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.
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Framed Wall Hanging Titled: "Love in Space"
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century abstract expressionist style wall art of footprints crossing a black background with star shaped paint splatter on opposing corners, in a stained wooden frame (A...
Paint
Very Large Original Framed Diptych Painting Titled Dawn
By Fay Sciarra
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Very large magical original painting on two side by side canvases/ diptych where the subject matter is the dawn hours at sunrise in the woods, and all the wondrous creatures in the f...
Canvas, Wood
$9,050
H 82.68 in W 70.87 in D 0.08 in
Michael O'Connell, sunbathing, Wall Hanging, Painting on Woven Fabric, 1950s UK
Located in London, Fitzrovia
"sunbathing", a unique wall hanging. Paste resist painting on a thick woven fabric, by Michael O'Connell, mid century, UK. An impressive piece. Michael O'Connell (1898 – 1976) was an English modernist artist who worked in Australia between World War I and World War II and then in England. He is best known as a textile artist with significant works held in the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Museum of English Rural Life, the National Gallery of Australia etc... He was commissioned to produce a very large 56 meters long wall hanging...
Fabric
$239 / set
H 12.6 in Dm 16.54 in
Vintage German Pair of Pictures Romantic Couple Wall Art 1960s Wall Hanging
Located in Bastogne, BE
Bring a touch of timeless romance and vintage charm into your home with this exquisite pair of German-made vintage pictures. Dating back to the mid-20th century, these framed artwor...
Paper
$99,600Sale Price|26% Off
H 42.5 in W 34.25 in D 5 in
Hans Zatzka, Austrian Oil on Canvas Titled "Spring Love" Maiden with Cherubs"
By Hans Zatzka
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hans Zatzka (Austrian, 1859-1945) a superb quality oil on canvas titled "Spring Love" depicting a standing young maiden holding a wicker basket filled with fresh flower as she is bei...
Wood, Giltwood
$1,480Sale Price|40% Off
H 33.38 in W 16.13 in D 1 in
1963 Bengt Berglund Porcelain Enamel Abstract Wall Hanging
By Bengt Berglund, Gustavsberg
Located in New Windsor, NY
Bengt Berglund for Gustavsberg, Sweden enamel wall hanging. Signed and dated on reverse, Gustavsberg 63 and front lower left corner. Green backgrou...
Metal, Enamel, Steel
$4,500
H 20 in W 39.5 in D 3 in
Signed M. Coloman Framed Oil Painting on Canvas Titled Venice Italy 1940
By Coloman
Located in Miami, FL
VENICE oil painting, featuring the Doges Palacio, Italian School, circa 1940s in its original 1940s frame. Signed M. Coloman, 20th century.
Wood, Paint, Canvas
$3,829
H 82.68 in W 70.87 in D 0.08 in
Michael O'Connell, Wall Hanging, unique Painting on fabric, 1950s UK
Located in London, Fitzrovia
a unique wall hanging. Paste resist painting on a cotton woven fabric, by Michael O'Connell, mid century, UK. An impressive piece. Michael O'Connell (1898 – 1976) was an English mod...
Fabric
$2,895
H 46.5 in W 0.75 in D 46.5 in
Group Portrait in Manner of Allice Neel Titled "The Boys Are Home", D. 1977
By Alex Katz, Alice Neel
Located in Peabody, MA
A large canvas by the Wellesley, MA artist Maryann Jaczko. Titled “The Boys are Home, 1977” This work channels the emotionally charged but “billboard” flat figurative works first pop...
Paint
$1,950
H 38.38 in W 30.38 in D 0.88 in
Large Roycrofters American Arts & Crafts Quarter Sawn Oak Picture / Mirror Frame
By Gustav Stickley
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A large Roycrofters frame. In mottled, quarter sawn oak. With old glass and an associated board backing. Perfect for an Arts & Crafts painting or print (or for use as a mirror). ...
Glass, Oak
$943Sale Price|47% Off
H 41 in W 33 in D 1.75 in
Abstract Mid-Century Modern Painting Titled "Lumieres"
Located in Redding, CT
Abstract Mid-Century Modern painting titled "Lumieres". Signed by artist Lee Clarke. Nice composition of yellow orbs with blue and white light. Celestial, ...
Canvas, Paint
$4,497Sale Price|40% Off
H 39 in W 34 in D 4 in
English Titled 18th c Lady with Coat of Arms Portrait Oil Painting Gilt Frame
Located in Savannah, GA
18th century English noblewoman in a gold gilt ornate period frame. Lovely detail and color, coat of arms in corner. Unsigned. Without the frame the painting itself measures 29 inche...
Giltwood, Canvas
$18,500
H 55 in W 33 in D 0.2 in
"Brotherly Love", Art Deco Masterwork in Gold for Elks Memorial, 1926
By Eugene Francis Savage
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A true Art Deco masterpiece, painted as a final study for one of a series of large murals for the National Elks Memorial in Chicago, finished in 1926, this large gold-hued scene depi...
Paint
Adrian Pearsall Brutalist Relief Wall Art
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful Brutalist cast resin decorative relief wall art by Adrian Pearsall, most likely inspired by the groundbreaking work of Paul Evans. In origina...
Resin
Disc Bar by Adrian Pearsall
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Chicago, IL
Wall mount disc bar by Adrian Pearsall. Sculpted resin over wood.
Resin, Wood
Midcentury Brutalist Faux Fireplace by Adrian Pearsall
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Stunning brutalist faux fireplace by Adrian Pearsall. With a height of just over 8ft. It will make a statement in any room. Comes with faux light up lo...
Epoxy Resin, Bentwood
Adrian Pearsall Brutalist Wall Bar Cabinet
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in Southampton, NJ
Incredible and sought after Adrian Pearsall Brutalist wall bar cabinet in beautiful condition. No chips or broken pieces anywhere to the decorative...
Plaster
Sold
H 48.5 in W 48 in D 13.25 in
Adrian Pearsall Brutalist Wall Bar Cabinet Mid-Century Modern, Craft Associates
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Lovely vintage wall bar cabinet by Adrian Pearsall. Great Brutalist piece! Circular doors open up with shelves inside.
Disc Bar by Adrian Pearsall
By Paul Evans, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Chicago, IL
Wall mount disc bar by Adrian Pearsall. Sculpted resin over wood.
Resin, Wood
Adrian Pearsall Brutalist Disc Bar in The Style of Paul Evans
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Hamburg, PA
A wall mounted brutalist "Disc Bar" mirrored back interior with shelves. Sculpted composition done in the style of Paul Evans.
Composition, Silver Leaf
Adrian Pearsall Art
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Adrian Pearsall Art These Adrian Pearsall art pieces are in good condition with normal wear on fabric and wood. He designed them to use as samples of u...
Walnut, Fabric