Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Lounge Chair in Brazilian Cowhide
View Similar Items
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Lounge Chair in Brazilian Cowhide
About the Item
- Creator:Adrian Pearsall (Designer),Craft Associates (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 26.5 in (67.31 cm)Width: 34 in (86.36 cm)Depth: 30 in (76.2 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:Mid-20th Century
- Condition:Beautiful!!
- Seller Location:SAINT LOUIS, MO
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1701211347783
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.
- Verner Panton Fiberglass Lounge Chairs in Brazilian Cowhide and Leather, PairBy Horlacher, Verner PantonLocated in SAINT LOUIS, MOWow. These chairs are extremely cool. A rare pair of Verner Panton lounges. Panton was passionate about the shapes you could make with plastic and creating futuristic forms. No doubt...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsCowhide, Leather, Fiberglass
- Hvidt and Mølgaard-Nielsen FD-130 Teak Chair and Ottoman in CowhideBy Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, Peter HvidtLocated in SAINT LOUIS, MOHvidt & Mølgaard was a Copenhagen-based, Danish design and architectural firm which existed from 1944 until 2009. Founded by Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, the company was a ...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsCowhide, Teak
- Founders Lucite Slab Lounge Chair in Stevie Howell "Brambles"By Founders Furniture CompanyLocated in SAINT LOUIS, MOOne-of-a-kind Founders Lucite Slab Lounge Chair in collaboration with Stevie Howell Studio. Stevie Howell is an LA-based painter, printmaker, and designe...Category
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsCowhide, Linen, Lucite
- Vintage Adrian Pearsall Wave Chaise Lounge in Cashmere and LeatherLocated in SAINT LOUIS, MOThis is an original Adrian Pearsall wave chaise lounge. Adrian Pearsall began his career as an architect but dabbled in furniture de...Category
Mid-20th Century American Chaise Longues
MaterialsLeather
- Augusto Bozzi Lounge Chairs in Inata Alpaca Fabric, pairBy Augusto BozziLocated in SAINT LOUIS, MOAugusto Bozzi was an Italian furniture designer, working closely with manufacturer, Saporiti. These amazing lounge chairs have a such a cool winged shape. They have been masterfully ...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBrass, Iron
- Eames 670 Lounge Chair & 671 Ottoman in Beata Heuman Linen CottonBy Charles and Ray EamesLocated in SAINT LOUIS, MOThis classic Eames Lounge and Ottoman expertly restored in Beata Heuman's 'Willow' fabric. We love the juxtaposition of this mid-century icon and the more traditional toile. The set is from the early 1970s in rosewood. Labels on underside. "The Eames Lounge Chair...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsAluminum
- Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Lounge ChairBy Adrian Pearsall, Craft AssociatesLocated 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
- Adrian Pearsall Craft Associates Lounge ChairBy Adrian Pearsall, Craft AssociatesLocated in Chicago, ILOne of the more desirable forms for Pearsall. Carved sculptural wood mounted on front facade. Nice extreme proportions with Boxy Form. Some water damage on front wood. I think bes...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery
- SOLD 03/28/24Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Midcentury Walnut Lounge ChairBy Adrian Pearsall, Craft AssociatesLocated in Countryside, ILAdrian Pearsall for craft associates midcentury walnut lounge chair This chair measures: 31 wide x 24 deep x 47 hig...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
- Adrian Pearsall Leather & Tweed Lounge Chair for Craft AssociatesBy Adrian Pearsall, Craft AssociatesLocated in Los Angeles, CAAdrian Pearsall Leather & Tweed Lounge Chair for Craft Associates.Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Fabric, Foam, Wood, Walnut
- Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Lounge ChairsBy Adrian PearsallLocated in Middlesex, NJAdrian Pearsall for Craft Associates lounge chairs.Category
20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
- Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Lounge ChairsBy Adrian PearsallLocated in Brooklyn, NYThis pair of low slung Adrian Pearsall lounge chairs are a part of his partnership with Craft Associates. In 1952, Adrian Pearsall and his brother founded a furniture business in Wil...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsWool, Wood