Sculptural Organic Adrian Pearsall Table Base
View Similar Items
Sculptural Organic Adrian Pearsall Table Base
About the Item
- Creator:Adrian Pearsall (Designer),Craft Associates (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 28 in (71.12 cm)Diameter: 41 in (104.14 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:Walnut
- Place of Origin:United States
- Period:1950-1959
- Date of Manufacture:1950
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Houston, TX
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU106061704702
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.
- Modern Bronze Sculptural Walnut Dining Table with Bronze Leg Signed Oskar KogojBy Oskar KogojLocated in Houston, TXStunning modern bronze sculptural dining table in walnut. It is made by Oskar Kogoj, and the table has aesthetic sculptural detailing on one end. The table leg is made of bronze and ...Category
Vintage 1970s Slovenian Modern Dining Room Tables
MaterialsBronze
- Pair of French Verde Green Marble Column Pedestals with Bronze Capital DetailBy Napoléon IIILocated in Houston, TXStunning pair of verde green marble columns. These sturdy French pedestals have bronze on the capitals and bases with floral details.Category
20th Century French Neoclassical Pedestals
- Stunning Custom Contemporary Modern Sideboard with Gustav Klimt Style PaintingBy Gustav Klimt, Reeves Design + ArtLocated in Houston, TXStunning custom contemporary modern sideboard with Gustav Klimt Style Painting. This handmade sideboard was custom made in Houston, Texas in collaboration ...Category
2010s American Modern Sideboards
MaterialsBirch
$5,437 Sale Price20% Off - Stunning Custom Contemporary Modern Sideboard with Frank Trocino PaintingBy Reeves Design + ArtLocated in Houston, TXStunning custom contemporary modern sideboard with light green toned abstract figurative painting. This handmade sideboard was custom mad...Category
2010s American Post-Modern Sideboards
MaterialsOak
$5,625 Sale Price25% Off - Custom Post Modern Brutalist Black and Natural Pyramid Stud SideboardBy Reeves Design + ArtLocated in Houston, TXBrutalist custom designed handmade contemporary sideboard with black studded doors and a grey stained case. The legs are smoothly turned, creating a clean and sleek appearance. One o...Category
2010s American Post-Modern Credenzas
MaterialsOak
$2,880 Sale Price40% Off - Custom Green Dyed French Armchair with Tropical Palm Tree UpholsteryBy Baker Furniture CompanyLocated in Houston, TXBeautiful Louis the XV style green dyed French armchair with custom pink tropical upholstery featuring a floral palm tree design.Category
20th Century French Modern Armchairs
MaterialsWood, Fabric
$1,350 Sale Price25% Off
- Vintage Walnut Model 1135-T Dining Table by Adrian PearsallBy Adrian Pearsall, Craft AssociatesLocated in North Hollywood, CABeautiful vintage walnut model 1135-T dining table designed by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates, Inc. in the United States, circa 1960s. This table has been built from the highes...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
MaterialsGlass, Walnut
- Adrian Pearsall Mid-Century Modern Craft Assoc. Compass Walnut Dining Table BaseBy Adrian Pearsall, Craft AssociatesLocated in Wayne, NJAdrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Compass Walnut Dining Table Base only. The original round glass was 48". Shown in last photo for reference ...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
MaterialsWood
$2,560 Sale Price20% Off - Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Dining Table BaseBy Adrian PearsallLocated in Redding, CTAdrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Dining Table Base. This Iconic designed table is styled after the iconic designs of Paul Evans work . It is made out of resin, plaster and paint....Category
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
MaterialsEpoxy Resin, Plaster, Paint
- Sculptural Mid-Century Modern End Tables after Adrian PearsallBy Gio Ponti, Adrian PearsallLocated in Philadelphia, PAAn unusual matching pair of two-tier end tables from the 1960's. They feature walnut construction with floating glass tops. In the style of: Adrian Pearsall, Gio PontiCategory
Vintage 1960s Unknown Mid-Century Modern End Tables
MaterialsWalnut
- Dining Table by Adrian PearsallBy Adrian PearsallLocated in Oklahoma City, OKAdrian Pearsall's wood dining table with a glass top exudes timeless elegance and modern sophistication. Crafted from rich, walnut wood, its sleek, tapered legs provide sturdy suppor...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
MaterialsGlass, Wood
- Mid Century Modern Sculptural Walnut "Jack's" Dining Table by Adrian PearsallBy Adrian PearsallLocated in Chicago, ILMid Century Modern Sculptural Walnut "Jack's" Dining Table by Adrian Pearsall with Round Glass Top Stunning mid century modern atomic style base with round glass top dining table. A...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
MaterialsGlass, Wood, Walnut