Adrian Pearsall designed some of the most exuberant and expressive American chairs, sofas and other 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 had a gift for tables, too, 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, Pearsall had flair, and his work adds an attention-getting, sculptural exclamation point to any décor.
Find vintage Adrian Pearsall sofas, armchairs, coffee tables and other furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Adrian Pearsall Armless Sofa
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Napa, CA
This well taken care of armless sofa by American furniture designer, Adrian Pearsall will surely make your space that much more unique! This armless sof...
Fabric, Walnut
Large Adrian Pearsall Platform Sofa
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Dallas, TX
The story is that this sofa was purchased by Elvis Presley for a friend who lived in Dallas in the 1960s. He had an identical sofa in his home. Original upholstery was bright pink ve...
Upholstery, Walnut
Boomerang Sofa by Adrian Pearsall
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Lyndhurst, NJ
A rare "boomerang" sofa having a recently polished frame supporting a freshly upholstered back and seat done in a grey boucle fabric.
Bouclé, Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
Adrian Pearsall Mid Century Cloud Sofa
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Adrian Pearsall mid century cloud sofa Sofa measures: 124 wide x 72 deep x 31.5 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in wh...
Upholstery, Wood
Adrian Pearsall 'Cloud' Sofa in Walnut
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Adrian Pearsall, 'Cloud' sofa, walnut, fabric, United States, 1950s Adrian Pearsall's "Cloud" sofa, crafted in the 1950s in the United States, is a stunning example of mid-century m...
Fabric, Walnut
Adrian Pearsall Gondola Green Print Sofa
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in New York, NY
Model 2408-S, or the Gondola sofa, for Craft Associates. Original mid-century printed green velvet wool. Walnut base. One main settee cushion with t...
Fabric, Walnut
Vintage Adrian Pearsall Kidney Shaped Sofa
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This vintage kidney-shaped sofa by Adrian Pearsall is a masterclass in form and flow. With its sweeping curves and floating profile, the design feels as fresh today as it did when it...
Fabric
Mid-Century ‘Gondola’ Sofa by Adrian Pearsall
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in Raleigh, NC
Mid-century ‘Gondola’ sofa by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates, circa 1960s. Iconic mid-century design with walnut accents. Long profile sofa sitting atop sculpted walnut legs. ...
Fabric, Velvet, Foam, Wood, Walnut
Mid-Century Cloud Sofa by Adrian Pearsall
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Raleigh, NC
Mid-century Cloud sofa designed by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates, circa 1960s. This design by Pearsall is low profile and features a gently curved silhouette. Long and extreme...
Fabric, Bouclé, Foam, Wood, Walnut
Adrian Pearsall 'Cloud' Sofa in Illustrative Fabric
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Adrian Pearsall for Crafts Associations, cloud sofa, fabric, walnut, United States, 1960s The Cloud sofa by Adrian Pearsall features a long, asymmetrical seat defined by sinuous, sc...
Fabric, Wood
Adrian Pearsall Havana Lounge Chair & Ottoman for Craft Associates
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
The Havana set, designed by Adrian Pearsall, consists of a chair and matching ottoman, displaying a cohesive design characterized by rounded, organic forms. The chair features a barr...
Upholstery, Walnut
19th Century Important Canadian Sofa
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This gorgeous sofa was made in Quebec, circa 1860 and done in the French Louis XVl style. The wood frame is handcrafted from tiger maple and it features iconic Canadian motifs such as the beaver...
Pair of Erik Worts for Niels Eilersen Danish "Safari' Chairs in Brown Leather
By Niels Eilersen
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This pair of lounge chairs were designed by Erik Worts and made by Niels Eilersen of Denmark in approximately 1960 in the period Mid-Century Modern style. The frames of the chairs ar...
Brass
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Styled Venini Art Glass Kukinto Vases by Sarpeneva
By Arthur Elrod Venini
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This pair of art glass Kukinto vases were designed by Timo Sarpeneva for Venini. The set is composed of one extremely large vase with multicolore...
Art Glass
Four Sergio Rossi 'Seaform' Art Glass Vase's for Murano
By Sergio Rossi
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Four Sergio Rossi 'Seaform' vase's for Murano. Measurements: Purple vase: 19" wide x 9.75" high. Other three vases: 20" wide x 10.5" high.
Art Glass
Thomas Sherlock Hodgson Painting
By Thomas Sherlock Hodgson
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Thomas (Tom) Hodson (Canadian 1924-2006) Oil on Board Born in Toronto Ontario, Thomas Sherlock Hodgson grew up on Toronto's Centre Island and attended art classes that were organized by Group of Seven member Arthur Lismer at what was then known as the Art Gallery of Toronto, now the Art Gallery of Ontario. He was a successful painter and commercial artist in his lifetime, as well as a teacher and enthusiastic member of the Toronto group “Painters Eleven”. He worked in oil, acrylic, watercolour, gouache, silkscreen, charcoal and mixed media. His subject matters were non-objective abstracts, landscapes, nudes, figures and portraits. His styles were abstract expressionism, lyrical abstraction, realism and pop art. Today it is his abstract expressionism that continues to attract. Hodgson taught at the Ontario College of Art from 1968 to 1972 and began painting full time in 1976. He has traveled with his paintbrush throughout Europe and to Australia. During WWII he served 2 years overseas with the Royal Canadian Air Force. As a member of the Canadian Olympic...
