1st Dibs is quoting you and give us your zip code, we can sometimes ship it for less and get it to you faster. For a shipping quote, click on "ASK THE SELLER" under the purchase button and provide your zip code. Offering One Of Our Recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Furniture Acquisitions Of A 1991 Set of 6 Linen...
Linen
$940Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 39.5 in W 21 in D 20 in
4 Italian Modern Parsons Dark Oak Suede Side Accent Dining Chairs
Located in Dayton, OH
Four vintage modern Italian Parsons dining chairs featuring dark oak frame with suede upholstery. Made in Italy. Attributed to Arhaus. Dimensions: 20" x 21" d x 39.5" h; seat 19"
Suede, Oak
$2,600 / set
H 37 in W 20 in D 23 in
Set of 6 Modern Parson Dining Chairs for Directional, puffy off-white
By Directional
Located in Chicago, IL
Set of 6 Modern Parson Dining Chairs made by Directional. Off-white in color Fully upholstered 4 arm-less chairs and 2 with arms. Armchairs: 22"w x 23"d x 37"h Regular chairs: 20"w x 23"d x 37"h Vladimir Kagan designed a number of pieces for the furniture company Directional, although we couldn't find more information if he designed these or not. These could very well be a set of one-off chairs. Manufacturer labels attached to the bottom "Directional Custom...
Upholstery
Paul McCobb Dining Chairs for Directional Set of Six
By Directional, Paul McCobb
Located in Chicago, IL
Paul McCobb Dining Chairs for Directional Set of Six, Four model-1080 Armless and Two model-1082 Arm Chairs, Solid Mahogany wood with Bow-Tie Backs, upholstered seats. Table and Cabi...
Mahogany
$1,360Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 37.5 in W 20 in D 30 in
4 Modern Leopard Upholstered Nailhead Parsons Rolled Back Oak Side Dining Chairs
Located in Dayton, OH
Set of four vintage dining side chairs featuring Leopard fabric with rolled back, nailhead trim, and square tapered black painted legs. DIME...
Upholstery, Hardwood
$2,850 / set
H 41 in W 19 in D 25 in
Stylish Milo Baughman Style Parsons Upholstered Dining Chairs Mid-Century Modern
By Milo Baughman
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Stylish set of six Milo Baughman style parsons dining chairs. These do retain their original 1980s fabric in nice condition but is a bit dated.
Upholstery
Set of 6 cantilever dining chairs 1980s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Vintage cantilever dining chairs or armchairs designed by Mart Stam in the 1930s. These are produced in the 1980s and are not labelled The...
Metal
$6,495 / set
H 36 in W 23 in D 20 in
Paul McCobb for Directional Mid Century Walnut and Cane Dining Chairs, Set of 6
By Directional, Paul McCobb
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Paul McCobb for Directional Mid Century walnut and cane dining chairs - set of 6 Each armless chair measures: 16.5 wide x 16.5 deep x 34.5 high, with a seat height of 17.25 inches...
Cane, Walnut
Modern Upholstered Dining Side Chair
Located in Westwood, NJ
Modern upholstered dining side chair with solid beech and a dark Macadamia finish. With a scoop barrel back and tightly upholstered seat...
Wood
Directional Mid Century Dining Chairs - Set of 6
By Directional
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Directional Mid Century Dining Chairs - Set of 6 Each armless chair measures: 18 wide x 19.25 deep x 44.25 high, with a seat height of 18 inches Each captains chair measures: 22 wid...
Upholstery, Cane, Wood
Paul Evans Set of 8 Dining Chairs Brutalist in Bronze
By Paul Evans
Located in San Diego, CA
Paul Evans for Directional, dining chairs from the series PE-105/106, sculpted bronze, steel, fabric, United States, circa 1965 A stunning example of Paul Evans's designs for Direct...
Bronze
Paul Evans Rare Armchair in Sculpted Bronze
By Paul Evans
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Paul Evans, dining chair, epoxy bronzed resin over steel, fabric, United States, 1967 Designed by Paul Evans, this rare armchair is certainly a work of art in its own right. This de...
Steel
Sold
H 31.75 in W 26.5 in D 24.25 in
Paul Evans Set of Ten Sculpted Bronze Dining Chairs in Aubergine Upholstery
By Paul Evans
Located in Dallas, TX
Paul Evans for Directional, rare set of 10 dining chairs from the series PE-105/106, sculpted bronze, steel, fabric, United States, circa 1965, Stunning example of Paul Evans desig...
Bronze
Sold
H 36.5 in W 29 in D 25 in
Paul Evans Set of 6 Rare Sculpted Bronze Dining Chairs 1969 'Signed and Dated'
By Paul Evans
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Rare and impressive set of 6 sculpted bronze dining chairs in bronze resin with upholstered seats by Paul Evans, American 1969 (signed "PE 69" in resin). This design of dining chair ...
Bronze
Sold
H 34.25 in W 23 in D 26.25 in
Paul Evans Collection 77 Chrome Cantilevered Arm Chair for Directional
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in Miami, FL
Single Paul Evans chrome and ultra suede cantilevered office, dining or side chair with arms for Directional. Designed for the Collection 77 serie...
Chrome
Pair of Paul Evans for Directional Dining Chairs in Edelman Leather
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Completely restored with Edelman leather this incredible pair of Paul Evans for Directional dining chairs are exquisite. Condition: Excellent restored condition with new Edelman...
Steel, Chrome
Sold
H 30 in W 29 in D 25 in
Paul Evans Rare and Important Set of 6 Sculpted Bronze Dining Chairs 1960s
By Paul Evans
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Rare and important set of 6 Sculpted Bronze Dining Chairs with seats and back upholstered in white leather by Paul Evans Studio, American 1960’s. These stunning chairs represent the ...
Bronze
Sold
H 33 in W 25 in D 24 in
Paul Evans Directional 4 Rare Patchwork Chairs Patinated Brass Steel Leatherette
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A super rare set of four original condition and signed Paul Evans for Directional patchwork chairs on castors. Clad in patinated brass, atop welded and enameled steel bases, upholste...
Brass, Steel
Sold
H 34 in W 21.5 in D 26 in
Paul Evans Cityscape Cubist Dining Chairs Mid-Century Modern Boucle Fabric 1970s
By Barbara Barry, Paul Evans
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Pair of Iconic Paul Evans Directional Cityscape Cubist Mid-Century Modern PE241 dining arm chairs. Back and seat cushions are soft and comfortable. Features sturdy wooden chair frame...
Metal
Sold
H 34 in W 21.5 in D 26 in
Paul Evans Cityscape Cubist Dining Chairs Mid-Century Modern Boucle Fabric 1970s
By Barbara Barry, Paul Evans
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Set of 6 Iconic Paul Evans Directional Cityscape Cubist Mid-Century Modern dining chairs. Includes Two PE241 arm chairs, Four PE240 armless side chairs. Back and seat cushions are so...
Metal
Paul Evans, Set of Four Sculpted Bronze Chairs, USA
By Paul Evans
Located in New York, NY
Set of four sculpted bronze chairs by Paul Evans USA, c. 1970 (model PE-106.).
Bronze
Sold
H 36.5 in W 29 in D 25 in
Paul Evans Set of 6 Rare and Important Bronze Resin Dining Chairs 1969 'signed'
By Paul Evans
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Rare and important set of 6 sculptural dining chairs in bronzed resin with upholstered seats by Paul Evans, American 1969 (signed "PE 69" in resin). This model of dining chair is ver...
Bronze