Vintage "Irwin Collection" Mahogany and Brass Credenza by Paul McCobb
About the Item
- Creator:Calvin Furniture (Manufacturer),Paul McCobb (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 34.5 in (87.63 cm)Width: 48.25 in (122.56 cm)Depth: 19 in (48.26 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950
- Condition:Refinished. Professionally Refinished.
- Seller Location:North Hollywood, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1270235187522
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: North Hollywood, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 2 days of delivery.
- Vintage Mahogany and Brass "Irwin Collection" Dining Table by Paul McCobbBy Paul McCobb, Calvin FurnitureLocated in North Hollywood, CAThis stunning vintage dining table is a true masterpiece of mid-century design. Crafted from rich mahogany and solid brass, it was designed by the iconic Paul McCobb for Calvin Furni...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Vintage "Planner Group" Credenza by Paul McCobb for Winchendon FurnitureBy Winchendon, Paul McCobbLocated in North Hollywood, CAExceptional vintage “Planner Group” credenza by Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture in the United States, circa 1950s. This credenza belongs to the f...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsSmoked Glass, Birch, Ebony
- Vintage Burl Wood and Brass Credenza by MastercraftBy MastercraftLocated in North Hollywood, CABeautiful vintage burl wood and brass credenza designed and manufactured by Mastercraft in the United States, circa 1970s. This credenza has been built from the highest quality burl ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsBrass
- Vintage Hollywood Regency Lacquered and Brass CredenzaLocated in North Hollywood, CAAmazing vintage Hollywood Regency lacquered and brass credenza designed and manufactured in the United States, circa 1950s. This credenza has been professionally restored and features a polished white lacquer which greatly signifies the elegance that embodied Hollywood Regency style and lucidity. On the left side, three dovetailed drawers have their original polished brass pulls, which have been structurally detailed and appear to be in the shape of bison horns...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsBrass
- Vintage Walnut and Brass Cantilevered Credenza by Myrtle Desk CoBy Myrtle Desk Co.Located in North Hollywood, CAWonderful vintage walnut and brass cantilevered credenza designed by Myrtle Desk Co. in the United States, circa 1970s. This desk features a cantilevered d...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsBrass
- Mid-Century Modern Walnut and Brass Credenza by R-WayBy R-Way Furniture CompanyLocated in North Hollywood, CAMid-Century modern walnut and brass credenza manufactured by R-Way in the United States, circa 1960s. Take a moment to admire the stunning brass hardware of this beautiful credenza w...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsBrass
- Paul McCobb Irwin Collection Mahogany and Brass Credenza by CalvinBy Paul McCobb, Directional, Calvin FurnitureLocated in Miami, FLAll original Paul McCobb mahogany and brass cabinet model C8506 with breakfront top model C8006, from the Irwin Collection by Calvin Furniture, which is part of the work the designer created for Directional. The two piece mid-century modern credenza with hutch features: a bottom sideboard (which can be used as a stand alone case piece) with five drawers; brass knobs; a folding door opening to an interior fitted with one shelf; brass base and stretchers; and a top etagere with four drawers with brass pulls; two glass shelves; brass dividers; two cabinet doors opening to an interior with a shelf; label. 100% original finish and condition. The perfect vintage piece to used as a bar cabinet, bookcase or as a server buffet. Part of a one owner collection of McCobb furniture exclusively presented by Select Modern; a truly rare time capsule! There are more pieces from this collection available in our storefront. A copy of the original 1956 purchase receipt for all the pieces from this collection is available. Works well in many different decors, from eclectic modern to more elegant or traditional ones. Sideboard: 71.25 in (180.98 cm) W x 19.13 in (48.6 cm) D x 34.07 in (86.54 com) H Hutch: 71.25" (180.98 cm) W x 14 in (35.56 cm) D x 49 in (124.46 cm) H Literature: Fifties Furniture...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsBrass
- Paul McCobb Irwin Collection Mahogany and Brass Dresser or Credenza, RefinishedBy Directional, Paul McCobb, Calvin FurnitureLocated in South Bend, INAn exceptional Mid-Century Modern eight-drawer dresser or credenza By Paul McCobb for Directional and produced by Calvin Furniture, "Irwin Collection" USA, 1950s Gorgeous Ho...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- Paul McCobb Irwin Collection Mahogany and Brass Dresser or Credenza, RefinishedBy Directional, Paul McCobb, Calvin FurnitureLocated in South Bend, INAn exceptional Mid-Century Modern dresser, credenza, or bar cabinet By Paul McCobb for Directional and produced by Calvin Furniture, "Irwin Collection" USA, 1950s Gorgeous Hondura...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsBrass
- Paul McCobb Irwin Collection Brass and Leather Credenza by CalvinBy Directional, Paul McCobb, Calvin FurnitureLocated in Miami, FLAll original Paul McCobb mahogany cabinet or sideboard from The Calvin Group (earlier Irwin Collection) by Calvin Furniture, which is part of the work the designer created for Directional (model 1066). The mid-century modern credenza features: three drawers with brass knobs; two sliding leather doors with brass pulls and brass edges; interior fitted with two shelves, each adjustable to four different positions; brass X stretchers; label. 100% original finish and condition. The perfect vintage piece to use as a bar cabinet, a media console or a server buffet. Part of a one owner collection of McCobb furniture exclusively presented by Select Modern; a truly rare time capsule find! There are more pieces from this collection available in our storefront. A copy of the original 1956 purchase receipt for all the pieces from this collection is available. Works well in many different decors, from eclectic modern...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsBrass
- Paul McCobb Calvin Irwin Collection MCM Bleach Mahogany Brass Credenza and HutchBy Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobbLocated in Countryside, ILPaul McCobb for Calvin Irwin Collection Mid Century Bleach Mahogany and Brass Credenza and Hutch The credenza measures: 71.25 wide x 19 deep x 31.25 inches high The hutch measures: ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsBrass
- Mid-Century Modern Sideboard by Paul McCobb Credenza, Irwin CollectionBy Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobbLocated 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