Adrian Pearsall Mid-Century Modern Walnut Lounge Armchair Craft Associates, 1960
View Similar Items
Adrian Pearsall Mid-Century Modern Walnut Lounge Armchair Craft Associates, 1960
About the Item
- Creator:Adrian Pearsall (Designer),Craft Associates (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 41 in (104.14 cm)Width: 26 in (66.04 cm)Depth: 34 in (86.36 cm)Seat Height: 18 in (45.72 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Reupholstered. Wear consistent with age and use. The chair has been professionally reupholstered to a very high standard.
- Seller Location:Portland, OR
- Reference Number:Seller: BB-86011stDibs: LU4876131534772
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.
- Pair of Mid-Century Modern Captain's/Armchairs in Teak, 1960sLocated in Portland, ORPair of Mid-Century Modern captain's/armchairs in teak, 1960s. The chairs having three backsplats and shaped arms, having the original textured mohair fabric.Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsMohair, Teak
- Danish Mid Century Modern Teak Easy Armchair Arne Vodder for France & Son 1960By Arne VodderLocated in Portland, ORA good original Danish Mid Century Modern teak & upholstered armchair, designed by Arne Vodder, circa 1960. The chair cushions have just been professionally re-upholstered to a very ...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsWool, Upholstery, Teak
- Mid Century Modern Teak Arm Chair Rocker Recliner Arnt Lande Stokke Mobler 1960By Stokke MøblerLocated in Portland, ORA very stylish original lounge chair, recliner, rocker, armchair, designed by Arnt Lande for Stokke Mobler, Norway, circa 1960. This "Combi Star" chair has just been professionally re-upholstered in a high quality mid century style fabric. The chair can be used as a recliner, rocker or armchair. The frame is made of teak and has sculpted 'boomerang' shaped arms, the chair is raised on tapered legs. The chair has just been professionally re-upholstered with base cushion and back cushion that rests on the original platform base that has also been covered in the same MCM fabric...Category
Vintage 1960s Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFabric, Teak
- Antique 19th Century Georgian Regency Mahogany Armchair Library Desk Chair 1820Located in Portland, ORA good antique Georgian Regency desk library chair, circa 1820. This very stylish chair is made from the finest solid Cuban mahogany, the chair has a substantial back splat support w...Category
Antique 1820s English Regency Armchairs
MaterialsMahogany
$880 Sale Price20% Off - Antique Baroque Carved Walnut Throne Chair, circa 1880Located in Portland, ORAntique Baroque carved walnut throne chair, circa 1880. The chair having a carved crest with a shell motif to the center flanked by a pair of fin...Category
Antique 1880s English Baroque Revival Armchairs
MaterialsWalnut
- Pair Vintage Mid Century Modern Danish Teak Armchairs Pendleton Wool Fabric 1970By OPE Möbler, Pendleton Woolen MillsLocated in Portland, ORA good pair of Danish Mid Century Modern teak Captain's armchairs by "OD Mobler", which were just professionally reupholstered in vintage Pendleton Woolen Mills fabric, circa 1970. This very handsome pair of side chairs with arms...Category
Vintage 1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsWool, Teak
- Mid-Century Modern Adrian Pearsall Lounge Chair by Craft Associates, 2406By Adrian Pearsall, Craft AssociatesLocated 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 for Craft Associates Walnut Lounge Chairs, 1960'sBy Adrian Pearsall, Craft AssociatesLocated 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
- Adrian Pearsall Midcentury Walnut Lounge Chair for Craft AssociatesBy Adrian Pearsall, Craft AssociatesLocated in Puglia, PugliaArmchair designed by the American designer Adrian Pearsall. The frame of this cocktail lounge chair is made of walnut wood in a beautiful curved shape and upholstered in white chenil...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsChenille, Walnut
- Pair of Adrian Pearsall Midcentury Walnut Lounge Chairs for Craft AssociatesBy Adrian Pearsall, Craft AssociatesLocated in Puglia, PugliaPair of armchairs designed by the American designer Adrian Pearsall. The frame of these cocktail lounge chairs is made of walnut wood in a beautiful curved shape and upholstered in w...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsChenille, Walnut
$8,313 Sale Price / set20% Off - Adrian Pearsall 1209-C Craft Associates ChairBy Adrian Pearsall, Craft AssociatesLocated in New York, NYModel 1209-C for Craft Associates. Walnut, cane back, upholstery. Seat has been re-done in Raf Simons for Kvadrat fabric. Good condition, some wear on walnut structure. Strap...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFabric, Walnut
- Adrian Pearsall per Craft Associates Mid-Century ArmChairs, 1980By Adrian PearsallLocated in Rome, ITArmchairs with a particular design by the American architect Adrian Pearsall, a very daring designer in the shapes of his designs. The armchairs have a very particular wooden struct...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFabric, Beech