Paul Evans for Directional Table Lamp, Cityscape Series. Graphic patchwork of chrome and brass.

The Cityscape series by Paul Evans for Directional is a result of the company seeking to produce a more craftsman like product. It was a huge success for Directional. The series offered Evans an opportunity to reach a wider audience. In 1971 Directional introduced Evans’ streamlined brass and chrome Cityscape I series, with it’s smooth reflective surfaces notably different from the crusty, painted, textured surfaces of his sculpted steel works from the 60’s. In the Cityscape series, just as he disrupted the surfaces of his earlier rough surfaced pieces, he continued but with a lighter touch in the Cityscape series. Lighting and furniture with polished and brushed squares, triangles and rectangles in various patterns and materials achieved this same disruption.

Each piece from the Cityscape line is handcrafted and each piece of patchwork is fitted precisely. This made the resulting lamps, tables etc. quite laborious to produce and unique both in overall dimensions and design patterns.

As with many successful designs from the mid-century, copy cat versions abound in the market. Cheaply made copies, have precut pieces of metal, set patterns of arrangement and overall poor quality. This lamp is genuine. The base measures 18 inches high and the height to the top of the harp is 30 inches. Also available is a Paul Evans Cityscape coffee table model PE-208 from the same Park Avenue estate. Both in excellent untouched condition.