Adrian Pearsall Strictly Spanish Plinth Sofa Craft Assoc 1960 YEAR-END CLEARANCE
View Similar Items
Adrian Pearsall Strictly Spanish Plinth Sofa Craft Assoc 1960 YEAR-END CLEARANCE
About the Item
- Creator:Adrian Pearsall (Designer),Craft Associates (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 27 in (68.58 cm)Width: 127 in (322.58 cm)Depth: 32 in (81.28 cm)
- Style:Hollywood Regency (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:Slate
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor fading. Fair vintage condition. Presents quite well overall. Some fading to back cushions and Age appropriate wear to base.
- Seller Location:Brooklyn, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU4190314665422
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.
Craft Associates
In its inaugural days, iconic mid-century modern furniture brand Craft Associates was largely the work of founder and forward-thinking designer Adrian Pearsall and his wife, Dorie. The pair assembled sexy, stylish furniture in their Pennsylvania basement that they later sold from the back of a truck to the era’s marquee department stores in Philadelphia and New York City.
The New York–born Pearsall (1925–2011) served in the Navy before earning his architectural engineering degree from the University of Illinois in 1950. He abandoned architecture after only a couple of years and turned instead to furniture design, opening Craft Associates in 1952 to sell his sophisticated living room seating, dining room furnishings and more. Flush with dynamic angles and clean lines, Pearsall’s sculptural, expressive designs — coffee tables, luxurious lounge chairs and more — helped define the style of the Atomic Age. With the help of Dorie and working in partnership with his brother Richard, Pearsall oversaw the expansion of Craft Associates into a leading employer of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, with popular furniture including architecturally striking tables as well as plush beanbag chairs.
From Craft, there was Pearsall’s low-slung Gondola sofa, which embraces the sitter with its enveloping, geometrically rich form, his range of glass-topped tables — most boasting provocatively shaped wood slabs that serve as bases — as well as his skinny, high-backed upholstered walnut armchairs. Pearsall drew on his background in architecture for the organic and eye-catching structures of these pieces in addition to his larger scale work. One of his biggest projects was the complete design of his family’s 10,000-square-foot Pennsylvania home in Forty Fort, which boasted an indoor pool, sauna, tennis court and ice cream bar.
After growing his business to 800 employees, Pearsall sold Craft Associates in 1968 to Lane Furniture, which continued producing his pieces into the late 1970s before halting production. With business partner John Graham, Pearsall established a new company, Comfort Designs, in the 1970s, while also devoting time to his lifelong hobbies of sailing and restoring classic yachts.
A company called New Craft Associates revived Pearsall’s brand’s name, referencing mid-century-era furniture design in its current projects while not formally associated with Pearsall or his family. Restoration Hardware has also reissued some of his Craft Associates designs, with Pearsall and his company’s distinctive furniture remaining popular statement pieces adaptable to any home.
Find a range of vintage Craft Associates furniture on 1stDibs.
- Harvey Probber & Jack Lenor Larsen Happiness Sectional Sofa, Lacquer Red 1968By Harvey Probber, Jack Lenor LarsenLocated in Brooklyn, NYHarvey Probber & Jack Lenor Larsen Happiness corner sectional sofa, lacquer red, 1968-1972. Gorgeous low slung modern sectional seating set of three. This is a truly extraordinary, museum-worthy set. Certain Larsen designs have captured the public’s imagination and are recognized as “signature” pieces. According to company records, the Happiness design was inspired by a Chinese robe and Ming Dynasty embroideries in the collection of the Henry Art Gallery of the University of Washington, where Larsen did his undergraduate work. It was introduced with four colorways – amethyst quartz, Ming gold...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
MaterialsTextile, Wool, Mohair
$5,968 Sale Price / set79% Off - Knoll Barcelona Lounge Chair Mies van der Rohe, Black Leather, Stainless, 1960sBy Koby Knoll Click, Ludwig Mies van der RoheLocated in Brooklyn, NYKnoll Barcelona lounge chair Mies van der Rohe, black leather, stainless, 1960s Labelled, Knoll Associates, circa 1964 Stainless steel, ...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsStainless Steel
$5,720 Sale Price / item35% Off - Zanotta, Jonathan de Pas, Cento Sectional Sofa, Brown Leather, 1973, ItalyBy Gionathan de Pas & Donato D’Urbino & Paolo Lomazzi, ZanottaLocated in Brooklyn, NYZanotta Jonathan de Pas Cento sectional sofa, brown leather, 1973, Italy. Four-piece sectional sofa. Very rare. Italy, 1990s. Brown leather. 'Zanotta' fabric labels and decking fabri...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
MaterialsLeather
$7,670 Sale Price35% Off - Christian Liaigre for Holly Hunt Augustin Sectional Sofa, Cream, France, 2016.By HOLLY HUNT, Christian LiaigreLocated in Brooklyn, NYChristian Liaigre for Holly Hunt Augustin Sectional Sofa, Cream, France, 2016. (Left-arm facing sectional sofa) Iconic design from the master of Modern Minimalism Christian Liaigre (1943-2020). Christian Liaigre was born in the Vendée region of France where he grew up on his parent’s farm. Christian’s parents bred horses, a detail that has had a substantial influence in his work which has been described as having “strong equestrian flavor.” As a young man he attended the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris, where he studied painting. By the early 60’s he returned to Vendée where he worked on his parent’s farm – perhaps re-opening his eyes to the beauty of country living. In the early 1970’s, Liaigre returned to Paris where he worked as a design director at Nobilis Fontan. Eventually, he left Nobilis, as they wouldn’t allow him to show his own furniture. The joke was on them when he opened his own Parisian design studio in the late 80’s. In 1985, he opened his first store, and he designed the Hôtel Montalembert in 1990. In 1997, he designed The Mercer Hotel in New York City. His clients included Larry Gagosian, Marina Abramović, Bryan Adams...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Sectional Sofas
MaterialsTextile
- Gray Brick & Mortar Sofa, Rich Woods & Seb Wrong, Established & Sons, UK, 2009By Established & Sons, Richard Woods, Sebastian WrongLocated in Brooklyn, NYGray Brick & Mortar Sofa, Rich Woods & Seb Wrong, Established & Sons, UK, 2009. Iconic Postmodern design. Produced for a short period in 2009-2010. Made in ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Post-Modern Sofas
MaterialsTextile
$5,120 Sale Price20% Off - Ligne Roset Limited Edition Canapé Patate Sofa Frédéric Ruyant, Gold Silver 2005By Ligne RosetLocated in Brooklyn, NYFrédéric Ruyant for Ligne Roset limited edition Canapé Patate sofa, silver, 2005. Also known as “Soft Machine.” Rare piece. Gorgeous warm silver vegan leat...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Organic Modern Loveseats
MaterialsTextile
- Craft Associates Sofa Strictly Spanish GroupBy Craft Associates, Adrian PearsallLocated in Fraser, MIPlease feel free to reach out for efficient shipping to your location. Strictly Spanish group sofa designed by Craft Associates. Probably for restoration.Category
Vintage 1970s Sofas
MaterialsFabric
$863 Sale Price49% Off - Adrian Pearsall Green Gondola Sofa for Craft Associates, USA, 1960sBy Craft Associates, Adrian PearsallLocated in Berlin, DEAdrian Pearsall 'Gondola" Sofa for Craft Associates. The Gondola sofa stands out due to its innovative design and unique shape including the sculpted wooden legs and frame. We offer ...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood
- Adrian Pearsall Sofa With Attached End TableBy Adrian Pearsall, Craft AssociatesLocated in Asbury Park, NJAdrian Pearsall sofa for Craft Assoicates ready for your new upholstery. This great sofa is very comfortable and in nice vintage condition. As you can tell from the photos, this reta...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsWalnut
- Adrian Pearsall Craft Associates Sofa with Marble End Table Mid-Century ModernBy Adrian Pearsall, Craft AssociatesLocated in West Hartford, CTAuthentic Adrian Pearsall pieces are some of his most dramatic creations. They also need space! Magnificent and coveted signed Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates sofa with walnu...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsWalnut, Fabric
- Adrian Pearsall Craft Associates Turquoise Sofa Daybed with Built-in End TableBy Craft Associates, Adrian PearsallLocated in West Hartford, CTAuthentic Adrian Pearsall pieces are some of his most dramatic creations. They also need space! Magnificent and coveted Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates sofa with walnut front...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsIron
- 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