Pair of Adrian Pearsall Armchairs
View Similar Items
Pair of Adrian Pearsall Armchairs
About the Item
- Creator:Adrian Pearsall (Designer),Craft Associates (Cabinetmaker)
- Dimensions:Height: 29 in (73.66 cm)Width: 24 in (60.96 cm)Depth: 26 in (66.04 cm)Seat Height: 17 in (43.18 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1960
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Belmont, MA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU177227536043
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 Louis XVI Style ArmchairsLocated in Belmont, MAPair of Louis XVI fauteuils, giltwood with beautifully carved details. Exquisite original gobelin fabric, the gimp has been replaced. In good condition.Category
Antique 1860s French Louis XVI Armchairs
MaterialsGiltwood
$3,000 / set - Pair of Biedermeier Armchairs, Germany 1820, CherryLocated in Belmont, MAThis pair of Biedermeier Armchairs dates back to around 1820 and comes from southern Germany. It has a very pretty plain design. The s-shaped armrests end in a volute. The armchairs ...Category
Antique 1820s German Biedermeier Armchairs
MaterialsCherry
- Original Pair of Louis XVI Armchairs, France, 1780Located in Belmont, MAThis pair of original Louis XVI Armchairs dates back to 1780-1790 and comes from France. The elegant chairs have a hand carved beech wood frame. They stand on fluted legs and have be...Category
Antique 1780s French Louis XVI Armchairs
MaterialsBeech
- Pair of Horse Shoe Back Armchairs, China, circa 1900Located in Belmont, MAPair of very interesting horse shoe back armchairs, China, circa 1900. Chinese elm with carved decorations on the back and front. Beautiful patina.Category
Vintage 1910s Chinese Ming Armchairs
MaterialsElm
$2,480 Sale Price / set20% Off - Set of Four French Empire Armchairs, 1810Located in Belmont, MAThis set of four Empire armchairs dates back to around 1810. The elegant armchairs have a pretty cherry wood frame. The armrest and front ...Category
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Armchairs
MaterialsCherry
$10,400 Sale Price / set20% Off - Set of Four Louis XVI Armchairs, 19th Century, FranceLocated in Belmont, MAThis set of four original Louis XVI armchairs dates back to around 1830 and comes from France. The elegant armchairs have an oval shaped backrest, The four fluted legs are connected ...Category
Antique Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Armchairs
MaterialsWalnut
- Rare Adrian Pearsall ArmchairBy Adrian PearsallLocated in Chicago, ILA Rare Adrian Pearsall armchair. Some wear to the original finish. I will apply some basic scratch remover to clean up. Upholstery is original and will most likely require reupho...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsWood
- 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
$8,355 Sale Price / set20% Off - 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 Style Midcentury ArmchairBy Adrian PearsallLocated in Brooklyn, NYVintage modern high back armchair in the style of Adrian Pearsall. Nice walnut legs and shaped front giving it a distinct Pearsall flair, with an elegant narrowing back. Should be re...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFabric
- Adrian Pearsall 1209-C Craft Associates ChairBy Craft Associates, Adrian PearsallLocated 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
- Pair of Adrian Pearsall "Slim Jim" Lounge Chairs for Craft Associates, 1960sBy Craft Associates, Adrian PearsallLocated 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