Gondola Sofa by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates
About the Item
- Creator:Adrian Pearsall (Designer),Craft Associates (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 29 in (73.66 cm)Width: 102 in (259.08 cm)Depth: 36 in (91.44 cm)Seat Height: 18 in (45.72 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1960s
- Condition:Reupholstered. Refinished. Wear consistent with age and use. Frame has been professionally refinished. Sofa has been restored with new webbing, foam and upholstery. Upholstered in a Knoll textile designed by Nick Cave called Puff in Cloud.
- Seller Location:Palm Springs, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU898538650552
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: Palm Springs, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- Knoll Associates Couch, Park Avenue, New York, Made in ItalyBy Florence Knoll, KnollLocated in Palm Springs, CAKnoll Associates sofa on steel frame. Sofa has been restored with new webbing, foam and upholstery. Label located on the left hand side of sofa. Label is Knoll Associates, 320 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10022. Made in Italy. Upholstered in Knoll textile called Infinite in Sugar (Infinite is a highly usable upholstery and wrapped panel fabric showing continuous circles defined by a fine black outline...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsSteel
- Florence Knoll Leather Bench, Knoll Associates Inc.By Florence Knoll, KnollLocated in Palm Springs, CAFlorence Knoll bench with early label Knoll Associates, Inc. Madison Ave, NY. We had the bench redone in brown leather. Bench measures 80" wide, 20" deep and 17.5" high. The bench...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Benches
MaterialsSteel
- Congo Settee by Theo Ruth for ArtifortBy Artifort, Theo RuthLocated in Palm Springs, CACongo settee by Theo Ruth for Artifort. Settee measures 57" wide, 27" deep and 28" high. Seat height is 15". Settee base has been professionally refinished and reupholstered.Category
Vintage 1950s Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- Vessel by Stan Bitters for Hans SumpfBy Stan Bitters, Hans SumpfLocated in Palm Springs, CAStan Bitters planter with incised floral motif on both sides. This vessel was designed by one of California's great ceramicist's and manufactured by Hans Sumpf.Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
MaterialsCeramic
- Ceramic Lamp by Alvino Bagni for RaymorBy Alvino BagniLocated in Palm Springs, CACeramic table lamp designed by Alvino Bagni and distributed by Raymor. Lamp contains label on base before rewiring. Lamp has been professionally rewired with hi quality brass hardwar...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- Pair of Greenwich Flint Craft VasesLocated in Palm Springs, CAPair of Greenwich Flint Craft vases. Each vase measures 20.5" high and about 3.5" diameter. One vase contains label (Greenwich Flint Craft).Category
Vintage 1960s American Vases
MaterialsBlown Glass
- Vintage Walnut "Gondola" Sofa by Adrian Pearsall for Craft AssociatesBy Adrian Pearsall, Craft AssociatesLocated in North Hollywood, CAWonderful vintage walnut “Gondola” sofa designed by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates in United States, circa 1960s. This modernist sofa, also known as model-2000, is composed of ...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Walnut
- Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Gondola SofaBy Adrian PearsallLocated in Middlesex, NJAdrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Gondola sofa.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Walnut
- Adrian Pearsall Green Gondola Sofa for Craft Associates, USA, 1960sBy Adrian Pearsall, Craft AssociatesLocated in Berlin, DEAdrian Pearsall 'Gondola" Sofa for Craft Associates. The Gondola sofa stands out due to its innovative design and unique shape including the sculpted wooden legs and frame. We offer ...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood
- Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Mid Century Walnut Gondola SofaBy Adrian Pearsall, Craft AssociatesLocated in Countryside, ILAdrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Mid Century Walnut Gondola Sofa This sofa measures: 102 wide x 33 deep x 28.5 inches high, with a seat height of 17 and arm height of 20.5 inche...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
- Expertly Restored Adrian Pearsall Armless Gondola Sofa for Craft AssociatesBy Adrian Pearsall, Craft AssociatesLocated in Medina, OHThe epitome of mid-century modern design is the Armless Gondola designed by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates in the 1960s. This specific unit has been expertly restored by Cople...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsBouclé, Cotton, Foam, Walnut
- Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates 2000 S Mid Century Walnut Gondola SofaBy Adrian Pearsall, Craft AssociatesLocated in Countryside, ILAdrian Pearsall for Craft Associates 2000-S Mid Century Walnut Gondola Sofa This sofa measures: 110 wide x 32 deep x 30 inches high, with a seat height of 18 and arm height of 20.5 ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut