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.
Rare Paul McCobb 2pc. Bar Cabinet by H. Saks & Sons Connoisseur Collection
By Paul McCobb
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A unique and stunning walnut 2 piece bar cabinet with the top having a pull down door that is also a drink mixing and serving area with an aluminum surface and a upper built in light...
Aluminum, Chrome
Paul McCobb Connoisseur Collection Mahogany Lift Top Bar Cabinet, Refinished
By Paul McCobb, H Sacks & Sons
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional Mid-Century Modern lift top bar cabinet By Paul McCobb for H. Sacks & Sons, "Connoisseur Collection" USA, 1950s Ma...
Aluminum
Paul McCobb Connoisseur Collection Mid-Century Modern Mahogany Dry Bar or Server
By H Sacks & Sons, Paul McCobb
Located in St. Louis, MO
Hard to find Paul McCobb dry bar or server for his Connoisseur collection by H. Saks & Sons. To be refinished, custom color available, rounded pulls to be re-plated brass. Top lifts ...
Mahogany
Baker Styled Walnut Mahogany Bar / Sever Cabinet
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A very well crafted two piece four door cabinet with book matched wood grained fronts opening to revel two glass and two wooden adjustable shelves with two smaller drawers one with d...
Brass
$15,800
H 99.41 in W 74.81 in D 24.41 in
Ernesto Valabrega for Studio Vittorio Valabrega Rare Bar Cabinet
By Vittorio Valabrega
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ernesto Valabrega for Studio Vittorio Valabrega, bar cabinet, beech, laminated wood, Italy, 1930s A bar cabinet by the Italian artist and designer Ernesto Valabrega from the 1930s. ...
Wood, Beech
$2,240Sale Price|20% Off
H 81 in W 72 in D 18 in
Mid Century Server Credenza Attributed to Paul McCobb
By Paul McCobb
Located in New York, NY
Nice Mid-Century Modern credenza having a large cabinet bottom and a tall vertical display shelf top element. The shelf has its original white glass insert surfaces and four thin dra...
Brass
$12,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 35.5 in W 36 in D 18 in
Paul Evans Cityscape Bar Cabinet, Burlwood & Chrome, 1970s Modern
By Paul Evans
Located in Chino Hills, CA
Step back in time with this authentic, vintage Paul Evans Cityscape bar cabinet from the 1970s. This striking piece combines the distinct aesthetic of Paul Evans with the practicalit...
Burl
Mahogany Drinks Cabinet, Dry Bar, Georgian Styling
By Bevan Funnell Ltd.
Located in Toronto, CA
A mahogany dry bar or drinks cabinet crafted in mahogany, Georgian styled with a delicate serpentine curve to the front to give it a classic line...
Wood
Very Rare Bar Cabinet by Charles Dudouyt, France, 1930s/40s
By Charles Dudouyt
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
An very rare bar cabinet attributed to Charles Dudouyt, France, 1930s/40s. Structurally sound and ready to use. Some marks to the top surface and inside shelves. Fast shipping worldw...
Wood
$6,235
H 30.32 in W 38.98 in D 18.51 in
Mid-Century Modern Tugas Dry Bar on Wheels in Mahogany, Pivoting Door - France
By Bar Tugas
Located in Girona, Girona
Dry bar "Tugas" on wheels, solid mahogany and mahogany veneer, french polish. Pivoting door with an ivory stained space with glass and mirror shelves. Remov...
Metal, Chrome
Mastercraft Mid Century Brass and Burled Elm Dry Bar Server
By Mastercraft
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Mastercraft Mid Century Brass and Burled Elm Dry Bar Server This dry bar measures: 40 wide x 19.25 deep x 33 high, when extended the width is 59.75 inches We take our photos in a c...
Brass
$4,995
H 34.75 in W 48 in D 19.02 in
Paul McCobb Irwin Collection Mahogany Sideboard, Credenza, Newly Refinished
By Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobb
Located in South Bend, IN
An outstanding Mid-Century Modern sideboard, credenza, dresser, or bar cabinet By Paul McCobb for Directional and produced by Calvin Furniture, "Irwin Collection" USA, 1950s Mahog...
Brass
Vintage Art Deco Philippine Mahogany Dry Bar or Liquor Cabinet
Located in Topeka, KS
Awesome vintage Art Deco dry bar or liquor cabinet comprised of Philippine mahogany. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear. We have added a new black painted base. There were several small areas that have been repaired or veneer replaced. Please see photos and zoom in for details. We attempt to portray any imperfections. Circa, Early to Mid-20th Century. It's 5 O’clock somewhere!! What a FANTASTIC vintage Art Deco dry bar or liquor cabinet!! It is comprised of wonderful Philippine Mahogany and finished all the way around so it can float nicely in any room you choose, plus we have added a lovely new black painted base… and it looks FABULOUS! The front double doors are spilt at the top and in the center by a wood handle that runs the length of the doors of the cabinet. So, you can open the smaller top section and leave the lower portion closed or vice versa. The right door closes over the left, so simply pull the right-hand door using the handle which reveals the inside of the cabinet featuring shelves and a small center storage unit with doors. Piano hinges assist each door in opening and the back of the doors are lined with a gorgeous vintage bark cloth...
Mahogany, Fabric, Paint
Danish Viking Bar Cabinet
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A very unusual, hand painted bar cabinet, as a Danish Viking, made in Italy. Striking naive/modern style, humorous and direct. The back is finished and ...
Wood
Mid-Century Modern Dry Bar and Stools
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
For your consideration, Mid-Century Modern bar made in the early 70s. Great boomerang-shaped top. Made of pine and MDF boards painted with lacquer (orange and dark green), with brass...
Brass
Midcentury Dresser in Walnut by Paul McCobb for Calvin, circa 1950
By Paul McCobb, Calvin Furniture
Located in Detroit, MI
This vintage Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb walnut chest of drawers was produced by Calvin Furniture circa 1950 as part of the Linear Group line. Expertly crafted from walnut, this Classic piece features sleek, geometric lines with signature Paul McCobb metal...
Metal, Aluminum
Paul McCobb For Calvin Mid Century Extension Bar Serving Cart
By Paul McCobb, Calvin Furniture
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Paul McCobb for Calvin mid century extension bar serving cart The cart measures: 40.25 wide x 20.25 deep x 29 inches high; when opened the cart measures 80.5 inches wide All pi...
Brass
Sold
H 34 in W 36 in D 18 in
Paul McCobb Connoisseur Collection Black Lacquer and Brass Lift Top Bar Cabinet
By Paul McCobb, H Sacks & Sons
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional Mid-Century Modern lift top bar cabinet By Paul McCobb for H. Sacks & Sons, "Connoisseur Collection" USA, 1950s Bl...
Brass
Paul McCobb Console Table for Calvin
By Paul McCobb
Located in San Francisco, CA
Mid-Century Modern console table or server designed by Paul McCobb for Calvin Furniture, part of his Irwin collection. Console has two drawers and two lower shelves in mahogany and s...
Brass
Sold
H 34 in W 36 in D 18 in
Paul McCobb Connoisseur Collection Mahogany and Brass Lift Top Bar Cabinet
By Paul McCobb, H Sacks & Sons
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional Mid-Century Modern lift top bar cabinet By Paul McCobb for H. Sacks & Sons, "Connoisseur Collection" USA, 1950s Ho...
Brass
Paul McCobb for Calvin Mid Century Walnut and Laminate Bar Cart
By Paul McCobb, Calvin Furniture
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Paul McCobb for Calvin Mid Century walnut and laminate bar cart This bar cart measures 40 wide when closed, 80 wide when expanded x 20 deep x 29.25 inche...
Brass
Sold
H 30 in W 40.25 in D 20.25 in
Paul McCobb for Calvin Ebonized Mahogany Extension Bar Serving Cart
By Paul McCobb, Calvin Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Modern, 4 drawer, mahogany, extension, bar or serving cart by Paul McCobb for Calvin Furniture features an ebonized finish with brass details and hardware and glass lower...
Brass
Sold
H 34 in W 24 in L 34 in
Paul McCobb Small Cabinet on Table Base with Sliding Doors, One-Shelf, Restored
By Paul McCobb
Located in Kansas City, MO
Paul McCobb Planner Group cabinet for Winchendon Furniture Company. Solid maple construction. Expertly restored. This would make an excellent media cabinet as it has black sliding doors that reveal a fixed shelf with a professionally cut hole in back for electrical cords. The cabinet sits on a solid maple table...
Maple
Sold
H 36.25 in W 36 in D 19.25 in
Paul McCobb Calvin Group Mahogany and Brass Sideboard or Bar Cabinet, Restored
By Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobb
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional Mid-Century Modern sideboard server or bar cabinet By Paul McCobb for Calvin Furniture "Calvin Group" USA, 1950s Honduran mahogany, with brass stretch...
Brass
Paul McCobb Connoisseur Collection Dry Bar or Server
By H Sacks & Sons, Paul McCobb
Located in St. Louis, MO
Hard to find Paul McCobb dry bar or server for his Connoisseur collection by H. Saks & Sons. To be refinished, custom color available, rounded pulls to be re-plated brass. Top lifts ...
Mahogany
Paul McCobb for Calvin Group Bar Cabinet, USA, 1950s
By Paul McCobb, Calvin Furniture
Located in Norwalk, CT
Featuring signature brass cross stretcher, this unusual McCobb cabinet has been fully restored. Single long drawer over a pair of bi-fold doors. Original pulls. Brass stretcher has b...
Paul McCobb for The Calvin Group Marble-Top Bar Cart
By Paul McCobb
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Elegant bar cart designed by Paul McCobb for The Calvin Group. Features include marble top, brass baby pulls, lower glass shelf, brass castors and three sto...
Wood