Adrian Pearsall Chair & Ottoman
View Similar Items
Adrian Pearsall Chair & Ottoman
About the Item
- Creator:Adrian Pearsall (Designer),Craft Associates (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 28 in (71.12 cm)Diameter: 37 in (93.98 cm)Seat Height: 14.5 in (36.83 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s/1970s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Fabric Cleaning Recommended.
- Seller Location:Brooklyn, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: 7348-04433R/F1stDibs: U1209089218290
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.
- 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
- 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 - Adrian Pearsall Lounge Chair 1806-CBy Adrian PearsallLocated in Brooklyn, NYAdrian Pearsall chair #1806-C for Craft Associates with sculpted wood armrests and legs. Comfortable chair for home or business seating. Please confirm item location (NY or NJ) with ...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
$1,050 Sale Price27% Off - Vintage Modern Adrian Pearsall Style Lounge ChairBy Adrian PearsallLocated in Brooklyn, NYThis unique vintage lounge chair features a high sculpted back, unique walnut trim, and vintage striped fabric. Sled style legs add to the Mid-Century Modern appeal of this Adrian Pearsall style chair...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
$1,680 Sale Price30% Off - Adrian Pearsall Style High Back Lounge ChairBy Adrian PearsallLocated in Brooklyn, NYBeautiful vintage modern lounge chair features walnut trim around the sculpted backrest and base. Sleek design with unique winged arm rests, walnut legs, and elegant royal blue uphol...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
$1,400 Sale Price43% Off - Mid-Century Prestige Lounge Chair after Adrian PearsallBy Adrian PearsallLocated in Brooklyn, NYThis Mid-Century lounge chair makes a comfortable and stylish addition to any interior, combining vintage fabric with shapely seat design. Unique tapered legs in the style of Adrian ...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Upholstery, Walnut
$1,050 Sale Price30% Off
- Adrian Pearsall Model 2466C Lounge Chair and OttomanBy Craft Associates, Adrian PearsallLocated in Highland, INAdrian Pearsall was very prolific with his design output for his company Craft Associates. Some of his designs are perfectly nice, while others hot a high-water mark in his oveur. We...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
- Adrian Pearsall Lounge ChairBy Craft Associates, Adrian PearsallLocated in Brooklyn, NYDiscover the fusion of classic design and modern comfort with our Adrian Pearsall Lounge Chair for Craft Associates. This iconic piece, now...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Walnut
- Pair of Adrian Pearsall Havana Lounge Chairs and Ottoman, 1965By Craft Associates, Adrian PearsallLocated in Hamburg, PAA vintage pair of Adrian Pearsall Havana chairs with ottoman for Craft Associates, 1965. The fabric is vintage with age-appropriate wear. New upholstery is recommended. The classic H...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
- Pair of Slim Jim Chairs and Ottomans by Adrian PearsallBy Adrian Pearsall, Craft AssociatesLocated in Houston, TXThe allure of the "Slim Jim" high-back chairs and matching ottomans by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates lies not only in their rarity but also in their timeless design. Crafted i...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Velvet, Walnut
- Adrian Pearsall "Havana" Round Lounge Chair and Ottoman, Classic Mid CenturyBy Adrian Pearsall, Craft AssociatesLocated in Buffalo, NYAdrian Pearsall / Craft Associates, "Havana" round lounge chair and ottoman, Classic Mid-Century Modern design, recently reupholstered stunning red sculpted fabric, dramatic addition...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates MCM Walnut Wingback Chair and OttomanBy Craft Associates, Adrian PearsallLocated in Countryside, ILAdrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Mid Century Walnut Wingback Chair and Ottoman The chair measures: 33.75 wide x 31 deep x 43 high, with a seat height of 18 inches and arm height...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut