Pair of Tall Table Lamps by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates USA, circa 1950
View Similar Items
Pair of Tall Table Lamps by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates USA, circa 1950
About the Item
- Creator:Craft Associates (Manufacturer),Adrian Pearsall (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 38.5 in (97.79 cm)Diameter: 14.5 in (36.83 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Jersey City, NJ
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU80732868872
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.
Craft Associates
In its inaugural days, iconic mid-century modern furniture brand Craft Associates was largely the work of founder and forward-thinking designer Adrian Pearsall and his wife, Dorie. The pair assembled sexy, stylish furniture in their Pennsylvania basement that they later sold from the back of a truck to the era’s marquee department stores in Philadelphia and New York City.
The New York–born Pearsall (1925–2011) served in the Navy before earning his architectural engineering degree from the University of Illinois in 1950. He abandoned architecture after only a couple of years and turned instead to furniture design, opening Craft Associates in 1952 to sell his sophisticated living room seating, dining room furnishings and more. Flush with dynamic angles and clean lines, Pearsall’s sculptural, expressive designs — coffee tables, luxurious lounge chairs and more — helped define the style of the Atomic Age. With the help of Dorie and working in partnership with his brother Richard, Pearsall oversaw the expansion of Craft Associates into a leading employer of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, with popular furniture including architecturally striking tables as well as plush beanbag chairs.
From Craft, there was Pearsall’s low-slung Gondola sofa, which embraces the sitter with its enveloping, geometrically rich form, his range of glass-topped tables — most boasting provocatively shaped wood slabs that serve as bases — as well as his skinny, high-backed upholstered walnut armchairs. Pearsall drew on his background in architecture for the organic and eye-catching structures of these pieces in addition to his larger scale work. One of his biggest projects was the complete design of his family’s 10,000-square-foot Pennsylvania home in Forty Fort, which boasted an indoor pool, sauna, tennis court and ice cream bar.
After growing his business to 800 employees, Pearsall sold Craft Associates in 1968 to Lane Furniture, which continued producing his pieces into the late 1970s before halting production. With business partner John Graham, Pearsall established a new company, Comfort Designs, in the 1970s, while also devoting time to his lifelong hobbies of sailing and restoring classic yachts.
A company called New Craft Associates revived Pearsall’s brand’s name, referencing mid-century-era furniture design in its current projects while not formally associated with Pearsall or his family. Restoration Hardware has also reissued some of his Craft Associates designs, with Pearsall and his company’s distinctive furniture remaining popular statement pieces adaptable to any home.
Find a range of vintage Craft Associates furniture on 1stDibs.
- Single Tall Table Lamp by Philippe Barbier, Circa 1970 FranceBy Philippe BarbierLocated in Jersey City, NJTall table lamp in nickel plated steel the rectangular pedestal incorporated into the lamp was common of Barbier who designed tables and stools working with Henry Massonnet.Category
Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsSteel
- Table Lamp by Robert Sonneman, circa 1970, AmericanBy Robert Sonneman, Sonneman LightingLocated in Jersey City, NJLamp in polished metal has nine lights two vertical followed by one horizontal repeated three times with a "on off dimmer" switch just above the base.Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
$1,400 Sale Price41% Off - Tall Pair of Table Lamps in Original Silver Leaf, USA Circa 1940Located in Jersey City, NJPair of silver leaf table lamps in original condition with minor aging that shows a patina of a red base primer beneath the silver leaf. The height of the wooden body is 26" and 40"...Category
Vintage 1940s Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsWood
- Pair of Brass Table Lamps, USA Circa 1975Located in Jersey City, NJPair of dimensional table lamps made of four main sections: each crescent-shaped section is formed by one piece of flat metal, enameled in black on one side and brass plated on the o...Category
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal, Brass
$900 Sale Price / set71% Off - Pair of Table Lamps by Dino Martens for Aureliano Toso, Italy, 1950sBy Aureliano Toso, Dino MartensLocated in Jersey City, NJPair of table lamps in mezza filigrana striped glass, decorative brass spheres between the glass body and the patinated brass-plated metal base. Shades can be ordered to specification.Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal
$1,700 Sale Price / set50% Off - Articulating and Orbiting Table Lamp, USA Circa 1970Located in Jersey City, NJTable / desk lamp comprises a blackened steel cube-shaped base that supports a circular frame of tubular, polished chrome plated metal and atomic shaped diffuser also in polished chr...Category
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsSteel
$1,400 Sale Price39% Off
- Pair of Large Chrome Table Lamps by Robert Sonneman, USA, 1960sBy Sonneman Lighting, Robert SonnemanLocated in Miami, FLLarge chrome table lamps by Robert Sonneman from the 1960s. Chrome has some age-related wear, please see all pictures. No rust.Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsChrome, Metal
- Pair of Tall Urn Shape LampsLocated in Rockaway, NJPair of cone urn shape black lamps made out of backligt like material . Measures: 30".Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsBakelite
$1,800 / set - Pair of Hollywood Regency Tall Brass Lotus Lamps by Feldman Lighting circa 1960sBy Feldman Lighting Co.Located in Saint Louis, MOJust ask Jennifer Lopez how much she loves her pair of majestic, organic and inspiring tall lotus flower brass lamps famously made by the Feldman Lighting Company beginning in the 1950s. These lamps are show stopper attention seekers. A delicate organic lotus flower silhouette made of glowing brass. As if born from light - each layer representing a season of life - rings of lotus flower petals bloom in size. A symbol of strength and beauty, Lotus flowers can grow in even the harshest conditions and still bloom. Brass petals are embossed with small lines softening the brass and adding more organic detail. They are also malleable and can be gently bent to your pleasure. Black lacquered wood base highlights and anchors the brass elements. Professionally polished bringing back its original glamorous glow and clear coat lacquered to retain it. Works beautifully in any setting from chinoiserie to Hollywood Regency to Contemporary and Eclectic. This tall lotus lamp is rare and sought after by collectors and fans of the Feldman Lighting Lotus Flower Line. Featured in Architectural Digest (last photo). Single lamp also available. Want to see more beautiful things? Scroll down below and click "View All From Seller" or favorite our shop to get your 1stDibs on our new inventory. Diameter of lamp shade 18" Photographed along with and also currently available in our shop: James Mont Attributed Black Lacquered Sideboard or Bar Cabinet, circa 1940s Pair of Billy Baldwin Style Leopard Velvet Stools with Leather Piping circa 1970s Curtis Jere Mars & Venus Gold Gilt Bookends Sculptures Signed Jeré, 1968 Rare Pair of Tall Parzinger Style Brass Lotus Candle...Category
Vintage 1950s Hong Kong Hollywood Regency Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- Pair of Adrian Pearsall Attrib Sculptural Table Lamps Danish Mid-Century ModernBy Adrian PearsallLocated in Wayne, NJ1960's Adrian Pearsall attributed sculptural wood and brass 3 way table lamps Height to light socket 21.25''Category
Vintage 1960s American Scandinavian Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsWood
$1,200 Sale Price / set20% Off - Pair Adrian Pearsall Style Walnut & Brushed Steel Modern Hourglass Table LampsBy Adrian Pearsall, Rude OsolnikLocated in Bainbridge, NYPair of Walnut & Brushed Steel Candlestick Reading Table Lamps, 1950's. Featuring smooth solid turned Walnut hourglass form with Brushed Steel neck. In the manner of Adrian Pearsall...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsSteel
- Tall Mid Century Martz Table Lamp for Marshall StudiosBy Marshall Studios, Gordon & Jane MartzLocated in San Jose, CAMid-Century Modern tall pottery lamp by Jane and Gordon Martz for Marshall Studios. This oversized piece has a charcoal matte finish with walnut stem...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsCeramic, Walnut
$1,680 Sale Price20% Off