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 'PE-31' Patchwork Copper and Slate Cube Table for Directional, c 1967
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning 'PE-31' patchwork copper table by Paul Evans for Directional, produced in circa 1967. The cube shaped form is fabricated from patinated pieces of copper, bronze, and pewter ...
Slate, Bronze, Copper, Pewter
1967 Signed Paul Evans Exceedingly Rare Side Tables or Coffee Table
By Paul Evans
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A striking pair of welded and patinated metal end tables by Paul Evans, 1967. These sculptural tables were created as separate pieces and as so are unusual, they feature Evans’ signa...
Steel
$6,000Sale Price|25% Off
Cityscape Coffee Table Paul Evans for Directional
By Paul Evans
Located in Atlanta, GA
A large brass patchwork cityscape coffee table in contrast with a rather unusual Brazilian rosewood top. A very generous size with striking visual impact. This is a custom pieces executed circa 1975 by Paul Evans for Directional.
Brass
Pair of Rare Paul Evans Gunmetal Cityscape End or Coffee Tables on Castors
By Paul Evans
Located in Chicago, IL
Rare gunmetal cityscape pattern. These come with slate tops that are removable. They are inserted and rest on top of the lip and a center peg. Both tables are on rolling castors. Mos...
Metal
$6,700Sale Price|21% Off
Paul Evans Patchwork Steel Coffee Table for Directional, Signed & Dated 1978
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning coffee table by Paul Evans for Directional, produced in 1978, signed and dated PE 78. The cube shaped form is fabricated from patinated pieces of painted steel which have be...
Steel
Paul Evans Sculpted Bronze Skyline Coffee Table
By Paul Evans
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Paul Evans sculpted bronze brutalist skyline coffee table, signed PE71 Glass top is 3/4" thick, 28" deep and 55" wide. Base is 15" high, 28" deep...
Bronze
Paul Evans Brutalist Mixed Metal Coffee Table for Directional
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Paul Evans Brutalist mixed metal coffee table for directional.
Brass, Copper, Pewter
Cityscape Brass And Glass Floating Coffee Table By Paul Evans
By Paul Evans
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
This striking Cityscape brass and glass floating coffee table by Paul Evans captures the sculptural, architectural spirit that defines his iconic work. Designed in the 1970s as part ...
Brass
$2,900Sale Price|63% Off
H 14.25 in W 36 in D 15 in
Paul Evans Style Vintage Brutalist Metal Coffee or Cocktail Table
By Paul Evans
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
In the style of Paul Evans heavy cast metal bronze coffee table. This weighs an absolute ton! Glass top not included.
Metal, Bronze
$3,200
H 19 in W 54 in D 25 in
Paul Evans Cityscape Mid Century Modern Cantilever Floating Gold Coffee Table
By Paul Evans
Located in Dayton, OH
An intriguing Mid Century Modern Floating Cocktail Table by 'Paul Evans'. Part of the Cityscape Collection, Circa 1970. The coffee table is made from Polished/Brushed Metal & G...
Metal
$6,075
H 17 in W 58.75 in D 22.8 in
Paul Evans brutalist welded metal patchwork PE-11 zig zag coffee table
By Paul Evans
Located in Liberty, NY
Beautiful 1960's Paul Evans brutalist zig zag design coffee table with glass top, created as part of his "Sculptured Metal" collection for Directional. Fabricated with artisan welde...
Metal
$6,400
H 15.5 in W 42 in D 42 in
Paul Evans Brutalist Patchwork of Metals Slate Top Coffee Table c. 1970s
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Silver golden and copper hues glow throughout this Paul Evans coffee table in a patchwork of hammered metals. Artful celebration of metals represented in brass iron steel and bronze ...
Metal
Large Slate Top Patchwork Coffee Table by Paul Evans
By Paul Evans
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Brutalist patchwork coffee table with slate top by Paul Evans. The base is a variety of metals patchworked together to create an amazing mosaic of color and texture. Table measures ...
Slate, Copper
$1,400
H 29 in W 29 in D 25.5 in
Paul Evans Style Mid-Century Modern Gold Cityscape Triangular End Side Table
By Paul Evans
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Graphic Mid-Century Modern Paul Evans style end or side table, circa 1970's. This sculptural geometric triangle shaped accent table features a striking polished and matte gold metal ...
Metal
$4,500
H 15.75 in W 36 in D 36 in
Paul Evans Patchwork Brutalist Center, Coffee or Cocktail Table for Directional
By Paul Evans
Located in Plainview, NY
Mid-Century Modern iconic patchwork design table by Paul Evans (American 1931-1987). The modern brutalist table base is made of welded and patinat...
Bronze, Copper, Steel
Paul Evans Brutalist Coffee Table
By Paul Evans
Located in Savannah, GA
Paul Evans (American, 1931-1987) Brutalist mixed metal patchwork coffee table with original slate top, circa 1970. 42 inches wide and deep by 16 ½ ...
Slate, Copper
Paul Evans Stalagmite Coffee Table, Signed PE 72
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Paul Evans Stalagmite Coffee Table, Signed PE 72. Bronzed Resin Over Steel. This piece is located at our Pasadena, California location. Dimensions: Including The Glass: 41.75" Dia...
Bronze
Sold
H 25.25 in W 29.75 in D 29.75 in
Paul Evans 'PE-31' Patchwork Copper Cube Table for Directional, c 1967
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning 'PE-31' patchwork copper table by Paul Evans for Directional, produced in circa 1967. The cube shaped form is fabricated from patinated pieces of copper, bronze, and pewter which have been welded and nailed in a patchwork style pattern resting on top of a patinated steel plinth base with casters. The top has been fitted with mirrored glass. The fusion of these exterior materials formulates an exemplary piece which would be a welcome addition to any connoisseur's collection or high-end interior designer project. We have the matching PE-32 bar cabinet and PE-17 floating wall console with PE-18 mirror (all with Patchwork Copper) if you would like to create a matching set. We also carry other Paul Evans designs, including Cityscape, Deep-Relief, Artisan, and Sculptured Metal Collections. Contact us for more information or see our other listings for more details. This Paul Evans patchwork copper cube table...
Bronze, Copper, Pewter
Paul Evans Rare Welded Steel PE-46 Lamp Table 1960s
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in New York, NY
Whether arranging metal pieces to create panels of intricate metal relief for his Sculpture Front series, fusing together a collage of steel sheets to form his Welded Steel collectio...
Enamel, Steel
Sold
H 20.63 in W 20 in D 20.13 in
Pair of Paul Evans Signed Cityscape Chrome End Tables or Nightstands, 1970s
By Pierre Cardin, Paul Evans, Philip and Kelvin LaVerne, Directional, Willy Rizzo
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A pair of signed Paul Evans Cityscape end tables are also great as nightstands. Color: Chrome Measurements: Length: 20" Width: 20 1/8" Height: 20 5/8"
Chrome
Paul Evans Gunmetal Cityscape Nightstands/End Tables, 1970
By Paul Evans
Located in Chicago, IL
Paul Evans Gunmetal Cityscape Nightstands/End Tables, 1970. Signed Measure 24” tall 20” wide 30” deep
Metal
Paul Evans Side Table, Signed PE 70
By Paul Evans
Located in San Francisco, CA
Paul Evans design side table or pedestal, signed PE 70. Rare form with a burl wood veneer top and brutalist bronze sculpted sides. A blue chip piece for the discerning collector.
Plaster, Burl
Sold
H 21.25 in W 29.75 in D 29.75 in
Paul Evans 'PE-31' Patchwork Copper Table with Slate Top for Directional, c 1967
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning 'PE-31' patchwork copper table by Paul Evans for Directional, produced in circa 1967. The cube shaped form is fabricated from patinated pieces of copper, bronze, and pewter which have been welded and nailed in a patchwork style pattern resting on top of a patinated steel plinth base. The top has been fitted with an inset slate stone. The fusion of these exterior materials formulates an exemplary piece which would be a welcome addition to any connoisseur's collection or high-end interior designer project. We have the matching PE-32 bar cabinet and PE-17 floating wall console with PE-18 mirror if you would like to create a matching set. We also carry other Paul Evans designs, including Cityscape, Deep-Relief, and Sculptured Metal Collections. Contact us for more information or see our other listings for more details. This Paul Evans patchwork copper cube table...
Copper, Pewter, Bronze
Paul Evans Round Slate Top Occasional Table mid 1960s
By Paul Evans
Located in Camden, ME
Paul Evans round natural cleft slate top side table circa mid 1960s. An octagonal tapered welded oxidized steel and braised brass base with a modeled ...
Slate, Steel, Gold Leaf, Brass
1960s Paul Evans Slate Top Occasional Table
By Paul Evans
Located in Roanoke, VA
Gorgeous occasional table with eight-sided welded steel base. Sides are alternating textured and gold and topped with original circular slate by Paul Evans, American 1960s. This tabl...
Slate, Metal
Sold
H 18 in W 12 in D 12 in
Paul Evans City Scape for Directional Cubes as End Tables or Coffee Table
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in Ferndale, MI
Pair of Paul Evans designed cubes from the city scape series for directional. Each cube is a patchwork of brushed stainless steel and polished brass geometric forms. Each measures 12...
Brass, Stainless Steel
Sold
H 19 in W 14 in D 14 in
Paul Evans Rare Pair of Welded Steel Cube Side Tables 1968 'Signed and Dated'
By Paul Evans
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Rare pair of Cube tables in hand-welded steel with beautiful polychrome enamels and gilding with inset cleft slate top by Paul Evans, American 1968 (signed “PE 68” on bottom corner)....
Slate, Gold, Enamel, Steel
Paul Evans Hand-Welded Patchwork Cube Side Table 1970s
By Paul Evans
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Patchwork Side Table, model PE-31, in enameled and patinated copper, brass and steel over plywood with an inset cleft slate top by Paul Evans for Directional Furniture, American 1970...
Slate, Brass, Copper, Enamel, Steel
Paul Evans Rare Side Table with Welded Gilded Base and Slate Top, 1968
By Paul Evans
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Stunning side table with 6 sided welded steel base with sections which are textured and gilded along with a thick cleft slate top by Paul Evans, American 1968. This table is extremel...
Slate, Gold, Steel