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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.

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Creator: Paul McCobb
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

1950s Tiara Gold Profile Fine China Set Paul McCobb Japan Jackson Internationale
By Paul McCobb
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Tiara Gold Profile Fine China Set Paul Mccobb Japan Jackson Internationale designed by Paul McCobb 1950s Fine China Set service for four. Midc...
Category

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

Materials

Ceramic

1950s Paul McCobb Modern Serving Plate Contempri Eclipse Sticks Blue Green
By Paul McCobb
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Classic midcentury Platter Blue and Green Paul McCobb Jackson Internationale 13.5 long x 8.88 d x 1.5 h Eclipse Contempri sticks designed by Pau...
Category

1950s 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.
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

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

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

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C.1950's Théodore Haviland "Gold Encrusted Hearts" 21pc Porcelain Dinnerware Set
By Theodore Haviland
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Previously Available Items
Paul McCobb Rare Mid-Century Modern Set of Fine China Contempri Japan, 1960s
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Paul McCobb Contempri "Sticks" Dinnerware Set, 16 Pieces
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6 Paul McCobb 6-Piece Contempri Place Settings by Jackson China Co.
By Paul McCobb
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6 Paul McCobb 6-Piece Contempri Place Settings by Jackson China Co.
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12 Paul McCobb 6 Piece Contempri Place Settings by Jackson China Company
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Paul McCobb Large Contempri Sticks Dinnerware Set
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Paul McCobb Mid-Century Modern "Contempri" 88-Piece China Set
By Paul McCobb, Jackson Internationale
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: ...
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1950s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

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

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Paul McCobb Porcelain Compote or Candleholder
By Paul McCobb
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Arthur Umanoff Wine Rack
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Arthur Umanoff Wine Rack
Arthur Umanoff Wine Rack
H 19 in W 14 in D 10 in
Arthur Umanoff Wine Rack
By Paul McCobb
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Amazing wine rack by Arthur Umanoff constructed of original saddle colored leather and iron. Great function and craftsmanship. Holds 48 bottles of wine!
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Arthur Umanoff Wine Rack
Arthur Umanoff Wine Rack
H 66 in W 14 in D 15 in
Paul Mccobb Wine Rack
By Paul McCobb
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Classic Paul McCobb wine rack in black iron and original leather. Leather straps have patina with brass rivets. Holds 8 wine bottles!
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20th Century American Paul McCobb Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

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Iron, Brass

Paul Mccobb Wine Rack
Paul Mccobb Wine Rack
H 18 in W 10 in D 9.5 in

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.
Questions About Paul McCobb Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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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