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.
72" Paul McCobb Brass and Vitrolite Console Table, Mid-Century Modern
By Directional, Paul McCobb
Located in Round Top, TX
Iconic Paul McCobb brass and Vitrolite console table. Perfect age and oxidation to brass in the coveted longer six foot length. A rare example of Mr. McCobb's elegant, streamlined,...
Brass
Paul McCobb Sideboard Dresser Console 1960s
By Paul McCobb
Located in Munich, DE
Serving table or console table designed by Paul McCobb for Calvin. Fold-out table top, which doubles the table’s storage area. Rectangle shape in a beautiful oak case and a with four...
Brass
Paul McCobb for Calvin Console Table with White Vitrolite Top and Brass Frame
By Paul McCobb, Calvin Furniture
Located in St. Louis, MO
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 that ...
Brass
Paul McCobb for Bell and Howell Mid Century Cane and Brass Stereo Console
By Bell & Howell, Paul McCobb
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Paul McCobb for Bell and Howell Mid Century Cane and Brass Stereo Console This stereo console measures: 50 wide x 19 deep x 33.75 inches high We take our photos in a controlled lig...
Brass
Paul McCobb Cache Console with Two Drawers, Wood and Steel by Karakter
By Paul McCobb
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Console with two drawers designed by Paul McCobb in 1952. The foundation of the Cache series, part of Paul McCobb’s extensive Planner series, is a beautifully simplistic and easy...
Steel
Paul McCobb Irwin Collection Brass and Travertine Sofa Table
By Paul McCobb
Located in Dallas, TX
Console designed by Paul McCobb for Directional. Constructed of brass with travertine top. Excellent condition.
Travertine, Brass
Paul McCobb Cache Console with Two Drawers, Wood and Steel by Karakter
By Paul McCobb
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Console with two drawers designed by Paul McCobb in 1952. The foundation of the Cache series, part of Paul McCobb’s extensive Planner series, is a beautifully simplistic and easy...
Steel
$4,574Sale Price|20% Off
Paul McCobb Planner Group Console Table for Winchendon, USA, 1950s
By Paul McCobb, Winchendon
Located in Berlin, DE
Paul McCobb console table in metal with maple top.
Metal
$9,240 / set
Pair of Paul McCobb of Consoles
By Directional, Paul McCobb
Located in Chicago, IL
Paul McCobb for Directional. Pair of model 8704 console tables. Square tubular brass frames with travertine top. Patina on brass consistent with age and use. Stool sold separately.
Travertine, Brass
Mid-Century Modern Lane Delineator Paul McCobb Walnut & Rosewood Console Table
By Paul McCobb, Lane Furniture
Located in Clarksboro, NJ
Designed by Paul McCobb for Lane’s highly sought-after Delineator collection, this Mid-Century Modern console table showcases the clean lines and sophisticated materials that define ...
Cane, Wood, Rosewood, Walnut
Paul McCobb Brass Sofa or Console Table with Vitrolite Top
By Paul McCobb
Located in Highland, IN
A stunning example of McCobb's masterful, minimalist design aesthetic, this sublime console table features a brass base which supports a top of opaque white Vitrolite glass. This ra...
Brass
Paul McCobb Travertine Consoles and or Sofa Tables
By Directional, Paul McCobb
Located in Chicago, IL
Paul McCobb Travertine Consoles and or Sofa Tables, model 8704 for Directional. Square tubular brass with 3/4" travertine.
Travertine, Brass
Paul McCobb Cache Console with Two Drawers, Wood and Steel by Karakter
By Paul McCobb
Located in Berlin, DE
Console with two drawers designed by Paul McCobb in 1952. The foundation of the Cache series, part of Paul McCobb’s extensive Planner series, is a beautifully simplistic and easy tab...
Steel
Low Console Table Designed by Paul McCobb for Calvin
By Paul McCobb
Located in Stamford, CT
A square brass armature console table with travertine marble top designed by Paul McCobb.
Brass
$1,900
H 9 in W 48 in D 12 in
Mid Century Paul Evans Cityscape Floating Shelf or Console Table Chrome & Brass
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An incredible design, a cityscape wall shelf designed by Paul Evans in the 1970's. The set features Fine heavy construction with brass & chrome clad patchwork design. Includes two L ...
Brass, Chrome
$2,800
H 28 in W 50 in D 20 in
Midcentury Two-Tone Metal Brass and Steel Arch Stretcher Console Sofa Table
By Design Institute America
Located in Rockaway, NJ
DIA Mid-Century Modern two-tone metals console or sofa table with glass top.
Metal
Paul McCobb Wall-Mounted Floating Console
By Paul McCobb
Located in Culver City, CA
Introducing an extraordinary mid-century wall-mounted floating three-tier console, a sought-after piece designed by the esteemed Paul McCobb for Bryce Originals in the 1950s. With it...
Steel, Cut Steel
Paul McCobb Stereo Record Cabinet H. Sacks & Sons
By Paul McCobb
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A very hard to find Paul McCobb designed walnut stereo record cabinet sitting on stainless steel legs . Having two storage bins to the left , lower seven slots for record storage, pu...
Stainless Steel
$2,600
H 18.5 in W 48 in D 18 in
Paul McCobb for Planner Group Winchendon Modular Ebonized Maple Dresser
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Modern, modular dresser system by Paul McCobb for Planner Group, Winchendon features two 24 x 18 x 8.5 inch dressers with signature aluminu...
Aluminum
$4,895
H 34.5 in W 66 in D 18 in
Paul McCobb "Linear Group" Dresser w/ Steel Accents for Calvin Furniture
By Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobb
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Materials Walnut Wood, Lightly Patinated Steel ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, an...
Steel
$4,500
H 33.5 in W 48 in D 18 in
Expertly Restored - Paul McCobb 6-Drawer Dresser for Winchendon Furniture
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Paul McCobb 6-drawer dresser for winchendon furniture. ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back t...
Aluminum
McCobb Nelson Style Lane Jewelry Chest Cabinet Box Mid Century Modern
By Paul McCobb, George Nelson, Lane Furniture
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
Beautiful small Mid Century modern jewelry cabinet or box made by high quality furniture maker, Lane. This walnut cabinet has six drawers wi...
Chrome
$4,000
H 35 in W 72 in D 19 in
Mid Century Modern Paul McCobb Credenza with Brass base for Calvin Group
By Paul McCobb, Calvin Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid Century Modern Dark brown Mahogany with folding front doors sideboard or credenza. Behind the folding doors are 2 Drawers and 2 adjustable shelves in a dark brown finish. Sits on...
Brass
Console / Sofa Table in Brass Anodized Aluminum and Gray Glass
Located in Kansas City, MO
Sofa / console table. 48 inches wide. The frame is made of anodized aluminum with a brass finish making it light while being very sturdy. The top is grey glass. Both show very few si...
Aluminum
$3,235 / set
H 19.13 in W 24 in D 28 in
Paul McCobb Irwin Collection Black Lacquer and Brass End Tables or Nightstands
By Paul McCobb, Calvin Furniture, Directional
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of Mid-Century Modern end tables, side tables, or nightstands By Paul McCobb for Directional and produced by Calvin Furniture, "Irwin Collection" USA, 1950s ...
Brass
$3,500 / set
H 15.25 in W 20.5 in D 20.5 in
Paul McCobb Leather Top Side Tables w/ Cane Shelves for Calvin Furniture
By Paul McCobb, Calvin Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Materials: Walnut Wood, Original Cane Shelves, Original Leather Tops, Brass Accent Trims ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture...
Brass
Paul McCobb Connoisseur Collection Walnut Console Table
By Paul McCobb
Located in North York, ON
This rare Paul McCobb Connoisseur Collection walnut console table exemplifies the refined simplicity and timeless elegance of the re...
Brass
Paul McCobb Console Table, Irwin Collection for Calvin Furniture
By Paul McCobb
Located in New York, NY
The piece can be viewed in our Upper East Side of Manhattan showroom. By appointment only.
Brass
Paul McCobb Console Table for Calvin Furniture, Model 9315
By Paul McCobb
Located in San Francisco, CA
Paul McCobb design console table for Calvin Furniture, Model 9315. Sophisticated and sleek design that epitomizes Mid-Century Modern design from one of the master's Paul McCobb. High...
Brass
Sold
H 22 in W 90.25 in D 20.25 in
Low Entertainment Console Drawers/ Accent Table by Paul McCobb, circa 1950s
By Paul McCobb
Located in Kensington, MD
Rare Low Entertainment Console with Multifunctional Drawers/Accent Table by Paul McCobb, circa 1950s. Additional information: Featured at DC:...
Sold
H 32.25 in W 54.25 in D 18 in
Paul McCobb for Lane Delineator Midcentury Rosewood and Cane Console Table
By Lane Furniture, Paul McCobb
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Paul McCobb for Lane Delineator midcentury Rosewood and Cane Console Table This console table measures: 54.25 wide x 18 deep x 32.25 inches high A...
Chrome
Paul McCobb Connoisseur Collection Console Table
By Paul McCobb
Located in San Francisco, CA
Paul McCobb console table designed for his Connoisseur collection for H.Sack & Son Brookline, MA. Completely restored and ready to to install, newly refinished mahogany and polished ...
Brass
Paul McCobb Calvin Group Console with Shelves
By Paul McCobb
Located in Brooklyn, NY
For your consideration is this midcentury brass and walnut Calvin Group console by Paul McCobb featuring three deep shelves, slim brass frame,...
Brass
Paul McCobb Console Table for Calvin
By Paul McCobb
Located in Middlesex, NJ
Paul McCobb console table for Calvin Measurements: Floor to Lower Shelf 3.5" Floor to Middle Shelf 16.5".
Travertine, Brass
Paul McCobb for Calvin Vitrolite and Brass Console Table
By Paul McCobb, Calvin Furniture
Located in New Windsor, NY
Paul McCobb for Calvin white vitrolite glass top with angular brass base console table. Circa 1955-58. McCobb's Calvin creations were some of the most sophisticated and desirable pie...
Brass
Sold
H 19 in W 38.25 in D 10.5 in
Paul McCobb for Bryce Originals Wall-Mounted Floating Console, 1950s
By Paul McCobb, Bryce Originals
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional Mid-Century Modern wall-mounted floating three-tier console or shelf By Paul McCobb for Bryce Originals USA, 1950s Blac...
Enamel, Steel
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
Paul McCobb Brass + Milk Glass Architectural Console Table
By Paul McCobb
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare design simple and elegant probably custom order original vintage condition on close inspection showing patina and minor wear few barely visible faint scratches on the gla...
Brass