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.
Signed Paul Evans City Scape Polished Chrome Double Pedestal Mid Century Modern
By Paul Evans
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Signed Paul Evans City Scape Polished Chrome Double Pedestal Mid Century Modern.
Chrome
Spectacular Pair Paul Evans Loop Side Table Mid-century Modern
By Paul Evans
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Spectacular Pair of Paul Evans Studio Loop side tables featuring thick circular cleft slate tops, supported by distinctive tiered bases made of enameled iron loops that resemble fish...
Slate, Iron
$32,495
H 15.75 in W 15 in D 15 in
Paul Evans Cityscape Mid Century Gunmetal Cube Side End Tables - Pair
By Paul Evans
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Paul Evans Cityscape Mid Century Gunmetal Cube Side End Tables - Pair Each side table measures: 15 wide x 15 deep x 15.75 inches high Great Vintage Condition. We take our photos i...
Metal
Mid-20th Century Walnut Wood Square Top Pedestal Table
Located in Miami, FL
Mid-20th century walnut wood square top pedestal table (3 items available).
Walnut
Custom Made Modern Metal Side /Drink Table or Pedestal
Located in Douglas Manor, NY
3-644 Custom made metal table can be used as a pedestal/drink table/plant stand or table base top dimension 12" base 17".
Metal
Italian Modern Polished Travertine Pedestal
By Angelo Mangiarotti
Located in Houston, TX
Italian Modern Polished Travertine Pedestal. Offered is an Italian Post Modern Mangiarotti style travertine pedastal with beautiful variegation and a highly polished surface. This lo...
Travertine
$2,800
H 39 in W 24 in D 13.5 in
Wide & Tall Mid Century Italian Modern Dark Green Marble Pedestal or Side Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A simple yet elegant green marble pedestal table from Italy circa 1980's. It features beautiful veining of solid slab marble construction. ...
Marble
$4,850
H 16 in W 42 in D 42 in L 16 in
Paul Evans Signed Cityscape Coffee Table Chrome & Burl Mid Century Modern 1960s
By Paul Evans
Located in Atlanta, GA
Glamorous Cityscape Coffee Table, made by Paul Evans, signed, American, circa 1960s. The table with glass measures 42" x 42" x 16" height. The coffee table base itself measures 15.25...
Metal
Mid-Century Modern Pedestal Column in Walnut Turned Polished to Wax
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Mid-Century Modern pedestal column in walnut turned polished to wax Measures cm: H 71, diam 17.
Walnut
Paul Evans Signed Mid Century Chrome Cityscape Dining Table
By Paul Evans
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Paul Evans Signed mid century chrome Cityscape dining table This table measures: 48 wide x 48 deep x 26 inches high, with a chair clearance of 24 ...
Glass
$800Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 16 in W 36.5 in D 12.75 in
1970s Aluminum Bench and Side Tables Style of Paul Evans Mid-Century Modern
By Paul Evans
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, Inspired by Paul Evans' famous "Argente" and "Cityscape" series (1968), the set features hand-sculpted and stamped metalwork. Raised diamond pattern. The surfaces are made of aluminum and boast a textured, geometric pyramid pattern that gives them an industrial, silver-leaf look. 1970s Aluminum Bench...
Aluminum
$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
Chrome Patchwork Pedestal in the Manner of Paul Evans
By Paul Evans
Located in Highland, IN
With its patchwork of chrome plates, this pedestal has a similar quality to Paul Evans' "Cityscape" designs for Directional.
Steel
$1,200 / set
H 36 in W 10 in D 10 in
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Clear Acrylic Lucite Pedestals or Side Tables
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A simple matching pair of acrylic pedestals in 2 sizes. The taller measures 36 inches in height and the smaller measures 24 inches.
Acrylic
$2,100
H 20 in W 20 in D 20 in
1950s Mid-Century Shield Tripod Table Paul Laszlo for Glenn of California
By Paul Laszlo, Glenn of California
Located in Hyattsville, MD
American Early Modernist Form. Presented in Original Finish. Showing Staining and Wear, Patina to all surfaces. Table was professionally attended to, now very tight and sturdy.
Mahogany
$3,500
H 42 in W 13.88 in D 13.88 in
Neal Small Cityscape Light Pedestal Table Stand for Kovacs / Paul Evans Sonneman
By Neal Small, George Kovacs, Paul Evans
Located in Chicago, IL
Neal Small Tall Illuminated Light Pedestal Table Stand for Kovacs. In the style of Paul Evans Cityscape Line. Nice to use for sculpture or Glass/Ceramic Arts corners of the removab...
Metal
Sold
H 48 in W 15 in D 15 in
Paul Evans Rare Sculpture Pedestal in Polished Brass and Chrome 1970s (Signed)
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Rare sculpture pedestal from the 200 Series in tessellated polished brass and chrome by Paul Evans for Directional Furniture, Cityscape Series, American 1970's (signed “Paul Evans” i...
Brass, Chrome
Paul Evans Side Table, Copper, Bronze, Pewter, Patchwork, Slate
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in New York, NY
Paul Evans Side Table, Copper, Bronze, Pewter, Patchwork, Slate. Chunky cube side with copper, bronze, and pewter (CBP) patchwork finish in a custom ordered size. According to Direct...
Slate, Bronze, Copper, Steel, Pewter
Sold
H 19 in W 14.25 in D 14.25 in
Paul Evans, Side Tables, Steel, Slate, Artists Studio for Directional, 1971
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of side tables in welded and patinated steel, Slate tops. Produced by Paul Evans studio for Directional, America, 1971. Model PE 44.
Slate, Steel
Sold
H 37 in W 12 in D 12 in
Signed Paul Evans Studio Midcentury Brutalist Modern Pedestal or Plant Stand
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A stunning made studio pedestal or planter made by Paul Evans in New Hope PA. Its constructed of glazed patinated welded sheet metal with a black slate top. This piece doubles as a p...
Slate, Cut Steel
Sold
H 28.25 in W 21.75 in D 21 in
Paul Evans Crescent Shaped Welded and Enameled Steel Pedestal Bases Model PE24
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in Southampton, NJ
Paul Evans crescent shaped welded and enameled steel pedestal bases model PE24 for Directional. Both pieces signed PE70. Beautiful overall condition. Vibrant co...
Steel
Paul Evans Sculptural Steel Planter Pedestal
By Paul Evans
Located in Chicago, IL
Rare large-scale planter by Paul Evans. Welded patinated steel still retains some color. Could add slate top to make a pedestal.
Steel
Sold
H 48 in W 15 in D 15 in
Mid-Century Modern Paul Evans Cityscape Chrome Brass Pedestal Display Stand 1970
By Paul Evans
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is an awe-inspiring, tall and asymmetrical, "cityscape," display pedestal, made of brass and chrome, signed by Paul Evans, circa 1970s. In very good vintage co...
Brass, Chrome
Sold
H 48.5 in W 15 in D 15 in
MCM Paul Evans Signed Large Three Dimensional Pedestal Brass and Burl Wood
By Paul Evans
Located in Stamford, CT
Paul Evans signed large three dimensional pedestal having brass and burl wood elements. This stunning Mid-Century Modern pedestal or large end table by this highly sought after desig...
Paul Evans, Cityscape Brushed Brass Pedestal, USA, 1970s
By Paul Evans
Located in New York, NY
Paul Evans (1931-1987) was an iconic American furniture designer, sculptor, and artist who is famous for his contributions to the American Craft Movement of the 1970s and for his wor...
Paul Evans Pair of Chrome Pedestals
By Paul Evans
Located in Chicago, IL
Cityscape designed by Paul Evans Studio for Directional, rare set if pedestals. Signed Paul Evans.
Chrome
Paul Evans Sculptural Steel Planter Pedestal
By Paul Evans
Located in Chicago, IL
Rare large-scale planter by Paul Evans. Welded patinated steel still retains some color. Could add slate top to make a pedestal.
Steel
Sold
H 40 in W 8 in D 8 in
Paul Evans “Cityscape” Illuminated Pedestal in Brass Patchwork for Directional
By Paul Evans
Located in Astoria, NY
This gorgeous illuminated pedestal from the Cityscape series by designer Paul Evans, comes in a gleaming patchwork of brass, mounted against a lengthy wooden base, including a single...
Brass
Paul Evans Cityscape Side Table
By Paul Evans
Located in Atlanta, GA
A small side pedestal table by Paul Evans for Directional circa 1970s. Cityscape series with chrome and brass patchwork and a cutout design on the base. Signed with plague "an origin...
Brass
Paul Evans Patchwork Cube Occasional Table
By Paul Evans
Located in New York, NY
For Directional Furniture Company. Copper, bronze and pewter patchwork side table with a patinated finish and inset slate top.
Illuminating Pedestal in Chrome and Brass by Paul Evans
By Paul Evans
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Illuminating pedestal in tessellated chrome and brass by Paul Evans for Directional Furniture, Cityscape Series, American 1970's