Pennsylvanian Paul Evans studied sculpture and silversmithing at several institutions, including the Cranbrook Academy of Art. In 1951, while working as an artist in residence as a silversmith at the working history museum Sturbridge Village near Springfield, Massachusetts, Evans frequented artisan Phillip Lloyd Powell’s shop in New Hope, PA and asked Powell if he could put a few of his own pieces on display. In 1956 Evans moved permanently to New Hope and his acquaintance with Powell turned into a business and creative partnership.
In the late 1950s Evans began making copper chests with decorative doors, followed by sculpted steel-front cabinets that revealed Evans' unique way with welding. Evans and Powell had big break when they had a two-man show in 1961 at America House, an exhibition held at the Museum of Contemporary Crafts in New York, now named the Museum of Arts & Design. In 1964 Evans became the designer for furniture manufacturer Directional. With Directional, Paul Evans introduced his highly collectible editions such as the Argente series, Sculpted Bronze series, and the very popular Cityscape series.
Most Evans pieces were signed, and all of the custom items have a signature and a date. Paul Evans took a unique approach to furniture making, a combination of handcraft wedded to technology that anticipated the limited edition art furniture of today, such as the work of Ron Arad. More particularly, the artist’s relationship with Directional set a unique standard for creative manufacture by insisting every piece is made by hand, finished by hand, supervised by the artist at each step of production, one piece at a time.
Burl Patchwork Desk by Paul Evans, USA circa 1970's. Executive desk on plinth base with two sliding drawers, covered entirely in Evans' signature patchwork design.
Patinated Steel Disc Chandelier by Paul Evans, USA, circa 1960's. Chandelier with steel disc-shaped canopy and original silk drum shade hanging from a wrapped gold silk cord. Canopy can be mounted to ceiling or hung from chain; silk cord is adjustable. Rewired, with single socket.
Sculpted Steel Coffee Table with Scalloped Base by Paul Evans, USA, circa 1970's. Welded steel coffee table in polychrome over patinated finish, with a glass top and scalloped base. Decorated with an alternating motif of hand drawn circles and grids.
Rare Custom Sculpted Bronze Dining Table by Paul Evans, USA, 1971. A monumental custom designed dining table in sculpted bronze by Paul Evans. Variegated interlocking sculpted steel legs with hand formed star and swirl motifs and a rectangular glass top. Signed PE 71. Excellent original condition. 29.5"H x 95"L x 48"D.
Sculpted Steel Console by Paul Evans, USA, 1975. Sculpted Steel Console by Paul Evans with vibrant blue, red and gold over Evans' signature geometric motifs and patinated finish. Three inset slate pieces on top, with four doors concealing interior shelves and one cloth lined, divided drawer. Signed Paul Evans 75. Excellent original condition. 32"H x 96"L x 22"D
Pair of Sculpted Bronze Arm Chairs by Paul Evans, USA, circa 1970. Pair of sculpted bronze arm chairs by Paul Evans in a golden bronze finish. Newly upholstered in grey mist calf skin. Excellent restored condition. 32.25"H x 27W" x 24"D each
Set of Twelve Sculpted Bronze Dining Chairs by Paul Evans, USA, circa 1970, comprised of ten side chairs and two armchairs. Bronze has a patinated finish. Newly upholstered in grey mist calf skin. Excellent restored condition. Armchairs: 32.25"H x 27W" x 24"D each. Side chairs: 32.25"H x 25"W x 24"D each.
Unique Welded Steel Chandelier by Paul Evans, USA, circa 1960. Steel canopy with ring of tapering tendrils. With single milk glass globe. Excellent original condition.
Unique Welded Steel Pierced Chandelier by Paul Evans, USA, circa 1960. Steel chandelier with hand incised abstract motifs. With single, enclosed milk glass globe. Excellent Original Condition.
Round Slate Top Side Table by Paul Evans, USA, circa 1960's. Slate top on a hexagonal, tapered base. Base in welded steel with gold and bronze patina. 26" H x 28" DIA. Excellent original condition.
Sculpted Bronze Shelf by Paul Evans, USA, 1971. Magnificent heavily sculpted triangular shelf signed PE 1971. 28"H x 9"W x 16"D. Excellent original condition.
Eight Prong Welded Steel Candelabra by Paul Evans, USA, circa 1960's. With rough, modeled finish in a decorative floral motif. 46"H x 48"W x 28"D. Excellent original condition.
Pair of Low Hexagonal Side Tables by Phillip Lloyd Powell, USA, circa 1960's. Low Hexagonal Side Table by Phillip Lloyd Powell in walnut with inset slate top. 51.5"H x 22.5"W x 22.5"D. Good original condition.
An exceptional disc bar by Paul Evans, Model PE-122, 1970. A fine example of Evans’ hand-sculpted bronze technique featuring exceptionally strong “rock”, enhancing the sculpted decoration. Two hinged doors reveal hand-painted striations in amber tones with ample storage, two drawers and adjustable shelves. Accompanied by the original bill of sale.
Paul Evans Burl and Chrome Patchwork console. A dramatic curved console by Paul Evans for Directional in Burled Elm and chrome patchwork. The curved corners in bright polished chrome highlight the deep rich burled elm of the console. In mint restored condition, high lacquer finish. Dimensions: 32 x 20 x 86"
A Magnificent grand scaled dining table capable of seating 14-16 when fully extended or 8-10 without leaves. The table in beautiful burled elm sits on a curved rectangular base in patchwork gold brass and has a center panel in the same. Restored to high polish original finish.
Dimensions:
30.5 x 48 x 96" (without leaves)
30.5 x 48 x 126" (with both leaves, 15" each)
Sculpted Bronze wall mounted console signed Paul Evans, 1969 (signature reads PE 69). Two deeply sculpted bi-fold doors embellished with Evan's trade mark whorls and starbursts. Two piece slate top. Interior lacquered black with two fully adjustable shelves covered in original synthetic leather.
Glass topped sculpted bronze dining table by Paul Evans, 1971. Magnificent, heavily sculpted base composed of intersecting planes reminiscent of a skyline. Base shows exquisite green gold patina. Original three quarter inch glass. Signed by both Paul Evans and Tom Phillips, one of Evans artisans. Signed, "PE 71 TP"
Outstanding Paul Evans Argente cabinet custom studio piece, model PE-43. Boldly signed “PAUL EVANS 70.” The Argente series of sculpted aluminum furniture is the rarest genre of Evan’s work. Inspired by Art Nouveau and the psychedelic times in which it was created this group of silver and black furniture with heavily decorated and sculpted surface was so difficult to produce that the line was offered only briefly and represents some of Evans most evocative and beautiful work of the late 1960s. Each piece is totally unique. This cabinet features curved inside doors and a completely hand painted wood interior in amber striations with one permanent and three adjustable shelves.
Set of six patchwork chrome Cityscape dining chairs by Paul Evans. Upholstered in original fabric, all on casters. Model PE240, marked with manufacturer's tag "Paul Evans, Inc."
A reticulated rectangular pedestal in polished chrome with a polished chrome top in the classic cityscape patchwork pattern. The top has two leaves to allow seating for 12 - 14.
Excellent original condition
30"H 114"L (open. 84"L closed) 44"w
Dramatically rendered planes covered in chrome wrap the sides and front of this important piece from Paul Evans Studio. Two bi-fold doors conceal a divided, white laminate interior fitted with peg holes. Top is chrome in the Cityscape patchwork pattern. Dorsey Reading, Studio Foreman for the Paul Evans Studio, verified that approximately 75 pieces were produced in this design. The pieces were made in either wood, metal (brass, chrome, copper), a combination of wood and metal, or a combination of different metals. Of the 75 pieces, 70% were made in metal only and 30% were made in wood or wood-metal combination. Model number PE354, fewer than 30 examples of the faceted cabinet were ever realized in chrome. Plus, this is an unusually large size, most of these consoles were a third of this size. Signed Paul Evans. An example of this piece can be found on page 108 in "Modern Americana: Studio Furniture from High Craft to High Glam," by Todd Merrill and Julie V. Iovine.
Paul Evans
Very Rare Pole Lamp
USA, c. 1965
Very Rare pole lamp by Paul Evans, circa 1965. Only a dozen of these lamps were ever produced due to the challenge of welding three sides. It is the only lamp with the cross bar structure. Both the vertical and horizontal pieces are constructed of cut, welded, patinated and gilt steel.
Crown of Thorns low table by Paul Evans. Unusual execution of Evans sculpted steel crown of thorns table rendered as a coffee table. Welded, oxidized steel with gilt decorations support original 3/4 inch glass top.
An early 1968 signed Paul Evans table or desk with glass top. The two large crescent-shaped bases are of patchwork polychromed welded steel with red, gold and blue-green patina and brazed brass decoration. Welded and brazed motifs are stars, swirls and geometric patterns as well as a large welded signature PE 1968. The decoration is random, asymmetric and artfully applied. Original oval glass top.
An early, signed Paul Evans cantilever low table that features a rare satin-bronze finish in combination with a mirror-chrome finish in an L-shape form. Signed “An Original Paul Evans”.
Double Pedestal Cityscape Dining Table by Paul Evans
USA, 1970s
A Double Pedestal Cityscape Dining Table. Each pedestal is an L-shape form with mirror polished chrome and satin chrome finish in Evans’ iconic patchwork design and a thick rectangular glass top. Signed “An Original Paul Evans”.
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
This King-sized canopy bed, nearly 8 feet (or 2.3 m) tall, is a paradigm from the Argente series and is the only one of its kind. It uniquely showcases the Argente motif with the bed’s structure perfectly displaying the vertical and horizontal welded waves of polished and matte black aluminum. A concealed inner rail accommodates a curtain and a recessed ledge on top was designed to support a fabric canopy or mirrored ceiling to the bed. The Argente pieces were sold and
marketed by Directional, a noted furniture showroom. They were advertised at the time as “art furniture” in magazines such as the New Yorker, but each piece was made by hand, one at a time, in Evans’ studio. The motif was labor intensive and welded aluminum is very difficult to work with, consequently few pieces were made. Nevertheless Evans created custom-made Argente pieces and such examples are characterized by generous, almost defiant, proportions. In the context of Evans’ body of work, Argente is less three-dimensional and more attuned with painted canvas but on welded metal.
Rare, custom Argente cabinets by Paul Evans. Each with inset slate top and black laminated interiors. One with five drawers and fitted with shelf pegs for adjustable shelves, the other with three drawers.
A rare Sculpture Front Console signed Paul Evans, 1977. This console has four unique massive welded steel doors – boldly decorated with Evans signature abstract sculptural elements. Sculptural elements accented with gold leaf, polychrome in yellows, reds, blues and various patinated finishes to the steel with highly unusual orange polychrome. This console has a very rare finished back – This console can float in a room. Single slab of one inch thick, eight foot long cleft Pennsylvanian slate top. Interior in original red striated lacquer. Right side fitted original, suededadjustable shelves, left with one sueded adjustable shelf and a felted, divided drawer. Interior of doors of faceted welded steel decorated in red polychrome. Mounted on a welded steel base. Signed Paul Evans 1977. Sold with original bill of sale with sketching of the console.
Exceptional Sculpted Steel console by Paul Evans. Geometric design console in steel with brass and bronze and polychrome decoration. One of the most richly colored and saturated examples we’ve seen. Bi-fold doors open to reveal four drawers finished in dark patinated steel with nail head decoration on the left, an adjustable shelf on the right. Striated red lacquer on the interior. Inset slate top. Model PE-40A -Signed, “Paul Evans 68”
Sculpted Steel Wall Mount Cabinet signed Paul Evans 68
USA 1968
Sculpted Steel wall mounted cabinet by Paul Evans. Made as a companion piece to the console TMF1085. Exterior shows same exuberant decoration of welded steel highlighted in polychrome and brazed brass decoration. Interior finished with red striated lacquer and an adjustable shelf. PE-39, signed “Paul Evans 68”
A rare Sculpture Front Console signed Paul Evans, 1968. An excellent studio piece, this console has four unique massive welded steel doors – boldly decorated with Evans signature abstract sculptural elements. Sculptural elements accented with gold leaf, polychrome in yellows, reds, blues and various patinated finishes to the steel. Single slab of one inch thick, eight foot long cleft Pennsylvanian slate top. Interior in original red striated lacquer. Right side fitted with an original, felt lined adjustable shelf. Interior of doors of faceted welded steel decorated in red polychrome. Mounted on a welded steel base. Signed Paul Evans 1968.
Pair of Armchairs by Paul Evans USA Circa 1960’s Paul Evans applied his “Sculpted Bronze” motif to a carefully selected number of pieces during the late 1960’s. These confident armchairs are otherworldly and elegant and are a true synthesis of functionalism and sculpture. Upholstered with shimmering cotton velvet. 36H 19.5W 22D each Excellent original condition
Very rare welded steel stool by Paul Evans. Early welded steel example by Paul Evans, rare swivel stool with curved back, fewer than 6 known examples ever produced. Wooden seat.
Rare and Important Steel Sculpture by Paul Evans USA 1964 A rare and unique steel sculpture by Paul Evans. Patchwork steel sculpture with applied polychrome finish. Made for his friend and studio partner Phil Powell. Mounted on a wooden base. Signed “Paul Evans 64” Excellent original condition 84”H 67”W 18”D
A pair of brass rectilinear table lamps by Paul Evans for Directional.Each lamp has a ‘T’ form with a vertical base that punctures through a horizontal plane.Both have the shiny brass patchwork design of Evans’ iconic Cityscape series.
Walnut burl and chrome patchwork wall mounted console by Paul Evans, c. 1970. Four finger jointed doors conceal two adjustable shelves. Brown lacquered resin top, black laminate interior.
Rare sculpted bronze disc bar signed Paul Evans, four foot size, 1969. Fewer than six of the four foot disc bars were ever made, all custom commissions. Deeply sculpted relief in an exuberant display of Evans' sculpted bronze technique. Interior of ocher striated lacquer, with two sculpted bronze drawers. Fitted with peg holes. A rare variation of Evans' highly sought after disc bar. Minor scratching to interior lacquer.
Game table in patchwork burl and brass by Paul Evans, c.1970. Exceptional patchwork walnut burl and olive ash burl with a reversible game board inlayed with brass. Board reverses to black laminate surface.
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
A fantastic example of an early sculpted steel lamp by Paul Evans.
The square base formed from alternating sections of gold and bronze patinated steel, the bronze pierced with a spirited zig-zag pattern. The banded stem in rings of welded and patinated steel. Original grass cloth shade.
