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 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 Display or Cocktail Table
By Paul McCobb
Located in Chicago, IL
Paul McCobb for Irwin collection display table, model C8707 Comprised of eight equal rectangular 1/4" milk glass slabs on an architectural bridge lik...
Brass
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
'Esquisse' Wrought Iron and Parchment Console by Design Frères
By Design Frères
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Understated 'Esquisse' wrought iron and parchment console by Design Frères. Chic parchment top fitted onto a slender matte black wrought iron base.
Wrought Iron
$2,595
H 22.25 in W 20 in D 30 in
Expertly Restored - Paul McCobb “Irwin Collection” Marble & Brass Side Table
By Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobb
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Paul McCobb "Irwin Collection" marble & brass side table for Calvin Furniture. ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is ...
Marble, 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
$4,850
H 26.25 in W 60 in D 20 in
Console / Sofa Table in Brass and Glass by Design Institute of America, Signed
By Design Institute America
Located in Kansas City, MO
Console / Sofa / Hall Table in brass and glass by Design Institute of America (DIA), 1970s. Striking design in which the original glass inserts into the brass frames with a screw on ...
Brass
Scandinavian Coffee Table Rosewood by Johannes Andersen
By Johannes Andersen
Located in Karlstad, SE
Coffee table in rosewood by Johannes Andersen, 1960s. Beautiful coffee table with rounded edges, typical for Johannes Andersen’s designs. This rectangular table offers lots of spac...
Rosewood
$2,750
H 27 in W 55 in D 17 in
Mid-Century Modern Brass and Glass Console or Sofa Table by Leon Rosen for Pace
By Pace Furniture Company, Pace Collection, Leon Rosen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A simple and modern looking Classic designed by Leon Rosen and produced by Pace Furniture company in the 1960s. This console table features glass construction with brass bracket deta...
Brass
$1,746Sale Price|30% Off
H 28.25 in W 51.75 in D 17 in
Modern Console Sofa Table Travertine & Brass Plate with Glass Top Style Artedi
By Artedi
Located in Topeka, KS
Stunning modern travertine base sofa or console table with asymmetrical rectangular tubes and new ½ inch beveled rectangular glass top in the style of Artedi. Beautiful condition, ke...
Travertine, Metal, Brass
'Esquisse' Wrought Iron and Parchment Console by Design Frères
By Design Frères
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Understated 'Esquisse' wrought iron and parchment console by Design Frères. Chic parchment top fitted onto a slender matte black wrought iron base.
Wrought Iron
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
Scandinavian Coffee Table in Pine by Yngve Ekström
By Yngve Ekström, Swedese
Located in Karlstad, SE
Coffee table in pine by Yngve Ekström for Swedese, circa 1970. This table is a great example of the robust pine furniture era that grew popular in Sweden in the late 1960s. The table...
Pine
$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 for Lane Delineator Mid Century Walnut Coffee Table
By Paul McCobb, Lane Furniture
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Paul McCobb for Lane Delineator Mid Century Walnut Coffee Table Coffee table measures: 56 wide x 19 deep x 15 inches high All pieces of furniture c...
Walnut
Sold
H 16 in W 54 in D 20 in
Blonde Paul McCobb Planner Group for Winchendon Cocktail Table with Drawer
By Planner Group, Winchendon, Paul McCobb
Located in Ferndale, MI
Maybe the cleanest original finish Paul McCobb coffee table I have ever seen. Part of the Planner Group for Winchendon Furniture. One long drawer below nicely grained maple top suppo...
Maple
Paul McCobb for Calvin Vitrolite and Brass Console Table
By Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobb
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
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
Brass and Vitrolite Console Table by Paul McCobb
By Paul McCobb
Located in Denton, TX
Brass and Vitrolite / milk glass console table by Paul McCobb.
Brass
Paul McCobb Travertine Coffee Table
By Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobb
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A stunning coffee table by Paul McCobb for Calvin. Travertine top, walnut body, two drawers and a shelf. A cocktail table for the ages.
Travertine, Brass
Travertine Top Brass Side Table Designed by Paul McCobb
By Paul McCobb
Located in Stamford, CT
A brass and travertine side table designed by Paul McCobb.
Vintage Paul McCobb Travertine and Brass Coffee Table, USA, 1950s
By Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobb
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A 20th century classic; Paul McCobb for Calvin Group's "Irwin Collection" coffee table with oxidized brass base and textured Italian Travertine top. Sublime texture to the Travertine...
Travertine, Brass
Pair of Paul McCobb Travertine Top Side Tables with Caned Shelves
By Paul McCobb
Located in Stamford, CT
A pair of model 8714 nightstands with marble tops and caned shelfs. Designed by Paul McCobb.
Walnut
Modernist Brass and Milk Glass Console by Paul McCobb
By Paul McCobb
Located in Atlanta, GA
Modernist brass and milk glass console, designed by Paul McCobb, American, circa 1950s. This piece is a versatile size and can be used as a console table, sofa table, or bar. The bra...
Metal, Brass
Sold
H 20 in W 19 in D 26.5 in
Pair of Paul McCobb for Planner Group Walnut Modern Side Tables with Brass Pulls
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Houston, TX
Elegant pair of side or end tables designed by Paul McCobb for Planner Group. Tables have simple, elegant lines. A drawer provides storage. A single brass pull finishes the piece. Th...
Paul McCobb Winchendon Iron and Maple Coffee Table
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Miami, FL
Elegant and minimalist Mid-Century Modern cocktail or sofa table designed by Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture in the 1950s. The graceful black iron base is complemented by a pair...
Iron
Sold
H 14.97 in W 40.16 in D 29.93 in
Rare Extendable Paul McCobb Coffee or Sofa Table for Winchendon, USA, 1950s
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Berlin, DE
Very rare and extraordinary extendable coffee table with two leaves by Paul McCobb for Wnchendon, 1950s. The maple wood has been gingerly restored and is in excellent condition. Mea...
Maple