Adrian Pearsall Brutalist Sofa
Vintage 1960s American Brutalist Sofas
Fabric, Acrylic
Vintage 1970s Brutalist Sofas
Faux Leather, Resin
Vintage 1970s American Brutalist Sofas
Fabric
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Resin, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Resin, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Brutalist Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage 1970s American Brutalist Loveseats
Resin, Wood, Fabric, Upholstery
Vintage 1970s American Brutalist Lounge Chairs
Fabric
Recent Sales
Vintage 1960s American Brutalist Sofas
Bronze
Vintage 1960s American Sofas
Resin, Wood, Fabric
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Vintage 1960s Brutalist Sofas
Vintage 1970s American Brutalist Sofas
Resin
Vintage 1970s American Brutalist Sofas
Bouclé, Resin
Vintage 1970s American Brutalist Sofas
Fabric
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Resin
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Resin
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Velvet, Resin
Mid-20th Century American Brutalist Sofas
Composition
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
People Also Browsed
Mid-20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Wood
Vintage 1970s Swedish Brutalist Wall Lights and Sconces
Aluminum
Vintage 1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Fireplace Tools and Chimney Pots
Wrought Iron
2010s Belgian Minimalist Console Tables
Stone
20th Century African Primitive Figurative Sculptures
Bronze
Vintage 1970s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Umbrella Stands
Brass
Vintage 1970s Belgian Brutalist Doors and Gates
Aluminum
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
Murano Glass
Vintage 1960s American Toys and Dolls
Tin
Early 20th Century Chinese Sculptures and Carvings
Coral
Vintage 1980s German Brutalist Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Bronze, Wrought Iron
Antique 19th Century English Gothic Revival Beds and Bed Frames
Walnut
2010s American Brutalist Wall-mounted Sculptures
Wood
Antique Mid-18th Century Baroque Mantel Mirrors and Fireplace Mirrors
Mirror, Giltwood
20th Century Italian Credenzas
Brass, Chrome
Vintage 1960s American Brutalist Wall Lights and Sconces
Iron
Adrian Pearsall Brutalist Sofa For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Adrian Pearsall Brutalist Sofa?
Adrian Pearsall for sale on 1stDibs
Adrian Pearsall designed some of the most exuberant and expressive American chairs, sofas and other 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 had a gift for tables, too, 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, Pearsall had flair, and his work adds an attention-getting, sculptural exclamation point to any décor.
Find vintage Adrian Pearsall sofas, armchairs, coffee tables and other furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Finding the Right Sofas for You
Black leather, silk velvet cushions, breathable bouclé fabric — when shopping for antique or vintage sofas, today’s couch connoisseurs have much to choose from in terms of style and shape. But it wasn’t always thus.
The sofa is typically defined as a long upholstered seat that features a back and arms and is intended for two or more people. While the term “couch” comes from the Old French couche, meaning to lie down, and sofa has Eastern origins, both are forms of divan, a Turkish word that means an elongated cushioned seat. Bench-like seating in Ancient Greece, which was padded with soft blankets, was called klinai. No matter how you spell it, sofa just means comfort, at least it does today.
In the early days of sofa design, upholstery consisted of horsehair or dried moss. Sofas that originated in countries such as France during the 17th century were more integral to decor than they were to comfort. Like most Baroque furnishings from the region, they frequently comprised heavy, gilded mahogany frames and were upholstered in floral Beauvais tapestry. Today, options abound when it comes to style and material, with authentic leather offerings and classy steel settees. Plush, velvet chesterfields represent the platonic ideal of coziness.
Vladimir Kagan’s iconic sofa designs, such as the Crescent and the Serpentine — which, like the sectional sofas of the 1960s created by furniture makers such as Harvey Probber, are quite popular among mid-century modern furniture enthusiasts — showcase the spectrum of style available to modern consumers. Those looking to make a statement can turn to Studio 65’s lip-shaped Bocca sofa, which was inspired by the work of Salvador Dalí. Elsewhere, the furniture of the 1970s evokes an era when experimentation ruled, or at least provided a reason to break the rules. Just about every area of society felt a sudden urge to be wayward, to push boundaries — and buttons. Vintage leather sofas of that decade are characterized by a rare blending of the showy and organic.
With so many options, it’s important to explore and find the perfect furniture for your space. Paying attention to the lines of the cushions as well as the flow from the backrest into the arms is crucial to identifying a cohesive new piece for your home or office.
Fortunately, with styles from every era — and even round sofas — there’s a luxurious piece for every space. Deck out your living room with an Art Deco lounge or go retro with a nostalgic '80s design. No matter your sitting vision, the right piece is waiting for you in the expansive collection of unique sofas on 1stDibs.