Adrian Pearsall Crafts Associates Chrome Lounge Chair
View Similar Items
Adrian Pearsall Crafts Associates Chrome Lounge Chair
About the Item
- Creator:Adrian Pearsall (Designer),Craft Associates (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 26 in (66.04 cm)Width: 31.75 in (80.65 cm)Length: 26 in (66.04 cm)Seat Height: 16 in (40.64 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1970s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Fade to fabric. Very minor oxidation to chrome.
- Seller Location:Fulton, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU5539222074642
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.
- Hollywood Regency High-Back Lounge ChairBy Adrian PearsallLocated in Fulton, CAClassic 1950's Modern Hollywood Regency high-back lounge chair. Designed in the manner of Adrian Pearsall. Reversible seat cushion. Appears to be an older re-upholstery in excellent ...Category
Mid-20th Century American Hollywood Regency Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- Bamboo Swivel Lounge Chair 1970'sLocated in Fulton, CAA 1970's bamboo swivel lounge chair with original removable cushion. Excellent original vintage condition. High-back measures 43 inches. Cl...Category
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBamboo
- Child's Lounge Chair Mid-Century ModernBy Paul McCobbLocated in Fulton, CACharming child's swivel lounge chair made of iron and vinyl, circa 1950s.Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Children's Furniture
MaterialsIron
- Marge Carson Upholstered Lounge ChairsLocated in Fulton, CAFine and comfortable upholstered lounge chairs by Marge Carson. Retaining paper label. Original upholstery with light wear from use.Category
20th Century American Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric
$500 / set - Flat Bar Steel Lounge Chair Manner of Milo BaughmanBy Milo BaughmanLocated in Fulton, CAUnusual flat bar steel lounge chair designed in the manner of Milo Baughman. Fine quality craftsmanship, very sturdy and comfortable chair. Substantial, solid steel frame appears to ...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBrass, Steel
- 1950's Barcelona Style Leather Lounge Chairs by Supreme Industria ArgentinaBy Ludwig Mies van der RoheLocated in Fulton, CAA pair of 1970's era Barcelona style lounge chairs. Supreme Industria Argentina was first original license pre Knoll to exact specifications & dimensions. Fa...Category
Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsChrome
- Adrian Pearsall 'Gondola' Button-Tufted Chairs for Craft AssociatesBy Adrian Pearsall, Craft AssociatesLocated 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
- 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
- Reupholstered Adrian Pearsall Lounge Chair by Craft Associates, 2406By Adrian Pearsall, Craft AssociatesLocated in Medina, OHMid-Century Modern Adrian Pearsall lounge chair by Craft Associates, 2406 reupholstered using Crypton finished off-white boucle fabric, which off...Category
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Walnut
- Adrian Pearsall 2466-C Lounge Chair for Craft Associates, 1960sBy Adrian Pearsall, Craft AssociatesLocated in Los Angeles, CAAdrian Pearsall, Mid Century Walnut Upholstered chair for Craft Associates. Designed and used at the height of th Mid Century, 1960:s the chair not only makes a definitive statement...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsSheepskin, Walnut
- Pair Gondola Club/ Lounge Chairs, Attrib. Adrian Pearsall for Craft AssociatesBy Adrian Pearsall, Craft AssociatesLocated 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