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 Rare 'Cityscape' 'Steel Hinged' Sideboard in Chrome
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Paul Evans, Paul Evans Studio for Directional, 'Cityscape' or 'Steel Hinged' cabinet, mirrored glass, chrome-plated steel, lacquered High Pressure Laminate, United States, 1970s Thi...
Steel, Chrome
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
Deep Relief Steel Front Sideboard Cabinet PE-42 by Paul Evans
By Paul Evans
Located in Atlanta, GA
A large and stunning sculpted-front cabinet by Paul Evans (1931-1987), model PE-42, made in 1970 in his studio for Directional. The model was one of the largest case pieces made by P...
Slate, Steel
Signed Paul Evans for Directional 'Cityscape' PE 200 Sideboard, Circa 1975.
By Paul Evans
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A striking sideboard from the 'Cityscape' (PE 200) line, designed by Paul Evans for Directional, circa 1975. One of Evans’ most iconic and successful designs, the Cityscape collectio...
Metal
Cabinet Credenza Phillip Lloyd Powell and Paul Evans
By Paul Evans, Phillip Lloyd Powell
Located in Atlanta, GA
From the early collaboration between two New Hope craftsmen Phillip Lloyd Powell and Paul Evans, came this stunning piece of furniture that epitomizes their individual artistic aesth...
Slate, Iron
Paul Evans Burl Wood Credenza
By Paul Evans
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stunning burl wood patchwork credenza with chrome cabinet. Floating style sideboard with drawers, chrome cabinet with adjustable shelves. (Please confirm item location - NY or NJ ...
Chrome
Lane Staccato Brutalist 9-Drawer Credenza, Paul Evans Inspired
By Lane Furniture, Paul Evans
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Nine-drawer credenza from Lane Furniture's Staccato series, featuring the bold geometric block patchwork facade associated with Paul Evans's Brutalist aesthetic. The entire front fac...
Oak
Midcentury Paul Evans Brutalist Sideboard for Directional
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An iconic vintage modern design by Paul Evans with an elaborate chrome patchwork design. This stylish case piece boasts a spacious black interior hidden behind four cabinet doors. A ...
Chrome
Rare Brutalist "Sculpted Bronze" Cabinet by Paul Evans
By Paul Evans
Located in Montreal, QC
"Sculpted bronze" buffet by Paul Evans for Directional the front fitted with four panel doors and the top fitted typical slate slabs, the inside featuring adjustable shelves. Signed:...
Bronze, Metal
$108,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 29.5 in W 94.75 in D 20.75 in
Paul Evans Monumental Three-Slate PE-42 Deep Relief Cabinet, Signed & Dated 1968
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This exceptional and rare PE-42 'Deep Relief' cabinet by Paul Evans, executed in 1968, represents one of the most sculptural and architecturally significant forms produced by the Pau...
Slate, Steel
Paul Evans Deep Relief Cabinet
By Paul Evans
Located in Highland, IN
A sublime piece of functional sculpture by Paul Evans, this 1968 Deep Relief cabinet features a wall-mounted case with torch-cut, welded, polychromed and patinated steel doors concea...
Slate, Steel
Paul Evans Sculpted Bronze 2-Door Cabinet
By Paul Evans
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Paul Evans sculpted bronze cabinet Incised signature and date Original surface, grain painted interior and shelf.
Resin
$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
$25,000Sale Price|21% Off
H 20 in W 72 in D 21 in
Paul Evans Cityscape Patchwork Burlwood Wall Floating Credenza
By Paul Evans
Located in Toledo, OH
Paul Evans Cityscape patchwork burlwood floating credenza. This stunning long mid-century Paul Evans credenza is comprised of two file cabinets with 14.5" interior width and two cent...
Wood
Paul Evans Sculpted Bronze Wall Hung PE-40 Cabinet
By Paul Evans
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A fine Paul Evans sculpted bronze cabinet. Hand sculpted Resin over wood with an atomized bronze coating. Original Hand- Cleft Slate tops. O...
Bronze
1973 Paul Evans Floating Cabinet
By Paul Evans
Located in Asbury Park, NJ
A stunning Paul Evans cabinet or credenza adorned in figural burl veneer and mirrored chrome tiles at the back. The cabinet is lifted from the ground on a well proportioned platform ...
Wood, Burl
$24,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 32 in W 77 in D 21 in
Wonderful Paul Evans Cityscape Mid-Century Chrome Sideboard Buffet Credenza
By Paul Evans
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Scrumptious signed Paul Evans cityscape credenza. This piece is quite unique with the puzzle door hinges and the chocolate brown fibreglass top and plinth bottom. There is a signatur...
Chrome
Important Welded Steel Deep Relief Sculpted Credenza by Paul Evans
By Paul Evans
Located in Montreal, QC
Important welded steel 4 door "Deep Relief Sculpted Credenza" with hand-painted enamels on doors inset with two slate tops The interior red painted w...
Steel
$6,800
H 32 in W 78 in D 20 in
Vintage Elm Burl and Brass Greek Key Credenza by William Doezema for Mastercraft
By William Doezema, Mastercraft, Charak Furniture Company
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Luxurious plinth-base credenza / sideboard in burled Carpathian elm wood with inlaid brass details and highly stylized Greek Key brass hardware designed by William Doezema for Master...
Brass
Rare "Sculpted -Bronze" 'Disc Bar' by Paul Evans for Directional
By Paul Evans
Located in Montreal, QC
Rare "sculpted -bronze" 'Disc Bar,' Model PE-122, by Paul Evans for Directional. Signed on top right corner of back, "PE 71," as shown. This piece is an original iconic Paul Evans cr...
Composition
$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
Sold
H 32.49 in W 90.01 in D 21.97 in
Paul Evans for Directional ‘Cityscape' PE280 Sideboard in Steel and Brass
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Paul Evans for Directional, 'Cityscape PE280' sideboard, from the PE200 series, chrome-plated steel, brass, United States, circa 1975 This sideboard from the 'Cityscape' (PE 200) l...
Brass, Steel
Paul Evans for Directional "Cityscape II" Sideboard in Chrome and Brass
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Paul Evans for Directional, 'Cityscape II' sideboard, chromed steel, brass, glass, United States, 1975 A striking sideboard from the “Cityscape II” line, designed by Paul Evans fo...
Brass, Chrome
Paul Evans City Scape Sideboard in Burlwood
By Paul Evans
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Paul Evans, cabinet model PE4, in burl, wood and glass, United States, 1970s. Burl sideboard by American designer Paul Evans. This cabinet shows a patchwork motive of olive burl ...
Glass, Wood, Burl
Paul Evans Sideboard in Burl Wood and Metal
By Paul Evans
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sideboard from the 500 series, in burl wood and metal, by Paul Evans, United States 1970-1975. Magnificent curved sideboard by American designer Paul Evans. This cabinet shows a ...
Metal
Paul Evans Brass Cityscape Wall Mounted Cabinet
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in Hanover, MA
Paul Evans brass Cityscape wall-mounted sideboard cabinet with two pair of double doors which open to reveal a black laminate internal storage space divided by a horizontal shelf. S...
Brass
Paul Evans Wavy Front Wall Mounted Cabinet, 1973
By Paul Evans
Located in Miami, FL
Rare wavy front wall-mounted cabinet deigned by Paul Evans Very rare sideboard sculpture, welded, polychromed and patinated steel, colored pigments, gold leaf, retaining original bright and colorful patina. Original slate stone top, 4 handcrafted steel doors that make undulating connections, concealing shelves and drawers on each side Welded signature under right door reads "Paul Evans 73”. A powerful and iconic example of Paul Evans's desired brutal cabinets...
Slate, Steel
Paul Evans, Brutalist, Sculpted Steel, Deep Relief Sideboard, USA, 1967
By Paul Evans
Located in Stamford, CT
Paul Evans Mid-Century Modern Brutalist Deep Relief Credenza / Sideboard, Signed Handcrafted Paul Evans (American, 1927-1993) 'Deep Relief' Credenza designed and produced in 1967; inscribed on the underside of the left hand door. A rare and important brutalist sculpted sideboard...
Slate, Steel
Sold
H 32.5 in W 72 in D 21 in
Paul Evans, Mid-Century Modern, Cityscape Sideboard, Brass, Chrome, 1970s
By Paul Evans
Located in Stamford, CT
Paul Evans, Mid-Century Modern, Cityscape Sideboard, Brass, Chrome, 1970s Original Paul Evans cabinet, sideboard, cityscape brass and chrome, signed An Original Paul Evans. A citys...
Brass, Steel
Paul Evans Directional Patchwork Credenza, c 1970's
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in New York, NY
Spectacular Post Modern, Brutalist school credenza, designed by Paul Evans for Directional c. 1970's. The sideboard features a large rectangular cabinet with patchwork burl veneer, w...
Chrome
Paul Evans Iconic Artisan 4 Door Credenza 1968
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Stunning 4 door credenza model PE-40A in hand-welded steel with hand-painted polychrome enamels and gilding featuring bi-fold doors with red colored interior and cleft slate tops by ...
Slate, Enamel, Steel, Gold
Sold
H 31.5 in W 96 in D 20.75 in
Paul Evans, Brutalist Mid-Century Modern Deep Relief Sideboard, Sculputed Bronze
By Paul Evans
Located in Stamford, CT
Mid Century Paul Evans Deep Relief Sideboard, Credenza or Console Table Paul Evans handcrafted "Deep Relief" Brutalist sideboard with welded and polychromed steel doors in shades of red, gold, green and bronze is a stunning design. A relief of vertical fragments structures the four doors of this sideboard separated by a center bronze design. Highlighted by the color changes, the tactile design has a great appearance. On the top, we have three slate panels...
Slate, Bronze, Steel
Mid-Century Modern Chrome "Cityscape" Credenza by Paul Evans
By Paul Evans
Located in San Antonio, TX
Stunning Paul Evans for Directional "Cityscape" sideboard made of chrome on wood. Inspired by the Manhattan skyline, this striking reflective credenza features ample space for storag...
Chrome
Paul Evans Cityscape Cabinet, 1970
By Paul Evans
Located in Chicago, IL
Paul Evans Cityscape cabinet, 1970.
Brass, Chrome
Large Brass and Chrome Cityscape Sideboard by Paul Evans, USA, 1970's
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in Miami, FL
Large brass and chrome sideboard by Paul Evans from the Cityscape Collection for Directional, circa 1970's All chrome and brass tiles mosaic patchwork, Rare design combines on: Eith...
Brass, Chrome
Sold
H 32.75 in W 76.25 in D 21.25 in
Paul Evans Mid Century Cityscape Chrome Sideboard Buffet Credenza
By Paul Evans
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Paul Evans mid century cityscape chrome sideboard buffet credenza. Credenza measures: 76.25 wide x 21.25 deep x 32.75 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we ca...
Chrome