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.
Paul McCobb for Pomona Tile Manufacturing Company American Triangular Table Lamp
By Paul McCobb
Located in Queens, NY
Mid-Century American (1950s) table lamp in triangular form from the Distinguished Designer Series featuring an extended silver metal stem plus three functioning light switch sockets ...
Metal
Rare Modernist Brass and Glass Lamp designed by Paul McCobb
By Paul McCobb
Located in Buffalo, NY
Seldom seen Modernist Brass and Milk Glass Table / Desk Lamp designed by Paul McCobb,, Classic Mid Century Modern Design,,Timeless elegance.
Brass
$7,500
H 36.5 in W 30.5 in D 30 in
Large Italian Modernist "Ippocastano" Brass Table Lamp Designed by Carlo Giorgi
By Carlo Giorgi, Bottega Gadda
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Oversized, impressive brass table lamp Model L2B Ippocastano (Horse Chestnut) designed by Carlo Giorgi for Bottega Gadda, though often mis-attributed to Tommaso Barbi, with whom Gior...
Brass
Design Table Crystal Glass brass Lamp by Kamenicky Senov, 1970s
By Kamenicky Senov
Located in Praha, CZ
- Czechoslovakia, 1960. - original condition. - Us compatible - bulb any wattage - patina, see the photos jr
Brass
$2,118
H 16.54 in W 13 in D 14.57 in
Rare Glass Earth Globe or Table Lamp by Columbus Verlag - Paul Oestergaard 1960s
By Columbus Verlag Paul Oestergard
Located in Munich, DE
Rare and highly decorative Mid-Century Modern glass earth globe or side table lamp. The globe is illuminated, rotating horizontally and tilting vertically, and can be used as a side ...
Brass
Modernist Brass Table Lamp
Located in New York, NY
Mid-Century Modern brass table lamp Rewired Measures: Height 18", base 6.5", shade diameter 15.75".
Brass
Rare Brass Paul Mayen for Habitat Table Lamp
By Paul Mayen
Located in New York, NY
Unusual large brass lamp, designed by Paul Mayen for Habitat. This example is in very good, original; working condition.it features two porcelain sockets, and an adjustable harp. The...
Brass
American Art Moderne Brass Desk Lamp Attributed to Paul McCobb
By Paul McCobb
Located in Queens, NY
American Art Moderne 1940s brass desk lamp with white perforated sides supported by two columns on rectangular base. (attributed to Paul McCobb).
Brass
$1,200
H 44 in W 5 in D 5 in
Brutalist Table Lamp by Harry Balmer for the Laurel Lamp Company, ca. 1970's
By Harry Balmer, Laurel Lamp Company
Located in New York, NY
Iconic Brutalist table lamp, by Harry Blamer, for the Laurel Lamp Company circa 1970's. The lamp features a torch cut body of welded iron segme...
Iron
LeRoy C. Doane for The Miller Lamp Company Table Lamp
By Kem Weber, Leroy C. Doane
Located in Philadelphia, PA
LeRoy C. Doane for The Miller Lamp Company Pagoda Table Lamp. For years it was said this lamp was designed by Kem Weber. This Lamp is very Original! Retains all it's original appl...
Metal
Cityscape table lamp Paul Evans for Directional
By Paul Evans
Located in Atlanta, GA
A table lamp in Cityscape series designed and made by Paul Evans for Directional circa 1970s. In a minimalistic cubic letter "T" form with chrome and brass patchwork surface, the lam...
Brass, Chrome
$6,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 31 in W 18 in D 18 in
Rare Mid Century Teak Sculptural Laurel Lamp by Richard Barr 60s Art Paul McCobb
By Richard Barr, Laurel Lamp Company
Located in Peoria, AZ
ABSOLUTELY STUNNING! RICHARD BARR TEAK & ENAMEL SCULPTURAL LAMP FOR LAUREL LAMP CO. MINIMALIST MODERNISM! DIMENSIONS: 37" x 18" This lamp is the epitome of clean Danish minimalism as exhibited in the mid century period! A rare Richard Barr design that features molded teak over metal! Designers utilized new fabrication techniques perfected in the postwar period to create wonderful sculptured shapes that look sensational! This lamp produces enormous quantities of clean, white light with its 3-way socket and white fabric shade! The teak is gorgeous and its almost as if Richard Barr was chanelling Paul McCobb with the minimalist black accents, creating a very ascetic, yet rich, modern look with this lamp! Lamp is in very fine vintage condition! Light age wear to the teak and enamel. Works perfectly and displays beautifully! A Wonderful Barr lighting creation that will infuse more style into the interiors of your NY penthouse, Rancho Sante Fe estate or West Palm Beach Mansion!
Metal, Brass
Pair of Brutalist Iron Table Lamps, Richard Barr for Laurel Lamp Company
By Richard Barr
Located in Mt Kisco, NY
Pair of Brutalist Iron Table Lamps, Richard Barr for Laurel Lamp Company, Iron slabs are cut by a torch cut and welded into the sculptural design. One pole is lower than the other b...
Iron
Tony Paul Brass and Walnut Table Lamp
By Tony Paul
Located in Asbury Park, NJ
A organic-form Tony Paul table lamp of turned walnut and brass elements, with tall cylindrical off-white shade.
Monumental Pair of Paul McCobb Walnut and Pomona Tile Table Lamps
By Paul McCobb
Located in Miami, FL
A rare and impressive pair of Mid-Century Modern large lamps designed by Paul McCobb in 1957 for the Distinguished Designer Series by the Pomona Manufacturing Company, featuring inset "Roulette" glazed ceramic tiles in the original red-orange hues. Each lamp features a triangular solid walnut body with brass toned decorative elements. The original triangular shades, restored with brand new linen, follow the lines of the lamps, giving the objects an even stronger personality, and making them truly unique conversation pieces. Other notable designers that were hired to create tiles for the series were Dorothy Liebes, Saul Bass, Paul Laszlo, Millard Sheets, Dong Kingman and George Nelson. The Distinguished Designer Series of Sculptured and Decorator Tiles were sold from 1957-1963. Height listed below is to the top of the shade; height to socket is 31.5 inches. Shades height 18 inches, width 23 inches. Please contact Select Modern for additional photos. Literature: Art & Architecture, June 1957 issue, two page Pomona Tile...
Brass
Paul McCobb Table Lamp
By Paul McCobb
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A Paul McCobb table lamp with barrel styled white translucent glass shade sitting on a tri - legged brass base with bottom turn switch. Manufactured by the Northcraft Lamp & Accessor...
Paul McCobb Brass E-9 Tripod Table Lamp, Circa 1955
By Paul McCobb
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Classic Paul McCobb E9 All Brass Reading Desk Lamp. Featuring a Brass stem, socket and tripod base. With original natural patina. Shade shown for display only. Rewired with Black br...
Brass
rare Paul McCobb for Directional Table Lamp
By Paul McCobb, Directional
Located in Bainbridge, NY
scarce Mid Century Paul McCobb for Directional Birch and Brass Lamp. With Pecan finish, hour glass shape, round brass base standard McCobb socket and brass detail. Nice accent ligh...
Brass