Pair of Paul McCobb Dowel Leg Tub Chairs
View Similar Items
Pair of Paul McCobb Dowel Leg Tub Chairs
About the Item
- Creator:Paul McCobb (Designer),Directional (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 36 in (91.44 cm)Width: 26 in (66.04 cm)Depth: 28 in (71.12 cm)Seat Height: 17 in (43.18 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Palm Springs, CA
- Reference Number:Seller: F-SE-14-077-21stDibs: LU90852184572
Paul McCobb
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.
Directional
A brand known to vintage mid-century modern furniture collectors everywhere, Directional Furniture opened its doors after American furniture designer Paul McCobb created the high-end Directional Modern line of sofas distributed by the New York–based Modernage Company.
In his pivotal introduction of postwar modernism to the mass market, the revered Massachusetts-born McCobb had established several lines, from the affordable and refined Planner Group for Winchendon to the swooping and unexpected arms of the Symmetric Group for Widdicomb, a Shaker-inspired collection that included a sofa and a lounge chair. Like all of McCobb’s designs, the Directional pieces for Modernage are defined by a sleek aesthetic in which the focus is on elegant functionality, frequently using fine materials such as brass and walnut. In 1949, in partnership with New York furniture salesman B.G. Mesberg, McCobb set up the Directional Furniture Company.
The pair’s first pieces were upholstered chairs, intended to harmonize with the modular Multiplex pieces designed by Martin Feinman. McCobb then designed an array of furniture including storage, dining, seating, desks and other pieces with details such as leather tops, wood finishes and Roman Travertine surfaces. While Directional stopped production of McCobb’s work in the early 1960s, it still released numerous pieces by leading designers manufactured by a variety of companies.
Designer Paul Evans led the factory for a time after joining in 1964. His provocative work for the company often reflected his understanding of materials from his early training as a silversmith, such as the popular Cityscape series — a milestone in brutalist design — with its blocky forms accented with brass and chrome. At his shop in Lambertville, New Jersey, he collaborated with a design team to clad furniture pieces in metallic surfaces, like the Argente line that began production in 1968 and involved an acetylene torch to give its aluminum material a textural quality. He also worked on the Sculpted Bronze series with hand-formed resin shaped over plywood or steel that was then coated with atomized bronze.
Other Directional designers included Vladimir Kagan, who contributed biomorphic sofas and swivel chairs; Milo Baughman, who created tables and dressers inspired by Scandinavian modernism; and Jack Lenor Larsen, who covered sofas in dynamically patterned fabric.
Find authentic Directional Furniture seating, tables, case pieces and storage cabinets from top sellers around the world on 1stDibs.
- Pair of Kipp Stewart for Drexel "Centennial" Arm ChairsBy Stewart MacDougall, Kipp Stewart, DrexelLocated in Palm Springs, CABeautiful pair of modern Windsor style armchairs designed by Kipp Stewart and Stewart MacDougal for Drexel Furniture. Handcarved back splats with flattened form, bentwood arm and car...Category
20th Century American Armchairs
MaterialsWalnut
- Pair of Fully Upholstered ArmchairsLocated in Palm Springs, CAA pair of fully upholstered armchairs. The lounge chairs have been completely restored and reupholstered in Maharam Kvadrat felted wool.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFabric
$5,000 / set - Pair of Monteverdi-Young ArmchairsBy Maurice BaileyLocated in Palm Springs, CAA pair of walnut frame armchairs by Maurice Bailey for Monteverdi-Young, with original tufted leatherette upholstery. Frames have been refinished.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsLeather, Hardwood
$4,730 / set - Pair of Milo Baughman suede and chrome armchairsBy Milo Baughman, Thayer CogginLocated in Palm Springs, CAa pair of brown suede and chrome chairs. Labeled "Milo Baughman" for "Thayer Coggin".Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsChrome
$4,800 / set - Pair of Louis XVI Style FauteuilLocated in Palm Springs, CAPair of good Louis XVI style fauteuil with original bronze velvet upholstery and nailhead trim. Nice carving, good proportions. Seat cushion is button tufted and semi-attached.Category
20th Century French Armchairs
MaterialsWood
$4,850 / set - Pair of Louis XV Style FauteuilsLocated in Palm Springs, CAA pair of Louis XV style fauteuils, circa 1900, with lovely floral carving. Original gaufrage velvet upholstery, with some wear to uph...Category
Antique 19th Century French Armchairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood
- Pair of Paul McCobb Easy ChairsBy Paul McCobbLocated in Brooklyn, NYClassic and somewhat rare pair of armchairs in walnut with new silk upholstery. Great lines and nicely proportioned. Newly refinished.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsWalnut
$7,800 / set - Pair of Paul McCobb "Squirm" Lounge ChairsBy Paul McCobbLocated in St.Petersburg, FLA pair of Paul McCobb "Squirm" chairs for Custom Craft, USA ca' 1950's. Model 3042 with turned walnut legs. These lounge chairs are very comfortable with a distinct mid century flair...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
$6,500 / set - Paul McCobb "Tub" Lounge ChairBy Paul McCobbLocated in Highland, INThis uncommon design by Paul McCobb is classic mid-century modern design. With it's clean lines and splayed tapered legs, it is stylish but unpretentious. A generous seat makes it ve...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood
- Paul McCobb Lounge Chair in Original Turquoise Upholstery and WalnutBy Paul McCobb, DirectionalLocated in Waalwijk, NLPaul McCobb for Directional Designs, lounge chair, model 1322, walnut, fabric, 1950s. A design Paul McCobb model 1322 dating back to the 1950s. The quintessential design features o...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Walnut
- Paul McCobb Lounge ChairBy Paul McCobbLocated in West Palm Beach, FLPaul McCobb lounge chair. Dark walnut frame was refinished and upholstery updated to a plush boucle. Additional photos available upon request. Would work well in a variety of int...Category
Vintage 1950s North American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsBouclé, Walnut
$5,600 - Paul McCobb Irwin Collection Mahogany and Woven Leather Armchairs, PairBy Paul McCobb, DirectionalLocated in South Bend, INA sleek and stylish pair of Mid-Century Modern club chairs or dining armchairs By Paul McCobb for Directional and produced by Calvin Furniture, "Irwin Collection" USA, 1950s ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsLeather, Mahogany