Adrian Pearsall 'Platform Gondola' Sofa in Walnut and Red Upholstery
About the Item
- Creator:Adrian Pearsall (Designer)
- Design:
- Dimensions:Height: 28.75 in (73 cm)Width: 144.49 in (367 cm)Depth: 31.5 in (80 cm)Seat Height: 16.93 in (43 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Every item Morentz offers is checked by our team of 30 craftspeople in our in-house workshop. Special restoration or reupholstery requests can be done. Check ‘About the item’ or ask our design specialists for detailed information on the condition.
- Seller Location:Waalwijk, NL
- Reference Number:
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.
Established in 2006, Morentz has a team of approximately 55 restorers, upholsterers, interior advisers and art historians, making it a gallery, workshop and upholstery studio, all in one. Every day, a carefully selected array of 20th-century furniture arrives from all over the world at the firm’s warehouse, where the team thoroughly examines each piece to determine what, if any, work needs to be done. Whether that means new upholstery or a complete restoration, Morentz's aim is always to honor the designer’s intention while fulfilling the wishes of the client. The team is up to any challenge, from restoring a single piece to its original glory to furnishing a large-scale hotel project.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Waalwijk, Netherlands
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 10 days of delivery.
- Adrian Pearsall Platform Sofa in Walnut and Green UpholsteryBy Adrian PearsallLocated in Waalwijk, NLAdrian Pearsall, 'Platform' sofa, fabric, walnut, United States, 1960s Adrian Pearsall is known for his rather unique sofa designs. This one is no exception. On a low base of a thic...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Walnut
- Adrian Pearsall Platform Sofa in Walnut and Pastel Pink UpholsteryBy Adrian PearsallLocated in Waalwijk, NLAdrian Pearsall, 'Platform' sofa with two drawers, fabric, walnut, United States, 1960s Adrian Pearsall is known for his rather unique sofa designs. The present model is no exceptio...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Walnut
- Adrian Pearsall '1709S' Platform Sofa in Walnut and Black LeatherBy Adrian PearsallLocated in Waalwijk, NLAdrian Pearsall, 'Platform' sofa with two drawers, model 1709-S, leather upholstery, walnut, United States, 1960s Adrian Pearsall is known for his rather unique sofa designs. The '1...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather, Walnut
- Adrian Pearsall Sofa in Walnut and Rose LeatheretteBy Adrian PearsallLocated in Waalwijk, NLAdrian Pearsall, sofa, walnut, leatherette, United States, 1960s Beautiful sofa created by the American designer Adrien Pearsall. The sofa has a uniqu...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsWalnut, Faux Leather
- Adrian Pearsall Sofa in Ocher Yellow Striped UpholsteryBy Adrian PearsallLocated in Waalwijk, NLAdrian Pearsall, sofa, American walnut, fabric, United States, 1960s. This beautifully shaped sofa designed by Adrian Pearsall is characterized by a solid construction, featuring cl...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Walnut
- Adrian Pearsall Sofa in Checkered Upholstery with Side TablesBy Adrian PearsallLocated in Waalwijk, NLAdrian Pearsall, sofa with side tables, in checkered upholstery and walnut, United States, 1960s This sofa has a unique shape with sinuous lines which create a monumental and inviti...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Walnut
- Adrian Pearsall Gondola Sofa, Adrian PearsallBy Adrian PearsallLocated in Raleigh, NCA stunning gondola form sofa from Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates. Newly upholstered in an ivory velvet with restored walnut base. A striking form and sculptural silhouette to th...Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
- Adrian Pearsall Mid Century Walnut Gondola SofaBy Adrian PearsallLocated in Countryside, ILAdrian Pearsall Mid Century Walnut Gondola Sofa The sofa measures: 103 wide x 33 deep x 27 high, with a seat height of 16 inches ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
- Adrian Pearsall Style Midcentury Walnut Gondola SofaBy Adrian PearsallLocated in Countryside, ILAdrian Pearsall Style midcentury walnut gondola sofa This sofa measures: 101 wide x 33 deep x 27 inches high, with a seat height of 17 and arm height of 21.5 inches All pieces ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
- Adrian Pearsall Mid-Century Walnut Frame Stamps Theme Upholstery Gondola SofaBy Adrian PearsallLocated in Rockaway, NJAdrian Pearsall Mid-Century Modern walnut frame stamps theme blue upholstery gondola sofa.Category
20th Century 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
- Adrian Pearsall Platform SofaBy Adrian PearsallLocated in North Hollywood, CAAmazing patched burlwood platform base sofa. The base has been refinished and the sofa has been reupholstered. No damages or stains on anything. Very comfortable and cool looking wi...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsWood
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
You Don’t Need a Fictional Fairy to Get This Real Pinocchio Lamp
Warm chalet style meets cool Bauhaus functionality in Pietro Cascella’s cleverly carved creation.
Morentz Writes the Next Chapter for Furniture with a Storied Past
Dutch dealer Matthijs Hoveijn specializes in the best of mid-century modern design, selling it to discerning clients around the world.