Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 14

White Knoll, Saarinen Calacatta marble tulip dining table with 4 matching chairs

About the Item

An iconic vintage Eero Saarinen, Knoll white tulip dining set with a Calacatta marble top and 4 matching Saarinen, Knoll vintage tulip chairs with the original seat pads and covers. This is a classic and iconic combination that has its root in designs pioneered by Knoll since the 1950s and was so popular they are still produced today. The great beauty in Saarinen’s pedestal table and chairs was that he used clean, simple lines that were ground breaking and innovative when they were first introduced, but have stood the test of item. You are therefore as likely to see this table and chairs in a Mid century inspired home just as you would a modern dining room. This set dates from the 80s (based on the typeface and style of the Knoll logo impression in the base of the table) and is in a totally vintage ‘as found’ condition. This means that it’s exactly as it has aged over the years with no repairs or restorations. As such the marble top has some scratches and wear (but, most importantly, has no chips out of the edge) and all the chairs have little knocks and marks on them; all as you would expect with over 40 years of service. It could, of course, be easily renovated if you have a mind to, but I have left them as is on the basis that many collectors like to find their items in this condition. I’ve tried to show any marks as best as I can, and whilst when you focus on them (as in close ups) you can see the wear, when you step back and look at the set as a whole they are far less apparent. That said, the scratches in the coating on the marble top are virtually impossible to get to show up in a photo, given the lighting and the fact that the marble has a white tone. Same with the original charcoal seat covers, they have some wear from use but nothing much that shows up in the photos. If you have researched these sets you’ll have found out that the marble tops were factory finished with a Reslan (transparent polyester) coating to protect the surface, and this is also true of the aluminium bases. The scratches that you therefore often find in the surfaces of Knoll sets are in the coating and generally not in the base material, and as such the coating can usually be easily stripped and the item re-polished. Likewise, the earlier chairs were made with an aluminium base and a fibreglass top, which means again that any marks and chips can be easily filled and repaired - note that the coating on the table and seat bases means that they yellow a bit over time too, as here, but the chairs can be re-sprayed if you prefer a ‘newer’ look. You’ll see that the table has a Knoll branding logo in the base and a Knoll ‘Made in Italy’ sticker on the marble top but how do you tell an original chair when the pre-90’s ones are rarely marked? Well, there are a number of things to look out for based on the fixings through the seat and swivel base to the cast ‘dimple’ impressions for the placement of the Velcro seat pads; but the most obvious piece of provenance lies in the seat foam. Most people are unaware that the high density foam pads are impressed with the Knoll model number in the base, (151 C) but you have to strip the seat cover back to see it; as shown in the photos. The marble on this table is Calacatta and is a marble that has been used in some of the world's most prestigious buildings and monuments, including the Pantheon in Rome. It is highly coveted and its striking veining patterns range from grey to gold, as shown in the photos. It’s actually quite rare to find this marble on a Knoll top not because they don’t look great, as this one obviously does, but because Calacatta is the most expensive of all the whiter marbles Knoll offer. Given that these were, and still are, expensive tables people therefore generally went for the lower cost option to balance the books. Plus there was often a longer lead time on the more exotic marbles too. Dimensions Table: H72 x W91 x D91cm Chairs: H80 x W50 x D50cm – Seat Height: 47cm
  • Creator:
    Knoll (Manufacturer),Eero Saarinen (Designer)
  • Design:
    Saarinen Pedestal TableSaarinen Pedestal Series
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 28.35 in (72 cm)Diameter: 35.83 in (91 cm)Seat Height: 18.51 in (47 cm)
  • Sold As:
    Set of 5
  • Style:
    Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
    1980-1989
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1980s
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    Highclere, GB
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: ESCAL41stDibs: LU4278237720432

More From This Seller

View All
Frank Gehry Knoll Int. Dinette Featuring 2 Cross Check Chairs and Dining Table
By Frank Gehry
Located in Highclere, Newbury
A Frank Gehry compact dining set featuring 2 bentwood maple ply Cross Check chairs matched to a maple and glass Face Off dining table manufactured by Knoll International. Originally designed in the late 80’s Gehry’s Cross Check chairs...
Category

1990s American Post-Modern Dining Room Sets

Materials

Glass, Beech

4 vintage Eero Saarininen Knoll Inc. Executive armchairs with an oak frame base
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Highclere, Newbury
A classic set of 4 vintage Eero Saarininen Knoll Inc. executive armchairs in the original Knoll blue fabric with an oak frame base. The Eero Saarinen Executive armchair was featured in nearly every Florence Knoll Mid Century interior throughout the 1950s and beyond. Originally introduced in 1950, the chair transformed the notion of what executive seating could be with its fluid, sculptural form and modern finishing. The timeless and versatile design continues to fit seamlessly into work, conference, lounge and dining applications of any décor. The chair remains as one of the most popular Knoll designs ever with new versions of the armchair, as shown here, in fabric with the wooden light oak base retailing at around £2,000 per chair. And it’s the wooden legs that add to their appeal and was ultimately a big improvement on the original tubular steel frame. They are just warmer and more welcoming, as well as being more aesthetically pleasing. As such the chairs are more often used these days as dining chairs rather than in the office. The chairs are also supremely comfortable and are upholstered in a classic Knoll wool fabric that has different subtle colour flecks within the fabric and that also features a slightly darker colour in the seat. This is an intentional design aesthetic as it helps to maintain the condition and look of the seat with heavier use. They date from the 1990s and remain in very good vintage condition with only light signs of use. This item is sold as a set of 4 chairs but the chairs are also available as a complete dining set matched with a Florence Knoll Walnut table...
Category

1990s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Wool, Oak

10 Preben Fabricius and Jorgen Kastlhom FK armchairs with a Matteo Grassi table
By Walter Knoll, Jørgen Kastholm & Preben Fabricius
Located in Highclere, Newbury
An exceptional set of 10 Preben Fabricius and Jørgen Kastholm limited edition cognac leather FK6728 armchairs matched to a large an impressive Matteo Grassi cream leather and glass dining table. The price shown is for all 10 chairs and the table including the glass top. Originally designed by powerhouse 1960s design team Preben Fabricius and Jørgen Kastholm in 1964, their ‘Tulip’ chair has become an icon of Mid Century Danish design. The actual original name for this chair that was produced by Kill International is ‘The Bucket Chair’ and it is still produced today by Walter Knoll under that name. Needless to say the name comes nowhere near close to portraying the beautiful and curvaceous lines it exhibits which is why over the years it’s often been referred to as the ‘Tulip’ or ‘Bird’ Chair. The original production name was the FK 6725 which relates to the chair with the fixed base and seat. Other production variants number from 6725-6729 and also have been produced in a 3 leg (3G), 4 leg (4G) or 5 star (5R) base and with or without castors. The original chair was produced with a fixed seat and base, but later versions had a rotating seat - and later still a 4 star and 5 star base with both a tilting and rotating seat. All production models had circular slides or castors fitted to the base of the feet so if you ever see a listing without one or the other they are missing in action. The FK high back armchair version, as shown here, has a leather pad and a gloss white shell and a 4 star rotating base. This was a special edition, as confirmed by email via Walter Knoll, and was therefore only produced in very limited numbers. The fine lines and contours found on the FK chair are still as compelling today as they were when the chair was first introduced. The sculptured arm rests elegantly curve up and away from the chair base and provide both comfort and support. It’s a stylish, easy going chair that works well both in a domestic environment as a dining, side or desk chair, or in a business environment as a meeting room or conference room chair. All the chairs in this set are in good used condition with just minor signs of wear here and there as expected. There really is nothing much to choose between any of the 10 as there are no major marks or damages. The polished 4 star base on all the chairs are also in good condition with just a few scuff marks and scratches on the tops of the profiles, again just as you would expect. The chairs are matched to a beautifully designed and constructed Matteo Grassi cream leather and glass dining table. This large and impressive table has a steel core base that has been upholstered in cream leather and that features a thick glass, floating table top. Matteo Grassi had a long history of producing high quality and finely crafted saddlery going as far back as 1880, and this shines through in the quality of the construction and stitching on all of their products. Like many of their designs the point of identification is that the metal framework is an analogy for the human skeleton with the leather acting as the ‘skin’ that shrouds the frame. The Matteo Grassi family company first came to the notice of interior designers and retailers when the Korium series of chairs were first introduced in 1978. This was the first design they produced under their own name after they moved into mainstream furniture production. This change was based on their increasing involvement in furniture prototyping in the previous 10 years that saw them create and develop bespoke designs for many leading architects and designers. They have ever since been known for producing quality pieces of furniture including the MG5 cantilever chair. This table is the Gazelle model and was produced from the late 1990s through to around 2010 and features their trademark stitching and thick leather; it really is a rare and beautiful table and one that is almost impossible to find on the resale market. It’s constructed of a heavy metal frame with adjustable pads that support a thick glass, racetrack oval shaped top that simply floats above the frame. Whilst it is a very well made and solid piece, it can still be moved by two strong people. This particular table dates from the late 90s and is in excellent condition with only very light marks to the frame and glass – there are no chips in the glass edge. The table has the Matteo Grassi imprint on leather plaques on the underneath of the main frame. As you can see by reference to the photographs, the table can accommodate 10 chairs, but also works well with 8, or 6 chairs too. On this basis you can adapt the seating to your needs and maybe only have all 10 chairs out for larger gatherings and special occasions. Whilst both the chairs and table were designed for the domestic environment the set would work equally as well in an office setting as a funky meeting room or conference table set...
Category

1990s German Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Sets

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

De Sede DS35 Vintage Leather 3 Seater Sofa with Two Matching Armchairs
By De Sede
Located in Highclere, Newbury
A De Sede living room set featuring a vintage leather DS35 3 seater sofa with two matching swivel base armchairs presented in caramel coloured leather with polished aluminium support...
Category

Vintage 1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Aluminum

Preben Fabricius and Jorgen Kastlhom FK 6727-3G Lounge Chairs for Walter Knoll
By Jørgen Kastholm & Preben Fabricius, Walter Knoll
Located in Highclere, Newbury
An exceptional set of 8 Danish Mid Century Preben Fabricius and Jørgen Kastlhom FK Lounge Chairs, model FK 6727-3G for Walter Knoll, in a light biscuit...
Category

Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

4 Danish Mid Century Arne Hovmand-Olsen, Mogens Kold MK310 teak dining chairs
By Mogens Kold Møbelfabrik, Arne Hovmand-Olsen
Located in Highclere, Newbury
A beautifully sculptural set of 4 Vintage Danish Mid Century Arne Hovmand-Olsen MK310 teak dining chairs with original black vinyl upholstery for Mogens Kold, 1950s. Originally designed by Olsen in 1951 and manufactured by Mogens Kold, Denmark, these chairs stand out as one of the very first chair designs Olsen created. The chairs feature a sculptural organic back shape that is constructed with a feature insert of plywood and solid teak. Olsen was recognised as being one of the forerunners of using this technique to add strength and durability to his designs as well as creating beautifully sculptured forms that appear as carved from solid wood. This is a design and construction style also adopted by many of his contemporaries including Niels Otto Moller, and many of the designs created by them both are often misattributed as each other’s as they share many similar details and characteristics. These particular chairs were produced with two options of seating style and fabric: one was the famous Danish paper cord seat that was widely used in the 50’s and 60s, and the other, as here, in simple black vinyl. The vinyl used on Mid Century Danish seating is very durable and impressed with a realistic grain that actually makes it very difficult to tell it apart from leather. The other advantage of the vinyl is that as it is intentionally used without a foam insert it accentuates the clean, crisp angular line of the seating base which acts as a counterpoint to the softer more flowing lines of the wooden structure. Plus it’s a lot easier to keep clean and in good condition compared to paper cord! The set is in very good vintage condition with light marks in the wooden frame and on the seats here and there commensurate with age and use – all the joints are solid and sound. Three of the four chairs maintain both the Danish quality control and the MK manufacturer’s metal labels as shown in the pictures, the other is missing in action, maybe eaten by a tiny cockapoo... The chairs are very much in ‘found’ condition and have just had a simple rub down and application of wax to bring them up to a soft sheen. Note that it is a hard seat as there is no foam underlay, but they look good with such sharp lines and are, in any event, very easy chairs to upholster...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Teak

You May Also Like

Knoll Marble Dining Table With 5 Chairs by Eero Saarinen, 1960s
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Magnificent and fully original Tulip dining set designed by Eero Saarinen. It is produced by Knoll International in the 1960s. The set consists of 5 original tulip chairs and the o...
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Carrara Marble, Metal

Dining Table "Tulip" with marble top by Eero Saarinen for Knoll International
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find an iconic design piece, a Space Age "Tulip" dining table designed by Eero Saarinen for Knoll International. It features a cast aluminum base with the m...
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Space Age Dining Room Sets

Materials

Marble, Aluminum

Knoll Tulip Dining Set by Eero Saarinen 1960s Large Marble Table Armchairs
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Magnificent fully original tulip dining set designed by Eero Saarinen and produced by Knoll International in the 1960s. The set consists of 6 original marked tulip armchairs and the ...
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Sets

Materials

Carrara Marble, Aluminum

Eero Saarinen Tulip Dining Table Marble Knoll International
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Berlin, BE
Eero Saarinen Round Dining Table 135 cm Diameter with Stunning Marble Top with slightly green, blue and yellow lines. Discover the timeless beauty of the Eero Saarinen Round Dining ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables

Materials

Marble, Steel

Eero Saarinen Tulip Dining Table Marble Knoll International
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in Berlin, BE
Eero Saarinen Round Dining Table 135 cm Diameter with stunning Arabescato marble top. Discover the timeless beauty of the Eero Saarinen Round Dining Table with a 135 cm diameter, fe...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables

Materials

Marble, Steel

Knoll Saarinen Marble Tulip Coffee Table
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Hudson, NY
An ICONIC mid century modern ‘tulip’ coffee table designed by Eero Saarinen for Knoll. Gorgeous round marble top with an aluminum base, made in Italy.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Marble, Aluminum

Recently Viewed

View All