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 Brutalist Sculpted Bronze Wall-Mounted Dry Bar Cabinet, Model PE-122
By Paul Evans
Located in Miami, FL
Paul Evans Brutalist Sculpted Bronze Wall-Mounted Disc Bar Cabinet, Model PE-122, Directional, 1969 Exceptional sculpted bronze wall-mounted disc bar cabinet, model PE-122, designed...
Resin, Wood
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
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
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
1970s Vintage Wall Display Cabinet with Dry Bar, Brass & Glass
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 Vintage 3 Piece 1970s wall display...
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
Paul Evans Cityscape Brass and Glass Wall Mount Shelf
By Paul Evans
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Paul Evans Cityscape wall shelf features two sculptural brass bracket supports constructed from the designer's signature faceted, geometric panel work — the defining visual language ...
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
$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
Paul Evans Attributed Cityscape Patchwork Burlwood Credenza
By Milo Baughman, Directional, Paul Evans
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
Paul Evans Sculpted Bronze Brutalist Sideboard, USA, 1969
By Paul Evans
Located in Miami, FL
Paul Evans Sculpted Bronze Brutalist Sideboard, USA, 1969 An exceptional example from Paul Evans’ iconic sculpted bronze series, this brutalist sideboard was created in 1969 by the a...
Slate, Metal
Paul Evans Sculptural Metal Cabinet Model PE-40, Signed & Dated 1969
By Paul Evans
Located in Roanoke, VA
An exceptional and monumental cabinet, model PE-40, designed by American sculptor and furniture designer Paul Evans for Directional, dated 1969. A compelling example of Evans’ celebr...
Metal
$14,000
H 48 in W 48 in D 14 in
Monumental Adrian Pearsall Brutalist Wall Mounted Disc Dry Bar, 1970's
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Culver City, CA
Available right now we have this increasingly rare, mid century modern, brutalist disc bar by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates. This brutalist wall mounted disc cabinet is definitely a conversation piece-- stretching a whopping 48" in diameter, this disc dar opens to reveal a mirrored back as well as 2 shelf inserts. They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and this entire brutalist line of furniture appears to have (pretty obviously) been inspired by American craft movement designer Paul Evans, who designed nearly identical pieces which were available through Directional Furniture to the trade in the 1960's and 1970's. While this piece doesn't have the pedigree of an original Paul Evans piece, what is does have is an abundance of over-the-top maximalist style with a much more palatable price tag. Without being mounted to the wall, this piece was a little tougher than an average piece to photograph, but for scale purposes we photographed it resting on the floor alongside a Fabricius and Kastholm grasshopper...
Resin, Wood
Italian Dry Bar Cocktail Cabinet
Located in Hanover, MA
Late 1940's/early 1950's Italian dry bar, martini cabinet with inlaid fruit wood marquetry, tapering rectangular top and drop front attributed to Osvaldo Borsani.. Inside back has be...
Wood
Mid-Century Modern Bar Cart Edward Wormley for Dunbar C1953
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous bar cart/server with a drop down top which is 27 inches and 54 when raised, shelves for bottles, cupboard for glasses and other necessities. Model # 5433 created out of waln...
Brass
Midcentury McGuire Faux Bamboo Bar Cart
By McGuire
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Dynamic faux bamboo bar cart with well grained oak panels, reed wrapped corners, finished all around, recessed casters and slide out service space. Signed McGuire in the drawer.
Reed, Oak
Paul Evans, Brutalist, Sculpted Bronze, Bar Cabinet, USA, 1974
By Paul Evans
Located in Stamford, CT
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
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
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