The single aesthetic attribute of vintage Paul McCobb furniture is that the designer completely forsook ornament — his pieces have no flourishes. And yet, because they are honest — McCobb’s chairs, desks and dining tables are made of solid wood, usually maple or birch, often paired with frames and legs of wrought iron; the cabinets are traditionally scaled; the seating pieces have historic antecedents such as the Windsor chair — his mid-century modern work has warmth and presence.
You could call the Massachusetts-born McCobb a man of parts. As a furniture designer, his work combined the attributes of many of his now better-known peers.
Like the work of Bauhaus designers such as Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Marcel Breuer, McCobb's furniture had purity of form and line. Like the designs of Florence Knoll and George Nelson and his associates, McCobb’s work was efficient and purposeful. And even like George Nakashima, he was adept at interpreting traditional forms, in particular those of chairs, for the 20th century.
More than any other designer besides Russel Wright, with his ubiquitous ceramic tableware, McCobb was arguably responsible for the introduction of modern design into middle-class American households — if for no other reason than that he designed the 1952 set for the original Today show.
McCobb, a repeat recipient of the Good Design Award from the Museum of Modern Art, also designed cohesive lines of furnishings, such as his best-known Planner Group, that gave homes an instant “look.” He designed for several companies, most notably Directional, which was home to McCobb’s Origami chair.
In 1949, in partnership with New York furniture salesman B.G. Mesberg, McCobb set up the Directional Furniture Company, a brand known to vintage mid-century modern furniture collectors everywhere. Directional opened its doors after McCobb created the high-end Directional Modern line of sofas distributed by the New York-based Modernage Company. Directional also produced designs by other legends such as Paul Evans and Vladimir Kagan.
As you can see from the offerings on 1stDibs, McCobb designs are the pin-striped suit, or the little black dress, of a decor: an essential.
Find vintage Paul McCobb credenzas, bookcases, nightstands and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Jewelry Chest by Paul McCobb Planner Group, Ten Drawers, Original Brass Pulls
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Kansas City, MO
Ten-drawer Paul MccCobb Planner Group jewelry cabinet with original brass pulls. Very good completely original condition with some signs of wear and scratches which should be evident...
Brass
$2,800Sale Price|28% Off
1950s Paul McCobb Dr. No Tall Windsor Chair Rustic Farmhouse Boho Abstract Chic
By Paul McCobb, O'Hearn Furniture 1
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Wonderful and rare example of this early McCobb design in original unaltered tobacco finish. Small remnants of original label remains. Measure: Seat H 17.5 in. / arm H 27 in.
Birch
Paul McCobb Planner Group Jewelry Chest of Ten Drawers
By Paul McCobb
Located in Chicago, IL
Paul McCobb jewelry chest of ten drawers Best to refinish this item. Finish shows wear as does the interiors of the drawers.
Wood
Paul McCobb for Directional Miniature Cabinet, circa 1955
By Directional, Paul McCobb
Located in Chicago, IL
Paul McCobb for Directional Miniature Cabinet, circa 1955 A finely crafted miniature cabinet designed by Paul McCobb for Directional, circa 1955. Executed in mahogany with brass hard...
Brass
Paul McCobb for Planner Group Mid Century 8 Drawer Jewelry Chest
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Paul McCobb for Planner Group Mid Century 8 Drawer Jewelry Chest This jewelry chest measures: 36 wide x 12 deep x 6 inches high Good Vintage Condition - Stain Wear on Top Surface o...
Wood
Desk Organizer by Paul McCobb for Winchendon, 1949
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A small table top maple storage unit with two drawers supported by a black steel frame base. This desk organizer is a product from the Planner Group, a coordinated contemporary furni...
Steel
$146Sale Price|20% Off
H 9.85 in W 14.18 in D 1.58 in
Curiosity Cabinet Collection of Shells, Circa 1900
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Very interesting set of shells collected by an amateur between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. The shells are classified by size and age either in ...
Shell
Marble Desk Pen Holder Organizer
Located in New York, NY
A substantial marble desk pen/pencil/marker holder organizer, in the modern style, Midcentury Modern design period, circa mid-20th century. Organizer can hold small pieces of paper, ...
Marble
MCM Bright Red Modular Desk Organizer by Karl Deyhle of Germany
By Gebrüder Deyhle
Located in San Diego, CA
Sculptural mid-century modern modular desk organizer by Karl Deyhle, produced in Germany circa the 1960s. Executed in vibrant red molded plastic, the set comprises multiple cylindric...
Metal
$2,464 / item
H 12 in W 7 in D 11 in
Talisa Jewelry Chest in Cream Shagreen, Black Pen Shell & Brass by R&Y Augousti
By R & Y Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by skilled artisans, ultimately making each piece unique, designed in Paris and produced in the Philippines. Talisa jewelry chest in cream shagreen, black pen shell and brass by R&Y Augousti is a stunning piece to store your personal items. This piece has 2 doors that open to 4 drawer compartments that have black velvet trays...
Brass
$2,469 / item
H 12 in W 9.75 in D 10.5 in
Wave Jewelry Chest in Shagreen and Bronze-Patina Brass by R&Y Augousti
By R & Y Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by skilled artisans, ultimately making each piece unique, designed in Paris and produced in the Philippines. The Wave jewelry...
Brass
Agresti Oro Jewelry Chest
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Lockable jewelry chest with 5 drawers, two pullout / pull-out necklace bars, and lined in ultra-suede. Accessories in 24 karats gold plated brass...
Brass
Jacques Adnet Leather Wrapped Faux Bamboo Desk Organizer
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Stamford, CT
Jacques Adnet desk In/Out tray organizer of stitched leather over steel. France. Circa 1950. Possible to hang on wall or place on desk.
Leather
Carved Wood Organic Mid Century Jewelry Box
By Michael Elkan, Sam Maloof
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional Organic Mid Century Modern carved wood jewelry box, having a lift top, with two pull out drawers with separate compartments. The box is in very good, original condition, ...
Wood
$11,500
H 34 in W 13 in D 13 in
Paul Evans Sculpture 1950s 1960s Mid Century Brutalist Abstract Metal Modern Art
By Alberto and Diego Giacometti
Located in Peoria, AZ
AFTER PAUL EVANS MID CENTURY MODERN MONUMENTAL BRUTALIST FINE ART DIRECT METAL SCULPTURE! MAGNIFICENT TOWER STRUCTURE! IRON, BRASS, BRONZE & WOOD BASE CIRCA 1956 Similar to Diego Giacometi Approximate Dimensions: Large 34" Tower/ 13" Wide & Deep This is the Holy Grail for Mid Century abstract...
Bronze, Iron
Unavailable|$799
H 6 in W 10.5 in D 6.5 in
Mid-Century Parquetry Decorative Jewelry Box with Side Drawer and Mirror
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This Mid-Century Modern era parquetry wooden jewelry box was made in the United States in approximately 1955 in a cubist style. The box is done in a series of woods with various stai...
Wood
Jewelry Safe Brushed Gold Brass
Located in Paris, FR
Jewelry safe vintage golded distinguishes itself following a new hyperluxury trend. Special compartments for jewelry and precious liquors, watch winde...
Gold Plate, Brass
Venetian Renaissance Jewelry Chest
Located in Greenwich, CT
Rare Venetian 16th century Italian traveling jewelry chest profusely decorated in Arabesque black and gilt decoration featuring rare specimen stone drawer fronts in a Palladian archi...
Wood
Art Nouveau Style Cermaic Butterfly Plate in Blue and Gold by Paul McCobb
By Paul McCobb
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A round ceramic Art Nouveau butterfly saucer by Paul McCobb for Contempri. We've seen Paul McCobb ceramics before, but we've never come across a piece like this. The outer edges are ...
Ceramic, Paint
Paul McCobb Walnut Jewelry Box for H. Sacks & Sons Connoisseur Collection
By Paul McCobb
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A very nice six drawer jewelry / watch box with sculptural chromed tear drop styled pulls . Crafted in beautiful well grained walnut including the backside with book matched front dr...
Chrome
Sold
H 5 in W 24 in D 15 in
Paul McCobb for Directional Black Lacquered Jewelry Chest, Newly Refinished
By Directional, Paul McCobb
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern dresser top two-drawer jewelry chest By Paul McCobb for Directional Furniture USA, 1950s Black lacquered mahogany, with original brass drawer pul...
Brass
Architectural Pottery M-2 Planter by Paul McCobb
By Paul McCobb, Architectural Pottery
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Exceptional ceramic planter model “M-2” designed by Paul McCobb for Architectural Pottery in the United States, circa 1960s. This planter has a shape that starts from a narrow neck a...
Ceramic
Paul McCobb Jewelry Box
By Paul McCobb
Located in Atlanta, GA
Mid-Century Modern jewelry box, designed by Paul McCobb for his Planner Group, American, circa 1950s. It has been completely restored in a deep brow...
Metal
Rare Group 76 Chairs by Paul McCobb for Arbuck
By Arbuck, Paul McCobb
Located in Buffalo, NY
Rare Group 76 Chairs by Paul McCobb for Arbuck, stunning design, appear to be all original, retain burn in stamp, Brooklyn NY, Arbuck mfg co.
Iron
Paul Mccobb for Architectural Pottery White M-2 Planter, 1964
By Paul McCobb, Architectural Pottery
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A rare white-glazed bisque planter designed by Paul McCobb for Architectural Pottery, 1964. This planter is in excellent condition with no evidence of prior use.
Ceramic
1950s Vintage Paul McCobb Two-Drawer Jewelry Box
By Paul McCobb
Located in Hopewell, NJ
A wonderful iconic vintage Paul McCobb two-drawer chest jewelry box from the 1950s. The cabinet has its original finish.
Wood
Paul McCobb M-2 Planter for Architectural Pottery
By Paul McCobb, Architectural Pottery
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A matte white-glazed bisque planter designed in 1964 by Paul McCobb for Architectural Pottery. The model M-2 has a stark, angled design shape with no lip or decorative elements and a...
Ceramic
Paul McCobb Architectural Pottery Planter, 1960s
By Paul McCobb
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A nice California design. Made of bisque clay with a rare mat black glaze. Like an old Etruscan piece of pottery it shows minor wear consistent with age. It has a hair-line crack at ...
Ceramic
Paul McCobb for Winchendon Jewelry Chest
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in St. Louis, MO
Midcentury Paul McCobb for Winchendon jewelry chest for top of dresser. Refinished, has classic McCobb brass tapered pulls and three drawers.
Paul McCobb Planter for Architectural Pottery, 1960s
By Paul McCobb
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A nice California design. Made of pottery with bisque colored glaze. It's stamped inside the centre "Architectural Pottery USA". Like an old Etruscan piece of pottery, it shows wa...
