Adrian Pearsall Gondola Sofa Mid-Century Modern
About the Item
- Creator:Adrian Pearsall (Designer),Craft Associates (Manufacturer)
- Design:
- Dimensions:Height: 26 in (66.04 cm)Width: 101.5 in (257.81 cm)Depth: 34 in (86.36 cm)Seat Height: 17.5 in (44.45 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Reupholstered. Wear consistent with age and use. Beautiful newly upholstered, featuring new high-density foam throughout, webbing is tight. Original walnut finish, with minor wear. Construction is strong and sturdy.
- Seller Location:Baltimore, MD
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU5065138032842
Gondola Sofa
One look at the furniture of Adrian Pearsall (1925–2011), and it’s easy to intuit that the American mid-century modern designer had a background in architecture. Although Pearsall did, in fact, earn a degree in architectural engineering from the University of Illinois in 1950, he would leave the architecture field just two years later to found his own furniture company. There, his celebrated work — such as the mid-1950s Gondola sofa — continued to retain a daring structural sensibility that nodded to his early career path.
For his most famous chairs, sofas and coffee tables, Pearsall devised cantilevered frames that mirror the imposing structural beams and silhouettes of skyscrapers. The Gondola sofa is no exception; its form has a decidedly architectural quality and also references Pearsall’s lifelong love of boats. Set on two angled front legs connected to a base band of walnut, the frame has a skeletal feel. But the slanted arms and trapezoidal back — a shape that recalls the flat-bottomed boats of Venice — embrace the sitter, providing a comfortable and even enveloping seat.
Like much of Pearsall’s most famous mid-century modern furniture, the Gondola was produced through Craft Associates, the furniture company he founded in 1952 with the help of his wife, Dorie, and brother, Richard. Early days saw Pearsall crafting furniture in the basement of his Pennsylvania home and selling it out of the back of a truck, but after the introduction of a few knockout pieces — among them the Cloud sofa and the Gondola — Craft Associates grew to be one of Wilkes-Barre’s largest employers and sold furniture to the likes of Macy’s and Wanamaker’s. The designer, who died in 2011, was nominated for inclusion into the American Furniture Hall of Fame in 2008.
Pearsall’s architecture-influenced style made him one of the early figures of Atomic Age design, the Cold War–era aesthetic defined by then-futuristic shapes and geometric patterns based on nuclear particles. The Gondola, with its skeletal base and geometric seat, fits into this camp but also caters to the comfort-centric ethos of the type of modernism emerging in Scandinavia at the time. Elements like the walnut frame and plush seat would become indicative of the Craft Associates style. Later, Pearsall would lean more into this aesthetic when he launched the aptly named Comfort Designs with partner John Graham in the early 1970s.
Although both Craft Associates and Comfort Designs no longer exist, Pearsall’s family continues to license certain designs of his to Restoration Hardware, but many early treasures, the Gondola sofa included, are long out of production.
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Cockeysville, MD
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Mid Century Highback Dining Chairs Attributed to Adrian PearsallBy Adrian PearsallLocated in Baltimore, MDAn outstanding set of six mid century dining chairs attributed to Adrian Pearsall. This stunning set of six highback chairs features high arched backs with two sleek walnut rails cen...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsNaugahyde, Walnut
- Mid Century Blue SofaLocated in Baltimore, MDA very attractive two-seater sofa. Distinctive early mid century modern design shows Danish influence. Features original electric cobalt blue upholstery, two removable zippered seat ...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- Mid-Century Walnut Glass Kidney Shaped Large Coffee Table Adrian Pearsall StyleBy Adrian PearsallLocated in Baltimore, MDExceptional and beautiful large, Mid-Century Modern biomorphic kidney shaped glass cocktail coffee table in the style of Adrian Pearsall, circa 1960's. Rich light walnut wood frames ...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsGlass, Walnut
- Mid-Century Adrian Pearsall Style Dining Side ChairsLocated in Baltimore, MDAn outstanding set of four beautiful midcentury Adrian Pearsall style dining chairs with walnut frames and black upholstery, circa 1960s. Organic and functional aesthetic are showcas...Category
Vintage 1960s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
- Gray Reclining Sofa Mid-Century Scandinavian Ekornes StresslessBy Ekornes StresslessLocated in Baltimore, MDMid-Century Modern, stylish 3 seat Ekornes Stressless reclining sofa manufactured by Ekornes in Norway. This outstanding high back sofa featu...Category
Vintage 1970s Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather, Wood
- Mid Century Curved Sofa Milo Baughman Jack Lenor Larsen StyleBy Milo BaughmanLocated in Baltimore, MDStunning mid-century modern five-piece sectional curved sofa Milo Baughman style, in original Jack Lenor Larsen style upholstery. An exceptional sofa both for its form and quality, i...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery
- Mid Century Modern Adrian Pearsall Gondola SofaBy Adrian PearsallLocated in Tulsa, OK**Please Read Entire Description** Please view all listing pictures on a laptop if possible. Some cell phones don’t display all listing pictures and some could be pictures relating to condition. Please read all the way down through this entire description box to view the entire description of the item. Please keep in mind that these are 40-75 year old items and will have some expected normal wear. We strive to represent our items well, and most of these items are in above average vintage condition. Noticeable flaws will be represented in the listing pictures and the text but we cannot describe or picture every small scratch, ding, or area of slight wear. Once delivered, furniture CANNOT be refused, returned, or refunded unless damage has occurred in the shipping process. Our shipper takes care to wrap each item and pack it safely therefore we have rarely had any issues with damage in transit. All items must be picked up within 3 weeks of order if buyer secures his own shipper. Shipping usually requires 3-6 weeks delivery through our shipping contacts and is only available in the continental US for large furniture items. Some smaller items are available to be shipped internationally through USPS/UPS. * * * Mid Century Modern Adrian Pearsall...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsWalnut
- Mid Century Modern Adrian Pearsall Gondola SofaBy Adrian PearsallLocated in Tulsa, OK**Please Read Entire Description Please view all listing pictures on a laptop if possible. Some cell phones don’t display all listing pictures and some could be pictures relating to condition. Please read all the way down through this entire description box to view the entire description of the item. Please keep in mind that these are 40-75 year old items and will have some expected normal wear. We strive to represent our items well, and most of these items are in above average vintage condition. Noticeable flaws will be represented in the listing pictures and the text but we cannot describe or picture every small scratch, ding, or area of slight wear. Once delivered, furniture CANNOT be refused, returned, or refunded unless damage has occurred in the shipping process. Our shipper takes care to wrap each item and pack it safely therefore we have rarely had any issues with damage in transit. All items must be picked up within 3 weeks of order if buyer secures his own shipper. Shipping usually requires 3-6 weeks delivery through our shipping contacts and is only available in the continental US for large furniture items. Some smaller items are available to be shipped internationally through USPS/UPS. * * * Mid Century Modern Adrian Pearsall...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
- Adrian Pearsall 2000-S Gondola SofaBy Adrian Pearsall, Craft AssociatesLocated in Hanover, MASATURDAY SALE Original Adrian Pearsall gondola sofa by Craft Associates model 2000-S with walnut trim and tapered conical legs. Ready for you to reupholster. It is 29" high. The ar...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsWalnut
- Mid-Century Modern Adrian Pearsall Craft Associates Sculpted Gondola Sofa 2408By Adrian Pearsall, Craft AssociatesLocated in Wilmington, DEOffered is a beautifully restored 'Gondola' sofa (model 2408) designed by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates. Features refinished sculpted wood legs and has been reupholstered with...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
- Mid-Century Modern Adrian Pearsall Craft Associates Sculpted Gondola Sofa 2408By Adrian Pearsall, Craft AssociatesLocated in Wilmington, DEMid-Century Modern Adrian Pearsall Craft Associates sculptural sofa 2408 Offered is a beautifully all original 'Gondola' sofa (model 2408) designed by Adrian Pearsall for Craft A...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
- Adrian Pearsall Mid-Century Modern Walnut Gondola SofaBy Adrian PearsallLocated in North York, ONAdrian Pearsall Mid-Century Modern Walnut Gondola sofa. By iconic mid-century modern designer Adrian Pearsall. Masterfully restored to its original glory with newly refinished walnut...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsMohair, Walnut