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 Cityscape Game, Side Table
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in New York, NY
Nice signed example from the Cityscape series by Paul Evans for Directional. Hard to find form, usable as a game, side, or occasional table. This table is in good, original condition...
Brass, Chrome
Original Sculpted Bronze Paul Evans for Directional Brutalist Card Table
By Paul Evans
Located in North Miami, FL
This is a Paul Evans brutalist bronzed resin over steel table with wood veneer top. Provenance reference: Paul Evans Designer & Sculptor, Jeffrey Head, pg. 91.
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
Midcentury Dining Table by Paul Evans for Directional
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stunning vintage dining table by Paul Evans for Directional. Beautiful patchwork burl wood design that sits on a pedestal base with chrom...
Chrome
Paul Evans Brutalist Skyline Dining Table
By Paul Evans
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Paul Evans brutalist "Skyline" sculpted bronze resin dining table with 48" x 96" x 3/4" thick glass top. Signed PE70 Only base is 65" x 27".
Bronze
Paul Evans Sculpted Bronze "Stalagmite" Coffee Table, Signed brutalist MCM
By Paul Evans
Located in Sayreville, NJ
Paul Evans designed Pe-71 coffee table Stunning designer collectors piece that's in great original condition. The glass top has surface scratches . Dim: 42" D x 16" H
Metal
Fine French 1940s Ebony Macassar Game Table
Located in Long Island City, NY
A fine French Art Deco game table/gueridon with a Macassar ebony sunburst and sycamore marquetry top, and brass star details. Legs are faux Macassar ebony finish.
Brass
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
$3,600Sale Price|20% Off
H 15 in W 58 in D 31.75 in
Vintage Paul Evans "Cityscape" Chrome and Glass Coffee Table
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in Salt Lake City, UT
Vintage Cityscape coffee table with original glass by Paul Evans for Directional. The coffee table is in good vintage condition, regular scuffs and scratches on the chrome and glass....
Chrome
$23,500 / set
H 16.25 in W 24 in D 20 in
Pair Paul Evans Cityscape Night Stands, Burl and Brass with Drawers, Signed
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in Kansas City, MO
Rare and fine pair of burl and brass Cityscape night stands / nightstands designed by Paul Evans for Directional, 1970s. Both have two drawers that function perfectly. Clusters of li...
Brass
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
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
Paul Evans "Cityscape" Dining / Console Table
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in Denton, TX
Paul Evans cityscape for Directional dining / console table with chrome-plated steel and burled wood base. Glass not included Base dimensions: 63 L x 19 D x 28.38 Glass: 71 3/...
Steel, Chrome
$8,800
H 27 in W 48 in D 12 in
Paul Evans Console for Directional Brutalist Sculpted Bronze & Glass Wall Mount
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in Dallas, TX
1960s sculpted bronze wall mount console designed by Paul Evans and produced by Directional. New glass top. Original wall mount brackets.
Steel
Paul Evans games table, chess, backgammon and cards Am. c1970
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in London, GB
Paul Evans games table. c1970 The top turns to either chess, backgammon or a green felt card table. In very good condition.
Chrome
Paul Evans Burl and Chrome Cityscape Game Table & Accent Table, 1970's
By Paul Evans
Located in Culver City, CA
This game table is absolutely stunning. Patchwork burl with chrome inlay, this table can be glammed up to be as maximalist or minimalist as you want – straight from the mind of the l...
Chrome
Sold
H 29.5 in W 32 in D 32 in
Paul Evans Cityscape Midcentury Burlwood, Brass and Chrome Backgammon Table
By Paul Evans
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Paul Evans Cityscape midcentury Burlwood, Brass and Chrome Backgammon Table This backgammon table measures: 32 wide x 32 deep x 29.5 inches high, with a chair clearance of 26.5 in...
Brass, Chrome
Paul Evans City Scape for Directional Hexagon Side or Game Table
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in Ferndale, MI
Paul Evans designed Hexagonal table. Assorted geometric shapes of polished brass and brushed stainless steel applied to hexagonal column. Sparkling je...
Brass, Stainless Steel
Paul Evans Sculptural Dining/Game/Center Table in Welded Steel 1960s 'Signed'
By Paul Evans
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Rare and stunning dining/game/center table model PE-46 in welded and patinated steel with polychrome enamels and gilding by Paul Evans Studio for Directional Furniture, American 1960...
Enamel, Steel
Paul Evans "Cityscape" Dining / Game Table 1970s, 'Signed'
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Chic pedestal dining / game table in walnut burl and chrome with thick glass top by Paul Evans for Directional Furniture, Cityscape Series, American 1970...
Chrome
Sold
H 29.5 in W 32 in D 32 in
Paul Evans Slate Top Patinated Copper Patchwork Cafe Breakfast Table, 1970s
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An incredible 1970s Paul Evans for Directional patchwork dining / game table with an inset top of thick, natural cleft slate and panels of patinated copper, brass and pewter. The dining table versions of this design are much more rare than the coffee table counterpart. The size makes it perfect as a center table, a game table, a cafe / breakfast table, a break table, a meeting table for small teams, or a small dining table. This table is dining table height so it works great with dining chairs as one can fit on each side. Would work great in a 1970s styled room or could also work great in a Mid-Century Modern, Regency, Contemporary, Classical, Traditional, Transitional and more. Consider for residential or commercial use... this table would be amazing in a hotel lobby lounge or restaurant, also consider in a creative or design studio, an executive office, retail boutique, or corporate lobby. Consider pairing with our other Paul Evans copper patchwork...
Slate, Brass, Copper, Pewter
Sold
H 29.75 in W 79.5 in D 55.5 in
Paul Evans for Directional Expandable African Burl Mahogany Dining Table, c 1980
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A stunning Model PE-411 Paul Evans double expandable pedestal dining table (also works excellent as a game table or center table) for ...
Burl, Wood
Paul Evans Rare Game Table in Walnut Burl and Chrome, 1970s 'Signed'
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Rare game table in tessellated walnut burl and chrome with removeable chess / checkers board on top by Paul Evans for Directional Furniture, American 1970s (signed on leg). Under the...
Chrome
Paul Evans Cityscape Backgammon Table
By Paul Evans
Located in Middlesex, NJ
Paul Evans cityscape backgammon table.
Metal
Sold
H 29.5 in W 32 in D 32 in
Paul Evans Slate Top Patinated Copper Patchwork Cafe Breakfast Table, 1970s
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An incredible 1970s Paul Evans for Directional patchwork dining / game table with an inset top of thick, natural cleft slate and panels of patinated copper, brass and pewter. The dining table versions of this design are much more rare than the coffee table counterpart. The size makes it perfect as a center table, a game table, a cafe / breakfast table, a break table, a meeting table for small teams, or a small dining table. This table is dining table height so it works great with dining chairs as one can fit on each side. Would work great in a 1970s styled room or could also work great in a Mid-Century Modern, Regency, Contemporary, Classical, Traditional, Transitional and more. Consider for residential or commercial use... this table would be amazing in a hotel lobby lounge or restaurant, also consider in a creative or design studio, an executive office, retail boutique, or corporate lobby. Consider pairing with our other Paul Evans copper patchwork...
Slate, Brass, Copper, Pewter
Paul Evans Backgammon Table
By Paul Evans
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning vintage backgammon table by Paul Evans for Directional. Steel frame with black suede table top. Aluminum and brass game board with suede backdrop. Fair vintage condition. So...
Steel