Paul McCobb Commodes and Chests of Drawers
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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Item Ships From: Europe
Creator: Paul McCobb
Paul McCobb for Winchendon Twenty Drawer Chest Of Drawers or Credenza
By Paul McCobb
Located in Berlin, DE
Paul McCobb for Winchendon Twenty Drawer Chest Of Drawers or Credenza, USA 1960s. Paul McCobb (1917-1969) was an American furniture and industrial designer who gained prominence in t...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Wrought Iron
Paul McCobb 'Cache' Desk Organizer by Karakter
By Paul McCobb
Located in Berlin, DE
The Desk Organizer is a beautifully simplistic and easy table with slim and straight steel legs, stripped from any details or ornament, leaving only small drawers that can be mounted...
Category
2010s Danish Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Steel
Paul McCobb Planner Group Credenza or Chest of Drawers for Winchendon
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Berlin, DE
Very special McCobb credenza with a metallic copper surface on the doors. Classic aluminium rings and solid maple all around. Four drawers in total.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Maple
Pair of Paul McCobb Planner Group Chest of Drawers Dresser
By Paul McCobb
Located in Berlin, DE
Nice aluminum ring pull version in solid maple on this matching pair of Paul McCobb drawer for Winchendon from the famous Planner Group Series.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Aluminum
Paul McCobb Planner Group Six-Drawer on Bench by Winchendon
By Paul McCobb
Located in Berlin, DE
Solid maple and aluminium ring pulls. The drawer is in good condition. Signed!
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Aluminum
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Small Paul McCobb Planner Group Three Drawer Dresser in Tobacco Maple Finish
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Mid-Century Credenza by Paul McCobb Planner Group #1513 Blonde Doors Maple
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Beautiful mid-century low credenza cabinet with blonde maple sliding doors by Paul McCobb circa 1950 planner group #1513 has 2 adjustable shelves with pins - solid maple construction...
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Paul McCobb Planner Group 20-Drawer Dresser or Credenza, 1950s
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Expertly Restored - Paul McCobb 6-Drawer Dresser for Winchendon Furniture
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Paul McCobb 6-drawer dresser for winchendon furniture.
________________________________________
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Paul McCobb Planner Group Birch Sliding Door Sideboard Credenza, 1950s
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A gorgeous Mid-Century Modern sideboard, credenza, or bar cabinet
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...
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Paul McCobb for Planner Group Mid Century Sliding Door Credenza
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Paul McCobb for Planner Group Mid Century Sliding Door Credenza
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Pair of Paul McCobb Planner Group Maple Six Drawer Double Dressers
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Midcentury Credenza by Paul McCobb Planner Group #1513 Wood Doors Maple
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Beautiful midcentury low credenza cabinet with sliding doors by Paul McCobb circa 1950 planner group #1513 - solid maple construction has a Blonde maple finish. All original Wood sliding front doors with brass finger hole pull sits on 4 tapered maple legs. Good vintage condition. Normal wear on top surface. No inside shelves. Wire hole in back and center dividers for stereo equipment...
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Previously Available Items
High Cabinet by Paul McCobb for Directional / WK Möbel
By Paul McCobb, Directional
Located in Berlin, DE
Towering high cabinet or board designed by Paul McCobb for Directional / WK Möbel. Walnut with original polished metal pulls. The cabinet exists of a chest with four drawer and a cab...
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Pair of Planner Group Nightstands by Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Berlin, DE
Designed by Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture's Planner Group line. Original brass pulls!
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H 25.5 in W 24 in D 18.25 in
Modular Paul McCobb Planner Group Drawer and Sliding Door Cabinet on Bench
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Located in Berlin, DE
Original Paul McCobb solid maple cabinets on bench. Made for Winchendon in the 1950s. Restored without destroying the authentic vintage patina. Signed.
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H 33.86 in W 48.04 in D 18.12 in
Paul McCobb Chest of Drawers Planner Group 20-Drawer Credenza by Winchendon
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Set of Two Chest of Drawers by Paul McCobb in Dark Maple
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Located in Berlin, DE
Set of two beautiful chest of drawers by Paul McCobb for Winchendon in dark maple.
Good vintage condition with some marks of use.
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Paul McCobb Two-Drawer on Bench
By Paul McCobb
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Solid maple and aluminum ring pulls. The Drawer is in very good condition.
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Paul Mccobb commodes and chests of drawers for sale on 1stDibs.
Paul McCobb commodes and chests of drawers are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Paul McCobb commodes and chests of drawers, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 61 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 1 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original commodes and chests of drawers by Paul McCobb were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider commodes and chests of drawers by George Nelson, Herman Miller, and John Widdicomb. Prices for Paul McCobb commodes and chests of drawers can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $825 and can go as high as $18,741, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $4,475.
Creators Similar to Paul McCobb
Questions About Paul McCobb Commodes and Chests of Drawers
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022You 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, 2022The 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, 2022To 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, 2022In 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.