Through his work as an architect and designer, Eero Saarinen was a prime mover in the introduction of modernism into the American mainstream. Particularly affecting were the organic, curvilinear forms seen in Saarinen’s furniture and his best-known structures: the gull-winged TWA Flight Center at John F. Kennedy airport in New York (opened 1962), Dulles International Airport in Virginia (1962) and the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri (1965).
Saarinen had a peerless modernist pedigree. His father, Eliel Saarinen, was an eminent Finnish architect who in 1932 became the first head of the Cranbrook Academy of Art in suburban Detroit. The school became synonymous with progressive design and decorative arts in the United States, and while studying there the younger Saarinen met and befriended several luminaries of mid-century modernism, among them Harry Bertoia and Charles and Ray Eames.
At Cranbrook, Saarinen also met Florence Schust Knoll, who, as director of her husband Hans Knoll's eponymous furniture company, would put Saarinen’s best designs into production. These include the Grasshopper chair, designed in 1946 and so named because its angled bentwood frame resembles the insect; the Tulip chair (1957), a flower-shaped fiberglass shell mounted on a cast-aluminum pedestal; and the lushly contoured Womb lounge chair and ottoman (1948). In his furniture as in his architecture, the keynotes of Eero Saarinen’s designs are simplicity, strength and grace.
Find vintage Eero Saarinen tables, chairs and other furniture on 1stDibs.
$11,195 / set
H 35.44 in W 40.16 in D 33.86 in
Womb Chair and Ottoman by Eero Saarinen for Knoll, 2000s
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in Renens, CH
Indulge in comfort with the Womb Chair, designed by Eero Saarinen and produced by Knoll. This iconic chair showcases Saarinen’s visionary design, and Kn...
Metal
$13,000 / set
H 36 in W 41 in D 34 in
1960s Eero Saarinen for Knoll Womb Chair and Ottoman in New Leather
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an original Womb lounge chair and its accompanying ottoman, models 70L and 74Y, designed by Eero Saarinen for Knoll in 1948. This example was manufactured in the USA in the 1...
Steel
$12,298 / set
H 35.44 in W 38.19 in D 35.44 in
Rare Early Eero Saarinen Womb Chair and Ottoman, Knoll, USA, 1950s
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A rare early production Eero Saarinen womb chairsand ottoman, made by Knoll, USA, 1950s. Fibreglass, black enameled steel frames and first edition feet / glides. Newly upholstered i...
Steel
$13,000 / set
H 35.5 in W 39 in D 34 in
1960s Eero Saarinen for Knoll Womb Chair and Ottoman in New Leather, Model 70L
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an original Womb lounge chair and its accompanying ottoman, models 70L and 74y, designed by Eero Saarinen for Knoll in 1948. This example was manufactured in the USA in the 1...
Steel
Eero Saarinen Womb Chair and Ottoman, Knoll, USA, 1950s
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
An early production Eero Saarinen womb chair and ottoman, made by Knoll, USA, 1950s. Newly upholstered in luxurious pure Alpaca fabric (brown / grey) with a structure of fibreglass, black enameled steel frames and first edition feet / glides. Fast shipping worldwide. When asked by Florence Knoll to design 'a chair that was like a basket full of cushions - something she could really curl up in', Eero Saarinen produced the Womb chair...
Steel
$11,000 / set
H 36 in W 41 in D 34 in
1990s Eero Saarinen Womb Chair and Ottoman in New Cognac Leather Model 70L & 74Y
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an original Womb lounge chair and its accompanying ottoman, Model 70L, designed by Eero Saarinen for Florence Knoll in 1948. This example was manufactured by Knoll in the USA...
Steel
$4,500
H 36 in W 39.25 in D 35 in
1960s Eero Saarinen for Knoll Womb Lounge Chair and Ottoman, Model 70L
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an original Womb lounge chair and its accompanying ottoman, models 70L and 74y, designed by Eero Saarinen for Knoll in 1948. This set was man...
Steel
Forsyth Eero Saarinen Womb Chair and Ottoman in Dedar Orsetto
By Eero Saarinen
Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO
A favorite of the Forsyth design team! In stock, ready to ship. “Eero Saarinen designed the groundbreaking Womb Chair at Florence Knoll's request for ‘a chair that was like a bask...
Fabric
Eero Saarinen for Knoll Mid Century Womb Chair with Ottoman
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Eero Saarinen for Knoll Mid Century Womb Chair with Ottoman The chair measures: 39.25 wide x 35 deep x 35.5 high, with a seat height of 17 inches and arm height/chair clearance of 2...
Metal
$4,112
H 37.41 in W 39.38 in D 29.53 in
2st Series of the Womb Chair by Ero Saarinen, Knoll, circa 1970
By Eero Saarinen
Located in VILLEURBANNE, FR
The Womb Chair is the first result of the collaboration between Eero Saarinen, Charles Eames, and Florence Knoll. Designed in 1940 at Florence Knoll's request, she famously asked fo...
Metal
Globe Chair for Artifort by Pierre Paulin, 1960s
By Pierre Paulin
Located in Phoenix, AZ
A memorable early swivel 'Globe' chair by Pierre Paulin for Artifort newly upholstered in pink Knoll Cato fabric.
Iron
Custom Caramel Brown Leather Swivel Chairs, Large Scale, Pair
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Large-scale custom designed caramel leather swivel chairs. Price listed is for the pair.
Leather
Brazilian Rosewood Sling Chair & Ottoman, 1960s
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Sculpted solid rosewood sling chair and ottoman from Brazil circa early 1960s. This example has a beautifully grained stacked rosewood frame and h...
Rosewood
Karpen of California Striped Wool Lounge Chairs
By Karpen of California
Located in Phoenix, AZ
These sculptural, space-age 1960's lounge chairs by Karpen of California have been newly reupholstered in an elegant gray striped wool and the solid walnut legs have been expertly re...
Wool, Walnut
Studio Crafted Walnut & Raffia Midcentury Armchair
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Stunning studio crafted solid walnut and raffia armchair, late circa 1970s. This sculptural example has an unusual handcrafted back, beautifully formed arms and masterful joinery.
Raffia, Walnut
Sculptural Norwegian Mid Century Bentwood Chairs
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Sculptural all original bentwood chairs from Norway make an elegant set of statement pieces. Price listed is for the pair.
Bentwood
