Adrian Pearsall 'Gondola Sofa' by Craft Associates, Fully Restored
View Similar Items
Adrian Pearsall 'Gondola Sofa' by Craft Associates, Fully Restored
About the Item
- Creator:Craft Associates (Manufacturer),Adrian Pearsall (Designer)
- Design:
- Dimensions:Height: 25.6 in (65 cm)Width: 102.37 in (260 cm)Depth: 31.5 in (80 cm)Seat Height: 16.93 in (43 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Mid-1950s
- Condition:Reupholstered. Refinished. Wear consistent with age and use. Sofa comes in exquisite condition. Only very small age related wear to be found on the frame after refinishing. No further remarks. Perfect as new condition.
- Seller Location:Utrecht, NL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU932725400512
Gondola Sofa
One look at the furniture of Adrian Pearsall (1925–2011), and it’s easy to intuit that the American mid-century modern designer had a background in architecture. Although Pearsall did, in fact, earn a degree in architectural engineering from the University of Illinois in 1950, he would leave the architecture field just two years later to found his own furniture company. There, his celebrated work — such as the mid-1950s Gondola sofa — continued to retain a daring structural sensibility that nodded to his early career path.
For his most famous chairs, sofas and coffee tables, Pearsall devised cantilevered frames that mirror the imposing structural beams and silhouettes of skyscrapers. The Gondola sofa is no exception; its form has a decidedly architectural quality and also references Pearsall’s lifelong love of boats. Set on two angled front legs connected to a base band of walnut, the frame has a skeletal feel. But the slanted arms and trapezoidal back — a shape that recalls the flat-bottomed boats of Venice — embrace the sitter, providing a comfortable and even enveloping seat.
Like much of Pearsall’s most famous mid-century modern furniture, the Gondola was produced through Craft Associates, the furniture company he founded in 1952 with the help of his wife, Dorie, and brother, Richard. Early days saw Pearsall crafting furniture in the basement of his Pennsylvania home and selling it out of the back of a truck, but after the introduction of a few knockout pieces — among them the Cloud sofa and the Gondola — Craft Associates grew to be one of Wilkes-Barre’s largest employers and sold furniture to the likes of Macy’s and Wanamaker’s. The designer, who died in 2011, was nominated for inclusion into the American Furniture Hall of Fame in 2008.
Pearsall’s architecture-influenced style made him one of the early figures of Atomic Age design, the Cold War–era aesthetic defined by then-futuristic shapes and geometric patterns based on nuclear particles. The Gondola, with its skeletal base and geometric seat, fits into this camp but also caters to the comfort-centric ethos of the type of modernism emerging in Scandinavia at the time. Elements like the walnut frame and plush seat would become indicative of the Craft Associates style. Later, Pearsall would lean more into this aesthetic when he launched the aptly named Comfort Designs with partner John Graham in the early 1970s.
Although both Craft Associates and Comfort Designs no longer exist, Pearsall’s family continues to license certain designs of his to Restoration Hardware, but many early treasures, the Gondola sofa included, are long out of production.
Adrian Pearsall
Adrian Pearsall designed some of the most exuberant and expressive American furniture of the 1950s and ’60s. For verve and vivacity of form, he surpasses even Vladimir Kagan — whose work is the emblem of swinging, sexy mid-20th century modernism. Pearsall gave his imagination free rein, and his flamboyant, eye-catching styles are icons of what has become known as “Atomic Age” design.
Pearsall studied architectural engineering at the University of Illinois before opening his Pennsylvania furniture company, Craft Associates, in 1952, and that training shows in many designs. A Pearsall trademark, for example, is a lounge chair with an exceptionally tall, trapezoidal back, which give the pieces a skyscraper-like silhouette. Pearsall also had a talent for so-called Gondola sofas — long, low-slung pieces with upswept ends. Many of Pearsall’s sofas and chairs are supported not by legs, but on gently arced walnut skids.
Pearsall also had a gift for tables, in particular glass-topped side tables and coffee tables with frames that have the look of an Alexander Calder stabile. As you will see from the offerings on 1stDibs, Adrian Pearsall had flair, and his work adds an attention-getting, sculptural exclamation point to any décor.
- Arne Vodder AV53 / 3 Sofa by Ivan SchlechterBy Ivan Schlechter, Arne VodderLocated in Utrecht, NLBlack leather 3-seat sofa model AV53 / 3 by Arne Vodder, designed in 1953 for Ivan Schlechter, Denmark. The sofa has a slightly curved backrest that flows smoothly into the upwardl...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather, Teak
- Cognac PK 31 /2 Sofa by Poul Kjærholm for E. Kold ChristensenBy Poul KjærholmLocated in Utrecht, NLPK 31 /2 sofa settee by Poul Kjærholm, manufactured by first manufacturer Ejvindt Kold Christensen Denmark (marking on last photo). Sofa comes with original upholstered frame panels...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsSteel, Chrome
- Finn Juhl Japan Sofa by France & Son, All New Premium UpholsteryBy Finn Juhl, France & SønLocated in Utrecht, NL"Japan" series sofa by Finn Juhl, designed in 1957 made by France & Son Denmark. Immaculate condition solid teak frame with brass brackets and details. The sublime simplicity of ...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Teak, Wool, Linen
- Teak Hans Wegner Lounge Chair GE290 by GETAMA - Fully RestoredBy GETAMA, Hans J. WegnerLocated in Utrecht, NLLounge chair GE290 is a beloved early design by Hans Wegner, Wegner already designed the chair in 1953. The chair offers exceptional good seating comfort and much convenience is offe...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsWool, Upholstery, Teak
- 'Dornstab' Floor Lamp by J.T. KalmarBy Kalmar Lighting, J.T. KalmarLocated in Utrecht, NLAll new, contemporary edition of J.T. Kalmar's iconic 'Dornstab' design from 1947 in exclusive hardwood (Paul Ferro) or Wenge & bronzed brass base with silk fabric lamp shade. Made a...Category
2010s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsBrass
$6,934 / item - Wire Side Table by Warren PlatnerBy Knoll, Warren PlatnerLocated in Utrecht, NLNickel plated steel wire rods side table by Warren Platner for Knoll International with transparent glass tabletop. Exquisite craftsmanship, all rods are completely hand welded. P...Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsSteel, Nickel, Wire
- Adrian Pearsall Cloud Sofa for Craft Associates Fully RestoredBy Craft Associates, Adrian PearsallLocated in Chattanooga, TNFULLY restored. A true jaw-dropper from every angle. The new faux leopard fur fabric contrasts perfectly with the old-growth walnut and black lacquer trim. Ultra soft to the touch...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
- Expertly Restored Adrian Pearsall Armless Gondola Sofa for Craft AssociatesBy Adrian Pearsall, Craft AssociatesLocated in Medina, OHThe epitome of mid-century modern design is the Armless Gondola designed by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates in the 1960s. This specific unit has been expertly restored by Cople...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsBouclé, Cotton, Foam, Walnut
- Gondola Sofa by Adrian Pearsall for Craft AssociatesBy Adrian Pearsall, Craft AssociatesLocated in Palm Springs, CAAn incredible gondola form sofa designed by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates. Fame has been professionally refinished. Sofa has been restored with new webbing, foam and upholster...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
- Adrian Pearsall Sculptural Walnut Gondola Sofa, Fully Restored MidcenturyBy Craft Associates, Adrian PearsallLocated in Pemberton, NJOutstanding Adrian Pearsall fully restored gondola sofa. This piece has been totally overhauled and reupholstered in vintage lime green wool. The back cushions are also redone in ori...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsWalnut
- Vintage Walnut "Gondola" Sofa by Adrian Pearsall for Craft AssociatesBy Craft Associates, Adrian PearsallLocated in North Hollywood, CAWonderful vintage walnut “Gondola” sofa designed by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates in United States, circa 1960s. This modernist sofa, also known as model-2000, is composed of ...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Walnut
- Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Gondola SofaBy Adrian PearsallLocated in Middlesex, NJAdrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Gondola sofa.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Walnut