Phillip Lloyd Powell was born in Germantown, Pennsylvania, in 1919 and studied engineering at the Drexel University of Technology; but after World War II he moved to New Hope, PA and started refurbishing antiques and making furniture, while building his own house by hand.
Fond of travel and of people and with a knack for salesmanship, Powell opened a showroom in New Hope, PA. The store was a success and afforded Powell the chance to explore his furniture making. At a time when Scandinavian minimalism was popular, Powell opted for a more naturalistic approach, in which he let the contour of grain reveal itself and even dictate the shape and flow of the piece.
Around 1951 Paul Evans began frequenting the shop and in 1956 Evans moved permanently to New Hope and his acquaintance with Powell turned into a business and creative partnership. Their early work together was small in scale, such as the now-famed decorative screens with a loopy fish-scale pattern of welded iron.Their big break came in 1961, when Powell and Evans had a two-man show at the America House exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Crafts in New York, now named the Museum of Arts & Design.
Powell always followed more of the artist’s way, traveling for inspiration—even living in Spain for three years in the late seventies. Back in New Hope, Powell resumed working on intensely crafted wood pieces, sometimes more fantastical than functional. Phil Powell continued to work until his death at age 89.
A Unique Custom Collaborative Dining Table by Paul Evans and Phillip Lloyd Powell, USA, 1969. The table top in two large square sections of Pennsylvania slate framed in American Walnut rests on two one-of-a-kind sculpted bronze bases. The pierced bases though in Evan's signature sculpted bronze clearly show Powell's influence in their design. The table has two original leaves in walnut that insert into the center to create a impressive 9ft dining table. This table comes from the collection of George Fry a long-time Evans and Powell employee. Signed PE 69.
An Important Hanging Cabinet by Phillip Lloyd Powell. USA, circa 1950s. A rare and important wall hanging cabinet leafed in gold with a free-form chip-walnut panel. The leafing was applied over a custom rose colored ground. Case consists of two bi-fold doors equalling four panels total. Cabinet interior in striated turquoise lacquer with four original chromium yellow felt shelves. Made for entertainer Shari Lewis, an important early collector of Paul Evans. Full provenance available.
Slate Top Chip Carved Cone Table by Phillip Lloyd Powell. USA, circa 1960s. A gorgeous and rare example of Powell's chip carving in a slate top occaisonal table. Conical base is hand chipped out of Walnut and reveals a gold leafed and recessed apron. Slate top is held by four hand-carved and morticed struts. The original top is unlaquered 1' thick Pennsylvania slate and has elegant rounded corners.
Hand Carved Armchair in Walnut by Phillip Lloyd Powell. USA, circa 1970s. A beautifully proportioned armchair in Walnut with light brown calfskin upholstery. This chair is a prime example of Powell's sensitivity towards wood and displays his talent for quality construction techniques. Blind mortice and tenon joinery and a hand-carved pass through for the upholstered back cushion all display Powell's high level of craftsmanship.
A Rare and Important Chip Carved Console in Walnut by Phillip Lloyd Powell. USA, 1970s. A rare and impressive hand-chipped nine drawer console with original Pennsylvania slate top. Drawer front are hand carved around vintage cast iron nail heads. As always the contour of the hand-chipping relates to the movement of the grain and works around the natural density patterns of the wood. The solid walnut planking is cut, joined and carved to create raised strokes that criss-cross the front of the console face. The sides are finished and matched in chip-carving as well. An inch-thick slab of slate adorns the top pf the cabinet. The hand-chipping is a signature Powell technique that is rarely exhibited across such a large surface. The exposed nail heads are also a rare but signifigant feature. Two drawers on the lower left of the console contain organizational walnut dividers.
A low drum table in Walnut with slate top by Phillip Lloyd Powell. USA, c. 1950s. An early example of Powell's work this drum table has three joints that seamlessly allow for expansion and shrinkage of the wood. In beautiful original condition.
Custom Wall Mount Shelf / Console by Phillip Lloyd Powell, USA, circa 1970's. Walnut shelf with slate top. Mounts to wall with two matched walnut brackets. Shallow depth is perfect for use in a narrow hallways and entryways.
Wall-Mount Cabinet by Paul Evans and Phillip Lloyd Powell, circa 1950, USA. Solid walnut cabinet with Evans' iconic welded steel and gold leaf fish scale motif on the door. Finished on all sides and on the interior, with a fully mirrored back inside wall. The cabinet was designed to hang vertically, but can be adapted for horizontal hanging.
A Metal and Wood Screen by Paul Evans and Phillip Lloyd Powell, circa 1950's, USA. A single panel screen is comprised of Evans’ signature fish-scale motif in welded steel with gold leaf. Held within in a red striated walnut frame.
Custom Wall Mount Console by Phillip Lloyd Powell, circa 1960's, USA. Unique carved walnut case with four pairs of bi-fold doors concealing four main compartments, one with a custom fitted wine rack, one with two drawers and shelves and glass shelves in both of the end compartments. The interior is finished in walnut with a slate top.
Wall mounted silver leaf console by Phillip Lloyd Powell, c. 1955. The console has a sanded slate top, three drawers and is finished in silver leaf brick pattern over a vibrant Robin’s egg blue. Each felt-lined drawer is divided by five removable wooden slats. The console is mounted on two silver leaf, hand-chipped oak supports. 7" H (console) (15.25"H with supports) X 95.75W X 19.5D. Excellent restored condition.
A pair of elegant, Windsor-style, spindle back sofas by Phillip Lloyd Powell based on his early designs from 1960s. These ingenious sofas come apart to assemble or disassemble for easy transport. Very comfortable, beautifully designed solid walnut frame with newly upholstered cushions in dark brown calfskin.
Six paneled screen by Phillip Lloyd Powell
USA, c 1967
Six undulating carved walnut panels backed with mirror in Powell's organic style gives these panels a graceful, sinuous feel and the silver leaf over red lacquer creates a spectacular pop art effect. Configured as two, three panel screens.
Excellent original condition
86.75"H width: 95.25"W Depth: variable
Low cone table by Phillip Lloyd Powell
USA, 2007
A chip carved occasional table in a low conical form with a rosewood top. Hand carved and gilt by Powell in a gold leaf over a red ground. Signed by Phillip Llyod Powell 2007-3 for Matt Damon.
Excellent original condition
13.5"H 13.75"W 10.75"D
Free-form walnut wall console by Phillip Lloyd Powell
USA, 2005
A beautiful, free-form slab of walnut rests on two carved mounts that attach to a wall. The wood has a satin finish and softened edges. Signed on one mount Phillip Lloyd Powell.
A unique custom chaise lounge by Phillip Lloyd Powell, c. 1960. This unique chaise has a wooden frame with turned feet and back supports finished in a colorful blend of burnt umber and fuchsia lacquer and silverleaf. The frame, back and pillow are upholstered in metallic silver leather, the seat cushion in purple ultra suede. A rope system adjusts the back for reclining. Powell typically drew his inspiration from his travels abroad; this piece is reminiscent of an Indian palace. Designed for the Berman’s of Allentown, PA and is signed on the frame Phillip Lloyd Powell Made for H. Berman Allentown, PA.
Metal and Wood Screen by Paul Evans and Phillip Lloyd Powell
USA, c. 1950
A Metal and wood screen by Paul Evans and Phillip Lloyd Powell, c. 1950.The screen comprises three panels, each with Evans’s signature fish-scale motif in metal with silver and gold leaf within in a simple walnut frame that has a striated, slightly speckled cream finish.
Excellent Original Condition
TMF1117
95.25H X 14.5W (each panel) 43.5 W (overall) X 2.25D
Pair of Triangular Walnut Side Tables by Phillip Lloyd Powell
USA, c. 1955
A Pair of triangular walnut side tables by Phillip Lloyd Powell, c. 1955. Each have an inset heavily lacquered slate top, the sides have vertically positioned boards that meet seamlessly at the corners but leave a slender gap at their juncture on the sides.The sides have a slight swell that is well proportioned to their diminutive size.
A Wall Hung Walnut Cabinet by Phillip Lloyd Powell, from the Dorsey Reading Collection
USA, 1966
A Wall hung walnut cabinet by Phillip Lloyd Powell, 1966.The cabinet comprises a dove tail case and four bi-fold doors, the interior is finished in a copper green stain. Dorsey Reading reportedly traded this cabinet from Powell for forty hours of work.
Serving Cabinet / Bar by Phillip Lloyd Powell USA c. 1960 With this grand towering cabinet Powell showcases many of his talents and signature finishing. He always honors the irregularities of the wood, in this case Walnut-one of his favorites, which results in sinuous lines and dramatic swirls. The interior and sides are painted in a silver leaf faux subway tile motif above a gentle aquatic green base. One of the largest domestically proportioned pieces from Powell’s oeuvre.
Custom Doors by Phillip Lloyd Powell in Pennsylvanian Walnut. USA, 2007
Phil Powell (1919-2008) was one of the great American studio artisans, Powell’s powerfully dramatic doors are a paradigm of his artistic expression and mastery of wood. These doors were inspired by ones found in the artist’s own home. Despite his lengthy and prolific career Powell has only created a handful of doors. These doors were the result of independent creative impulses rather than a directed commission. Powell always honors the integrity of the wood by emphasizing knots and natural irregularities. The doors are hand-chipped carved Pennsylvanian walnut with tiger figuring throughout and secured with cast iron nail heads. Powell remains an avid international traveler and incorporates found pieces into his creations. The striking Tibetan brass pulls are contrasted against sinister yet discreet Medusa head coins. The doors are suitable for either an interior or exterior setting. Powell’s signature gilding process with fiery red underlay frames the door, also found on the opposite side.
In the late fifties and into the sixties, Phillip Lloyd Powell and Paul Evans shared a studio and collaborated on many creations. This charming cabinet is an excellent example of the fruits of their labor. Evans is responsible for the iconic fish scale motif, in welded steel and gold leaf, on the cabinet’s gate. The delicate (optional) linen curtain is original and in excellent condition. Powell carved, stained and doweled the locally grown Walnut. The foldout doors reveal their classic red striated interior.
Fantastic case piece from an early collaboration between Phil Powell and Paul Evans, c.1955 / 2005. Designed in 1955, utilizing Paul Evans' gilded, braised, oxidized steel screens made in 1955, this was executed by Powell at a later date. Impeccable craftsmanship, made from solid, inch thick English Walnut Burl stock. Pegged case with two adjustable carved shelves. Original oiled finish
Carved walnut door by Phillip Lloyd Powell. This impressive panel was made by Powell in the early 60's as a decorative piece that was fastened to an existing door. With it's carved swirls and graceful sweeping lines this piece showcases Powell's artistic ability and hallmarks of his work.
The found object in the center of the panel is from a Sicilian farm cart, and is set on a gilded ground.
Documented with a letter of authenticity from Phil Powell.
