Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates "Sculpted Bronze" Brutalist Credenza
View Similar Items
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates "Sculpted Bronze" Brutalist Credenza
About the Item
- Creator:Craft Associates (Cabinetmaker),Adrian Pearsall (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 26.5 in (67.31 cm)Width: 59 in (149.86 cm)Depth: 18.5 in (46.99 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. Excellent well cared for vintage condition.
- Seller Location:West Palm Beach, FL
- Reference Number:Seller: 6149 / SDHU5T05011stDibs: LU2592314816482
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 Brutalist Hanging Disc Bar for Craft AssociatesBy Craft Associates, Adrian PearsallLocated in West Palm Beach, FLAdrian Pearsall Brutalist Hanging Disc Bar for Craft Associates USA, circa 1970 Bronzed resin over wood, with blackened /ebonized case fitted wit...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dry Bars
MaterialsResin, Wood
- Pair Gondola Club/ Lounge Chairs, Attrib. Adrian Pearsall for Craft AssociatesBy Craft Associates, Adrian PearsallLocated in West Palm Beach, FLPair of Gondola Club/ Lounge Chairs, Attributed to Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Unmarked, Attributed to Adrian Pearsall (1925-2011) USA, Circa 1960s A striking pair of gondola club/lounge chairs, attributed to the renowned designer Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates. Made in the USA during the 1960s, these chairs exude 1960s mod elegance. Each chair boasts luxurious, sculptural proportions, standing tall at 44 inches high x 34-inches wide x 34-inches deep, with a seat height embodying the sleek 1960s low-profile aesthetic at 16 inches. These chairs offer unparalleled comfort, featuring an iconic gondola design characterized by a wood headrest atop a high tufted button backrest and a flared seat, reminiscent of the stylized gondola form synonymous with Adrian Pearsall's distinguished works. The gracefully carved biomorphic chair...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood
- Burl Wood Console from the Andre Arbus Collection by William SwitzerBy André Arbus, William SwitzerLocated in West Palm Beach, FLBurl wood (Pommele Sapele) console from the Andre Arbus Collection by William Switzer, licensed re-edition of the original masterwork. The break...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Art Deco Sideboards
MaterialsMetal
$8,750 Sale Price39% Off - Adrian Pearsall Gondola Club Chair & Ottoman, Newly UpholsteredBy Adrian PearsallLocated in West Palm Beach, FLAdrian Pearsall Gondola club chair & ottoman, Newly Upholstered USA, Circa 1960s A rare offering of the iconic Gondola Club Chair, and complimentary round ottoman/stool both des...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
- Pair of Tuscan Painted & Marble Top Credenzas by Susan Kaiser for Hickory ChairBy Hickory Chair Furniture CompanyLocated in West Palm Beach, FLPair of Tuscan Painted & Marble Top Credenzas by Susan Kaiser for Hickory Chair Limited production pieces, Susan Kaiser for Hickory Chair, A rare and elegant pair of Tuscan painted ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Neoclassical Sideboards
MaterialsMarble, Brass
- Pair Russian Neoclassical Unique Specimen Green Quartz Ormolu Mounted VasesLocated in West Palm Beach, FLPair Russian Neoclassical Unique Specimen Green Quartz Ormolu Mounted Vases Species Quartz, Commonly known as Agate A exquisite pair of 19th-century Rus...Category
Antique 19th Century Russian Neoclassical Credenzas
MaterialsAgate, Onyx, Ormolu
- Restored Gold Brutalist Credenza by Adrian Pearsall for Craft AssociatesBy Paul Evans, Craft Associates, Adrian PearsallLocated 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
- Adrian Pearsall Brutalist Sculptural 4-Door Sideboard CredenzaBy Paul Evans, Adrian PearsallLocated in Southampton, NJA stunning brutalist credenza designed by Adrian Pearsall in the manner of Paul Evans having 4 doors with a single center top drawer and ample shelf storage. Sculpted resin over wood...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsSteel
- Brutalist Wall Mounted "Disc" Bar by Adrian Pearsall for Craft AssociatesBy Paul Evans, Craft Associates, Adrian PearsallLocated in Brooklyn, NYBrutalist wall-mounted disc bar designed by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates inspired by the PE-122 bar designed by Paul Evans (ca. 1970s, USA). Bar features two doors of sculpte...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dry Bars
MaterialsMetal, Chrome, Sheet Metal
- Brutalist Etagere Smoked Glass Display by Adrian Pearsall for Craft AssociatesBy Adrian Pearsall, Paul Evans, Craft AssociatesLocated 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 Paul Evans, Craft Associates, Adrian PearsallLocated 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
- Modern Teak Credenza, Cambre Collection for Craft AssociatesBy Craft Associates, Laura TrenchardLocated in Oak Harbor, OHDesigner: Laura Trenchard Manufacturer: Craft Associates Modern Furniture Period/Model: Mid-Century Modern Specs: Maple, teak Dimensions H 30.25 (76.84cm) L 78 (198.12cm) D 18 (45...Category
2010s American Modern Credenzas
MaterialsMaple, Teak