Paul McCobb Credenza with Travertine Top
About the Item
- Creator:Paul McCobb (Designer),Calvin Furniture (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 33.5 in (85.09 cm)Width: 71.25 in (180.98 cm)Depth: 19 in (48.26 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1950s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. age appropriate wear, vintage finish worn, some veneer ships, vintage finish faded/scratched in areas, some restoration recommended.
- Seller Location:Brooklyn, NY
- Reference Number:
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.
Calvin Furniture
The Grand Rapids, Michigan-based company Calvin Furniture opened its doors in 1953 and became a sought-after contract manufacturer for the day’s top furniture designers and brands. Its appealing mid-century modern and Hollywood Regency offerings — nightstands, dressers and more — graced the showrooms of department stores all over North America during the 1950s and 1960s.
Calvin’s relationship with the work of Massachusetts-born designer Paul McCobb is well known to enthusiasts of mid-century modern furniture. McCobb, whose unadorned and efficient storage pieces, seating and desks drew on Shaker simplicity and Bauhaus minimalism, wasn’t exactly a designer for Calvin — in partnership with New York furniture salesman B.G. Mesberg, McCobb set up the Directional Furniture Company in Manhattan in 1949, and Calvin was one of the manufacturers contracted to produce the furniture he designed for Directional (and later, for pieces designed under his own name).
Among McCobb’s most acclaimed lines made by Calvin Furniture were the Calvin Group and the Irwin Collection. The travertine-topped sideboards and mahogany nightstands of those lines as well as the other Calvin-produced dressers, bookcases and chests of drawers designed by McCobb were elegant and spare, free of unnecessary embellishments.
Calvin also manufactured the very popular American Design Foundation line of furniture that Kipp Stewart and Stewart MacDougall designed. The Pennsylvania-born, California-raised MacDougall enjoyed a postwar collaboration with West Coast native Stewart that resulted in great success with manufacturers such as Glenn of California and Drexel Furniture. The duo’s celebrated Declaration line for the latter featured streamlined credenzas, dressers and more made in walnut with comely porcelain hardware. The dining chairs, tables and coffee tables manufactured by Calvin flaunt the pair’s signature clean lines, gentle curves and organic shapes.
In the late 1950s and early ‘60s, Calvin Furniture continued its business relationship with B.G. Mesberg National Sales and Directional Furniture. Calvin finally closed their doors during the early 1970s, but their legacy can be found in enduring pieces of modern furniture that remain popular today.
On 1stDibs, find a selection of vintage Calvin Furniture tables, credenzas, chairs and more.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Wall , NJ
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 2 days of delivery.
- Vintage Travertine Top Sideboard by Paul McCobbBy Paul McCobbLocated in Brooklyn, NYThis unusual vintage sideboard features travertine top, sculpted brass legs, rich walnut finish, and unique brass banded details. Spacious interior storage makes this Paul McCobb server...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sideboards
MaterialsTravertine
- Mid-Century Modern Dresser by Paul McCobbBy Paul McCobbLocated in Brooklyn, NYA beautiful vintage modern sideboard by Paul McCobb with a sleek marble top. This stunning case piece offers plenty of room for storage within its many drawers hidden by unique foldi...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sideboards
MaterialsMaple
- Mid-Century Modern Credenza with Travertine Topper from John StuartBy John Stuart, Bert EnglandLocated in Brooklyn, NYImpressive midcentury credenza from John Stuart, designed by Bert England. A handsome piece with brutalist style panels lining the cabinet fronts. Hinged cabinet doors open to reveal...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsTravertine, Brass
- Paul Evans Burl Wood CredenzaBy Paul EvansLocated in Brooklyn, NYStunning burl wood patchwork credenza with chrome cabinet. Floating style sideboard with drawers, chrome cabinet with adjustable shelves. (Please confirm item location - NY or NJ ...Category
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsChrome
- Paul McCobb Dresser for Calvin FurnitureBy Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobbLocated in Brooklyn, NYThis stunning vintage modern dresser was designed by Paul McCobb for Calvin Furniture. Sleek compact design with eight large drawers, unique metal pulls, and metal trim on the fronts...Category
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWalnut
- Paul McCobb Credenza by Winchendon Perimeter GroupBy Planner Group, Paul McCobbLocated in Brooklyn, NYThis vintage Paul McCobb Perimeter Group credenza features double-sided cabinets, drawers for storage, and unique ebonized finish. Classic McCobb drawe...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
- Paul McCobb Calvin Group CredenzaBy Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobbLocated in New York, NYClassic Paul McCobb sideboard, server, credenza for Clavin. The cabinet has two sliding doors, each with leather fronts, and a metal handle. The doors open to interior storage. The u...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsMetal
- Paul McCobb Irwin Collection for Calvin Mid Century Marble Top CredenzaBy Paul McCobb, Calvin FurnitureLocated in Countryside, ILPaul McCobb Irwin Collection for Calvin mid-century marble top credenza. The credenza measures: 71.25 wide x 19 deep x 34.5 inches high. Exact measurements of the hutch are pendi...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsMarble, Brass
- Paul McCobb "Irwin Collection" Credenza with Travertine Stone Top & Brass AccentBy Paul McCobb, Calvin FurnitureLocated in Los Angeles, CAMid Century modern credenza designed by Paul McCobb for the “Irwin Collection” at Calvin Group in the United States circa 1950’s. This stunning credenza sits on a beautiful polished ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsTravertine, Brass
- Mid-Century Modern Sideboard by Paul McCobb Credenza, Irwin CollectionBy Paul McCobb, Calvin FurnitureLocated in Stamford, CTMCM Paul McCobb designed "Irwin collection" sideboard or credenza, of bleached British Honduran mahogany with white travertine marble top, manufactured by the Calvin Furniture Compan...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sideboards
MaterialsMarble
- Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Leather Sliding Door Credenza for Calvin GroupBy Paul McCobb, Calvin FurnitureLocated in BROOKLYN, NYAn exceptional Mid-Century Modern brown leather sliding doors sideboard/credenza with 3 top drawers. Behind the sliding doors are 2 adjustable shelves in a dark brown finish. The out...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsBrass
- Paul McCobb Directional Marble-Top CredenzaBy Paul McCobb, Calvin FurnitureLocated in Toronto, ONPaul McCobb for Directional, produced by Calvin Furniture, under the “Irwin Collection”. Iconic modern American design. Dual trifold doors open to reveal two large drawers, and adjus...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsMarble, Brass