Paul McCobb Directional 314 Model High Back Lounge Chair
View Similar Items
Paul McCobb Directional 314 Model High Back Lounge Chair
About the Item
- Creator:Paul McCobb (Designer),Directional (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 41.5 in (105.41 cm)Width: 31 in (78.74 cm)Depth: 33 in (83.82 cm)Seat Height: 15.5 in (39.37 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1956
- Condition:Refinished and reupholstered.
- Seller Location:Miami, FL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU195834992663
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.
- Paul McCobb for Directional Off-White Velvet Sofa, 1950sBy Paul McCobb, DirectionalLocated in Miami, FLReupholstered Mid-Century Modern model 1307 light cream velvet sofa by Paul McCobb for Directional. The couch has been recovered in a gorgeous neutra...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsVelvet, Mahogany
$5,390 Sale Price44% Off - Travertine and Brass Side Table by Paul McCobb for Directional, 1950sBy Paul McCobb, DirectionalLocated in Miami, FLA fine Mid-Century Modern brass and travertine limestone model 8732 end table designed by Paul McCobb for the Directional Collection, d...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsTravertine, Brass
- Yellow Wool Walnut Lounge Chairs by Vista of California, a PairBy Vista of CaliforniaLocated in Miami, FLRare pair of vintage walnut tufted armchairs by Vista of California in all original condition. The Mid-Century Modern lounge chairs feature: original warm yellow wool upholstery; bucket style seats; tapered backrest with button tufting; label. These petite barrel back...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsWool, Walnut
- Pencil Reed Wing Back Rattan Lounge ChairLocated in Miami, FLA gorgeous vintage fan back pencil-reed split bamboo armchair dating from the 1970s. The hand-crafted barrel shaped back imparts a superior level of comfort all while adding a Chinoi...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsBamboo, Rattan
- Hollywood Regency Mid-Century Modern Channel Back Lounge Chairs - PairBy Grosfeld HouseLocated in Miami, FLStunning pair of Hollywood Regency Mid-Century Modern channel fan back lounge chairs, circa 1940s. Super stylish left and right chairs in the style of Billy Haines, Milo Baughman, or...Category
20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBrass
- Paul McCobb Irwin Collection Brass and Leather Credenza by CalvinBy Paul McCobb, Directional, Calvin FurnitureLocated in Miami, FLAll original Paul McCobb mahogany cabinet or sideboard from The Calvin Group (earlier Irwin Collection) by Calvin Furniture, which is part of the work the designer created for Directional (model 1066). The mid-century modern credenza features: three drawers with brass knobs; two sliding leather doors with brass pulls and brass edges; interior fitted with two shelves, each adjustable to four different positions; brass X stretchers; label. 100% original finish and condition. The perfect vintage piece to use as a bar cabinet, a media console or a server buffet. Part of a one owner collection of McCobb furniture exclusively presented by Select Modern; a truly rare time capsule find! There are more pieces from this collection available in our storefront. A copy of the original 1956 purchase receipt for all the pieces from this collection is available. Works well in many different decors, from eclectic modern...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsBrass
- Paul McCobb Directional 314 Model High Back Lounge ChairsBy Paul McCobbLocated in Dallas, TXAn extremely rare set of matching high back lounge chairs model 314 by the legendary American designer Paul McCobb for Directional Furniture, circa 1950s. With its stylish pointed wi...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood
- Paul McCobb for Directional 314 Model High Back Lounge Chair in Grey VelvetBy Paul McCobb, DirectionalLocated in Culver City, CAAvailable right now we have this absolutely gorgeous Paul McCobb for Directional, model 314 wingback lounge chair. This lounge chair is stunning-- very large in scale, and clad in fine cotton velvet that has a slight sheen. This gorgeous wingback was designed in the 1950's by Paul McCobb for Directional furniture, which is known for its high quality manufacturing. Many famed designers such as Milo Baughman, Paul Evans and even Vladimir Kagan have designed for Directional furniture, as it's truly a furniture dynasty producer of legacy furniture...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs
MaterialsVelvet, Walnut
- Paul McCobb "Tub" High Back Lounge Chair Model 3045, Priced Low for ReupholsteryBy Paul McCobb, Planner GroupLocated in Kansas City, MORare Paul McCobb "Tub" chair for the Planner Group. High back with cantilevered armrests and walnut legs. Important design in need of reupholstering and is priced accordingly. This is a great opportunity to get this chair for a low price...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
- Paul McCobb for Widdicomb High Back ChairBy Paul McCobbLocated in St.Petersburg, FLA Classic high back chair by Paul McCobb for Widdicomb. Shaped like a tall egg with unusual turned legs this chair has a great midcentury look and is very comfortable. Reupholstered ...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
- Paul McCobb for Directional Model 1322 Black Rim Lounge ChairBy Paul McCobb, DirectionalLocated in Bainbridge, NYPaul McCobb for Directional Furniture 1322 lounge chair, loose seat cushion. Circa 1950s. Featuring a Black ebonized Walnut frame, tapered legs and comfortable curved and cushioned b...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Walnut
- Paul McCobb Lounge ChairBy Paul McCobbLocated in Dallas, TXA sculptural high-back lounge chair with walnut frame designed by Paul McCobb. Refinished and reupholstered.Category
Vintage 1950s Lounge Chairs
MaterialsWalnut
$5,800