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 Mid Century Patchwork Burlwood T Bar Console Table
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Paul Evans for Directional Mid Century Patchwork Burlwood T Bar Console Table This T bar console table measures: 60.5 wide x 20 deep x 32 inches high Restored - Mint Condition! Rea...
Burl
Paul Evans and Phillip Lloyd Powell Gold Leaf and Walnut Studio Cabinet, 1963
By Paul Evans, Phillip Lloyd Powell
Located in Dallas, TX
This early studio craft 23 Karat gold leafed cabinet was made as a collaboration between Paul Evans and Phillip Lloyd Powell in the mid 1960s. The upper storage compartment unlatches to reveal two adjustable felt-lined shelves. The center compartment conceals a vanity complete with three mirrors embellished with torch-cut brazed discs flanked by two vertical rows of lightbulbs. Behind the mirror is a secret hidden storage compartment. Below this feature is a drop-front laminated tray and an open storage compartment. The bottom of the cabinet boasts a bank of five hand-carved solid walnut drawers and the left side has a cut-out with a hidden outlet and a slate surface which would provide a convenient smartphone charging station...
Slate, Brass, Gold Leaf
Paul Evans Cityscape Bar Cart in Brass
By Paul Evans
Located in Dallas, TX
From the PE-200 Series for Directional. We have expertly restored this cabinet to its full beauty. The cabinet boast a hinged door on top that opens to hold bar ware. There are two s...
Brass
$12,000Sale Price|20% Off
Paul Evans Flip Top Cityscape Bar Cabinet
By Paul Evans
Located in Chino Hills, CA
Step back in time with this authentic, vintage Paul Evans Cityscape bar cabinet from the 1970s. This striking piece combines the distinct aesthetic of Paul Evans with the practicalit...
Burl
Signed Paul Evans Cityscape Bar Cart 'PE 200' Series for Directional
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful signed Mid-Century Modern bar cabinet by Paul Evans for Directional. A wonderful patchwork design with a flip top and two cabinet doors below. Sleek case piece that looks g...
Chrome
Price Upon Request
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...
Bronze
Baker Styled Walnut Mahogany Bar / Sever Cabinet
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A very well crafted two piece four door cabinet with book matched wood grained fronts opening to revel two glass and two wooden adjustable shelves with two smaller drawers one with d...
Brass
$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 Paul Evans, Directional
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
$2,980
H 43.75 in W 25.75 in D 20.5 in
Vintage French Oak Flip-Top Confiturier, Cabinet, Cupboard or Dry Sink, or Bar
Located in BENSENVILLE, IL
Endless possibilities abound in this special French Confiturier, Small Cupboard. Constructed of solid oak with raised panels, a full door hinge, and a wonderful flip open top, give t...
Oak
$1,952
H 27.96 in W 28.75 in D 14.57 in
1950s Midcentury Regency Italian Wood, Brass and Mirror Dry Bar Cabinet Cart
By Vittorio Dassi, Paolo Buffa, Gio Ponti, Guglielmo Ulrich, Ico & Luisa Parisi
Located in Carimate, Como
Very elegant Italian Art Deco Mid-Century Modern dry bar cabinet cart characterized by its original Asian themed painted front wood pull-out tilt door with interior part in mirror glass, standing on its antique brass wheels...
Brass
$9,900Sale Price|44% Off
H 30 in W 84 in D 22 in
Modernist Patchwork Burl Credenza By Paul Evans For Directional
By Paul Evans
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stunning, modernist, patchwork burl, credenza by Paul Evans for Directional features a high sheen laminate finish with 48 inch wide, gunmetal steel center doors and two 16 inch wide ...
Steel
Paul Evans Brutalist Sculpted Bronze Wall Mounted Disc Dry Bar
By Paul Evans
Located in Miami, FL
Paul Evans Brutalist sculpted bronze wall-mounted disc dry bar cabinet, Model PE-122. This iconic bar features two doors concealing one drawer, one cabinet with key and two adjusta...
Bronze
$3,067
H 35.83 in W 39.38 in D 17.72 in
50s Art Deco Italian Radio Vynil Disc Walnut Burl Mirror Mosaic Dry Bar Cabinet
By Ico & Luisa Parisi, Paolo Buffa, Gio Ponti, Vittorio Dassi, Guglielmo Ulrich
Located in Carimate, Como
Very elegant Italian Art Deco Mid-Century Modern dry bar cabinet, in beautiful veneer walnut briar burl wood. On the top part we find the radio and the vynil record player while on t...
Brass
$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
Danish Viking Bar Cabinet
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A very unusual, hand painted bar cabinet, as a Danish Viking, made in Italy. Striking naive/modern style, humorous and direct. The back is finished and ...
Wood
$25,000
H 32.25 in W 84.13 in D 22 in
Paul Evans CityScape Sideboard for Directional Brass Tiles & Burl Wood Doors
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in St. Louis, MO
Rare 1970s Paul Evans Cityscape sideboard with waterfall ends for Directional with brass tiles and book matched Burl wood doors. Interior laminated in black...
Brass
Bronze Mirrored Bar Cabinet by Ello
By Ello Furniture
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A two-part mirrored cabinet on chest, perfect for a bar. Two mirrored doors above three mirrored drawers with modern inset brass campaign handles, on a brass base with brass sides. G...
Brass
$19,500
H 34.5 in W 82 in D 20 in
Paul Evans Open Back Cityscape Console Bar Cabinet In Burlwood And Chrome
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in Southampton, NJ
A stunning and exceptionally rare console bar cabinet in Olive Burlwood and patchwork chromed steel designed by Paul Evans for Directional. This console features an open back with ad...
Chrome
Paul Evans Cityscape PE200 Series Chrome Rolling Bar Cabinet 1970s
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An absolute showstopper and conversation starter. Paul Evans chrome Cityscape rolling bar cabinet from the PE200 series, for Directional furniture 1970s (signed ‘An Original Paul Ev...
Chrome
Paul Evans, Brutalist, Sculpted Bronze, Bar Cabinet, USA, 1974
By Paul Evans
Located in Manhasset, NY
Paul Evans Disc Bar, Brutalist Sculpted Bronze, Signed and Dated 74" This iconic Disc Bar by Paul Evans for Directional having two large doors spanning...
Bronze
Sold
H 36 in W 95 in D 22 in
Paul Evans Studio Wet Bar Cabinet with Hidden Sink, c 1970, Authenticated
By Paul Evans
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This unique and important custom wet bar cabinet by Paul Evans Studio was crafted in circa 1970, featuring a flip-top with hidden sink and faucet and multiple storage spaces behind h...
Metal
Vintage Patchwork Fliptop Bar Cabinet by Paul Evans for Directional
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Stunning vintage patchwork fliptop bar cabinet designed by iconic designer Paul Evans for Directional in the United States, circa 1970s. This elegant piece looks more like a graceful sculpture due to its Minimalist design and superior metal craftsmanship. The cabinet has been crafted by hand and features a rectangular structure inlaid with patinated bronze, copper, brass, and pewter pieces, which have been delicately placed and arranged in a mosaic-like style. On the front face, it has two thick doors...
Brass, Bronze, Copper, Pewter
Paul Evans Cityscape Chrome Bar Cabinet, 1970’s
By Paul Evans
Located in Bridgeport, CT
From Iconic mid-century designer Paul Evans and manufactured by Directional, a good condition castored bar cabinet fully covered in chrome facing. While the photography is reflecting...
Chrome
Wall Mounted Bar Cabinet by Paul Evans
By Paul Evans
Located in Paris, FR
Wall-mounted cabinet in wood, sculpted resin, and projected bronze. The unit opens in the middle with two hemispheric doors to reveal the interior with shelves and a small compartme...
Brass, Bronze
Paul Evans Cityscape Chrome Bar Cart, 1960
By Paul Evans
Located in Chicago, IL
Paul Evans Cityscape Chrome bar cart, 1960. When bar cart is open it is 80" long.
Chrome
Paul Evans Brutalist Sculpted Bronze Wall Mounted Disc Bar
By Paul Evans
Located in Miami, FL
Iconic Paul Evans Brutalist sculpted bronze wall-mounted disc bar cabinet, model PE-122. Bar features two doors concealing one drawer, one cabinet wi...
Bronze
Sold
H 35.5 in W 36 in D 19 in
Paul Evans Patchwork Copper Flip-Top Dry Bar Cabinet for Directional, circa 1967
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This rare patchwork copper flip topdry bar by Paul Evans was crafted in the mid-1960s by Directional. A collectors item and piece of design history, this stunning liquor cabinet was handcrafted with patinated pieces of copper, brass, and pewter which have been artistically welded and nailed in a patchwork style resting on a matching plinth base atop casters, allowing the cabinet to be easily moved around and floated throughout the room wherever your party takes you. What separates this one apart from other examples are the finishing touches. This example has a top that is finished in the same copper clad as the front, the back is finished and so are the sides, and the interior side of the two doors are finished as well. So you can float this in the middle of the room and even when you open the doors to your magnificent collection of liquor and glassware or other possessions, your cocktail cabinet still maintains that 'finished' look. Under the flip topis a black laminate bar-top and interior also finished in black. Inside the double sided copper clad cabinet doors are a left and right interior storage space divided by a black wooden divider. Within both sides are adjustable wooden shelves all finished in black to match the rest of the interior. This genius design by Paul Evans took into account how subtle details can make an atmosphere so much better for entertaining and the complete blackout of the interior spaces make this really pop under entertainment night lighting. This is the rare cousin to the sought-after patchwork cabinet, in similar form with slate top and oversized round door pulls, which we also have in our current collection, see our other listings or contact us for more details on our Paul Evans Patchwork collection. We also carry other Paul Evans designs, including Cityscape, Deep-Relief, and the Sculpted Metal Collections and more. This eye-catching Brutalist patchwork drybar cabinet...
Brass, Copper, Pewter
Iconic Paul Evans Studio Sculpted Bronze Wall-Mount Disc Bar for Directional
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in Dallas, TX
Iconic disc bar by Paul Evans Studio for Directional. Approximately, only 200 of these were ever created. This piece is an extremely exceptional example. It is dated 1969 from the fi...
Bronze
Paul Evans Brutalist Sculpted Bronze Wall Mounted Disc Bar
By Paul Evans
Located in Miami, FL
Paul Evans Brutalist Sculpted Bronze Wall Mounted Disc Bar Iconic Paul Evans brutalist sculpted bronze wall-mounted disc bar cabinet, model PE-122. I...
Resin
Sold
H 17 in W 17 in D 17 in
Important Paul Evans Rare Sculptured Metal Disc Bar, 1969 'Signed and Dated'
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Rare and important wall-mounted sculptured metal disc bar model PE 122 in bronze composite with red wood interior with vinyl wrapped shelves by Paul Eva...
Metal, Bronze