Pair of Swivel Club Chairs by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates
View Similar Items
Pair of Swivel Club Chairs by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates
About the Item
- Creator:Adrian Pearsall (Designer),Craft Associates (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 26 in (66.04 cm)Width: 33 in (83.82 cm)Depth: 33 in (83.82 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1960s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor fading. age appropriate wear, some scuffs/wear, seats worn.
- Seller Location:Brooklyn, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: 13718-7444JR1stDibs: LU92189049473
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 Adrian Pearsall Style Lounge ChairsBy Adrian Pearsall, Craft AssociatesLocated in Brooklyn, NYThis stylish pair of sculptural lounge chairs in the style of Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates features unique walnut bases and comfortable upholstered seats. The impressive visu...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
$2,940 Sale Price / set26% Off - Brutalist Stone Top Table by Adrian Pearsall for Craft AssociatesBy Adrian Pearsall, Craft AssociatesLocated in Brooklyn, NYAdd a touch of brutality to any space with this charming side table by Adrian Pearsall for his Craft Associates brand of Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania. Featuring a stark solid rosewood ...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsStone, Slate
- Adrian Pearsall 1611-C Wingback ChairBy Adrian Pearsall, Craft AssociatesLocated in Brooklyn, NYIconic mid-century modern tall back lounge chair with "wing" arms. Designed by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates in the mid 60s. Please confirm location NY or NJCategory
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Walnut
- Mid-Century Vintage Adrian Pearsall Sofa by Craft AssociatesBy Adrian Pearsall, Craft AssociatesLocated in Brooklyn, NYDon’t miss out on this highly unusual and intriguing sofa from the portfolio of American mid-century design master Adrian Pearsall. Manufactured for his Craft Associates brand of Wil...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
- Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Faux FireplaceBy Adrian PearsallLocated in Brooklyn, NYFaux fireplace by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates features a foam-like material, and electric logs that light up. Please confirm item location ...Category
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Fireplaces and Mantels
MaterialsFoam
$2,240 Sale Price30% Off - Stylish Modern Swivel Lounge Chair after Adrian PearsallBy Adrian PearsallLocated in Brooklyn, NYThis unique disc style lounge chair after Adrian Pearsall features contemporary modern style, suede-like upholstery, and stylish design. Please confirm item location (NY or NJ).Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery
$1,400 Sale Price / set30% Off
- Adrian Pearsall 'Gondola' Button-Tufted Chairs for Craft AssociatesBy Craft Associates, Adrian PearsallLocated in Dallas, TXDistinctive 'Gondola' chairs exceptionally well designed by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates in the United States circa 1960s. Known for his daring designs which brought high sty...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood
- Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Walnut Base Swivel Lounge ChairBy Adrian PearsallLocated in Los Angeles, CAAll original magnificent mid-century Adrian Pearsall swivel lounge chair with in blue velvet. The chairs features a swivel rocker ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs
MaterialsVelvet
- Pair of Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Lounge ChairsBy Adrian PearsallLocated in Pasadena, TXA pair of lounge chairs designed by Adrian Pearsall and made by Craft Associates. New black leather upholstery with Pearsall's signature walnut sculptural bases.Category
Vintage 1950s American Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Walnut
$3,120 Sale Price / set20% Off - Pair Gondola Club/ Lounge Chairs, Attrib. Adrian Pearsall for Craft AssociatesBy Craft Associates, Adrian PearsallLocated in West Palm Beach, FLPair of Gondola Club/ Lounge Chairs, Attributed to Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Unmarked, Attributed to Adrian Pearsall (1925-2011) USA, Circa 1960s A striking pair of gondola club/lounge chairs, attributed to the renowned designer Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates. Made in the USA during the 1960s, these chairs exude 1960s mod elegance. Each chair boasts luxurious, sculptural proportions, standing tall at 44 inches high x 34-inches wide x 34-inches deep, with a seat height embodying the sleek 1960s low-profile aesthetic at 16 inches. These chairs offer unparalleled comfort, featuring an iconic gondola design characterized by a wood headrest atop a high tufted button backrest and a flared seat, reminiscent of the stylized gondola form synonymous with Adrian Pearsall's distinguished works. The gracefully carved biomorphic chair...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood
- Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Midcentury Walnut Swivel ChairBy Craft Associates, Adrian PearsallLocated in Countryside, ILAdrian Pearsall for Craft Associates midcentury walnut swivel chair. This chair measures: 25.25 wide x 25.75 deep x 31.5 high, with ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Lounge ChairBy Craft Associates, Adrian PearsallLocated 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