Paul McCobb for Directional Lounge Chairs in Blue Velvet, Model 1312
View Similar Items
Paul McCobb for Directional Lounge Chairs in Blue Velvet, Model 1312
About the Item
- Creator:Paul McCobb (Designer),Directional (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 33 in (83.82 cm)Width: 28 in (71.12 cm)Depth: 26 in (66.04 cm)Seat Height: 18 in (45.72 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Westport, CT
- Reference Number:Seller: SM12601stDibs: LU92897102633
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.
- Paul McCobb for Directional Lounge Chairs and Ottoman, C. 1950sBy Paul McCobbLocated in Westport, CTA lounge chair and ottoman designed by the Iconic Paul McCobb for Directional, maple legs fully restored and refinished in medium walnut. Reupholstered in grey chenille. Other d...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsChenille, Maple
- Walnut Lounge Chairs in Grey Linen, Model U430 for Risom, Inc. Circa, 1950sBy Jens RisomLocated in Westport, CTExperience the epitome of mid-century modern elegance with our fully restored walnut lounge chairs from the 1950s, a timeless creation by Jens Risom for Risom, Inc. Meticulously refu...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLinen, Walnut
- Low Profile Lounge Chair in Navy Alpaca Velvet by Adrian Pearsall, C. 1950sBy Adrian PearsallLocated in Westport, CTA meticulously restored low profile chair by Adrian Pearsall. Fully revived to its original splendor, this chair boasts impeccable navy blue alpaca velvet upholstery, reflecting both...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsVelvet, Walnut
- Set of Lounge Chairs by Henry Glass in Grey Alpaca Velvet, C. 1950sBy Henry GlassLocated in Westport, CTA fully restored pair of iconic lounge chairs designed by Henry Glass in the 1950s. Meticulously brought back to their original beauty, these chairs feature a luxurious grey alpaca v...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsNickel
- Set of Lounge Chairs by Milo Baughman, Country Village Collection, C. 1950sBy Milo Baughman, DirectionalLocated in Westport, CTExperience the timeless allure of mid-century modern design with this iconic pair of lounge chairs, originally conceived by Milo Baughman for Milo's Country Village Collection in the...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsWool, Wood
- Set of Lounge Chairs by Milo Baughman, Country Village Collection, C. 1950sBy Milo Baughman, DirectionalLocated in Westport, CTExperience the timeless allure of mid-century modern design with this iconic pair of lounge chairs, originally conceived by Milo Baughman for Milo's Country Village Collection in the...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBouclé, Walnut
- 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 for Widdicomb Lounge ChairBy Widdicomb Furniture Co., Paul McCobbLocated in San Francisco, CAA Rounded Back lounge chair From the Symmetric Series by Widdicomb Furniture. Manufactured for just a short time in 1960 and 1961. Redone in a...Category
Vintage 1960s American Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsWool, Walnut
- Kipp Stewart for Directional Lounge Chairs in Jack Lenor Larsen VelvetBy Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley, Kipp Stewart, Harvey Probber, DirectionalLocated in Decatur, GAExceptional and rare pair of barrel back lounge chairs by Kipp Stewart for Directional with all original Jack Lenor Larsen velvet. Solid dark mahogany bases with brass casters. An el...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs
MaterialsVelvet
$2,554 Sale Price / set46% Off - Pair of Paul Mccobb Lounge Chairs model #1312By Paul McCobbLocated in West Palm Beach, FLA pair of Paul Mccobb Lounge chairs c.1956 Architectural forms featuring tapering Walnut legs. Re-Upholstered in Shearling-Boucle FabricCategory
Vintage 1950s North American Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery
- Vintage Mid Century Modern Walnut Frame Blue Club Lounge Chair after Paul McCobbBy Paul McCobb, DirectionalLocated in Philadelphia, PAQuality vintage Mid-Century Modern club chair with sleek lines and sculptural form. Item features a solid wood frame with angled and tapered walnut legs, blue button tufted upholster...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
- Paul McCobb for Directional Midcentury Occasional Lounge Chairs, PairBy Paul McCobb, DirectionalLocated in Countryside, ILPaul McCobb for Directional midcentury occasional lounge chairs - pair. Each chair measures: 24.75 wide x 21 deep x 29.5 inches high, with a seat height of 17 and arm height/chair...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood