Adrian Pearsall Sofa for Craft Associates, circa 1965
View Similar Items
Adrian Pearsall Sofa for Craft Associates, circa 1965
About the Item
- Creator:Craft Associates (Maker),Adrian Pearsall (Designer)
- Design:
- Dimensions:Height: 32 in (81.28 cm)Width: 102.25 in (259.72 cm)Depth: 34.5 in (87.63 cm)Seat Height: 17.75 in (45.09 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1965
- Condition:Refinished. Reupholstered. Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Costa Mesa, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU922024536662
Gondola Sofa
One look at the furniture of Adrian Pearsall (1925–2011), and it’s easy to intuit that the American mid-century modern designer had a background in architecture. Although Pearsall did, in fact, earn a degree in architectural engineering from the University of Illinois in 1950, he would leave the architecture field just two years later to found his own furniture company. There, his celebrated work — such as the mid-1950s Gondola sofa — continued to retain a daring structural sensibility that nodded to his early career path.
For his most famous chairs, sofas and coffee tables, Pearsall devised cantilevered frames that mirror the imposing structural beams and silhouettes of skyscrapers. The Gondola sofa is no exception; its form has a decidedly architectural quality and also references Pearsall’s lifelong love of boats. Set on two angled front legs connected to a base band of walnut, the frame has a skeletal feel. But the slanted arms and trapezoidal back — a shape that recalls the flat-bottomed boats of Venice — embrace the sitter, providing a comfortable and even enveloping seat.
Like much of Pearsall’s most famous mid-century modern furniture, the Gondola was produced through Craft Associates, the furniture company he founded in 1952 with the help of his wife, Dorie, and brother, Richard. Early days saw Pearsall crafting furniture in the basement of his Pennsylvania home and selling it out of the back of a truck, but after the introduction of a few knockout pieces — among them the Cloud sofa and the Gondola — Craft Associates grew to be one of Wilkes-Barre’s largest employers and sold furniture to the likes of Macy’s and Wanamaker’s. The designer, who died in 2011, was nominated for inclusion into the American Furniture Hall of Fame in 2008.
Pearsall’s architecture-influenced style made him one of the early figures of Atomic Age design, the Cold War–era aesthetic defined by then-futuristic shapes and geometric patterns based on nuclear particles. The Gondola, with its skeletal base and geometric seat, fits into this camp but also caters to the comfort-centric ethos of the type of modernism emerging in Scandinavia at the time. Elements like the walnut frame and plush seat would become indicative of the Craft Associates style. Later, Pearsall would lean more into this aesthetic when he launched the aptly named Comfort Designs with partner John Graham in the early 1970s.
Although both Craft Associates and Comfort Designs no longer exist, Pearsall’s family continues to license certain designs of his to Restoration Hardware, but many early treasures, the Gondola sofa included, are long out of production.
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.
- Jane & Gordon Martz Ceramic Table Lamps for Marshall Studios, circa 1965By Gordon & Jane Martz, Gordon Martz, Marshall StudiosLocated in Costa Mesa, CAJane and Gordon Martz Ceramic Table Lamps for Marshall Studios, circa 1965. Measures: 29.63" To the top of the socket. 22.38" To the top of the ceramic. 8.38" diameter (The lamp ...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsCeramic, Walnut
- Richard Nissen Wine Rack for Nissen Langaa, Denmark, c.1965By Richard NissenLocated in Costa Mesa, CARichard Nissen Wine Rack for Nissen Langaa, Denmark, c.1965.Category
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Wine Coolers
MaterialsWood
- Bob Kinzie Large Scale "O Series" Ceramic Table Lamps, circa 1965By Bob Kinzie, Affiliated CraftsmenLocated in Costa Mesa, CABob Kinzie for Affiliated Craftsmen large scale "O Series" ceramic table lamps, circa 1965. Measures: 15.13" diameter 29.75" To the top of the socket. 23.13" To the top of the...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- John Van Koert Walnut Leather Top Desk for Drexel, c.1965By Drexel, John Van KoertLocated in Costa Mesa, CAJohn Van Koert Walnut Leather Top Desk for Drexel, c.1965. This piece has been professionally restored.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsSteel
- Richard Barr Sculptural Table Lamp for the STUDIO Collection by Laurel, c.1965By Laurel Lamp Company, Harry Balmer, Richard BarrLocated in Costa Mesa, CARichard Barr Sculptural Table Lamp for the STUDIO Collection by Laurel, United States, c.1965. Beautiful torch cut and welded brutalist form. Measures: - 13" Deep - 14" Wide -...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBronze, Copper, Steel
- Raul Coronel Ceramic Sculpture, California, c.1965By Raul CoronelLocated in Costa Mesa, CARaul Coronel Ceramic Sculpture, California, c.1965. Reference Photos Courtesy of Steve Aldana / Esoteric Survey.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsStoneware
- Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Cloud Sofa, C. 1950sBy Adrian Pearsall, Craft AssociatesLocated in Westport, CTIndulge in luxurious comfort with the Low-Profile Cloud Sofa, a timeless piece designed by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates in the mid-20th century. Meticulously restored to its ...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsBouclé, Maple
- 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
- Floating Back Sofa by Adrian Pearsall for Craft AssociatesBy Adrian Pearsall, Craft AssociatesLocated in Sagaponack, NYA wonderfully long, low and deep upholstered sofa having a floating back and an organic sculptural walnut sled base with a floating frontal stretcher. Reupholstery is recommended.Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
- Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Mid Century Armless SofaBy Adrian Pearsall, Craft AssociatesLocated in Countryside, ILAdrian Pearsall for Craft Associates mid century armless sofa This sofa measures: 96 wide x 32 deep x 28.5 inches high, with a seat height of 1...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood
- Adrian Pearsall Cloud Sofa for Craft Associates Fully RestoredBy Adrian Pearsall, Craft AssociatesLocated in Chattanooga, TNFULLY restored. A true jaw-dropper from every angle. The new faux leopard fur fabric contrasts perfectly with the old-growth walnut and black lacquer trim. Ultra soft to the touch...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsWalnut, Upholstery
- Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Mid Century Cloud SofaBy Adrian Pearsall, Craft AssociatesLocated in Countryside, ILAdrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Mid Century Cloud Sofa This sofa measures: 123 wide x 70 deep x 30.75 inches high, with a seat heigh...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood