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.
Vintage Boho Paul Evans Cityscape Executive Desk
By Paul Evans
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Elevate your workspace with our Vintage Boho Paul Evans Cityscape Executive Desk. This iconic piece, designed by American artist Paul Evans, merges Bohemian flair with modernist soph...
Metal
$12,500 / set
H 29.5 in W 74 in D 36 in
Vintage Executive Desk and Credenza suite in rosewood and walnut 1969
By Harvey Probber
Located in South Charleston, WV
A very special home library or office executive suite consisting of an executive desk and the original credenza that accompanied it when created for Ray Resources Corporation in 1969...
Rosewood, Walnut
Sold|$15,000
H 29 in W 96 in D 66 in
Paul Evans Patchwork Burl and Steel Cityscape Executive Desk, 1970's
By Paul Evans
Located in Culver City, CA
Some desks hold paper clips. Others hold power. This Paul Evans Cityscape Desk? It’s the power! Designed by the legendary Paul Evans in the 1970s, this monumental, sculptural masterp...
Steel
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Executive Desk
By Jens Risom
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Jens Risom Mid Century walnut executive desk This desk measures: 62 wide x 28 deep x 28.5 high, with a chair clearance ...
Metal
$6,500
H 31 in W 57.5 in D 27.5 in
Vintage American Art Deco Walnut and Rosewood Executive Desk, 1930s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage American Art Deco desk crafted in the United States, circa 1930s. Defined by its striking symmetry and luxurious mix of materials, this exceptional piece reflects the refined...
Leather, Rosewood, Walnut, Burl
1968 Executive Desk
By Warren Platner
Located in Hanover, MA
Executive desk formerly belonging to noted architect George M. Notter, (1933–2007) of the Boston firm Anderson Notter Finegold (now known as Finegold Alexander Architects). Current institutional memory at the firm suggests it was a special order from Herman Miller for the then new New York offices of MGM, however Herman Miller's archivist was unable to confirm. Styling, particularly the distinctive slim milled aluminum tracks through which the entire drawer carriage glides is clearly similar to Warren Platner's designs for Lehigh-Leopold which were then among the most costly of executive office furnishings. The bent flat bar chromed steel base with its distinctive pigeon toe splay is somewhat similar to a table base in Stow Davis' Electa Series, designed by Alexis Yermakov circa 1971. Walnut laminate top is very clean with no issues. One corner edge shows a small separation. The only identifying markings are within the milled aluminum channel: G.P. F.I. 2 And the date Dec. 20, 1968. See image 18. Between the rectangular laminate top and the chrome base is a heavy blackened steel plate. Underneath the bent chrome pigeon toe feet are bars of a thick phenolic material which act as floor protector. We can have keys made to fit the two locking drawers. Tim Anderson...
Aluminum, Steel, Chrome
Midcentury Executive Boomerang Desk
Located in Esperance, NY
For sale is this very unique large executive boomerang desk. The top is made out of laminate and the bottom is solid wood.
Walnut
Modern Minimal Executive Desk
Located in Nyack, NY
The Modern Minimal Writing Desk's all solid wood construction is evident throughout. Turned legs, radiused edges and soft corners all contribute to the organic nature of this design....
Ash, Walnut
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Executive Desk
By Jens Risom
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Executive Desk This desk measures: 81.5 wide x 36 deep x 27.25 high, with a chair clearance of 24 inches Fair Vintage Condition - Desk has Areas of St...
Walnut
Dillingham Mid Century Walnut Executive Desk
By Dillingham Manufacturing Company
Located in Esperance, NY
For sale is this nice vintage desk made by Dillingham
Walnut
Paul Evans Attributed Cityscape Patchwork Burlwood Credenza
By Paul Evans, Directional, Milo Baughman
Located in Houston, TX
Paul Evans Attributed Cityscape patchwork burlwood credenza. This stunning long mid-century Paul Evans for Directional attributed credenza or chest ...
Wood
Mid Century Walnut and Chrome Executive Desk
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Mid Century Walnut and Chrome Executive Desk This desk measures: 65 wide x 36 deep x 30 high, with a chair clearance of 28.25 inches We take our photos in a controlled lighting stu...
Chrome
Carl Malmsten Swedish Grace Executive Desk
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Atlanta, GA
An inlaid rosewood and flame birch desk with locking drawer, filing cabinet and pullout drawers. Various wood inlay. Finished on all sides. Knee hole...
Rosewood
Vintage Mid-Century Walnut Executive Desk By Jens Risom
By Jens Risom
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This is stunning Jens Risom walnut executive desk. The piece is incredibly sturdy and features stunning grain patterns. This large desk provides ample storage and work space. Please...
Walnut
Swedish Art Deco Intarsia Executive Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
Swedish inlaid Art Deco or neoclassical executive desk, Sweden, circa 1930s. Exterior golden elm, flame birch, mahogany. The front two doors are paneled and inlaid with intarsia of e...
Birch, Elm, Jacaranda
Mahogany Executive Desk
Located in Annville, PA
Ideal for use either at work or in a home office the Niagara Furniture Mahogany Executive Desk with a tooled leather top is both beautiful and functional. Built in three sections for...
Mahogany
Paul Evans Patchwork Burl and Steel Cityscape Executive Desk, 1970's
By Paul Evans
Located in Culver City, CA
Some desks hold paper clips. Others hold power. This Paul Evans Cityscape Desk? It’s the power! Designed by the legendary Paul Evans in the 1970s, this monumental, sculptural masterp...
Steel
Pristine Paul Evans Cityscape Burl Walnut Executive Desk.
By Paul Evans
Located in South Charleston, WV
Expertly restored with painstaking detail. Signed Paul Evans cityscape desk with ideal dimensions of 72" x 32" and 28.5" tall (though feet adjust it 1" higher if need be). Patchwork...
Chrome
Paul Evans Rare Writing Table / Desk, Signed 1969
By Paul Evans
Located in Culver City, CA
This piece is an absolute stunner! Designed and created by famed brutalist designer Paul Evans in 1969. this cold cast resin, bronze finish pedestal writing desk features deep relief artistry which Paul Evans is known for. This piece is indeed signed, PE69. Paul Evans pieces are highly coveted and extremely collectable and over the past decade have only increased in value and demand. Paul Evans is the epitome of the brutalism movement of the 1960's and 1970's and his work is by far the most highly regarded in nature. This desk / writing table would look incredible floating in a mid century modern, or modern office, or home with like designers in nature, or with other mid century masters like Vladimir Kagan, George Nakashima or Mario Bellini. This piece, while very brutalist in nature, could effortlessly blend into a number of design concepts spanning wabi sabi, to Hollywood regency, boho chic, and even more contemporary styling. This Paul Evans piece is currently in our gallery with a Vladimir Kagan serpentine sofa and a Karl Springer credenza...
Bronze
Paul Evans "Cityscape" Executive Desk in Burl Walnut
By Paul Evans
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stunning "Cityscape" executive desk by Paul Evans is an impressive midcentury addition to home or office decor. Vintage burl walnut finish is complimented by patchwork chrome tr...
Burl
Signed Desk Designed by Paul Evans in the Cityscape Style
By Paul Evans
Located in Stamford, CT
A signed olivewood veneer desk rising from a metal tiled cityscape base. This desk was designed by repute specifically for a customer by Paul Evans, circa 1978.
Chrome
Paul Evans Cityscape Patchwork Metal Desk
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in Stamford, CT
Paul Evans for Directional Furniture Cityscape desk. Polished chrome-plated steel and brass patchwork design. Two front drawers. Signed Paul Evans on lower right desk leg.
Brass, Steel, Chrome
Paul Evans Pedestal Table
By Paul Evans
Located in Chicago, IL
Cityscape by Paul Evans for Directional, brass and chrome pedestal bases with multiple uses. Any sized glass can be cut for use as a dining table, desk or console.
Brass, Chrome
Custom "Cityscape" Executive Desk by Paul Evans
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Rare monumental "Cityscape" executive desk designed by Paul Evans for Directional. Custom order with an outer anodized copper base, and interior titanium plated steel.
Copper, Steel
Paul Evans Cityscape Desk
By Paul Evans
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Functional desk designed by Paul Evans for the " Cityscape series" in mixed patchwork of chromed steel and brass veneers. Desk with 2 drawers on cantilevered base. A few typical mino...
Sold
H 29 in W 47 in D 47 in
A Rare Unique Custom Commissioned Executive Desk and Chair by Paul Evans, 1979
By Paul Evans
Located in New York, NY
Acquired from the original client who commissioned this desk with all original drawings from the Evans’ Studio dated 5/15/1979. A symmetrical pentagon with canted sides in bold Hondu...
Paul Evans Cityscape Executive Desk
By Paul Evans
Located in Miami, FL
Walnut burl and metal Cityscape directorial desk by Paul EVANS. Excellent and perfect design ,deep and large set of drawers. Signature under the m...
Metal
Large executive desk and credenza by Paul Evans
By Paul Evans
Located in Dallas, TX
A powerful desk and credenza set designed by Paul Evans for Directional. The set is Burled Walnut with chocolate brown leather.
desk: 85.5...