Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Brutalist Drum Chair, circa 1970
View Similar Items
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Brutalist Drum Chair, circa 1970
About the Item
- Creator:
- Dimensions:Height: 24.75 in (62.87 cm)Width: 36 in (91.44 cm)Depth: 36 in (91.44 cm)
- Style:Brutalist (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1970
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Very good vintage condition. Some minor signs of wear to original fabric. Signs of use commensurate with age are evident.
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1330210093483
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.
- Yrjö Kukkapuro 'Skaala' Leather Lounge Chairs for Avarte, Finland, 1970sBy Avarte, Finland 1, Yrjö KukkapuroLocated in Los Angeles, CAIncredible set of five collectible 'Skaala' lounge armchairs by Yrjo¨ Kukkapuro for Avarte, made in Finland, circa 1970. Featuring original burgundy red leather seat cushions, birch and tubular steel frames with sleigh legs capped with rubber feet. *NOTE*, we have sold 2 chairs, so we have 3 left at this time. This listing is priced individually. There is so much that make these chairs great. First, the birch wood backs and arms are so cool - making the chairs excellent to float within a room where the backs can be seen. Consider using as office guest chairs...Category
Vintage 1970s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsSteel, Chrome
$999 Sale Price / item54% Off - Rare 'Ondine' Wingback Lounge Chair by Vladimir Kagan, c 1970, SignedBy Vladimir KaganLocated in Los Angeles, CAAn incredibly rare and highly sought-after Vladimir Kagan 'Ondine' wingback armchair, this early production example from circa 1970 and in its original fabric with animal motif. Sign...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Walnut
$22,200 Sale Price20% Off - 'Sara' Leather Lounge Chairs by Guido Faleschini for Mariani, c 1971, SignedBy i4 Mariani, Guido FaleschiniLocated in Los Angeles, CAA beautiful off-white leather pair of lounge chairs by illustrious architect and designer Guido Faleschini for i4 Mariani, Italy. Designed in the 1970s, this pair of soft, comfy, lea...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather
$5,200 Sale Price / set20% Off - Martin Eisler and Carlo Hauner 'Concha' Lounge Chairs for Forma, Brazil, c 1960By Carlo Hauner, Forma Brazil, Martin EislerLocated in Los Angeles, CABeautifully reupholstered with soft nubby white bouclé, this pair of 'Concha' chairs by Martin Eisler and Carlo Hauner for Forma, Brazil, encapsulates the quality and innovation of t...Category
Vintage 1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsIron
On Hold$9,000 / item - Warren Platner for Knoll Lounge Chair in Knoll Velvet with Bronze FinishBy Warren Platner, KnollLocated in Los Angeles, CAA beautiful Warren Platner for Knoll lounge chair (Model 1715L), upholstered in a gorgeous burgundy (wine) color velvet fabric over a bronze finish frame. The deep burgundy velvet is a luxurious upgrade over the standard knit fabric that is more commonly seen, the fabric is called "Knoll Velvet...Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsSteel
$5,100 Sale Price25% Off - Pair of Tulip Chairs by Erwine and Estelle Laverne for Laverne InternationalBy Erwine & Estelle Laverne, Laverne InternationalLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis incredible design is a pair of Model 120 LF 'Tulip' lounge armchairs by Erwine and Estelle Laverne for Laverne International. Ingeniously designed in 1957, this wide span armchair is crafted from molded fiberglass, and enameled steel. This elegant Tulip easy chair by Erwin and Estelle Laverne would work great in a Mid-Century Modern, Scandanavian Modern or Danish Modern home or penthouse apartment but could also look fantastic in a Contemporary or Post-Modern room. Also consider mixing it up in a Traditional, Transitional, Classical or Art Deco room with a splash of juxtaposition. Would also be an apt choice in a commercial project such as a hotel lobby lounge or members club, creative design studio or high-rise executive office. Consider using as a side chair, bedside chair...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsSteel
$8,999 Sale Price / set35% Off
- Restored Adrian Pearsall For Craft Associates 2056-C Highback Lounge ChairBy Craft Associates, Adrian PearsallLocated in Chattanooga, TNThere's an unmistakable sinister look this Mid-century modern Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates 2056-C lounge chair. The tufted, tapered high back profile evokes a regal sophisti...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
- Pair of Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Walnut Lounge Chairs, 1960'sBy Craft Associates, Adrian PearsallLocated in Bainbridge, NYPair of Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Inc. highback walnut lounge armchairs. Featuring an ergonomic, organic modern design in solid American Black Walnut with newer Burgundy a...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
- Pair of Adrian Pearsall "Slim Jim" Lounge Chairs for Craft Associates, 1960sBy Adrian Pearsall, Craft AssociatesLocated in Hamburg, PAA modernist pair of Adrian Pearsall "Slim Jim" chairs model no. #1865-C from the Pearsall Catalog. This pair of dramatic chairs would look great in any modern...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
- Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Lounge ChairBy Adrian Pearsall, Craft AssociatesLocated in Countryside, ILAdrian Pearsall for Craft Associates lounge chair This chair measures: 24.25 wide x 23.5 deep x 25.75 inches high, with a seat height of 17.5 and arm height of 21.5 inches All ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood
- Mid-Century Modern Adrian Pearsall Lounge Chair by Craft Associates, 2406By Craft Associates, Adrian PearsallLocated in Wilmington, DEOffered is a vintage sculptural lounge chair, designed by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates (#2406-C). Features a walnut base with u...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
- Pair of Adrian Pearsall Brutalist Drum ChairsBy Paul Evans, Craft Associates, Adrian PearsallLocated in Hanover, MAPair of Adrian Pearsall designed round chairs for Craft Associates in 'brutalist' style sculpted bronze resin 'goop' over molded drum-form plywood frame, upholstered in original plush faux fur...Category
Vintage 1960s American Brutalist Lounge Chairs
MaterialsResin, Wood
$8,800 / set