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 Cityscape Cubist Dining Chairs Mid-Century Modern Boucle Fabric 1970s
By Paul Evans, Barbara Barry
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
$3,434 / set
H 35.83 in W 18.9 in D 17.72 in
Mid-Century Modern Italian Set of 5 Bamboo Dining Chairs. 1970s
Located in Prato, IT
Mid-Century Modern Italian set of 5 bamboo and rattan dining chairs with original fabric. The set can come a set of 6 pieces due to an extra chair that do...
Fabric, Bamboo, Rattan
$326Sale Price|20% Off
H 29.53 in W 18.51 in D 21.66 in
Flow Dining Chairs by Welzel, Mid-Century Modern, Austria, 1970s
Located in Ljubljana, SI
Flow dining chairs 1970s Labeled producer Welzel. Beautiful vintage chairs with great design. Cozy chairs in every aspect.
Fabric, Foam, Hardwood
$12,600Sale Price / set|30% Off
H 37 in W 20.5 in D 37 in
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
$4,263 / set
H 38.59 in W 20.08 in D 22.84 in
Henning Kjærnulf Dining Chairs, Oak & Wool, Scandinavian, 1970s
By Henning Kjærnulf
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Set of dining chair by Henning Kjærnulf, made of oak and original upholstery Refreshing design with bold Baroque coming together nicely with Mid-Century Modernism. Model: Razorblad...
Oak, Wool
$4,027 / set
H 28.94 in W 25.99 in D 27.17 in
Giancarlo Piretti Two Mid-Century Modern Alky Lounge Chairs in Bouclé, 1970s
By Artifort, Giancarlo Piretti
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Magnificent pair of Mid-Century Modern Alky lounge chairs. Design by Giancarlo Piretti for Artifort or Castelli. Striking Italian design from the 1970s. Original aluminum frame and r...
Aluminum, Chrome
$1,840 / set
H 30 in W 23 in D 23 in
Outstanding Pair Milo Baughman Chrome Dining/ Lounge Chairs, Mid-Century Modern
By Milo Baughman
Located in Buffalo, NY
Outstanding pair Milo Baughman chrome dining/ lounge chairs, Mid-Century Modern, classic, elegant lines. Retains original blue/grey velvet upholstery. Extremely comfortable. Hand del...
Chrome
$850 / item
H 31.5 in W 19.69 in D 21.26 in
Mid-Century Modern Dining Chairs in New Bouclé Fabric by Spahn, Germany 1950s
Located in Almelo, NL
Mid-Century Modern Dining Chairs in New Bouclé Fabric by Spahn, Germany 1950s Mid-Century Modern dining chairs by Spahn, Germany 1950s. Newly reupholstered in a of white bouclé fabr...
Bouclé, Beech
Pair, Club Chairs Mid-Century Modern Bambo Bouclé Fabric
By Paul Frankl
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of Rattan Lounge Chairs with Bouclé Fabric Upholstery. Mid-Century Modern Boho Chic scrolled caned bamboo and split reed in a sculptural stunning lounge form. Handmade Coastal ...
Rattan, Bouclé
$4,145
H 17.72 in W 24.81 in D 17.33 in
Paul Evans Cityscape chrome plated Ottoman/Stool, Dedar fabric, 1970s
By Paul Evans
Located in amstelveen, NL
Striking signed Paul Evans upholstered ottoman or low bench executed in the United States circa 1970s. The piece features a sculptural polished chrome-plated base with angular arch...
Chrome
$2,395 / set
H 33.5 in W 19.75 in D 23 in
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
$21,950 / set
H 34 in W 21.75 in D 18 in
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
$1,516Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 30.71 in W 19.69 in D 18.12 in
1970s Ludvík Volák Four Bentwood Dining Chairs in Boucle Fabric, Czechoslovakia
By Drevopodnik Holesav, Ludvik Volak
Located in Praha, CZ
- Made by Drevopodnik Holešov - carefully refurbished - newly upholstered in bouclé fabric cream white.
Bouclé, Wood
Sold
H 29 in W 24 in D 31 in
Paul Evans Chrome and Suede Cityscape Lounge Chairs for Directional, 1970
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in Chicago, IL
A rare pair of Paul Evans Cityscape Patchwork Lounge Chairs, 1970. Upholstery is blue suede all original. Patchwork is constructed of steel plate frames with contrast of polished chr...
Steel, Chrome
Sold
H 29 in W 39.5 in D 31 in
Paul Evans Rare and Exceptional Pair of Patchwork Cube Lounge Chairs, 1970s
By Paul Evans
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Pair of rare swiveling patchwork cube lounge chairs in hand-welded bronze copper and steel on ebonized wood bases by Paul Evans Studio for Directional, 1970's. These chairs are works...
Bronze, Copper, Steel
Paul Evans Illuminated Hexagonal Chrome Club Chairs, a Pair
By Paul Evans
Located in Culver City, CA
These chairs are absolutely stunning-- and definitely rare. With only 2 other documented examples we could find online, these are definitely one of Paul Evans' rarer designs. Completely clad in a herringbone brushed chrome, these hexagonal club chairs can be pushed up against each other to form a tete-a-tete or simply placed next to each other as bold statement pieces. These hexagonal club chairs are upholstered in its original silver crushed velvet, with the upholstery in remarkably good condition with very minimal wear. The bottoms of the chairs have a recessed plinth base and directly above the recessed base are lights the illuminate the entire base of the chairs-- giving the chairs a heavenly halo effect on the bottom. The chairs do indeed plug into the wall and have a switch to turn the lights on and off. These chairs are wonderful examples of Paul Evans work and would look incredible in any mid century modern, contemporary or eclectic home or office. These are definitely collectors pieces. We currently have these chairs in our gallery paired with a Karl Springer credenza...
Chrome
Sold
H 34 in W 21.5 in D 26 in
Paul Evans Cityscape Cubist Dining Chairs Mid-Century Modern Boucle Fabric 1970s
By Paul Evans, Barbara Barry
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 Paul Evans, Barbara Barry
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, Forged Steel Lounge Chairs, USA
By Paul Evans
Located in New York, NY
A superb example of Paul Evans’ forged metal techniques, this unique pair of chairs features hand-sculpted bases formed from forged, welded, patinated and polychromed steel. Each has...
Steel
Paul Evans Sculpted Bronze Swivel Lounge Chairs
By Paul Evans
Located in Miami, FL
Paul Evans Studio for Directional, Sculpted-bronze series lounge chairs model PE 141 Exceptional abstract forms, solid volumes and powerful brutal shapes, Swivel and barrel back ...
Bronze
Paul Evans Sculpted Bronze Swivel Chair
By Paul Evans
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare sculpted bronze swiveling throne chair by Paul Evans signed PE-67.
Sold
H 34.75 in W 19.5 in D 26 in
Eight Signed Paul Evans Original Cityscape Dining Chairs Chrome, Directional
By Paul Evans
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Fabulous and rare set of eight Mid-Century Modern original PE-240 Paul Evans iconic city scape dining room side chairs for Directional, circa early 1970s, new hope, PA. Original pape...
Steel, Chrome
Paul Evans Cube Lounge Chair in Alexander Girard Fabric
By Paul Evans
Located in Las Vegas, NV
A signed Paul Evans brass and burl wood patchwork cube swivel lounge chair upholstered in Alexander Girard fabric, circa 1970.
Pair of Armchairs in Tesselated Brass and Chrome by Paul Evans
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Pair of upholstered arm chairs with frames in tessellated brass and chrome by Paul Evans for Directional Furniture, Cityscape Collection, American 19...
Brass, Chrome
Paul Evans Studio Chair
By Paul Evans
Located in Amarillo, TX
Paul Evans Studio Chair USA, c 1970 Welded patinated steel,. Newly upholstered in mohair. Each: 32 1/2 in. (82.6 cm.) high Produced by Paul E...
Steel