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.
Fiberglass Origami Chair by Paul McCobb
By Paul McCobb
Located in Atlanta, GA
A rare design by Paul McCobb (American, 1917-1969) for St. John, circa 1950s, this all original Origami Chair if made of a light blue fiberglass seat and...
Metal
$507
H 31.5 in W 21.66 in D 20.87 in
Italian mid-century light blue wooden shell and chromed steel legs chair, 1960s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century light blue wooden shell and chromed steel legs chair, 1960s. Chair with light blue curved wood structure with steel rod legs and metal detail in the center of the seat. 1960 approx. Excellent condition. Measurements in cm 53x55x80h 44h seat Fritz Hansen style chair...
Metal
Vintage Verner Panton Cone Chair in Original Pastel Blue Upholstery
By Verner Panton
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Designed in 1958 by the visionary Danish designer Verner Panton, the Cone Chair stands as one of the most iconic expressions of mid-century modern design. Defined by its bold geometr...
Wood
$540Sale Price|20% Off
H 31 in W 19.5 in D 19.5 in
Early Shelby Williams Gazelle Chair in Blue Accent Side Mid-Century Modern 1940s
By Shelby Williams
Located in Basel, BS
Original 1940s early Gazelle chair in Blue hard plastic. Ergonomic design. This is for the 1 blue chair. These delicate, sculptural chairs have fantastic indestructible Aluminum metal frames. The single blue chair is made of plastic resin over a wood base seat and seat back, a highly collectible 1940's model of the chair. They are stunningly made, and ICONIC. It is very unique to find them in their original state and in these colors! The upholstery on the upholstered chairs is in good vintage condition on all, with small areas of minor wear. Additional information: Materials: Blue Resin and Wood base Shelby Williams Gazelle Chair...
Aluminum
$3,186
H 30.52 in W 21.66 in D 22.05 in
Mid Century Modern Blue Aluminum Vintage Chair Side Chair Vaghi circa 1960 Italy
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid Century Modern vintage chair or side chair or office chair from aluminum by Vaghi circa 1960 Italy. A fantastic office chair or chair with an...
Aluminum
Eames For Herman Miller Mid Century Fiberglass Shell Blue Chair
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Eames For Herman Miller Mid Century Fiberglass Shell Blue Chair The chair measures: 24.75 wide x 22 deep x 31.25 high, with a sea...
Chrome
$4,484
H 33.47 in W 23.63 in D 25.21 in
Blue Scandinavian Modern Cone Chair Side Chair by Verner Panton Denmark 1958
By Verner Panton
Located in Vienna, AT
Scandinavian Modern cone chair or side chair in pastel blue color by Verner Panton 1958 and executed by Gebr. Nehl, Germany. A great and iconic chair cone shaped in soft pastel blu...
Steel
Sculptural Blue Fabric Easy Chair, France, 1950
Located in Munich, DE
Typical spectacular design of 1950s, featuring a rounded open framework in white enameled solid iron with sculpted original blue fabric upholstery, the edges framed with a pink cord ...
Metal
$1,062 / item
H 29.53 in W 20.48 in D 17.72 in
Mid Century Sea Blue Cado Chair, Steen Østergaard, Europe, 1960s
By Ostergaard Steen
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Polish production chairs from Plastics Factory 'Krywald' in Knurow have embossed signatures. They come from the 70s. The author of this project is the Danish architect Steen Østergaa...
Plastic
$2,124 / item
H 28.75 in W 25.99 in D 25.99 in
Mid-Century Light Blue Shell Chair, Miroslav Navratil, Czechoslovakia, 1960s
By Miroslav Navratil
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Amazign Shell chair designed by Miroslav Navratil in 1960s in Czechoslovakia. One of the best project from the past. About the designer: Miroslav Navrátil (born August 23, 1913 in...
Fabric, Bouclé, Velvet, Beech
Iron Side Chair 101-M by Allan Gould Designs Inc. in Good Original Condition, US
By Allan Gould
Located in Berlin, DE
Rare wrought iron chair in original condition designed by Allan Gould.
Iron
Willy van der Meeren for Tubax Pair of Lounge Chairs in blue
By Willy Van Der Meeren, Tubax
Located in Berlin, DE
Newly upholstered Willy van der Meeren for Tubax Pair of Lounge Chairs in blue.
Metal
Jean-René Picard for S.E.T.A Fiberglass Chair France - 1950s
By Jean-René Picard
Located in Berlin, DE
Jean-René Picard for S.E.T.A Fiberglass Chair, 1950s.
Fiberglass
Gio Ponti Leggera Armchair or Side Chair by Cassina in different colors
By Gio Ponti, Cassina
Located in Berlin, DE
Prices are dependent on the chosen material and model. Available with or without armrests. Frame, Seat and Coating and upholstery of the chair can be customized, please get in touch....
Upholstery, Wood
Pair of dark blue Willy van der Meeren Lounge Chairs in skai, Belgium - 1950s
By Willy Van Der Meeren
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of Willy van der Meeren Chairs in metal & dark blue skai, Belgium - 1950s.
Metal
Winged Highback Italian Lounge Chair in the manner of Carlo Molino, 1950s
By Carlo Molino
Located in Berlin, DE
Winged Highback Italian Lounge Chair in the manner of Carlo Molino in a beautiful texturized blue fabric. We can also offer to reupholster the Chair in our in house atelier.
Fabric, Wood
His two gallery spaces in the German capital bring together thousands of pieces ranging from mid-century classics and Murano glass to covetable reproductions manufactured in-house.
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