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.
Carlo Pagani attr., Fabric, Wood, Lounge Chairs, Italy, 1950s
By Carlo Pagani
Located in Stamford, CT
Carlo Pagani attr., Italian Mid-Century Modern, Fabric, Wood, Lounge Chairs, Italy, 1950s Pair of unique lounge chairs attributed to Carlo Pagani (Milano 1913 - Milano 1999) and pro...
Fabric, Wood
Paolo Buffa Style, Wingback Lounge Chairs, Fabric, Wood, Italy, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Stamford, CT
Paolo Buffa Style, Italian Mid-Century Modern, Wingback Lounge Chairs, Fabric, Wood, Italy, 1950s Pair of modernist lounge chairs by an unknown maker and produced in Italy in the mi...
Fabric, Wood
ISA Bergamo, Fabric, Wood, Brass, Organic Lounge Chairs, Italy, 1950s
By ISA Bergamo
Located in Stamford, CT
ISA Bergamo, Italian Mid-Century Modern, Fabric, Wood, Brass, Organic Lounge Chairs, Italy, 1950s Pair of fabric and turned wood lounge chairs designed and produced by ISA Bergamo i...
Fabric, Wood
Federico Munari Style, Lounge Chairs, Fabric, Ebonized Wood, Italy, 1960s
By Federico Munari
Located in Stamford, CT
Federico Munari Style, Italian Mid-Century Modern, Lounge Chairs, Fabric, Ebonized Wood, Italy, 1960s Pair of rounded lounge chairs in the manner of Federico Munari designed and pro...
Fabric, Wood
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs, American, Walnut, 1960s
By Paul McCobb
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of Mid-Century Modern lounge chairs. These sleek and elegant arm or lounge chairs from the 1960s depict the Mid Century Modern era at its peak. Each having strong sturdy frames...
Fabric, Wood
Finnish Modern, Easy Chairs, Damask, Beech, Finland, 1940s
By Carl-Johan Boman
Located in Stamford, CT
Finnish Mid-Century Modern, Lounge Chairs, Damask, Beech, Finland, 1950s Pair of organic form easy chairs in the manner of Carl-Johan Boman and Gösta Jonsson, designed and produced ...
Fabric, Wood
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Black Lacquer Abstract Fabric Lounge Chairs AS IS
By Paul McCobb, James Mont
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Black Lacquer Abstract Fabric Lounge Chairs AS IS. Nice design Mid-Century Modern chair good refinishing project.
Upholstery, Walnut
Martin Eisler, Lounge Chairs, Fabric, Wood, Brazil, 1950s
By Martin Eisler
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of grey fabric and wood lounge chairs designed by Martin Eisler and produced by Forma, Brazil, c. 1950s. Vintage fabric in fair condition, ideally reupholstered. Overall Dim...
Fabric, Wood
Pair of Mid Century Modern Ebonized Walnut Lounge Chairs in Holly Hunt Fabric
Located in New York, NY
This stunning and graphic pair Mid Century Modern arm chairs were realized in the United States circa 1960. They feature cylindrical legs that taper to a point at their bases. The front legs are straight, while the hind legs are slightly arched- providing the chairs with a subtle dynamism. The sides of the chairs are each composed of a single amorphic form- with a negative space that creates rests for the sitters arms and gives these pieces a wonderfully sculptural Silhouette. The chairs have been newly reupholstered in a luxurious Holly Hunt Great plains dove gray fabric called luxe trail elephant with Fine horizontal striations. These chairs are a study in the simple beauty of first rate Mid Century design, explaining why American modernism appears as timeless and compelling today as it did more than 60 years ago when these chairs were first created. Their clean modernist lines and refined palate ensure that they would be a winning addition to any style of interior from Classic Mid-Century Modern to contemporary. They have been newly restored to mint condition and newly reupholstered in Holly Hunt fabric...
Fabric, Walnut
Paolo Buffa attributed Original Italian Lounge Chairs 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, Paolo Buffa attributed sexy lounge chairs made Italy. Circa the 1950s selling as a pair No label present, attributed Paolo Buffa. Original floral pattern uph...
Brass
Englander & Bonta, Lounge Chairs, Wood, Fabric, Argentina, 1950s
By Englander & Bonta
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of red fabric and dark-stained wood lounge chairs retailed by Englander & Bonta, Argentina, c. 1950s. Wear consistent with age and use. Reupholstered at some point in histor...
Fabric, Wood
Paul McCobb for Widdicomb Symmetric Group Mid Century Lounge Chairs
By Paul McCobb, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Paul McCobb for Widdicomb Symmetric Group Mid Century Lounge Chairs Each chair measures: 29.25 wide x 29 deep x 31.25 high, with a seat height of 15.5 and arm height/chair clearance...
Upholstery
