Two-Piece Paul McCobb Server and Shelf, circa 1960s
View Similar Items
Two-Piece Paul McCobb Server and Shelf, circa 1960s
About the Item
- Creator:Paul McCobb (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 81 in (205.74 cm)Width: 66 in (167.64 cm)Depth: 19.5 in (49.53 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960's
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Stamford, CT
- Reference Number:Seller: 2401stDibs: 15052082825913
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.
- 1960s Paul McCobb Planner Group BookcaseBy Paul McCobb, Winchendon, Planner GroupLocated in Saint Paul, MNPaul McCobb for Winchendon, Planner Group bookcase, USA, 1950s, maple, wrought iron.Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Shelves
MaterialsIron
- Three-Tiered English Walnut Shelf/ServerLocated in Wilson, NCThis shelf/server has a heavily carved broken arch crestrail with a center scallop shell carved in high relief which is flanked by carved leaf arabesques and a carved wave scroll. Th...Category
Antique 1880s English Sideboards
MaterialsBrass
$3,875 Sale Price32% Off - Two-Tiered English Mahogany ServerLocated in Wilson, NCThis two-tiered English mahogany server has a bullnose top edge and a rear gallery with a carved open pierced center. The middle section has re...Category
Antique 1870s English Sideboards
MaterialsMahogany
- Paul McCobb for Bryce Wall Shelf in Wood and Metal, USA - 1950sBy Paul McCobb, Bryce OriginalsLocated in Berlin, DEPaul McCobb for Bryce Wall Shelf in Wood and Metal, USA - 1950s. Wall-mounted floating console with wooden drawer and black metal frame. Shelves are covered with white Vitrolite glas...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Shelves
MaterialsMetal
- Mid Century Server Credenza Attributed to Paul McCobbBy Paul McCobbLocated in New York, NYNice Mid-Century Modern credenza having a large cabinet bottom and a tall vertical display shelf top element. The shelf has its original white glass insert surfaces and four thin dra...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsBrass
- Perfectly Mid-Sized Adj Shelf Bookcase with Drawer in Manner of Paul McCobbBy Paul McCobbLocated in Kensington, MDGreat bookcase by Paul McCobb wit drawer on top. Wonderful size with nice storage capacity in a small space.Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
MaterialsBirch