Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Swivel Chairs on Brass Bases
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Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Swivel Chairs on Brass Bases
About the Item
- Creator:Adrian Pearsall (Designer),Craft Associates (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 30 in (76.2 cm)Width: 30 in (76.2 cm)Depth: 30 in (76.2 cm)Seat Height: 18 in (45.72 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Westport, CT
- Reference Number:Seller: SM1720 / SM17211stDibs: LU928915312791
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.
- Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Cloud Sofa, C. 1950sBy Adrian Pearsall, Craft AssociatesLocated in Westport, CTIndulge in luxurious comfort with the Low-Profile Cloud Sofa, a timeless piece designed by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates in the mid-20th century. Meticulously restored to its ...Category
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- Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Cloud Lounge in Mohair, Model 1415By Adrian PearsallLocated in Westport, CTRare low and wide profile, lounge chair designed by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates. Extremely comfortable! Perhaps one of Adrian's best designs. Completely restored with all in...Category
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- Set of Satellite Lounges by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates. C. 1960sBy Adrian PearsallLocated in Westport, CTAdrian Pearsall Satellite Chairs—a mid-century classic originally designed in the 1950s. With a low profile and eye-catching design, these chairs effortlessly blend comfort and style...Category
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- Set of Swivel Tilt Lounge Chairs by Adrian Pearsall, C. 1950sBy Adrian PearsallLocated in Westport, CTCraft Associates presents a rare find: a set of restored Adrian Pearsall swivel lounge chairs from the 1950s. Upholstered in luxurious gray boucle by Holly Hunt, these chairs swivel ...Category
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- Edward Wormley for Dunbar Swivel Chair, C. 1950sBy Edward Wormley, Dunbar FurnitureLocated in Westport, CTA swivel lounge chair designed by the iconic Edward Wormely for Dunbar Furniture, circa 1950-1959. Completely restored, fitted with new high-grade hand cut foam with all insides full...Category
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- Dining Set by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates, 1950sBy Adrian PearsallLocated in Westport, CTCompass dining table, paired with Model 1404-C chairs designed by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates, circa 1950s. The sculptural walnut frame of the table has been fully restored,...Category
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- Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Midcentury Walnut Swivel ChairBy Adrian Pearsall, Craft AssociatesLocated in Countryside, ILAdrian Pearsall for Craft Associates midcentury walnut swivel chair. This chair measures: 25.25 wide x 25.75 deep x 31.5 high, with ...Category
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- Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Mcm Walnut Barrel Swivel Lounge ChairBy Adrian Pearsall, Craft AssociatesLocated in Countryside, ILAdrian Pearsall for Craft Associates mid-century walnut barrel swivel lounge chair. This chair measures: 31 wide x 25 deep x 34 inches high, with a seat height/chair clearance of ...Category
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- Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Midcentury Swivel Tilt ChairBy Craft Associates, Adrian PearsallLocated in Countryside, ILAdrian Pearsall for Craft Associates midcentury Swivel Tilt Chair. This chair measures: 37 wide x 31 deep x 41 high, with a seat height of 19 and arm h...Category
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- Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Lounge ChairBy Craft Associates, Adrian PearsallLocated in Countryside, ILAdrian Pearsall for Craft Associates lounge chair This chair measures: 24.25 wide x 23.5 deep x 25.75 inches high, with a seat height of 17.5 and arm height of 21.5 inches All ...Category
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- Pair of Adrian Pearsall Swivel Chairs in Ivory Bouclé c. 1970sBy Adrian Pearsall, Craft AssociatesLocated in Saint Louis, MOSculptural swivel chairs by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates circa 1970 freshly and professionally reupholstered in luxurious Ivory Bouclé. Furniture that's art. Arms gently slop...Category
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- Adrian Pearsall Midcentury Walnut Swivel ChairBy Adrian PearsallLocated in Countryside, ILAdrian Pearsall midcentury walnut swivel chair This chair measures: 28.5 wide x 36 deep x 40.5 high, with a seat height of 17.5 and ...Category
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