Original Unrestored Adrian Pearsall Boomerang Sofa by Craft Associates
View Similar Items
Original Unrestored Adrian Pearsall Boomerang Sofa by Craft Associates
About the Item
- Creator:Adrian Pearsall (Designer),Craft Associates (Maker)
- Design:
- Dimensions:Height: 28 in (71.12 cm)Width: 127 in (322.58 cm)Depth: 66.5 in (168.91 cm)Seat Height: 14 in (35.56 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. couch needs new webbing, foam and fabric.
- Seller Location:Chattanooga, TN
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2255330072332
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.
- Adrian Pearsall Cloud Sofa for Craft Associates Fully RestoredBy Adrian Pearsall, Craft AssociatesLocated in Chattanooga, TNFULLY restored. A true jaw-dropper from every angle. The new faux leopard fur fabric contrasts perfectly with the old-growth walnut and black lacquer trim. Ultra soft to the touch...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsWalnut, Upholstery
- Gold Goop Brutalist Loveseat Sofa by Adrian Pearsall for Craft AssociatesBy Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall, Paul EvansLocated in Chattanooga, TNYou won't find a nicer original version of this Adrian Pearsall Brutalist loveseat sofa anywhere. That's right, this magnificent pink wool fabric was hand picked by the original own...Category
Vintage 1970s American Brutalist Loveseats
MaterialsResin, Wood
- Restored Gold Brutalist Credenza by Adrian Pearsall for Craft AssociatesBy Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates, Paul EvansLocated in Chattanooga, TNYou won't find a nicer version of this Adrian Pearsall Brutalist Credenza anywhere. The FMV restoration team covets this unique line and labors with love by techniques perfected ove...Category
Vintage 1970s American Brutalist Credenzas
MaterialsResin, Wood
- Restored Adrian Pearsall For Craft Associates 2056-C Highback Lounge ChairBy Adrian Pearsall, Craft AssociatesLocated in Chattanooga, TNThere's an unmistakable sinister look this Mid-century modern Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates 2056-C lounge chair. The tufted, tapered high back profile evokes a regal sophisti...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
- Brutalist Etagere Smoked Glass Display by Adrian Pearsall for Craft AssociatesBy Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall, Paul EvansLocated in Chattanooga, TNDid you ever wonder where Ridley Scott displayed his glass unicorns? Well, wonder no more. This sinister etagere is not only hard to find, but we promi...Category
Vintage 1970s American Brutalist Shelves
MaterialsResin, Wood
- Brutalist "Disc" Hanging Dry Bar by Adrian Pearsall for Craft AssociatesBy Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates, Paul EvansLocated in Chattanooga, TNDid you ever wonder where Darth Vader stored his high-end Scotch before his Death Star was destroyed? Well, wonder no more. This sinister medallion is not only hard to find, but we...Category
Vintage 1970s American Brutalist Dry Bars
MaterialsResin, Wood
- Vintage Walnut "Boomerang" Sofa by Adrian Pearsall for Craft AssociatesBy Craft Associates, Adrian PearsallLocated in North Hollywood, CAStunning vintage walnut “Boomerang” sofa designed by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates in the United States, circa 1960s. This sofa has a structurally detailed design where the polygonal...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsBrass
- Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Mid Century 2300-S Walnut Boomerang SofaBy Adrian Pearsall, Craft AssociatesLocated in Countryside, ILAdrian Pearsall for Craft Associates midcentury 2300-S walnut boomerang sofa. This sofa measures: 126 wide x 67 deep x 28 inches high, with a seat height of 18 inches. All piec...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
- Adrian Pearsall Signed Craft Associates 2-PC Sectional Sofa 2069-LRBy Craft Associates, Adrian PearsallLocated in West Hartford, CTAdrian Pearsall two-piece sectional sofa by Craft Associates, circa 1960s, features a walnut wood frame which could use some conditioning. The sofa comes in two pieces with sea green...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Walnut
- Boomerang Sofa by Adrian PearsallBy Adrian PearsallLocated in New York, NYA rare "boomerang" sofa having a recently polished frame supporting a freshly upholstered back and seat done in a grey boucle fabric.Category
Mid-20th Century Sofas
MaterialsBouclé, Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
$20,000 Sale Price23% Off - Adrian Pearsall For Craft Associates Sectional SofaBy Adrian PearsallLocated in Pasadena, TXA mid-century modern sectional sofa designed by Adrian Pearsall and made by Craft Associates. Two 6ft sections that can be positioned end to end for a long sofa or used as two separ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Sectional Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Walnut
$5,520 Sale Price / set43% Off - Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Mid Century Ebonized Boomerang SofaBy Adrian Pearsall, Craft AssociatesLocated in Countryside, ILAdrian Pearsall for Craft Associates mid century ebonized boomerang sofa This sofa measures: 123 wide x 53 deep x 28 inches high, with a seat height of 15 and chair clearance of 1...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood