"Components" Gentleman's Chest by Paul McCobb for Lane Furniture
About the Item
- Creator:Lane Furniture (Manufacturer),Paul McCobb (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 48 in (121.92 cm)Width: 38 in (96.52 cm)Depth: 14 in (35.56 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1963
- Condition:Replacements made: One replacement leg. Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Age appropriate used vintage condition- minor scuffs and scratches and some small chips.
- 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.
Lane Furniture
When the first iteration of the Lane Furniture company began to produce its now-famous Lane cedar chests in the early 20th century, the family behind the brand was unsure of how successful they’d be, so they initially didn’t bother adding their name to the offerings.
The manufacturer was off to a modest start but the family was industrious: The Lanes were made up of farmers and contractors who’d built more than 30 miles of the Virginian railroad. They owned a cotton mill and purchased thousands of acres of land in Campbell County, Virginia, where the Virginian railroad was intended to cross the main line of the Southern Railway.
The Lanes hoped to start a town in this region of the state, and by 1912, streets for the town of Altavista had been laid out and utility lines were installed. In the spring of that year, John Lane purchased a defunct box factory at a bankruptcy auction. His son, Edward Hudson Lane, was tasked with the manufacturing of the cedar “hope” chests for which the Lane family would become known, even though the company was initially incorporated as the Standard Red Cedar Chest Company.
The Standard Red Cedar Chest Company struggled in its early days but introduced an assembly system at its small factory after securing a contract with the federal government to produce ammunition boxes made of pine during World War I. The company prospered and applied mass-production methods to its cedar-chest manufacturing after the war, and, in 1922, rebranding as the Lane Company, it implemented a national advertising campaign to market its products. Ads tied the company’s strong cedar hope chests to romance. Anchored by copy that read “The gift that starts the home,” the campaign rendered a Lane cedar chest a necessary purchase for young women to store linens, clothing and keepsakes as they prepared to marry.
Wartime production during World War II had Lane producing aircraft parts. In the 1950s, the family-owned company began to branch out into manufacturing tables, bedroom pieces and other various furnishings for the entire home. The brand’s vintage mid-century furniture is highly sought after.
Lane’s Acclaim walnut furniture line, which, designed by Andre Bus, has been compared to Drexel’s Declaration series for its blend of modern furniture’s clean contours and traditional craftsmanship. Ads for the Lane series suggested that it included “probably the best-selling table in the world.” (There are end tables, cocktail tables and more in the Acclaim collection, sporting graceful tapered legs and dovetail inlays.) Later, during the 1960s, Lane offered handsome modular wall units designed by the likes of Paul McCobb. The company was acquired by United Furniture Industries in 2017 and became particularly well-known among contemporary consumers for its upholstered furniture. In 2022 United abruptly closed and ceased operations at Lane.
Vintage Lane furniture is generally characterized by relatively neutral styles, which are versatile in different kinds of interiors, as well as good quality woods and careful manufacturing. All of these attributes have made Lane one of the most recognizable names in American furniture.
Browse storage cabinets, side tables and other vintage Lane furniture on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Brooklyn, NY
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 2 days of delivery.
- Paul McCobb designed Dresser for Lane FurnitureBy Lane Furniture, Paul McCobbLocated in Brooklyn, NYThis beautiful vintage modern dresser boasts sixteen hefty drawers ensuring plenty of room for storage within its compact design. A stylish case piece with cabinet doors in the cente...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsMetal
- Paul McCobb for Calvin Furniture Gentleman's ChestBy Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobbLocated in Brooklyn, NYBeautiful vintage walnut gentleman's chest designed by Paul McCobb for his iconic mid-century modern series by Calvin Furniture. Framed in a beautifully grained walnut veneer, this i...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBrass
- Gentleman's Chest by Unagusta FurnitureBy UnagustaLocated in Brooklyn, NYMid-century modern tall chest of drawers made by Unagusta Furniture. Five wide drawers, two hidden by wavy doors, with sculpted wood handles. Please confirm location NY or NJCategory
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWalnut
- 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
- 1960s Gentleman's ChestLocated in Brooklyn, NYMid-century modern chest of drawers in walnut with brass cat eye handles and lattice front doors. Drawers plus storage space give you options for your bedroom. Please confirm locatio...Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWalnut
- Warren Church for Lane Mid-Century Modern Gentlemans ChestBy Lane Furniture, Warren C. ChurchLocated in Brooklyn, NYMid-Century Modern walnut gentleman's chest designed by Warren Church for the "Perception" line by Lane Furniture. The chest features nice woven front doors, sculpted wood drawer pul...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWood
- Paul McCobb Gentleman's Tall Chest Irwin Collection for Calvin Furniture, 1956By Paul McCobb, Calvin FurnitureLocated in Camden, MEPaul McCobb's gentleman's walnut chest with a fold down mirror Irwin line for Calvin. The accordion doors are bookmatched veneer opening to 18 shirt shelves and five graduated drawe...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWalnut, Mirror
- Paul McCobb Irwin Collection Black Lacquered Gentleman's Chest, Newly RefinishedBy Directional, Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobbLocated in South Bend, INAn exceptional Mid-Century Modern gentleman's chest of drawers By Paul McCobb for Directional and produced by Calvin Furniture, "Irwin Collection" USA, 1950s Black lacquered...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsMirror, Mahogany, Lacquer
- Paul McCobb Mid-Century Modern Tall Gentleman's Chest of Drawers - Calvin GroupBy Paul McCobb, Calvin FurnitureLocated 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 Gentlemans High Chest Dresser Calvin Furniture Irwin Collection MintBy Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobbLocated in Rockaway, NJPaul McCobb Gentlemans high chest dresser Calvin Furniture Irwin Collection MINTCategory
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- Mid Century Modern Delineator Dresser by Paul McCobb for Lane, c1960sBy Paul McCobb, Lane FurnitureLocated in Chino Hills, CAPrepare to fall in love with a piece of history. This stunning and rare mid-century modern dresser is a part of the "Delineator" series, meticulously designed by renowned furniture d...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsChrome
- Gentleman's Chest of Drawers by Paul FranklBy Johnson Furniture Company, Paul FranklLocated in New York, NYSeven-drawer chest of dark stained wood with brass x-pulls and raised detailing. Simple, elegant form with lots of storage.Category
20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass