An American woodworker known for a wide range of furniture that is sensuous, sculptural and imbued with character, Phillip Lloyd Powell is an iconic figure in design. His organic style transcended the conventions of popular mid-century modern furniture and is best reflected in the vintage cabinets and tables for which he is renowned.
“I am an artist working with furniture,” Powell once said. But the self-taught furniture maker wore a number of different hats throughout his lifetime. He crafted handmade furniture as a teenager at his boyhood home and went on to study engineering at what is now Drexel University. Powell served in the Army Air Corps during World War II, and, on his return, he established his first showroom in New Hope, in his home state of Pennsylvania, stocking furniture from Knoll, Herman Miller and Isamu Noguchi.
In New Hope, Powell encountered fellow furniture designers Paul Evans and George Nakashima. The latter, a master woodworker who preferred a personal approach to design over industrial methods and materials, encouraged Powell to concentrate on making his own furniture. When Powell did so, he’d experiment with Nakashima’s unused stock of wood, drawing on natural world forms for seating and shapely coffee tables.
Evans, who moved to New Hope in 1955, was invited to share Powell’s studio space. Powell’s furniture design practice really took off and a collaboration with Evans put into motion the 1960s American Studio Craft Movement, which came to include furniture designers Wharton Esherick and Sam Maloof. The decade-long partnership between Evans and Powell yielded stone-topped tables, walnut chests with sculptured metal exteriors and more.
Powell was inspired by Evans’s artistry as a jewelry designer — he was a skilled welder whose Cityscape pieces are milestones of brutalism. Powell, in turn, encouraged him to turn his sculptures into furniture. Like Evans, Powell incorporated a range of materials into his work, rendering the interiors of his hand-carved cabinets alluring and distinctive with applications of silver leaf and fabrics.
The sinewy arms of Powell’s famous New Hope lounge chair are representative of his broad expertise with wood and his ability to make graceful yet functional furniture. He worked slowly, and the influence of the natural world remained a driving force in his designs. Powell produced approximately 1,000 pieces while he lived and worked in New Hope until his death in 2008.
Find vintage Phillip Lloyd Powell furniture on 1stDibs.
Phillip Lloyd Powell Large Cabinet in Walnut and Gold Leaf
By Phillip Lloyd Powell
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Phillip Lloyd Powell, large cabinet, walnut, gold leaf, painted wood, United States, circa 1965 Crafted by the skilled hands of Phillip Lloyd Powell, this highboard stands as a test...
Gold Leaf
Paul Evans and Phillip Lloyd Powell Gold Leaf and Walnut Studio Cabinet, 1963
By Phillip Lloyd Powell, Paul Evans
Located in Dallas, TX
This early studio craft 23 Karat gold leafed cabinet was made as a collaboration between Paul Evans and Phillip Lloyd Powell in the mid 1960s. The upper storage compartment unlatches to reveal two adjustable felt-lined shelves. The center compartment conceals a vanity complete with three mirrors embellished with torch-cut brazed discs flanked by two vertical rows of lightbulbs. Behind the mirror is a secret hidden storage compartment. Below this feature is a drop-front laminated tray and an open storage compartment. The bottom of the cabinet boasts a bank of five hand-carved solid walnut drawers and the left side has a cut-out with a hidden outlet and a slate surface which would provide a convenient smartphone charging station...
Slate, Brass, Gold Leaf
Studio Walnut Desk by Phillip Lloyd Powell
By Phillip Lloyd Powell
Located in Atlanta, GA
Stunning desk with drawers and compartment in walnut by Phillip Lloyd Powell (1919-2008). The freeform surface is made of thick walnut plank with a patched joined design with two ros...
Walnut
Phillip Lloyd Powell Rotating Walnut Case / Bar, 1965
By Phillip Lloyd Powell
Located in Chicago, IL
Phillip Lloyd Powell Rotating Walnut Case / Bar, 1965 Walnut, Carved and painted wood base, cane, felt interior Dimensions: 39½ high 35 wide 30 deep A distinctive rotating case or b...
Felt, Cane, Walnut
Phillip Lloyd Powell: Wall-Mounted Cabinet
By Phillip Lloyd Powell
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Phillip Lloyd Powell: Wall-Mounted Cabinet. Cabinet features 17th century finials and four doors (two bi-fold) concealing three adjustable shelves. USA, c. 1995 Walnut, cocobolo, eb...
Ebony, Walnut, Cocobolo
Phillip Lloyd Powell Custom-Made Chest of Drawers in Solid Walnut
By Phillip Lloyd Powell
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Phillip Lloyd Powell, custom-made cabinet, solid walnut, New Hope, United States, circa 1960 Crafted in Phillip Lloyd Powell’s New Hope studio, this very rare cabinet pairs understa...
Walnut
Phillip Lloyd Powell American Craft Custom Double Pedestal Desk
By Phillip Lloyd Powell
Located in Chicago, IL
Phillip Lloyd Powell American Craft Custom Double Pedestal Desk, This remarkable American Craft Double Pedestal Desk by Powell Studio was custom-made in 1995. The desk boasts a total...
Slate, Metal
Gorgeous Wall HangingDisplay Shelf by Phillip Lloyd Powell
By Phillip Lloyd Powell
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Amazing wall mounted shelf hand crafted in black walnut by Phillip Powell. Signature dovetailed edges and choice walnut stand in contrast with the grass cloth backing. Sculptural she...
Walnut
Wall-Mounted Cabinet by Phillip Lloyd Powell
By Phillip Lloyd Powell
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A rare and unusual wall-mounted cabinet by Phillip Lloyd Powell in walnut. Drawers on one side with piano hinge bi-fold doors on the other side, with adjustable shelves inside. Great...
Phillip Lloyd Powell Wall-Mounted Console Shelf in Walnut
By Phillip Lloyd Powell
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Phillip Lloyd Powell, sizable wall-mounted console, walnut, Unites States, 1970s With regard to its essential form, material use, and woodwork, this wall-mounted shelf or console is...
Walnut
Phillip Lloyd Powell Two Door Walnut Bar Cabinet, Circa 1960
By Phillip Lloyd Powell
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Phillip Lloyd Powell American Studio craft movement solid walnut dry bar. Featuring a handcrafted narrow rectangular plinth with two piano hinged doors, two Walnut rimmed White Lamin...
Laminate, Walnut
Phililp Lloyd Powell Hexagon 2-Door Cabinet
By Phillip Lloyd Powell
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An unusual form in its original silver leaf finish.
Silver Leaf
Phillip Lloyd Powell Slate Writing Desk
By Phillip Lloyd Powell
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Writing desk by American designer Phillip Lloyd Powell c.1970s, USA. The desk features a walnut and ebony frame with a slate and leather writing surface. Powell was well known for hi...
Slate
Cabinet Credenza Phillip Lloyd Powell and Paul Evans
By Paul Evans, Phillip Lloyd Powell
Located in Atlanta, GA
From the early collaboration between two New Hope craftsmen Phillip Lloyd Powell and Paul Evans, came this stunning piece of furniture that epitomizes their individual artistic aesth...
Slate, Iron
Large Louis XV Armoire in Walnut
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Excellent French Louis XV period armoire built with book matched panels.
Walnut
$3,575
H 104 in W 104.5 in D 35 in
Late 19th-Early 20th C. Large Scale Walnut French Dressing Cabinet With Bench
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An incredible ensemble acting as its own complete sitting room. A large scale carved walnut cabinet in the Louis XV style with double beveled mirrored doors for the deep side compart...
Brass
A Rotating Art Deco Style Bar Cabinet
Located in Chicago, IL
This extraordinary bar cabinet has a glossy case made from walnut veneers and a rotating door covered in book-matched walnut burl. The door is opened by pressing on one side. The action is smooth and polished as the door swings open to reveal three glass-covered shelves and various holders for round and square bottles. The light-colored interior is made from birch. The upper shelf holds the wine or liquor bottles and has room for serving utensils and an ice tray. The two lower shelves are ideal for glassware. This is a fine example of "Budapest Deco"; the simplified form of Art Deco design that was prevalent in Budapest, Hungary in the 1930's and 40's. Hungarian Deco...
Mirror, Walnut
Large English Oak Haberdashery Cabinet
Located in Staffordshire, GB
circa 1930 Large English Oak Haberdashery Cabinet, divides into two pieces. sku 1254 W182 x D52 x H198cm
Oak
$2,334Sale Price|20% Off
H 38.39 in W 48.82 in D 21.26 in
19th Century Italian Antique Chest of Drawers in Solid Walnut
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
We offer this elegant antique chest of drawers from the first half of the 19th century. Impressive and linear, free of excessive ornamentation, it is crafted from fine solid walnut. ...
Walnut
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
$24,830
H 69.69 in W 68.9 in D 32.68 in
19th Century American Walnut "Wells Fargo" Desk by Wooton Desk. Co
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a good quality and impressive standard grade American walnut Wootton Desk Co. "Wells Fargo" desk, of substantial form, with three quarter galle...
Walnut
Paul Evans Flip Top Cityscape Bar Cabinet
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
Gorgeous Aldo Tura Bar Cart Creme, 1965
By Aldo Tura
Located in Munich, DE
Gorgeous Aldo Tura Hollywood Regency style bar or serving cart by Aldo Tura, Milano, Italy, 1965. Creme lacquered goatskin bar or serving cart with two glass tops and serving tray wi...
Brass
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Executive Desk
By Jens Risom
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Jens Risom Mid Century walnut executive desk This desk measures: 62 wide x 28 deep x 28.5 high, with a chair clearance ...
Metal
$5,400
H 34.5 in W 55.75 in D 31.5 in
Mid-Century Modern "Biscayne" Floating Top Walnut Desk by Drexel
By Milo Baughman, Drexel
Located in North Hollywood, CA
This exceptional floating top walnut desk by Drexel represents the pinnacle of 1960s American modernist design. Part of the distinguished Biscayne collection, this piece draws clear ...
Brass
Signed Paul Evans Cityscape Bar Cart 'PE 200' Series for Directional
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful signed Mid-Century Modern bar cabinet by Paul Evans for Directional. A wonderful patchwork design with a flip top and two cabinet doors below. Sleek case piece that looks g...
Chrome
Midcentury Cabinet by Phillip Lloyd Powell
By Phillip Lloyd Powell
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
For your consideration is this lovely Phillip Lloyd Powell sliding door cabinet with perfect proportions. Featuring black walnut with his signature dove-tail joinery and leg dowel co...
Walnut
Midcentury Phillip Lloyd Powell Cabinet
By Phillip Lloyd Powell
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Incredible carved cabinet with inset mirror and applied silver leaf. Can be hung as a floating cabinet or placed on top of another case piece. Phillip Lloyd Powell designs are found ...
Metal, Silver Leaf
Phillip Lloyd Powell Walnut and Split Reed Credenza, 1950's
By Phillip Lloyd Powell
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Substantial Six Foot Solid Walnut and Split Reed Credenza by Phillip Lloyd Powell, Early 1950's. Featuring a rectangular Walnut frame and sliding ...
Reed, Birdseye Maple, Walnut
Rare Paul Evans and Phillip Lloyd Powell Wall-Mounted Cabinet
By Paul Evans, Phillip Lloyd Powell
Located in Chicago, IL
Early collaboration from Paul Evans Studio and Phillip Lloyd Powell. Piano hinged door with fish scale screen, adjustable glass shelves and mirrored back panel. Wall-mounted by Frenc...
Iron, Gold Leaf
Paul Evans and Phillip Lloyd Powell, Studio Bar Cabinet and Server, USA
By Paul Evans, Phillip Lloyd Powell
Located in New York, NY
A custom commissioned bar cabinet and serving-shelf unit designed and handmade collaboratively by Phil Powell and Paul Evans, circa 1964. This is a fantastic and rare piece that repr...
Gold, Gold Leaf, Steel
Wall Hanging Cabinet by Phillip Lloyd Powell
By Phillip Lloyd Powell
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Nicely detailed wall-hanging cabinet from Phillip Lloyd Powell circa 1966. Cabinet in walnut with hand carved undulating Bi- folding doors and exposed ebony pins. Interior with beau...
Gold Leaf