Eero Saarinen (1910–61) absolutely hated clutter. "The undercarriage of chairs and tables in a typical interior makes an ugly, confusing, unrestful world,” the Finnish-American architect and industrial designer once said. “I wanted to clear up the slum of legs.” With the original Tulip armchair, he did just that, streamlining the standard four-legged piece into a graceful shape atop a single pedestal.
The 1957 design — which is in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York — was one of Saarinen’s last; he died in 1961. Its sculptural shape displays the best of Saarinen, who referred to himself as a “form giver,” whether that form was a flower-shaped seat or the swooping curve of the Gateway Arch, a more than 600-foot-tall stainless-steel-clad concrete monument in St. Louis, Missouri, that he designed in the late 1940s.
The Tulip armchair was part of Saarinen’s Pedestal collection of armless chairs, stools, dining tables and more — a mid-century modernist exercise in simplifying. The series was designed for Knoll, which continues to produce it today. Visitors to the TWA Hotel, the 2019 reinvention of Saarinen’s iconic airport terminal, will find Tulip chairs dotting the structure.
Interestingly, the Tulip armchair’s shape suggests one single plastic form, but despite Saarinen’s many experiments to achieve this, it is actually constructed in two pieces: an aluminum frame obscured in a plastic finish and a fiberglass upper-shell seat. Two parts or one, it achieves Saarinen’s desired streamlined effect.
Set of 6 Tulip Armchairs by Eero Saarinen for Knoll, plumb upholstery, 1960's
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Chicago, IL
Eero Saarinen Tulip armchairs, with plumb upholstery. Knoll Associates, 1960's Set of 6 chairs Manufacturer "320 Park Avenue" labels attached underneath cushions, which dates back t...
Fiberglass
$6,000 / set
Eero Saarinen for Knoll Tulip Chairs
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in Dallas, TX
Great looking pair of armed tulip chairs by Eero Saarinen for Knoll. Practically brand new, very light use.
Aluminum
10 Tulip Dining Chairs by Eero Saarinen for Knoll. Restored. White, Cream Boucle
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Kansas City, MO
Rare set of ten tulip arm chairs / armchairs designed by Eero Saarinen and manufactured by Knoll, 1970s. This set of 10 have been expertly restored. The white frames and off white ...
Aluminum
Mid-Century Modern Sculptural Set of 4 Eero Saarinen Knoll Tulip Dining Armchair
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fantastic set of four Eero Saarinen Knoll Tulip Armchairs. C1970, the set is in very good condition with expected normal wear and tear from age and use. No damage chairs...
Enamel, Steel
$9,000 / set
Eero Saarinen for Knoll Tulip Chairs
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Dallas, TX
Great looking set of 6 tulip chairs by Eero Saarinen for Knoll. Set includes two arm chairs and four side chairs. All chairs swivel. White frames with black cushions. We recommend ne...
Metal
Original Fiberglass Tulip Arm Chairs by Eero Saarinen for Knoll 1970s
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Detroit, MI
This set of four vintage mid century modern Model 150 tulip arm chairs designed by Eero Saarinen were manufactured by Knoll in 1971. This iconic set of mid century chairs feature a w...
Aluminum
Knoll Tulip Dining Set by Eero Saarinen 1960s Large Marble Table Armchairs
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Magnificent fully original tulip dining set designed by Eero Saarinen and produced by Knoll International in the 1960s. The set consists of 6 original marked tulip armchairs and the ...
Carrara Marble, Aluminum
Set of 8 'Tulip' Chairs by Eero Saarinen for Knoll, 1956
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A rare grouping of eight (8) iconic Tulip swiveling dining chairs by Eero Saarinen featuring the Classic organic sculptural form and orange wool upholstery on white enameled cast iro...
Iron
Tulip 769-S Chair, Eero Saarinen, Knoll, 1955
By Eero Saarinen
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Tulip chair mod. 769-S, single piece, designed by Eero Saarinen for Knoll. Produced in the United States, production period 1955 (original design). Structure made of white lacquered ...
Metal
Armchairs by Eero Saarinen for Knoll Swiss Production, 1970s – Set of 4
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Renens, CH
A set of four iconic “Pedestal” swivel armchairs designed by Eero Saarinen for Knoll International, produced in Switzerland during the 1970s. Each chair features a molded white fibe...
Aluminum
1970s Rosewood Tulip Dining Table & Six Chairs Set By Eero Saarinen for Knoll
By Eero Saarinen
Located in Shepperton, Surrey
An original 1970 vintage tulip dining set by Eero Saarinen for Knoll. Saarinen's tulip design combines grace with practicality. The rare Rio...
Metal
Vintage "Tulip" Dining Room Set by Eero Saarinen for Knoll
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in North Hollywood, CA
The tulip dining set designed by Eero Saarinen for Knoll in the 1960s is a true masterpiece of mid-century modern design. The set includes a stunning tulip dining table and four matc...
Aluminum
Original Fiberglass Tulip Arm Chair by Eero Saarinen for Knoll 1970s
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Detroit, MI
This vintage mid century modern Model 150 tulip arm chair designed by Eero Saarinen was manufactured by Knoll circa 1970. This iconic mid century chair features a white lacquered mol...
Aluminum
Large set of 8 tulip armchairs by Eero Saarinen for Knoll International, 1970s
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in Antwerpen, VAN
Eero Saarinen’s Tulip Armchair, designed in 1955-56 as part of his Pedestal Collection for Knoll, is a modernist icon. Saarinen sought to solve the issue of “the slum of legs” in tra...
Aluminum
Tulip Chair by Eero Saarinen for Knoll International - 1960s
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in Debrecen, HU
Two of the six available chairs are swivel models. All pieces are original; however, the chair tops were refinished at some point. Designed by Eero Saarinen and manufactured by Knol...
Aluminum
Eero Saarinen for Knoll Mid Century Tulip Armchair Dining Chair
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Eero Saarinen for Knoll Mid Century Tulip Armchair Dining Chair This chair measures: 25.75 wide x 24.5 deep x 32.25 inches high, with a seat height of 19.5 and arm height/chair clea...
Upholstery, Fiberglass
4 Mid-Century Modern Tulip Swivel Side Dining Chair by Eero Saarinen for Knoll
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Miami, FL
A beautiful Set of 4 vintage tulip Armchairs designed by Eero Saarinen and produced by Knoll Associates. Each chair features a Tulip Shape cast aluminum swiveling base and a fibergla...
Aluminum
Pair of original Tulip armchairs by Eero Saarinen for Knoll International, 1960s
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in Langemark-Poelkapelle, BE
Authentic pair of Tulip armchairs designed by Eero Saarinen and produced by Knoll International in the late 1960s. An unmistakable design icon, celebrated for its sculptural silhouet...
Aluminum
1960s Set of 4 Vintage Eero Saarinen Resin Armchairs
By Eero Saarinen
Located in Marseille, FR
Set of 4 vintage Saarinen resin armchairs from the 1960s Knoll edition with a height of 82 cm and a width of 67 cm by 50 cm. Original cushions in leatherette for most to change.
Epoxy Resin
$10,961 / set
H 31.11 in W 23.23 in D 22.84 in
Set of 8 Saarinen Executive chairs by Eero Saarinen – Knoll International
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in Uccle, BE
Set of 8 “Saarinen Executive” armchairs with tubular legs. Cognac-colored leather cover. This armchair with ample shapes offers excellent comfort. Featured in many interiors, Eero Saarinen’s chair...
Leather
Set of 8 'Tulip' Chairs by Eero Saarinen for Knoll, 1956
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A rare grouping of eight (8) iconic Tulip swiveling dining chairs by Eero Saarinen featuring the Classic organic sculptural form and orange wool upholstery on white enameled cast iro...
Iron
Eero Saarinen for Knoll Executive/Dining Chairs Up to 10
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
For your consideration are these Eero Saarinen for Knoll executive chairs. With black / charcoal black wool fabric upholstery by Knoll. they all vary slightly in shade due to what e...
Metal
$1,350
H 31.5 in W 26 in D 24.75 in
1970s Eero Saarinen for Knoll Executive Desk or Dining Chair in Hopsack Fabric
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Saarinen Executive Chair, Model 71 USB, originally designed by Eero Saarinen for Knoll in 1950. This particular example dates to the 1970s. The listed price includes one ch...
Steel
Knoll Marble Dining Table With 5 Chairs by Eero Saarinen, 1960s
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Magnificent and fully original Tulip dining set designed by Eero Saarinen. It is produced by Knoll International in the 1960s. The set consists of 5 original tulip chairs and the o...
Carrara Marble, Metal
$14,893 / set
H 31.5 in W 25.2 in D 24.02 in
Knoll Tulip Dining Set by Eero Saarinen 1960s Large Marble Table Armchairs
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Magnificent fully original tulip dining set designed by Eero Saarinen and produced by Knoll International in the 1960s. The set consists of 6 original marked tulip armchairs and the ...
Carrara Marble, Aluminum
$7,387 / set
H 31.89 in W 19.3 in D 20.87 in
Set of 5 Tulip chairs by Eero Saarinen for Knoll International, 1970s
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in Renens, CH
The Tulip chair, designed by Eero Saarinen in 1956 for Knoll International, is a key piece of mid-century modern design. Saarinen aimed to create a chair that removed the clutter of ...
Steel
Eero Saarinen for Knoll International Dining Chair in Plywood
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Eero Saarinen for Knoll International, dining chair, coated iron, plywood, velvet, United States / Belgium, design 1948, production 1960s Organic shaped chair designed by Eero Saari...
Iron
Eero Saarinen Upholstered Tulip Armchair for Knoll
By Eero Saarinen
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A special order upholstered tulip arm chair with nice curved back and supportive bottom seat cushion . This is a very comfortable chair for hours of relaxing at home or in the office...
Metal
2000s Eero Saarinen for Knoll Tulip Dining Arm Chair in Black
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Saarinen Tulip Pedestal Swivel Armchair, Model 150A, initially designed by Eero Saarinen for Knoll in 1956. This particular example was produced in Italy in the 2000s. The ...
Aluminum
Tulip Chair by Eero Saarinen for Knoll International - 1960s
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in Debrecen, HU
Two of the six available chairs are swivel models. All pieces are original; however, the chair tops were refinished at some point. Designed by Eero Saarinen and manufactured by Knol...
Aluminum
$1,995
H 32.25 in W 25.75 in D 24.5 in
Eero Saarinen for Knoll Mid Century Tulip Armchair Dining Chair
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Eero Saarinen for Knoll Mid Century Tulip Armchair Dining Chair This chair measures: 25.75 wide x 24.5 deep x 32.25 inches high, with a seat height of 19.5 and arm height/chair clea...
Upholstery, Fiberglass
Eero Saarinen Tulip Pedestal Arm Chairs for Knoll - a Pair
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of Tulip Pedestal Collection swivel arm chairs with black Prairie phthalate-free vinyl cushions and white lacquered cast-aluminum bases originally designed by Eero Saarinen in 1...
Aluminum
Sold
H 32 in W 19.5 in D 21 in
Vintage Set of Six Tulip Pedestal Dining Chairs by Eero Saarinen for Knoll
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in San Jose, CA
Mid century modern tulip dining chairs designed by Eero Saarinen for Knoll Associates from the Pedestal Collection, circa 1960's. This contrasting set includes two armchairs and four...
Aluminum
Set of 4 Eero Saarinen Tulip Armchairs for Knoll
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Set of 4 Silver Tulip Armchairs designed by Eero Saarinen for Knoll. Chairs are about 20 years old. A special edition of a classic chair design! Blue leather seat cushions. Finis...
Leather, Upholstery, Fiberglass
4 Eero Saarinen for Knoll Tulip Swivel Armchairs with Leather Seats
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A nice set of 4 Eero Saarinen tulip armchairs for Knoll. These are the swivel version and have the leather cushions. This is the most expensive version Knoll sells of this chair. Th...
Aluminum
Eero Saarinen "Tulip" Dining Room Set for Knoll
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in North Hollywood, CA
The tulip dining room set with Carrara marble includes a 96" Tulip Dining Table and eight matching Tulip Dining Chairs, all designed by Eero Saarinen for Knoll. The set features a mi...
Marble, Aluminum
Sold
H 32.29 in W 27.17 in D 23.63 in
Set Of 5 Vintage Tulip Dining Chairs By Eero Saarinen For Knoll, 1970s
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Amazing set of 5 Tulip chairs in original burnt orange upholstery by great designer Eero Saarinen, 1970s. This particular set has three fixes chairs and two chairs with a swivel base...
Metal
Sold
H 32.29 in W 27.17 in D 23.63 in
Set Of 6 Vintage Tulip Dining Chairs By Eero Saarinen For Knoll, 1960s
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Amazing set of 6 Tulip chairs in original coral upholstery by great designer Eero Saarinen, created in 1956. This particular set all have a swivel base, and are all individually mark...
Metal
Tulip Armchair by Eero Saarinen for Knoll
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A classic piece of modern design combining elegance and functionality, the Knoll tulip armchair was designed by Eero Saarinen in 1957. It feature...
Metal
Set of Two Eero Saarinen Swivel Tulip Armchairs Model 150, 1970s
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in Langemark-Poelkapelle, BE
Fantastic pair of vintage swivel Tulip armchairs model 150 by Eero Saarinen for Knoll International. Designed in 1956. These are from the 1970s. Design Classic from the Pedestal co...
Aluminum
Eero Saarinen Tulip Armchair Knoll Studio 1970s
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in Stockholm, SE
Tulip armchair by Eero Saarinen for Knoll International. Moulded fibreglass shell and cast aluminium base. Its organic shape remains timeless and elegant. Set of 4 armchairs. ...
Fabric, Fiberglass
Tulip Chair by Eero Saarinen for Knoll International, 1970s
By Eero Saarinen
Located in PARIS, FR
Tulip armchair by Eero Saarinen for Knoll International. Molded fiberglass shell and cast aluminum base. Reupholstered in our workshop. Its organic shape remains timeless and elegant...
Fabric, Fiberglass
4 Eero Saarinen Knoll Tulip Swivel Arm Chairs
By Eero Saarinen
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Set of 4 Eero Saarinen for Knoll tulip swivel arm chairs with pink vinyl upholstered cushions. Wonderful original condition. Price listed is for the s...
Aluminum
Modern icons are showing up in gracefully layered dining nooks, living rooms and lounges — proof that great design only gets better with context.
Of the million-plus items on 1stdibs, some seem to have transcended time, looking as fresh today as when they were first produced. The pieces highlighted on our new Iconic Designs page stand out for longevity, functionality and quality of design and manufacture — just the tonic for the present unsettled moment.
