Adrian Pearsall Sculptural Lounge Chair
View Similar Items
Adrian Pearsall Sculptural Lounge Chair
About the Item
- Creator:Craft Associates (Maker),Adrian Pearsall (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 39 in (99.06 cm)Width: 38 in (96.52 cm)Depth: 30 in (76.2 cm)Seat Height: 14.5 in (36.83 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Newly restored.
- Seller Location:Highland, IN
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU90917847893
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 Model 2466C Lounge Chair and OttomanBy Adrian Pearsall, Craft AssociatesLocated 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
- Sculptural Swivel Lounge Chairs by PreviewBy PreviewLocated in Highland, INThese comfortable and handsome barrel club chairs have a sculptural quality that is very similar to the designs of Vladimir Kagan. They sit on swivel bases with automatic return. We...Category
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery
$6,000 / set - Paul McCobb "Tub" Lounge ChairBy Paul McCobbLocated in Highland, INThis uncommon design by Paul McCobb is classic mid-century modern design. With it's clean lines and splayed tapered legs, it is stylish but unpretentious. A generous seat makes it ve...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood
- Milo Baughman Style Lounge ChairBy Milo BaughmanLocated in Highland, INThis tuxedo lounge chair with an external chrome frame was purchased en suite with a large Baughman semi-circular sofa and it shares qualities with Baughman's ovure. However, despite...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- Rattan Framed Lounge ChairsLocated in Highland, INThis pair of tropical club chairs from the late 40s/ early 50s have external arms which frame the upholstered bodies in natural rattan and add a c...Category
Vintage 1950s American Organic Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Rattan
- McGuire A-1 Rattan Lounge ChairBy John and Elinor McGuire, McGuireLocated in Highland, INThis important early design by Elinor McGuire dates from the 1950s. It's from their "Style 1" series, and was offered as this model A-1 lounge chair, and also a two or three seat sof...Category
Vintage 1960s American Organic Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Upholstery, Rattan
- Adrian Pearsall Lounge ChairBy Adrian Pearsall, Craft AssociatesLocated 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
- Adrian Pearsall Sculptural Mom & Pop Lounge Chairs in Ivory Bouclé, c. 1960sBy Craft Associates, Adrian PearsallLocated in Saint Louis, MOSculptural pair of Mid-Century Modern Adrian Pearsall Mom & Pop lounge chairs newly reupholstered in highly durable soft ivory white bouclé fabric circa 1960. High art design that's welcoming and beckons you to come closer for a better look, followed by the urge to run your hands over the enticing super soft curly bouclé fabric. Yum. Let's cozy up in style. The fabric is textured and breathable. Works great in both warm and cool climates. Sculptural designer furniture that immediately elevates a space's decor with a high art look. Pop Chair features a tall seat back and suspended head cushion. The head cushion cleverly hangs over the top of the seat back and is kept in place by two weighted upholstered tassels that drape. The design makes it simple to adjust the head cushion to your desired just right position. Tufted chubby lumbar cushion. Comfortable seat and curved lower chair front for tucking your feet. Mom chair...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBouclé, Upholstery
- Gorgeous Adrian Pearsall Sculptural Walnut Lounge ChairBy Adrian PearsallLocated in Pemberton, NJGorgeous completely restored Adrian Pearsall sculptural walnut lounge chair. This piece has been reupholstered in a fabulous high end woven fabric called "sunset." The wood has been ...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
- 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
- Pair of Adrian Pearsall Gondola Lounge ChairsBy Craft Associates, Adrian PearsallLocated in Houston, TXPair Of Adrian Pearsall Gondola Lounge Chairs. This iconic pair of sculptural gondola lounge chairs, scoop chairs or wing chairs have a floating design and have been professionally u...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMohair, Walnut
$10,850 / set - Pair Mid-Century Modern Sculptural High Back Lounge Chairs by Adrian PearsallBy Adrian Pearsall, Craft AssociatesLocated in Philadelphia, PAA dramatic vintage pair of tall back lounge chairs designed by Adrian Pearsall and produced by Craft Associates in the 1960's. These feature a sol...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Walnut