Paul McCobb Connoisseur Collection Black Lacquered Mahogany and Brass Armchairs
About the Item
- Creator:Paul McCobb (Designer),Directional (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 35.75 in (90.81 cm)Width: 22.5 in (57.15 cm)Depth: 23 in (58.42 cm)Seat Height: 20 in (50.8 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Refinished. Reupholstered. Fully restored. Professionally refinished and newly reupholstered. Excellent condition.
- Seller Location:South Bend, IN
- Reference Number:
Paul McCobb
You could call Paul McCobb a man of parts. As a furniture designer, his work combined the attributes of many of his now better-known peers. Like 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 beside 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 also designed cohesive lines of furnishings, such as his best-known Planner Group, that gave homes an instant “look.” McCobb designed for several companies, most notably Directional, the New York firm that also produced designs by other legends, such as Paul Evans and Vladimir Kagan.
The signal aesthetic attribute of McCobb designs is that he completely forsook ornament — his pieces have no flourishes. And yet, because they are honest — the chairs, desks and 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 — McCobb’s mid-century modern work has warmth and presence.
As you can see from the offerings on 1stDibs, vintage Paul McCobb designs are the pin-striped suit, or the little black dress, of a décor: an essential.
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: South Bend, IN
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- 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
- Paul McCobb for Directional Irwin Collection Mahogany and Woven Leather ArmchairBy Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobb, DirectionalLocated in South Bend, INA sleek and stylish Mid-Century Modern club chair or dining armchair By Paul McCobb for Directional and produced by Calvin Furniture, "Irwin Collection" USA, 1950s Elegant s...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsLeather, Mahogany
- Paul McCobb Connoisseur Collection Black Lacquered and Brass Dining TableBy Paul McCobb, H Sacks & SonsLocated in South Bend, INA rare and exceptional Mid-Century Modern extension drop leaf dining table By Paul McCobb for H. Sacks & Sons, "Connoisseur Collection" USA, 1950s Black lacquered Honduran m...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Paul McCobb Connoisseur Collection Black Lacquer and Brass Desk, RefinishedBy Paul McCobb, H Sacks & SonsLocated in South Bend, INA rare and exceptional Mid-Century Modern desk By Paul McCobb for H. Sacks & Sons, "Connoisseur Collection" USA, 1950s Black lacquered Honduran mahogany, with brass trim, st...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Paul McCobb Connoisseur Collection Black Lacquer Brass Dining Table, RefinishedBy Paul McCobb, H Sacks & SonsLocated in South Bend, INA rare and exceptional Mid-Century Modern extension drop leaf dining table By Paul McCobb for H. Sacks & Sons, "Connoisseur Collection" USA, 1950s Black lacquered Honduran mahogan...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Paul McCobb Connoisseur Collection Black Lacquer and Brass Flip Top Dining TableBy Paul McCobb, H Sacks & SonsLocated in South Bend, INA rare and exceptional Mid-Century Modern flip top extension dining table or game table By Paul McCobb for H. Sacks & Sons, "Connoisseur Collection" USA, 1950s Black lacquer...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Set of Armchairs by Paul McCobb, Connoisseur Collection, 1950sBy Paul McCobbLocated in Westport, CTPair of armchairs designed by the iconic Paul McCoob for his Connoisseur Collection, circa 1950-1959. Completely restored mahogany framework, reupholstered in taupe leather, brass st...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsBrass
- American Mid-Century Modern Armchair, Paul McCobbBy Paul McCobb, DirectionalLocated in Minneapolis, MNFabulous vintage armchair designed by Paul McCobb. Walnut legs and details. Re upholstery recommended. Please inquire about upholstery options....Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsWalnut
- Paul McCobb for Directional Floral Fabric and Walnut Lounge ArmchairBy Paul McCobb, DirectionalLocated in New York, NYAmerican mid-century lounge / armchair with a walnut frame with a scooped back rail and blue, orange, and brown floral patterned fabric upholstery, resting on four tapered dowel legs...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFabric, Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
- Paul McCobb for Directional Striped Fabric and Walnut Lounge ArmchairBy Paul McCobb, DirectionalLocated in New York, NYAmerican Mid-Century lounge / armchair with a walnut frame with a scooped back rail and multi-colored geometric patterned and striped fabric upholstery, resting on four tapered dowel...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFabric, Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
- Paul McCobb for Directional Yellow Patterned Fabric and Walnut Lounge ArmchairBy Paul McCobb, DirectionalLocated in New York, NYAmerican Mid-Century lounge / armchair with a stained walnut frame with a scooped back rail and yellow fabric upholstery with a small pattern of orange and brown autumn leaves and wh...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsWood, Fabric, Upholstery, Walnut
- Connoisseur Collection Side Chair by Paul McCobb, C. 1950sBy Paul McCobbLocated in Westport, CTThe highly sought-after Connoisseur Collection side or desk chair, designed by Paul McCobb, circa 1950-1959. Executed in walnut, fully restored, and reupholstered in taupe leather, s...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
MaterialsBrass