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 Brass and Glass Wall Mount Shelf
By Paul Evans
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Paul Evans Cityscape shelf with brass supports and glass shelf. In original condition with visible wear, consistent with age and use.
Brass
Paul Evans Cityscape Free Standing Etagere Bookcase
By Paul Evans
Located in Bradenton, FL
A rare signed iconic Paul Evans 'Cityscape' large freestanding bookcase etagere, circa 1970s. Chrome & brass clad design- even on the underside- with thick glass slide in shelves...
Brass, Chrome
Cityscape wall unit with display shelf Paul Evans
By Paul Evans
Located in Atlanta, GA
A custom made large wall unit by Paul Evans Studio for Directional. It consists of four portals with cityscape brass and chrome patchwork that support eight smoke glass shelves and a...
Brass
Paul Evans Cityscape Mid Century Brass and Chrome Freestanding Bookcase
By Paul Evans
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Paul Evans Cityscape Mid Century Brass and Chrome Freestanding Bookcase This bookcase measures: 48 wide x 18 deep x 84.5 inches high Good Vintage Condition - Brass and Chrome have ...
Brass, Chrome
Impressive Mid-Century Modern Paul Evans Chrome Étagère
By Paul Evans
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A stunning vintage modern signed Paul Evans patchwork bookcase with three thick smoked glass inserts as shelves. The functional and sleek design offers plenty of room to store and di...
Chrome
Midcentury Walnut Cado Display Shelf
By Poul Cadovius
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Beautiful Walnut Cado System display shelf thats meant to hold books or flat artwork. The shelf has a beautiful catch at the bottom preventing a book from...
Rosewood
$3,900 / set
H 40 in W 48 in D 12 in
Mid Century Paul Evans Wall Mirror & Console Table Shelf in Brass & Chrome
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An incredible design combination, a cityscape wall shelf and mirror designed by Paul Evans in the 1970's. The set features fine heavy construction with brass & chrome clad patchwork ...
Brass, Chrome
Mid-Century Modern Walnut and Brass Bookcase Etagere by Paul McCobb
By Paul McCobb
Located in North York, ON
An iconic piece of mid-century modern design, this walnut and brass bookcase étagère by Paul McCobb was crafted in the USA circa 1970’s. The sleek brass frame provides a refined arch...
Brass
$5,328
H 79.53 in W 100.79 in D 16.93 in
Vintage Italian Wood & Brass Mid-Century Modern Free-Standing Bookcase
By Dassi Lissone
Located in Varese, Lombardia
This bookcase was produced in Italy around the 1960s. It consists of 2 main wooden units with shelves and containers, joined together by a central chest of drawers and shelves. Remai...
Brass
$12,309
H 84.26 in W 48.04 in D 16.93 in
Rare signed Paul Evans Cityscape large etagere freestanding shelves USA 1970s
By Paul Evans
Located in Hastings, GB
A rare signed iconic Paul Evans 'Cityscape' large freestanding etagere, USA 1970s. Chrome & brass (or gold plated metal) clad patchwork design- e...
Brass, Chrome
Teak Standing Bookcase
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This mid-century bookcase features warm teak wood veneer and simple design. Two adjustable shelves can be raised or lowered. Please confirm location NY or NJ
Teak
Chinoiserie Bookcase or Etagere
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chinoiserie Bookcase or Etagere, probably American, circa 1950s. It is a versatile size and can be used as a bookcase, etagere, or display case. The collection of Japanese bronzes se...
Brass
$5,600 / set
H 72 in W 30 in D 18 in
Pair of Mid Century Modern Burl Wood Etageres, Wall Unit or Book Shelves
By Milo Baughman
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A stunning transitional pair of matching shelving units from the 1970's. They feature burl wood with a decorative lattice work. Price includes the p...
Wood, Burl
$2,400 / set
H 29.13 in W 48 in D 18 in
2 Paul McCobb Planner Group Mid Century Bookcases for Winchendon
By Paul McCobb
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A pair of solid maple wood bookcases sitting on stainless square tubed legs with pads on the feet to protect your floors having one nonadjustable shelve each. A very functional and p...
Maple
$6,750 / set
H 8 in W 3 in D 12 in
Set Paul Evans for Directional Chrome Brass Cityscape Shelf Brackets Console
By Paul Evans
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Stunning set signed Paul Evans for Directional shelf brackets or console tables. The glass is not pictured but is included and is 12" w x 48" l and is brand new. This set is truly fa...
Brass, Chrome
$3,200 / set
H 64.5 in W 48.5 in D 18 in
Original Paul McCobb Bookcase/Etagere and Bench Set from the Planner Group
By Paul McCobb
Located in New York, NY
Gorgeous Mid Century two piece shelving system by Paul McCobb and part of the “Planner Group” manufactured by Winchendon in the 1950s. Original maple wood shelves and black wrought i...
Iron
Paul Evans 'Deep Relief' Free-Standing Sideboard
By Paul Evans
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Paul Evans, Paul Evans Studio for Directional, 'Deep Relief' sideboard, model 'PE-42', welded steel, enameled patchwork steel, painted oak, cleft slate, United States, 1968 An excep...
Slate, Steel
Paul Evans Cityscape Chrome and Glass Shelf
By Paul Evans
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Paul Evans Cityscape with Chrome Holders and Glass Shelf. In original condition with visible wear, consistent with age and use. New glass plate. Another available in brass.
Chrome
Paul Evans for Directional Patchwork Burl Wood Bar Cabinet, 1970s
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern patchwork burl wood, armoire dresser, bookcase, or bar cabinet By Paul Evans for Directional, "Cityscape" Collection USA, 1970s Measures: 4...
Burl
1973 Paul Evans Brutalist Sculpted Bronze Wall Shelving Unit
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Brutalist wall unit by Paul Evans Studio for Directional USA, 1970's. Bronzed resin over wood with 8 smoked glass shelves. Signed PE 73. Each shelf...
Smoked Glass, Wood, Resin
Paul Evans Cityscape Étagère
By Paul Evans
Located in Middlesex, NJ
Paul Evans Cityscape étagère.
Metal
Cityscape Bookshelf by Paul Evans
By Paul Evans
Located in Chicago, IL
Brass and chrome etagere wall unit by Paul Evans for Directional. Smoked glass display shelves. Excellent condition.
Brass, Chrome
Paul Evans Brutalist Sculpted Bronze Wall Unit
By Paul Evans
Located in Miami, FL
Paul Evans wall unit triple pilaster in brutalist sculpted bronze resin. Eight clear glass shelves. Model PE 119 Signed and dated PE 69 Warmed ...
Paul Evans for Directional Cityscape Shelf Unit
By Paul Evans
Located in Dallas, TX
A beautiful shelf unit, rarely seen by Paul Evans for Directional. A beautiful brass and chrome finish metal shelf unit with three glass shelves supported by six pillars.
Brass, Chrome
Paul Evans Wall-Mount Book Shelf
By Paul Evans
Located in Chicago, IL
Cityscape by Paul Evans Studio for Directional. 31 inches between burl wood supports.
Brass
Paul Evans Sculpted Bronze Series Bookshelf In The Brutalist Taste
By Paul Evans
Located in Stamford, CT
A Paul Evans Sculpted Bronze Series bookshelf with smoked glass shelves. Signed "PE 69" on the base of the central stanchion. Paul Evans was a major fi...
Paul Evans Brass Étagère Bookcase
By Paul Evans
Located in Chicago, IL
Brass clad étagère by Paul Evans. Brass is in excellent condition with smoked glass shelves. Signed "Paul Evans."
Brass
Sold
H 78 in W 53 in D 17.25 in
A Brutalist Paul Evans Set of Signed Sculpted Bronze Wall-Mounted Shelves
By Paul Evans
Located in Astoria, NY
A vintage Paul Evans sculpted bronze wall-mounted shelf pilasters. Each pilaster can be mounted to determine final width, between 6' to 12' wide. Comes with eight bronze colored glas...
Bronze
Rare Brutalist Mixed Metal Wall Unit by Paul Evans for Directional
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare wall unit by Paul Evans for directional costume design for a NY estate in the 1970's. The shelves are independent from each other and they can be installed in an array of way...
Mixed Metal