Tulip Chair by Eero Saarinen, 1970, Italy
View Similar Items
Tulip Chair by Eero Saarinen, 1970, Italy
About the Item
- Creator:Knoll (Maker),Eero Saarinen (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 32.29 in (82 cm)Width: 19.69 in (50 cm)Depth: 17.72 in (45 cm)Seat Height: 16.93 in (43 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (In the Style Of)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1970
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Melbourne, AU
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU220136514963
Eero Saarinen
Through his work as an architect and designer, Eero Saarinen was a prime mover in the introduction of modernism into the American mainstream. Particularly affecting were the organic, curvilinear forms seen in Saarinen’s furniture and his best-known structures: the gull-winged TWA Flight Center at John F. Kennedy airport in New York (opened 1962), Dulles International Airport in Virginia (1962) and the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri (1965).
Saarinen had a peerless modernist pedigree. His father, Eliel Saarinen, was an eminent Finnish architect who in 1932 became the first head of the Cranbrook Academy of Art in suburban Detroit. The school became synonymous with progressive design and decorative arts in the United States, and while studying there the younger Saarinen met and befriended several luminaries of mid-century modernism, among them Harry Bertoia and Charles and Ray Eames.
At Cranbrook, Saarinen also met Florence Schust Knoll, who, as director of her husband Hans Knoll's eponymous furniture company, would put Saarinen’s best designs into production. These include the Grasshopper chair, designed in 1946 and so named because its angled bentwood frame resembles the insect; the Tulip chair (1957), a flower-shaped fiberglass shell mounted on a cast-aluminum pedestal; and the lushly contoured Womb lounge chair and ottoman (1948). In his furniture as in his architecture, the keynotes of Eero Saarinen’s designs are simplicity, strength and grace.
Find vintage Eero Saarinen tables, chairs and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Knoll
As a company that produced many of the most famous and iconic furniture designs of the 20th century, Knoll was a chief influence in the rise of modern design in the United States. Led by Florence Knoll, the firm would draw stellar talents such as Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Eero Saarinen into its compass. Their work would help change the face of the American home and office.
The company was formed in 1938 by the German immigrant Hans Knoll. He first worked with his fellow ex-pat, the Danish designer Jens Risom, who created furniture with flowing lines made of wood. While Risom served in World War II, in 1943 Knoll met his future wife, Florence Schust. She had studied and worked with eminent emigré leaders of the Bauhaus, including Mies, Walter Gropius and Marcel Breuer. She won Knoll over with Bauhaus notions of industrial arts, and an aesthetic that featured flat and tubular metal frames and angular forms. When Hans died in a car crash in 1955, Florence Knoll was appointed head of the company. It was as much through her holistic approach to design — a core division of the firm was dedicated to planning office systems — as Knoll's mid-century modern furnishings themselves that she brought about the sleek and efficient transformation of the American workplace.
Today, classic Knoll furnishings remain staples of modern design collections and decor. A history of modern design is written in pieces such as the elegant Barcelona chair — created by Mies and Lilly Reich — Saarinen’s pedestal Tulip chair, Breuer’s tubular steel Wassily lounge chair and the grid-patterned Diamond chair by Harry Bertoia.
As you can see from the collection of these designs and other vintage Knoll dining chairs, sofas and tables on 1stDibs, this manufacturer's offerings have become timeless emblems of the progressive spirit and sleek sophistication of the best of modernism.
- Pamplona Dining Chair by Augusto Savini for Pozzi, Italy, 1965, Set of 6By Pozzi, Augusto SaviniLocated in Melbourne, VICThe Pamplona dining chair by Augusto Savini for Pozzi, Italy, 1965, is a beautiful piece of furniture that blends comfort, sty...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Wood
- Soriana Lounge Chair by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, Italy, 1970'sBy Afra & Tobia Scarpa, CassinaLocated in Melbourne, VICThe Soriana Lounge Chair, a timeless creation by Italian designers Afra and Tobia Scarpa in 1969, is a masterpiece of furniture design. Its signature features include soft, inviting ...Category
20th Century Italian Sofas
MaterialsMetal
- Cubic Chandelier 37 Lights by Gaetano Sciolari, Italy, 1970sBy Gaetano SciolariLocated in Melbourne, VICMid-Century Modern Cubic chandelier designed by Gaetano Sciolari. This pendant consists of 37 rectangular polished chrome cubes with textured lucite shades. The hanging chain can be adjusted to suit, and the original ceiling cap is included. Labelled on inside of ceiling cap - Cubic by Lightolier, Made in Italy. The Cubic light...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsAluminum, Chrome
- Artona Sideboard by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, Italy, 1970sBy Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Melbourne, VICThe Artona sideboard by Afra and Tobia Scarpa, produced by Maxalto in the 1970s, is a classic piece of furniture that exemplifies the elegant simplici...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sideboards
MaterialsLeather, Walnut
- Space Age Lucite and Metal Sculpture Lamp by Gaetano Missaglia, Italy, 1970sBy Gaetano MissagliaLocated in Melbourne, VICThe Italian Space Age acrylic glass sculptural lamp by Gaetano Missaglia, from the 1970s, is a stunning piece of lighting design that captures the es...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Space Age Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal
- Ennio Chiggio 'Environ One' Sofa for Nikol International, Italy, 1970sBy Ennio ChiggioLocated in Melbourne, VICThe Environ One Sofa by Ennio Chiggio for Nikol International, 1970, is a rare vintage piece of furniture that exemplifies the best of Mid-Century Modern desi...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsWool
- Eero Saarinen for Knoll International Tulip ChairsBy Knoll, Eero SaarinenLocated in Dronten, NLClassic Tulip dining chairs designed in 1956 by Eero Saarinen for Knoll International. A defining accomplishment of modern design and a timeless addition to your home—a true Classic....Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsAluminum
- Tulip Dining Chairs by Eero Saarinen for Knoll International, 1970s, Set of 6By Knoll, Eero SaarinenLocated in Lasne, BESet of 6 chairs in fibreglass, aluminium and fabric. The chairs turn on themselves. The original cushions are also in original pink fabric. Seat height 46 cm. Wear due to time and ag...Category
Vintage 1970s Central American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsAluminum
- Tulip Dining Chairs by Eero Saarinen for Knoll International, 1970s, Set of 4By Eero Saarinen, KnollLocated in Lasne, BESet of 4 chairs in fiberglass, aluminium and fabric. Stamped under the legs. Seat height 47cm. Wear due to time and age of the chairs.Category
Vintage 1970s Central American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsAluminum
- Tulip Dining Chairs by Eero Saarinen for Knoll International, 1970s, Set of 6By Eero Saarinen, KnollLocated in Lasne, BESet of 6 chairs in fibreglass, aluminium and orange fabric. Stamped Knoll international under the legs. Seat height 45cm. Wear due to time and age of the chairs.Category
Vintage 1970s Central American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsAluminum
- Tulip Chair by Eero SaarinenBy Knoll, Eero SaarinenLocated in Sagaponack, NYA dining chair with an upholstered seat and white enameled cast iron pedestal base.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsIron
$1,200 / item - 1970s Saarinen Tulip Chairs by Knoll, Set of 4By Eero Saarinen, KnollLocated in Esperance, NY1970s Saarinen Tulip chairs by Knoll, set of 4.Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsPlastic
$1,800 / set