It’s universally known as the Origami chair — a moniker that references the long tradition of delicate paper-folding art that was popularized in Japan. Originally, however, the intent was to create seating that was exceptionally strong.
Promoted under its official name in a Directional Furniture brochure as sturdy enough for “extraordinary conditions” and “eminently suited to hard wear,” the Faceted Form chair in 1959 was the creation of Paul McCobb (1917–69), one of America’s most prolific mid-century modern designers.
A repeat recipient of the Good Design Award from the Museum of Modern Art, McCobb studied drawing and painting at the Vesper George School of Art in Boston, the city in which he was raised. McCobb designed retail displays, worked in interior design and then founded Paul McCobb Associates in 1945 in New York City, where he conceived of designs that modernized classic Shaker ideas such as simplicity, functionality, form and proportion.
McCobb popularized modular furniture and created sculptural forms with elements such as slender, splayed legs on tables and chairs. Details like these are prominent in the refined and affordable collection for which he is likely best known — the Planner Group (1950).
The openly geometric Faceted Form chair is indicative of McCobb’s late-career exploration of new materials and industrial design. With its fiberglass-reinforced plastic shell set atop a base of tapered enameled tube steel, the chair is one of his most acclaimed designs. While it is no longer in production, it was originally available in multiple colors, and variations included an armchair, a swivel chair and more.
Sculptural and strong, McCobb’s Faceted Form chair has been an example for generations of furniture makers that have followed in the decades since.
$7,445 / set
Paul McCobb, set of 6 refined oak chairs.
By Paul McCobb
Located in Milano, IT
COD-2432 Paul McCobb Set of 6 refined oak chairs. Uk manufacture, 1950's.
Oak
Fiberglass Origami Chair by Paul McCobb
By Paul McCobb
Located in Atlanta, GA
A rare design by Paul McCobb (American, 1917-1969) for St. John, circa 1950s, this all original Origami Chair if made of a light blue fiberglass seat and...
Metal
Desk Chair by Charles Pollock for Knoll, 1963
By Knoll, Charles Pollock
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A vintage Pollack executive chair on five leg pedestal base featuring his ‘rim technology’ of metal edge banding around the chair’s periphery s...
Aluminum
"Box Chair" by Pierre Jeanneret, circa 1960
Located in London, GB
Authentic Chandigarh 'Box' chair in teak, circa 1960. PJ-SI-54-A. Made in richly coloured teak, lightly restored and re-caned to retain as much of the chair’s original patina as p...
Cane, Teak
$2,695 / set
H 31 in W 19 in D 20 in
Set of 4 Dining Chairs by Paul McCobb for the Winchendon Furniture Co.
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Set of four dining chairs designed by Paul McCobb for the Winchendon Furniture (Planner Group) Co. Solid maple with a spindle supported backrest and signature inlay screw on each sea...
Wood
$6,495 / set
H 36 in W 23 in D 20 in
Paul McCobb for Directional Mid Century Walnut and Cane Dining Chairs, Set of 6
By Directional, Paul McCobb
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Paul McCobb for Directional Mid Century walnut and cane dining chairs - set of 6 Each armless chair measures: 16.5 wide x 16.5 deep x 34.5 high, with a seat height of 17.25 inches...
Cane, Walnut
$5,200Sale Price|20% Off
H 35 in W 24 in D 33.5 in
Paul McCobb Dining Chairs for Directional Set of Six
By Paul McCobb, Directional
Located in Chicago, IL
Paul McCobb Dining Chairs for Directional Set of Six, Four model-1080 Armless and Two model-1082 Arm Chairs, Solid Mahogany wood with Bow-Tie Backs, upholstered seats. Table and Cabi...
Mahogany
"Box Chair" by Pierre Jeanneret, circa 1960
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in London, GB
Authentic Chandigarh 'Box' chair in teak, circa 1960. PJ-SI-54-A. Made in richly colored teak, lightly restored and re-caned to retain as much of the chair’s original patina as possible. Old knocks, marks and splits have been secured and maintained to keep the authentic character of these chairs, used for...
Cane, Teak
Vintage Paul McCobb Two-Tone Planner Chairs, PAIR
By Paul McCobb
Located in North Miami, FL
Beautifully lacquered in two tones, white and natural wood in brown stain. We have a second similar pair of McCobb chairs that can make a lovely set of ...
Maple
Paul McCobb Shovel Chair
By Paul McCobb
Located in Dallas, TX
Vintage Paul McCobb shovel chair, model #1533, from his Planner Group for Winchendon Furniture, 1950. Solid maple seat and back with iron frame. Go...
Iron
Vintage Paul McCobb Two-Toned Planner Chairs, PAIR
By Paul McCobb
Located in North Miami, FL
This is a pair of two-toned, white and brown stained wood, Planner chairs designed by Paul McCobb. There is a second pair of McCobb chairs in similar two-tone that would complement b...
Maple
$799Sale Price|20% Off
H 32 in W 21 in D 23 in
Original Midcentury white Paul McCobb Origami Fiberglass Chair spider base
By Paul McCobb
Located in Brooklyn, NY
original mid century off white Paul McCobb origami fiberglass shell has steel spider bases. Can be used inside or outside. These side chairs are by Paul McCobb by St. John Seating Co...
Steel
$8,500
H 34.26 in W 17.72 in D 17.72 in
Chair by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Midcentury Brazilian Design
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in New York, NY
A rare piece designed by Carlo Hauner for "Moveis Artesanal," circa 1948. This chair it’s an icon and illustrates the logotype of the company. The structure is made of iron remains i...
Iron
$340Sale Price|20% Off
H 29 in W 22 in D 22 in
Mid-Century Modern Danish Paul McCobb-Style Reupholstered Lounge / Accent Chair
By Paul McCobb
Located in Medina, OH
Beautiful restored Mid-Century Modern Danish lounge / accent chair! It is a very unique piece with its wide style and slate back. This chair was reupholstered in a gorgeous charcoal ...
Fabric, Wood
Paul McCobb Cigarette Side Table for Directional
By Paul McCobb
Located in San Francisco, CA
Paul McCobb design "Cigarette" side table for Directional, Model 1094. Sophisticated looking tripod brass frame with a vitrolite top, perfect for drinks etc. Iconic Mid-Century moder...
Brass
Vintage Paul McCobb set of Four Fiberglass Origami Gray Chairs
By Paul McCobb
Located in New York, NY
Rare and wonderful 1950s set of four stackable fiberglass gray chairs know as Origami Chairs. Designed by Paul McCobb for St John Seating Corporation, USA.. McCobb designed these mol...
Metal
Paul McCobb Origami Armchair on Spider Base
By Paul McCobb
Located in Dronten, NL
1960s vintage white molded fiberglass Origami arm shell chair designed by Paul McCobb on a very scarce spider base. A stunning example of this rarely seen combo. The faceted chair...
Steel
A Paul McCobb Faceted Origami Chair on Spider Base, circa 1960
By Paul McCobb
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed in 1959 as the faceted form chair, Paul McCobb’s fiberglass seating has become known as the Origami Chair, its molded facets reminiscen...
Metal
Sold
H 18.5 in W 41 in D 41 in
Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Creamy Beige Suede Round Lounge Stool Bench
By Paul McCobb
Located in Monrovia, CA
Mid-Century Modern 1960s Paul Mccobb large round lounge with chrome x base. This piece is also described as a large Paul McCobb round upholstered bench...
Metal
Paul McCobb Origami Ivori Desk Patio Chair Model 61
By Paul McCobb
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful elegant classic origami chair lightly used great color and condition, designed by Paul McCobb.
Metal
Sold
H 33.5 in W 24 in D 23.5 in
Iconic and Rare Origami Fiberglass Chair with Spider Leg Base by Paul McCobb
By Paul McCobb
Located in Bernville, PA
Rarely seen and spectacular example of a 1960’s Vintage Paul McCobb fiberglass arm chair with spider base. Made by the St. John Seating Company New Y...
Steel
Sold
H 32.5 in W 21 in D 22.5 in
Paul McCobb Faceted Form Origami Yellow Fiberglass Dining Chairs, S/6 by St John
By Paul McCobb
Located in Grand Rapids, MI
USA, 1960s A matched set of six Paul McCobb faceted form or 'Origami' dining chairs in lemon yellow fiberglass. Hard to find a matched set of six in this style. Made by St. John Seating Corporation of New York. Model #061 Side Chair. CONDITION NOTES: In very good condition with some oxidation to bases and rust on chair glides...
Metal
Sold
H 32 in W 21 in D 22 in
Paul McCobb Mid-Century Modern Fiberglass Origami Chair on Spider Base, 1950s
By Paul McCobb
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Mid-Century Modern molded fiberglass "origami" chair on rare spider base By Paul McCobb for St. John Seating Corporation. USA, 1950s. Measures: 21"W x 22"D x 32"H...
Steel
Sold
H 32 in W 21 in D 23 in
Four Paul McCobb Cream Fiberglass & Steel Origami Space Age Chairs St. John N.Y
By Paul McCobb
Located in Toledo, OH
Four cream Paul Mc Cobb Fiberglass with reinforced plastic and brushed steel Origami Space Age chairs by St. John Seating Corp. New York. 21" wide x 32" high x 23" deep.
Fiberglass
Sold
H 32.29 in W 21.26 in D 22.84 in
Paul McCobb Yellow Origami Side Chair on Rare Solid Base, USA, 1950s
By Paul McCobb, St. John
Located in Berlin, DE
A 1950s yellow Paul McCobb Origami chair for St. John seating. The fiberglass seat is molded at angles, reminiscent of the Japanese origami t...
Iron
