Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Brutalist High Back Side Chair, Late 1960s
About the Item
- Creator:Adrian Pearsall (Designer),Craft Associates (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 47 in (119.38 cm)Width: 19.25 in (48.9 cm)Depth: 21.5 in (54.61 cm)Seat Height: 18.25 in (46.36 cm)
- Style:Brutalist (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Late 1960s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. In very good vintage condition. Base: On back is short crack in the resin showing wood underneath, caused by manufacturing or materials defect. Brown spots are uncolored resin, not holes. Seat: Back w/ two minuscule dots; one short, very faint dent.
- Seller Location:San Francisco, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU955034778092
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: San Francisco, CA
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Ingmar Relling for Westnofa High-Back Sculptural Teak Rocking Chair, 1960sBy Ingmar Relling, Westnofa FurnitureLocated in San Francisco, CAA 1960s Scandinavian Modern high-back teak rocking chair with original upholstery by Ingmar Relling for Westnofa of Norway. Sculptural hand-crafted solid teak frame with a stained f...Category
Vintage 1960s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Rocking Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Foam, Beech, Teak
- Vintage 1940s George Nelson Side Chair for Herman Miller Model 4671By Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in San Francisco, CAOffered here is a vintage George Nelson side chair For Herman Miller it's a Model 4671, first designed in 1948.Category
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Nessel Side Chair by Geiger International part of Herman MillerBy Herman Miller, Geiger International, Vincent Van DuysenLocated in San Francisco, CAOffered here is a circa 2016 "Nessel" armless side chair, designed by Vincent Van Duysen, for Geiger International. Geiger is part of the Herman Miller family. Walnut frame, with ...Category
2010s American Modern Side Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Walnut
- Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen Designed FD130 Lounger for France & SonsBy France & Søn, Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, Peter HvidtLocated in San Francisco, CAA Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen designed FD130 lounger for France & Sons Sculptural Teak lounger with a sled style base, arms reach out like ski ju...Category
Vintage 1950s Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Pair 19th Century Chinese Elm Wood Horseshoe Chairs Qing DynastyLocated in San Francisco, CAPair 19th century Chinese Elm wood horseshoe style chairs from the Qing Dynasty era. Horseshoe back and into arms, carved design on the center of their ba...Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Export Furniture
MaterialsElm
- Emaús Brutalist Brass and Bronze Sun Face Sculpture on Stand, Signed, 1960sBy EmausLocated in San Francisco, CAAn enchanting 1960s Brutalist brass and bronze sun face sculpture on wood stand handcrafted by the Benedictine monks of Emaús, their workshop in San...Category
Vintage 1960s Mexican Brutalist Abstract Sculptures
MaterialsBrass, Bronze
- Midcentury Brutalist High Back Chairs by Adrian PearsallBy Adrian PearsallLocated in Brooklyn, NYSet of 4, impressive, midcentury, brutalist dining or side chairs by Adrian Pearsall feature lipstick red velvet, contoured, high back seats with thick, black and bronze tone, resin ...Category
Mid-20th Century American Brutalist Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsVelvet, Resin, Wood
- 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 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
- Adrian Pearsall Craft Associates Slim Jim High-Back Lounge ChairBy Adrian Pearsall, Craft AssociatesLocated in West Hartford, CTElegant, rare, coveted Pearsall Slim Jim chair. It's height, at 55", sets this chair apart from the crowd. Iconic Pearsall design throughout. I...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Textile, Walnut
- Adrian Pearsall Mid-Century Modern Brutalist High Back Chairs, PairBy Adrian PearsallLocated in South Bend, INA rare and outstanding pair of Mid-Century Modern Brutalist high back side chairs or dining chairs By Adrian Pearsall USA, 1960s Textured bronze-gilded resin bases, with gray moha...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
MaterialsMohair, Resin
- Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Lounge Chair and Ottoman, circa 1960sBy Adrian Pearsall, Craft AssociatesLocated in Peabody, MAA model 2406 lounge chair with ottoman by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates circa 1960s. Chair measures 31" wide x 32.5" deep x 30" high, 19" seat height. Ottoman measures 25.5"...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut