Paul Evans Patchwork Coffee Table With Slate Top, 1970's

Description

Looking for a coffee table that’s more than just furniture-- well this is a functional work of art. This Paul … more Looking for a coffee table that’s more than just furniture-- well this is a functional work of art. This Paul Evans original is a stunning example of mid-century artistry with a flair for the unconventional. Handcrafted from a mesmerizing patchwork of patinated copper, enameled steel, and pewter sheeting, this table brings together materials and textures in ways that no two tables are alike. And then there’s the slate top—thick, heavy, and sitting flush in its groove like it was meant to be there from the beginning of time.

While there are other examples of this coffee table floating around the collector's universe, let me tell you: they’re not all created equal. Many show signs of over-polishing or even sanding, stripping away that rich, sought-after patina that true collectors drool over. But this example? It’s the gold standard. The patina has aged to perfection, offering a rich variety of tones, textures, and colors that dance across the surface. Every corner reveals a new surprise. Yes, the slate top has a few rough edges, but let’s be real—that only adds to its character. And the best part? The slate fits so perfectly into its base so snug you'd be hard pressed to squeeze a sheet of paper between them.

Now, let’s talk about the man behind the magic—Paul Evans. Born in 1931 and passing away in 1987, Evans was a driving force in the American Craft Movement. He pushed the boundaries of furniture design, turning traditional techniques on their head and creating pieces that were part sculpture, part functional art. His use of metal, especially in his iconic Cityscape and Sculpted Bronze series, made him a trailblazer of mid-century modernism and brutalist design.

Evans started his career working with metal in a tiny shop in New Hope, Pennsylvania with his pal Phillip Lloyd Powell—just down the road from fellow American Craft legends like George Nakashima. But Evans didn’t stop with wood and craft traditions. Instead, he worked with metal in ways no one else was doing, blending industrial and handmade aesthetics. Every piece was unique, handmade, and bursting with Evans' signature rough-hewn, heavily textured style.

His work, especially these patchwork metal tables, is highly collectible today because of his meticulous craftsmanship and the vision of a mad scientist. Collectors around the world covet his pieces for their rarity, their raw, sculptural beauty, and their place in the pantheon of American modernist design. Evans wasn’t just a furniture maker; he was an artist who saw his materials as an extension of himself—each piece an exploration of texture, form, and individuality.

And, while Evans may no longer be with us, his legacy lives on through his unforgettable works of art—like this coffee table, which is as much a conversation piece as it is a functional one. With its perfect balance of patina, texture, and craftsmanship, this table is truly a one-of-a-kind piece of mid-century history.

So, if you’re looking for a coffee table that’s part sculpture, part story, and entirely unique—congratulations, you’ve just found it. less