With his iconic Pedestal collection, architect and designer Eero Saarinen (1910–61) vowed to “clear up the slum of legs,” as he described the visual clutter resulting from traditional furniture frames in a 1956 TIME magazine cover story. Central to this endeavor is the Pedestal table, whose round top on a slender, graceful pedestal would become a near ubiquitous — and oft-imitated — form. The Tulip armchair and the Tulip armless chair continue this streamlining in Saarinen’s modern, space-age aesthetic.
With its simplified silhouette and fiberglass body, the Tulip armless chair is at once elegant and industrial, a feat that Saarinen continually mastered in mid-century modern works ranging from furniture to architecture (think the St. Louis Arch and the TWA Terminal at New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport, which has reopened as a hotel). The designer originally tried to cast the entire seat in fiberglass, pushing the envelope of modern furniture production, but, to ensure stability, he eventually settled on a cast-aluminum base and fiberglass seat. In 1957, the chair was put into production through Knoll — Saarinen knew pioneering American designer Florence Knoll from his days at the Cranbrook Academy of Art, where he taught and took on design projects for the school. It has remained one of the legendary firm’s most popular seats ever since.
Given its sculptural shape, the Tulip armless chair can be paired with a Saarinen table for a wholly modern dining set — as it appears throughout the TWA Hotel — or hold its own as a side or accent chair, a popular touch by top residential designers today. The Velcro-attached seat cushion is available in over a dozen upholstery options, though the thoroughly space-age cherry red is undoubtedly the most famous.
Set of Two Eero Saarinen Model 151 Tulip Armchairs
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Vienna, AT
Pair of armchairs 'Tulip', model 151, design Eero Saarinen, 1955-1956. Early production, probably 1960s. White lacquered molded fiberglass and seat with wool cover. Produced by Knoll...
Aluminum
Set of 6 Tulip Chairs by Eero Saarinen For Knoll, 1960s
By Eero Saarinen
Located in Brussels, BE
Set of 6 Tulip Chairs by Eero Saarinen For Knoll, 1960s
Fabric, Plastic
Set of 6 Tulip Chairs by Eero Saarinen produced by Knoll International ca. 1970
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Geneva, CH
Set of 6 tulip swiveling dining chairs by Eero Saarinen and produced by Knoll International ca. 1970s Original red wool cushions invery good condition. Manufacturer label under the c...
Aluminum
$1,410
Saarinen Tulip Chair
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in New York, NY
Iconic Mid Century, Space Age classic, the Tulip Chair, designed by Saarinen, and produced by Knoll, stands as one of the most recognized and sought after objects from the Golden A...
Metal
Set of 4 Eero Saarinen for Knoll Tulip Chairs in White & Black Leather
By Eero Saarinen
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A nice set of recent Knoll Saarinen Tulip chairs with black leather seat cushions. The chairs and cushions are are labeled Knoll. I believe the production date is 2021 but the year i...
Aluminum
$4,400 / set
Eero Saarinen for Knoll Tulip Chairs, Set of Two
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Dallas, TX
Great looking pair of armless tulip chairs by Eero Saarinen for Knoll. Practically brand new, very light use. Eero Saarinen called himself a “form giver,” and everything he design...
Aluminum
Set of 6 Saarinen Chairs for Knoll
By Eero Saarinen
Located in BAUD, FR
Set of 6 swivel Tulip chairs by Eero Saarinen for Knoll Original edition Very good condition Original foam and fabric Dimensions: H 81 cm × W 49 cm × D 53 cm
Natural Fiber, Epoxy Resin
Side Chairs by Eero Saarinen for Knoll, Switzerland, 1970s – Set of 4
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Renens, CH
A set of four original “Pedestal” side chairs designed by Eero Saarinen for Knoll International. Produced under license in Switzerland during the 1970s, these chairs exemplify Saarin...
Aluminum
$6,595 / set
H 31.5 in W 27 in D 22 in
Set of 6 Knoll Executive Armchair Dining Chairs by Eero Saarinen
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous set of six (6) Eero Saarinen Mid Century Modern Executive Lounge Dining Armchairs by Knoll Associates. In what is original Knoll fabric which is serviceable and clean but s...
Steel, Chrome
$10,917 / 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
$7,357 / 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 Eero Saarinen, Knoll
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
Set of 8 'Tulip' Chairs by Eero Saarinen for Knoll, 1956
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
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
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
$14,833 / 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
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
$4,795 / set
H 31.5 in W 22.25 in D 19.75 in
Mid-Century Modern Set of 6 Eero Saarinen Knoll Dining Chairs w Wood Legs C1955
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous set of six Executive dining chairs by Eero Saarinen for Knoll C1955. These are the bent wood version, walnut. Made and sold to the IBM machine co in the fifties these were ...
Fabric, Walnut
$3,795 / set
H 32 in W 26 in D 23 in
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
$7,400 / set
H 16 in W 26 in D 21.25 in
Set of 6 Tulip Armchairs by Eero Saarinen for Knoll, plumb upholstery, 1960's
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
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
Blue Knoll Tulip Chairs by Saarinen, Set of Two
By Eero Saarinen
Located in Rochester, England
Introducing the Knoll Tulip Chair by Eero Saarinen, a stunning set of two that exemplifies mid-century modern elegance. These iconic chairs feature a sleek, pedestal base crafted fro...
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 Knoll, Eero Saarinen
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
Tulip pivoting chairs by Eero Saarinen for Knoll, 1960s
By Eero Saarinen
Located in Uccle, Bruxelles
Magnificent set of four swivel Tulip chairs designed by Eero Saarinen for Knoll in the 1960s. This set is in very good vintage condition but shows some signs of wear due to age. Al...
Aluminum
Sold
H 32.29 in W 20.48 in D 21.26 in
6x Upholstered in blue Velvet, Seat Side Chair by Eero Saarinen for Knoll 1970
By Eero Saarinen
Located in The Hague, NL
Set of 6 Eero Saarinen “Tulip” / Pedestal Dining Chairs for Knoll International, 1970s A rare and elegant set of six original “Tulip” (Pedestal...
Aluminum
Sold
H 32.29 in W 19.3 in D 20.87 in
Set of Six Model Tulip Chairs, Eero Saarinen, Knoll, Late 20th Century
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Set of six model Tulip chairs, design Eero Saarinen, manufactured by Knoll, Late 20th Century. Fiberglass and aluminum frame, seats upholstered with quality model Elysee 14611 -fabri...
Aluminum
Sold
H 31.89 in W 19.3 in D 20.87 in
Set of 6 Tulip chairs by Eero Saarinen for Knoll International - 1981
By Eero Saarinen
Located in Uccle, Bruxelles
Set of six Tulip chairs designed by Eero Saarinen for Knoll International in the 1980s. This chair is a design classic. It features a magnificent fiberglass shell resting on an alum...
Aluminum
Sold
H 30.71 in W 19.69 in D 21.26 in
Mint Set of 8 Tulip Dining Chairs by Eero Saarinen, Knoll ca. 2010
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Geneva, CH
Set of 8 tulip dining chairs by Eero Saarinen produced by Knoll Studio ca. 2010. Like new. Swiveling. Orange-red cushion. Absolute perfect condition. Manufacturer label under the bas...
Aluminum
Eero Saarinen for Knoll International Tulip Chair
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Dronten, NL
Classic Tulip dining chairs designed in 1956 by Eero Saarinen for Knoll International. A defining accomplishment of modern design and a timeless addition to your home—a true Classic....
Aluminum
Sold
H 31.5 in W 19.3 in D 21.26 in
Set of 4 white and blue Tulip 769-S chairs, Eero Saarinen, Knoll, 1955 modern
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Designed by Eero Saarinen in 1955 for Knoll, the Tulip Model 769-S chairs are part of the iconic Pedestal Collection. With their distinctive painted aluminum base and fiberglass shel...
Metal
Eero Saarinen set of four Tulip chairs 1970s
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in bari, IT
Saarinen Tulip chairs are a modernist design classic, created by architect and designer Eero Saarinen in the 1950s. They are famous for their sleek, minimalist lines, with tulip-shap...
Aluminum
Sold
H 31.5 in W 19.3 in D 21.26 in
Seven Eero Saarinen Tulip Chairs for Knoll International 1970s All original
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Basel, BS
Beautiful set of seven Tulip Chairs by Eero Saarinen, produced by Knoll in Germany around 1975/76. All original and great condition with white seat shells, no discoloration! Comes ...
Aluminum
Eero Saarinen Tulip Side Chair in Black by Knoll
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Highland, IN
All dressed in black, Saarinen's iconic design is given even greater graphic appeal with the black finish accentuating its sexy, flowing lines. This authentic example by Knoll is in...
Aluminum
Two 'Tulip' Chairs by Eero Saarinen for Knoll, 1970s-80s
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Milano, IT
Pair of iconic 'Tulip' model chairs with cast aluminum base, plastic shell, foam cushion with original leather upholstery of the period.
Aluminum
'Tulip' chair by Eero Saarinen for Knoll 1970s-80s
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Milano, IT
Chair with cast aluminum base, plastic shell, foam cushion covered in original leather of the period. Good Condition
Aluminum
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
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.
