Paul Mccobb Calvin Group Mahogany and Brass Double Dresser / Chest of Drawers
About the Item
- Creator:Directional (Manufacturer),Paul McCobb (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 36.13 in (91.78 cm)Width: 66 in (167.64 cm)Depth: 19.25 in (48.9 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:ca. 1950s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Excellent, restored condition with only minor wear remaining.
- Seller Location:Brooklyn, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: SKU000046241stDibs: LU1444239282452
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.
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: Brooklyn, NY
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 2 days of delivery.
- Pair of Paul Mccobb Calvin Group Mahogany and Brass Nightstands for DirectionalBy Directional, Paul McCobbLocated in Brooklyn, NYPaul Mccobb Calvin Group Model 1047 two-tier nightstands/side tables for Directional (ca. 1954, USA). Composed of a stained mahogany frame with extendable lower shelf with nickel pul...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsBrass, Nickel
- Vintage Ten-Drawer Walnut and Brass Chest / Dresser by BakerBy Baker Furniture CompanyLocated in Brooklyn, NYElegant Baker chest of drawers / dresser in bookmatched black walnut veneer with recessed, hammered and etched brass drawer-pulls and a semi-finished back (ca. 1980,USA). Ten-drawer ...Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- Pair of Mahogany and Brass Connoisseur Collection Nightstands by Paul McCobbBy H Sacks & Sons, Paul McCobbLocated in Brooklyn, NYElegant two-tier, single-drawer side tables/nightstands designed by Paul Mccobb for his the "Connoisseur Collection" manufactured by H Sacks and Sons (ca. 1953, Brookline, MA, USA). Composed of a red mahogany frame with inset "hidden" drawer with brass pull tucked below the surface. Lower, glass tier is framed by brass stretchers which delicately brace the long, tapered legs. Additionally, the sides are deeply sculpted/partially recessed resembling a half-bowtie, revealing the drawer within and adding a nice detail to an otherwise simple form. Relatively large size offering ample storage options between the shallow drawer and lower surface. Sleek, minimal pieces designed with unique and unexpected features indicative of an ingenious design highlighting the marriage of form and function. Excellent, restored condition (wood has been refinished and brass has been polished). Only minimal wear remains. Signed with applied brass manufacturer's label to the drawer of each example: "Connoisseur Collection designed by Paul McCobb H Sacks...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsBrass
- Vintage Stained Satinwood Nine-Drawer Dresser with Brass Pulls by HenredonBy HenredonLocated in Brooklyn, NYLuxurious Hendredon nine-drawer chest of drawers/dresser (ca. 1970s, USA). Composed of a richly stained satinwood chest featuring seven long and two short drawers with interlocking b...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- Pair of Paul Mccobb Stained Maple Lounge ChairsBy Paul McCobbLocated in Brooklyn, NYCoveted pair of Paul Mccobb Planner Group armchairs made between 1955 and 1956 (Winchendon, MA, USA). Sculptural seat/back frame contoured to accentuate the slim, carved armrests. Sh...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsNaugahyde, Maple
- Pair of Mid-Century Modern Maple and Iron "Shovel" Chairs by Paul MccobbBy Paul McCobbLocated in Brooklyn, NYPaul Mccobb Shovel Chairs model #1533 designed in the 1950s for Planner Group and produced by Winchendon. Composed of solid maple seats with sculpted edges and deeply carved back res...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
MaterialsMetal, Wrought Iron
- Paul McCobb Mid-Century Modern Tall Gentleman's Chest of Drawers - Calvin GroupBy Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobbLocated in St. Louis, MOOne of Paul McCobb's most desirable designs, rare model 1013 gentleman's chest of drawers or tall dresser in mahogany from the Calvin group. Elegant and stately, it is loaded with re...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- Paul McCobb Calvin Linear Group Dresser, Chest, Commode, Mid-Century ModernBy Paul McCobbLocated in Stamford, CTMid-Century Modern Chest by Paul McCobb (1917-1969) for Calvin Linear Group This walnut and aluminum chest having four center drawers with pulls. Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1950...Category
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsMetal
- Paul McCobb for Calvin Concealed Mahogany DresserBy Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobbLocated in Brooklyn, NYMid-Century Modern, streamlined, mahogany dresser by Paul McCobb for Calvin Furniture: The Irwin Collection features bi-fold doors that open to reveal four 5 inch height drawers that...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- Paul McCobb Calvin Group Bachelor Chest/Media CentreBy Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobbLocated in Wilmington, DEOffered is bachelor chest made by Paul McCobb for the Calvin Group. It is made of walnut with aluminum inserts. It has been completely restored/refinished.Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsAluminum
- Paul McCobb for Calvin Mid Century Mahogany and Brass Highboy DresserBy Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobbLocated in Countryside, ILPaul McCobb for Calvin Mid Century Mahogany and Brass Highboy Dresser This highboy measures: 36 wide x 19.25 deep x 52.75 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we ...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- Mid-Century Linear Group Chest of Drawers by Paul McCobb for Calvin FurnitureBy Paul McCobbLocated in Deland, FLDesigned by Paul McCobb and manufactured by Calvin Furniture, this four-drawer dresser features aluminum accents and slender drawer pulls that emphasize its clean lines and beautiful...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWalnut