Set of Four Paul McCobb Dining Chairs Called Shovel Chairs Excellent Condition
View Similar Items
Set of Four Paul McCobb Dining Chairs Called Shovel Chairs Excellent Condition
About the Item
- Creator:Paul McCobb (Designer),Planner Group (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 34 in (86.36 cm)Width: 18.25 in (46.36 cm)Depth: 20 in (50.8 cm)Seat Height: 17.5 in (44.45 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 4
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Expertly refinished.
- Seller Location:Kansas City, MO
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1057011307363
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.
Planner Group
Brilliant self-trained American designer Paul McCobb collaborated with New York salesman B.G. Mesberg to create what is now a widely revered collection of mid-century modern furniture called the Planner Group. Produced by renowned manufacturer Winchendon Furniture Company, vintage Planner Group dressers, credenzas, chairs and other pieces bring honesty and heritage into any interior.
More than any other designer beside Russel Wright, the Massachusetts-born 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.
Of McCobb’s cohesive lines of furnishings, his best-known Planner Group gave homes an instant “look.” McCobb designed for several companies, most notably Directional, the New York firm he cofounded with Mesberg that also produced designs by other legends such as Paul Evans and Vladimir Kagan.
Known for their superior quality and affordable prices aimed at new homeowners, vintage Winchendon case furniture, side tables and desks were must-have staples for middle-class Americans in the postwar years. McCobb and Mesberg’s Planner Group for the manufacturer boasts a wide range of furnishings created in woods such as walnut and maple.
McCobb drew on the simplicity of Shaker furniture and Windsor chairs and was an advocate for modular furniture. A new homeowner could plan for properly furnishing each room with the Planner collection — a brochure touted its versatility — beginning with a couple of pieces from the series and gradually introducing more seating, cabinets and tables, stacking and combining as needed.
McCobb shared the limelight with the likes of celebrated American designers Charles and Ray Eames and was supposed to appear in a 1961 issue of Playboy magazine — a mid-century tastemaker of sorts — alongside other designers such as Eero Saarinen, Harry Bertoia, Jens Risom and Edward Wormley. A social and charismatic figure, McCobb can be found in photos from a party that took place the night before, but he was too hungover the next day to join the photo shoot.
For more than a decade beginning in 1950, the Planner designs comprised the best-selling furniture suite in the United States.
Find vintage Planner Group furniture and other Paul McCobb furniture on 1stDibs.
- Set of Four Yellow Ion Dining Chairs by Gideon Kramer for the Space NeedleBy Gideon KramerLocated in Kansas City, MOExceptional set of four completely original Ion chairs designed by Gideon Kramer for the observation deck of the Seattle Space Needle. The original yellow...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsChrome
- Set of Four 1940s Tubular Chrome Chairs in Original Oxblood Leather like VinylLocated in Kansas City, MOSet of 4 tubular chrome chairs, two with arms, two side chairs. We are not sure of the designer and manufacturer but these are similar to KEM Weber, Troy Sunshade. Lloyd, and Gilbert...Category
Vintage 1940s American Machine Age Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsChrome
- Paul Evans for Directional Set of Eight Dining ChairsBy Directional, Paul EvansLocated in Kansas City, MOSet of eight dining chairs designed by Paul Evans and produced by Directional. Two armchairs and six side chairs, all expertly reupholstered a grey Maharam fabric. Great style and co...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Mahogany
$12,600 Sale Price / set30% Off - Paul McCobb Lounge Chairs Models 1320 & 1322. Priced for Reupholstery. Signed.By Paul McCobb, Custom Craft Inc.Located in Kansas City, MOPaul McCobb Lounge Chairs models 1320, the armless version and 1322, the version with arms. Price is for each. Signed with the Custom Craft label. Both have walnut frames in great...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
- Ten Rosewood Danish Modern Dining Chairs, Blue Fabric, Labels on Several ChairsLocated in Kansas City, MOSet of 10 Danish modern dining chairs in Brazilian rosewood and new blue upholstery. Some slight wear in the form of small nicks and dents in the chair frames but no significant dist...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Rosewood
- Eight Dining Chairs by Richard Schultz for Knoll, White Frames, Red Orange SeatsBy Richard SchultzLocated in Kansas City, MOSet of 8 Richard Schultz dining chairs, made by Knoll, 1960s. The frames and seat backs have been expertly refinished in a soft white / ivory color and the original red orange seats...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- Vintage MCM Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, Dining Chairs, Set of 4By Paul McCobb, Planner GroupLocated in west palm beach, FLFantastic set of vintage 4 MCM dining chairs. Designed by the legendary Paul McCobb, a Midcentury giant. Gorgeous spindle back with the coveted inlay screw on each seat. Acquired fro...Category
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsWood
$2,680 Sale Price / set20% Off - Paul McCobb for Planner Group Mid Century Dining Chairs, Set of 6By Paul McCobb, Planner GroupLocated in Countryside, ILPaul McCobb for Planner group mid century dining chairs - set of 6 Each armless chair measures: 20.25 wide x 19 deep x 30.25 high, with a seat height of 18 inches Each captains c...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsWood
- Set of Four Vintage Mid-Century Paul McCobb Shovel Dining ChairsBy Paul McCobbLocated in Pasadena, TXPaul McCobb`s furniture and interior designs of the 1950s rank alongside Russell Wright, Gustav Stickley, and Heywood-Wakefield as marked staples in modern design. Paul McCobb`s Dire...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsMaple
- Paul McCobb for Planner Group Winchendon Maple and Cane Dining Chairs, Set of 6By Paul McCobb, Planner GroupLocated in Countryside, ILPaul McCobb for Planner Group Winchendon Maple and Cane dining chairs - Set of 6 Each chair measures: 18 wide x 19 deep x 3...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Cane, Maple
- Set of Four Irwin Collection Dining Chairs by Paul McCobb for DirectionalBy Paul McCobb, DirectionalLocated in Belmont, MAFour caned back chairs designed by Paul McCobb for Directional with new red wool high-quality upholstery.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsBrass
- Paul McCobb Mid Century Connoisseur Dining Chairs, Set of 4By Paul McCobbLocated in Countryside, ILPaul McCobb mid century Connoisseur dining chairs - Set of 4 Each chair measures 16.5 wide x 20.5 deep x 34 high with a seat height of 17.5 inches All pieces of furniture can be ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood