Paul McCobb Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

American, 1917-1969

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.

Creator: Paul McCobb

Set by Paul McCobb for Jackson China Ceramic Sugar Bowl, Milk Pitcher, and Bowl.

$220Sale Price|37% Off

Set by Paul McCobb for Jackson China Ceramic Sugar Bowl, Milk Pitcher, and Bowl.

By Paul McCobb

Located in San Diego, CA

Who is ready for a mid-century modern tea party? This vintage set designed by Paul McCobb for Jackson China Ceramic Sugar Bowl, Milk Pitcher, and Bowl in rare vivid blue will make yo...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Ceramic

6 Paul McCobb 6-Piece Contempri Place Settings by Jackson China Co.

$750 / set

6 Paul McCobb 6-Piece Contempri Place Settings by Jackson China Co.

By Paul McCobb

Located in Cincinnati, OH

A fine 36-piece midcentury China set with six 6-piece place settings designed by Paul McCobb with dark gray and black graphics produced in 1959-1960. The china is in a restaurant style which means it a heavier form and dish washer safe, retains the ink stamps to the bottom manufactured by the Jackson China...

Category

Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Porcelain

Ceramic Pitcher, Red, White and Black, Italy, Midcentury, Ceramic, C 1950

$280Sale Price|20% Off

H 12 in Dm 7 in

Ceramic Pitcher, Red, White and Black, Italy, Midcentury, Ceramic, C 1950

Located in New York, NY

Ceramic, midcentury pitcher from Italy, circa 1950. The color is red, white and black. Good condition.

Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Ceramic

Ralph Lauren Academy Platinum Dinnerware, 4 Place Settings Set

$1,495 / set

H 0.5 in Dm 10.75 in

Ralph Lauren Academy Platinum Dinnerware, 4 Place Settings Set

By Ralph Lauren

Located in New York, NY

A set of 4 (four) place settings in the academy platinum pattern by Ralph Lauren Home collection. Bone china. Signed. Imported, production period 1995-2002. Features a platinum/silv...

Category

1990s Sri Lankan American Classical Paul McCobb Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Porcelain

D. Peterson Ceramic Pitcher and Cups Set Dated 1956

$500 / set

H 9.5 in Dm 6.25 in

D. Peterson Ceramic Pitcher and Cups Set Dated 1956

By D. Peterson

Located in Chicago, IL

This handmade ceramic pitcher and cups set has classically simple forms. The glaze treatment is wonderfully irregular, embracing the spontaneity of the process. The darker glaze on t...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Ceramic

Wedgwood Apprey Celadon Place-Setting Plates

$300 / set

H 0.75 in Dm 10 in

Wedgwood Apprey Celadon Place-Setting Plates

By Wedgwood

Located in New York, NY

Wedgwood Apprey celadon place-setting plates. Set of three pale celadon pieces for a single place-setting in the rare and charming chinoiserie pattern ...

Category

1920s English Art Deco Vintage Paul McCobb Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Creamware

Royal Crown Derby Partial Dinner Service

$3,200 / set

H 1 in Dm 10.5 in

Royal Crown Derby Partial Dinner Service

By Royal Crown Derby Porcelain

Located in Buchanan, MI

A Royal Crown Derby Partial dinner service, twenty seven pieces, 20th century, in the Imari pattern, comprising of ten dinner plates and ten bread and b...

Category

20th Century Paul McCobb Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Porcelain

Wedgewood 6 piece Dinner Service for 12 Wedgewood 'Josephine Yellow" Bone China

$960Sale Price / set|38% Off

H 0.75 in Dm 1.75 in

Wedgewood 6 piece Dinner Service for 12 Wedgewood 'Josephine Yellow" Bone China

By Wedgewood

Located in Huntington, NY

Wedgewood 6 piece Dinner service for 12 Wedgewood 'Josephine' Yellow Bone China Dinner Service, 20th c., consisting of: 12 dinner plates 10....

Category

20th Century English Other Paul McCobb Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Porcelain

Ralph Lauren Home Spectator Black Dinnerware ~ Set of 8 Place Settings

$1,800 / set

H 0.75 in W 16.25 in D 12.75 in

Ralph Lauren Home Spectator Black Dinnerware ~ Set of 8 Place Settings

By Ralph Lauren, Wedgewood

Located in New York, NY

A set of 8 (eight) place settings in the Spectator black pattern by Ralph Lauren Home Collection. Porcelain. Signed, circa 1995-1996. This pattern is currently out of production. ...

Category

1990s English American Classical Paul McCobb Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Porcelain

Ralph Lauren Wedgewood Clearwater Dinnerware ~ 4 Place Settings

$1,490 / set

H 0.5 in Dm 10.4 in

Ralph Lauren Wedgewood Clearwater Dinnerware ~ 4 Place Settings

By Ralph Lauren

Located in New York, NY

Four place settings in the Clearwater pattern by Wedgwood for Ralph Lauren. Features a cable knit motif at trim and brand stamp at undersides. Made in England, circa 2000. Origina...

Category

Early 2000s Paul McCobb Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Ceramic

Ralph Lauren Home Spectator Black Dinnerware, Set of 4 Place Settings

$720 / set

H 0.75 in W 16.25 in D 12.75 in

Ralph Lauren Home Spectator Black Dinnerware, Set of 4 Place Settings

By Ralph Lauren

Located in New York, NY

A set of four (4) place settings in the Spectator Black pattern by Ralph Lauren Home Collection. Porcelain. Signed, 1995-1996. White with black wide stripe border and silver trim. ...

Category

1990s Portuguese American Classical Paul McCobb Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Porcelain

Ralph Lauren Home Hampton Floral Dishes ~ 12 Place Settings Set

$12,600 / set

H 0.75 in W 10.5 in D 10.5 in

Ralph Lauren Home Hampton Floral Dishes ~ 12 Place Settings Set

By Ralph Lauren, Wedgewood

Located in New York, NY

A set of1 12 (twelve) place settings in the Hampton Floral pattern by Ralph Lauren Home collection for Wedgwood. Porcelain. Signed, circa 1995-1996. Features a tartan border with colorful floral pattern on white with gold rim...

Category

1990s English Country Paul McCobb Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Porcelain

Set of Twelve Wedgwood Lunch Plates

$575 / set

H 0.88 in Dm 8.88 in

Set of Twelve Wedgwood Lunch Plates

By Wedgwood

Located in Essex, MA

Retailed by Ovington Brothers. Circular with fruit and floral border and powder blue interior. Gold edge.

Category

1930s English Art Deco Vintage Paul McCobb Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Porcelain

12 Copeland Spode Hand Painted Historic Fresh Water Cabinet/Dessert Plates

$6,200 / set

H 1 in Dm 9.75 in

12 Copeland Spode Hand Painted Historic Fresh Water Cabinet/Dessert Plates

By Copeland Spode

Located in Great Barrington, MA

This set of 12 hand painted plates are unusual in that they depict scenes of freshwater related locations in America. Most scenic plates focus on Europea...

Category

1920s English Vintage Paul McCobb Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Gold

Previously Available Items

Paul McCobb Set of Contempri 40 piece plus

Sold

H 1 in Dm 10 in

Paul McCobb Set of Contempri 40 piece plus

By Jackson Internationale, Paul McCobb

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Paul McCobb Contempri for Jackson Internationale Set of Dinnerware. 40 plus pieces. 8 10" Dinner Plates 8 7.25 Salad Plates 6 5.5 Small B...

Category

1960s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Ceramic

Paul McCobb Rare Mid-Century Modern Set of Fine China Contempri Japan, 1960s

Sold

H 1 in Dm 10.25 in

Paul McCobb Rare Mid-Century Modern Set of Fine China Contempri Japan, 1960s

By Paul McCobb

Located in Keego Harbor, MI

A chic Mid-Century Modern fine China dining set designed by Paul McCobb. Stamped Contempri fine China designed by Paul McCobb Japan Jackson Inter...

Category

1960s Vintage Paul McCobb Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Glass

Paul McCobb Contempri "Sticks" Dinnerware Set, 16 Pieces

Sold

H 0.25 in Dm 10.25 in

Paul McCobb Contempri "Sticks" Dinnerware Set, 16 Pieces

By Paul McCobb

Located in New York, NY

A 16-piece set of dinnerware in the Contempri "Sticks" pattern designed by Paul McCobb for Jackson Internationale. Japan, circa 1950s. Include...

Category

1960s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Ceramic

Paul McCobb for Contempi, Japan 38 Piece Ceramic Coffee Set in Orange and White

Sold

H 15.95 in Dm 5.91 in

Paul McCobb for Contempi, Japan 38 Piece Ceramic Coffee Set in Orange and White

By Paul McCobb

Located in Mexico, DF

Beautiful and rare set of the coffee pitcher, sugar bowl with lid, and twelve sets of the round dish with coffee cup plus twelve dessert round plates in ceramic, designed by Paul McCobb for the "Contempi" line, Jackson Ceramics, Japan late 1950s. The set is orange and white, a very striking retro combination of colors. All 38 pieces are in very good shape. Paul McCobb was born in 1917 in Medford, Massachusetts. He moved from Boston to New York to pursue his dream of becoming a designer. When it came to designing he was completely self-taught with a very minimalistic approach to object creation influenced by Scandinavian design as well as the “Shaker” style in furniture making. Perspective and scale became the trademark for McCobb's designs, his tables, shelves, lamps, and other daily used articles...

Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Ceramic

6 Paul McCobb 6-Piece Contempri Place Settings by Jackson China Co.

Sold

H 1 in W 1 in D 1 in

6 Paul McCobb 6-Piece Contempri Place Settings by Jackson China Co.

By Paul McCobb

Located in Cincinnati, OH

A fine 36-piece midcentury china set with six 6-piece place settings designed by Paul McCobb with dark gray and black graphics produced in 1959-1960. The china is in a restaurant style which means it a heavier form and dish washer safe, retains the ink stamps to the bottom manufactured by the Jackson China...

Category

Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Porcelain

6 Paul McCobb 6-Piece Contempri Place Settings by Jackson China Co.

Sold

H 1 in W 1 in D 1 in

6 Paul McCobb 6-Piece Contempri Place Settings by Jackson China Co.

By Paul McCobb

Located in Cincinnati, OH

Category

Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Porcelain

12 Paul McCobb 6 Piece Contempri Place Settings by Jackson China Company

Sold

H 1 in Dm 9.25 in

12 Paul McCobb 6 Piece Contempri Place Settings by Jackson China Company

By Paul McCobb

Located in Cincinnati, OH

A very fine 72 pc. Paul McCobb china set making 12 ( six) piece place settings with great graphics for the Jackson China company from the Contempri collec...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Porcelain

Paul McCobb Large Contempri Sticks Dinnerware Set

Sold

H 8.75 in Dm 13.5 in

Paul McCobb Large Contempri Sticks Dinnerware Set

By Paul McCobb

Located in Atlanta, GA

Large "Contempri Sticks" Pattern Dinnerware or China Set, designed by Paul McCobb for Jackson Internationale, Japan, circa 1950s. 73 pieces tota...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Porcelain

Paul McCobb Mid-Century Modern "Contempri" 88-Piece China Set

Sold

H 1 in Dm 10.25 in

Paul McCobb Mid-Century Modern "Contempri" 88-Piece China Set

By Jackson Internationale, Paul McCobb

Located in South Bend, IN

An outstanding set of "Contempri" porcelain china dinnerware designed by Paul McCobb for Jackson Internationale. The 88-piece set includes: ...

Category

1950s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Porcelain

Paul McCobb Maple or Black and Wrought Iron Bar Cart Planner Group

Sold

H 29.53 in W 29.93 in D 30.71 in

Paul McCobb Maple or Black and Wrought Iron Bar Cart Planner Group

By Paul McCobb, Planner Group

Located in Berlin, DE

Paul McCobb bar cart with iron frame and expandable top, shelves and drawer in maple. Each leaf is 6". The top is 18" x 30" and the height is 29 5/8ths.

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Wrought Iron

Paul McCobb Pitcher

Sold

H 11.5 in W 9 in D 6 in

Paul McCobb Pitcher

By Paul McCobb

Located in Chicago, IL

Serving Pitcher with twist locking lid.

Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Ceramic

Paul McCobb Porcelain Compote or Candleholder

Sold

H 7.5 in W 8.75 in D 8.75 in

Paul McCobb Porcelain Compote or Candleholder

By Paul McCobb

Located in Chicago, IL

This porcelain centerpiece is part of the "Contempri" line designed by Paul McCobb for Jackson Internationale. This versatile piece can function...

Category

1960s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

Materials

Porcelain

Paul Mccobb serveware, ceramics, silver and glass for sale on 1stDibs.

Paul McCobb serveware, ceramics, silver and glass are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of ceramic and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Paul McCobb serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, although gray editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original serveware, ceramics, silver and glass by Paul McCobb were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider serveware, ceramics, silver and glass by Charles Hollis Jones, Ben Seibel, and Gordon Martz. Prices for Paul McCobb serveware, ceramics, silver and glass can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $195 and can go as high as $4,800, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,050.

Creators Similar to Paul McCobb

Questions About Paul McCobb Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

How do I identify Paul McCobb furniture?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
The best way to identify Paul McCobb furniture is to look for the signature hallmarks of his style. He didn't sign or add a brand marker to his pieces. McCobb preferred clean, simple lines with no ornamentation. Slightly angled legs and boxy drawers and chair backs are indicative of his work. On 1stDibs, find a variety of expertly vetted Paul McCobb furniture.
How do I refinish Paul McCobb furniture?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
To refinish Paul McCobb furniture, start by stripping away the old finish with a chemical stripper. Then, use a fine wire brush and steel wool to remove any lingering chemicals. Sand every surface and apply a wood conditioner. Finally, apply three to five coats of lacquer. Find a collection of Paul McCobb furniture on 1stDibs.
How can I sell Paul McCobb furniture?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
You can sell Paul McCobb furniture in a number of ways. Options include selling directly to someone else by advertising on social media or in the newspaper or going to a vintage furniture shop. You can also work with an auction house or choose a reputable online platform. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of Paul McCobb furniture.
What type of wood finish did Paul McCobb use?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
In most cases, Paul McCobb used a natural lacquer wood finish. In doing so, he emphasized the natural color and grain of the hardwoods used to build his tables, desks, cabinets and other furniture. Shop a collection of Paul McCobb on 1stDibs.

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