1950s Paul McCobb Directional Walnut Slipper Chairs, Pair Newly Upholstered
About the Item
- Creator:Paul McCobb (Designer),Directional (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 32.75 in (83.19 cm)Width: 24.75 in (62.87 cm)Depth: 31.75 in (80.65 cm)Seat Height: 16.75 in (42.55 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:c1950s
- Condition:Reupholstered. Wear consistent with age and use. Newly upholstered with minimal finish wear to the frames as shown.
- Seller Location:Miami, FL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1974336953532
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: Miami, FL
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- Mid-Century Modern Stainless Upholstered Slipper Chairs, PairLocated in Miami, FLMid-Century Modern stainless upholstered slipper chairs, pair Offered for sale is a pair of Mid-Century Modern upholstered slipper chairs with a contrasting combination of a woven...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Slipper Chairs
MaterialsStainless Steel
- Mid-Century Modern Slipper Chairs on Stainless Steel Frames, PairLocated in Miami, FLMid-Century Modern slipper chairs on stainless steel frames, pair Offered for sale is an overscale pair of Mid-Century Modern upholstered slipper chairs with stainless steel frame...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Slipper Chairs
MaterialsStainless Steel
- Le Jeune Upholstery Loft Slipper Chair Showroom ModelBy Iconic Design GalleryLocated in Miami, FLLe Jeune Upholstery Loft Slipper Chair Showroom Model Offered for sale is a Le Jeune Upholstery LOFT C6.932 Slipper Chair Showroom Model. This slipper chair is medium-scaled with a ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Slipper Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Walnut
- Mid-century Paul McCobb Calvin Line Leather Walnut CabinetBy Paul McCobb, Calvin FurnitureLocated in Miami, FLMid-century Paul McCobb Calvin Line Leather Walnut Cabinet Offered for sale is a Mid-Century Modern cabinet designed by the iconic designer Paul McCobb. This cabinet is for the high...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsLeather, Walnut
- Henry Link Coastal Newly Upholstered Rattan Club Chairs, Painted PairBy Henry LinkLocated in Miami, FLHenry Link Coastal Newly Upholstered Rattan Club Chairs, Painted Pair Offered for sale is a pair of coastal beach living Henry Link painted rattan club chairs which were just upholstered with Clarence House fabric. The chairs are well made with sturdy bases and the cushions are supported by springs. We off the companion sofa...Category
Late 20th Century American Club Chairs
MaterialsRattan, Wood, Fabric
- Christian Werner Ligne Roset 'Pop' Lounge Chair with Orange UltrasuedeBy Ligne RosetLocated in Miami, FLChristian Werner Ligne Roset 'Pop' Lounge Slipper Chair with Orange Ultrasuede Offered for sale is an upholstered contemporary 'Pop' Lounge Chair by Christian Werner for Ligne Ro...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Slipper Chairs
MaterialsStainless Steel
- Paul McCobb for Directional Midcentury Slipper ChairBy Paul McCobb, DirectionalLocated in Countryside, ILPaul McCobb for directional midcentury slipper chair. This chair measures: 25 wide x 25.75 deep x 31.5 high, with a seat height of 17 and arm height/chair clearance 24.5 inches ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood
- Pair of Slipper Chairs by Paul McCobbBy Paul McCobbLocated in Dallas, TXA pair of Paul McCobb slipper chairs with maple bases.Category
Vintage 1950s Slipper Chairs
MaterialsFabric
- Newly Upholstered Wingback Sofa 1307 by Paul McCobb for Directional, US, 1950sBy Paul McCobb, DirectionalLocated in Berlin, DEPaul McCobb sofa model 1307 for Directional features a slight winged back resting on a maple frame that gives the sofa a floating look with loose cushions on seat and back. Newly reu...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Upholstery, Wood, Maple
- Pair of Paul McCobb High Back Club Chairs or Slipper ChairsBy Paul McCobbLocated in Westport, CTPair of Paul McCobb high back club chairs unusual sleek design, leg in walnut color, covered in off white nub Fabric with button tufts. Measures:...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Foam, Walnut
- Chic Dunbar Slipper Chairs in Newly Upholstered in Blue Leather 1950s 'Signed'By Dunbar Furniture, Edward WormleyLocated in New York, NYPair of clean-line slipper chairs newly upholstered in beautiful blue leather with mahogany base by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, American 1950's (signed with Dunbar metal...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Slipper Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Mahogany
- Pair of Mid-Century Modern Lounge Slipper Chairs Manner of Paul McCobbBy Paul McCobbLocated in Wayne, NJPair of Mid-Century Modern lounge slipper chairs. If you are in the New Jersey , New York City Metro Area , please contact us with your delivery zip code, as we may be able to delive...Category
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric