Adrian Pearsall
American, 1925-2011
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.
| Average Sold Price |
| $3,768 |
| Styles |
| Materials |
| Related Creators |
Iconic Designs from Adrian Pearsall
Explore timeless pieces that have earned their place in history.
Gondola Sofa
Adrian Pearsall Cloud Sofa
Wave Chaise Longue
Adrian Pearsall Ribbon Table
Adrian Pearsall Pair of Havana Lounge Chairs and Ottoman, 1965
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Hamburg, PA
A vintage pair of Adrian Pearsall Havana chairs with ottoman for Craft Associates, 1965. The fabric is vintage with age-appropriate wear. ...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Adrian Pearsall
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
Pair of Adrian Pearsall Midcentury Walnut Lounge Chairs for Craft Associates
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Pair of armchairs designed by the American designer Adrian Pearsall. The frame of these cocktail lounge chairs is made of walnut wood in a beautiful curved shape and upholstered in w...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Adrian Pearsall
Materials
Chenille, Walnut
H 35.44 in W 21.66 in D 36.62 in
Adrian Pearsall “Jacks” End Tables, Walnut and Glass
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Sculptural “Jacks” end tables, designed by Adrian Pearsall, for Craft Associates. They are well proportioned and iconic mid century modern, allowing seamless usage among other styles...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Adrian Pearsall
Materials
Glass, Walnut
Adrian Pearsall “Jacks” Sculptural Coffee Table, Model 893-Tgo, Walnut and Glass
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A sculptural “Jacks” coffee table, designed by Adrian Pearsall, for Craft Associates. It is a well proportioned and iconic mid century modern design, allowing seamless usage among ot...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Adrian Pearsall
Materials
Glass, Walnut
H 15.5 in W 59 in D 19.25 in
Mid Century "Wave"Lounge Chair by Adrian Pearsall in Green Velvet
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Chino Hills, CA
Introducing a stunning Mid Century "Wave" Chaise Lounge Chair by the renowned architect and furniture designer Adrian Pearsall, crafted for Craft Associates in the United States circ...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Adrian Pearsall
Materials
Velvet, Walnut
Monumental Adrian Pearsall Brutalist Wall Mounted Disc Dry Bar, 1970's
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in Culver City, CA
Available right now we have this increasingly rare, mid century modern, brutalist disc bar by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates. This brutalist wall mounted disc cabinet is definitely a conversation piece-- stretching a whopping 48" in diameter, this disc dar opens to reveal a mirrored back as well as 2 shelf inserts.
They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and this entire brutalist line of furniture appears to have (pretty obviously) been inspired by American craft movement designer Paul Evans, who designed nearly identical pieces which were available through Directional Furniture to the trade in the 1960's and 1970's.
While this piece doesn't have the pedigree of an original Paul Evans piece, what is does have is an abundance of over-the-top maximalist style with a much more palatable price tag.
Without being mounted to the wall, this piece was a little tougher than an average piece to photograph, but for scale purposes we photographed it resting on the floor alongside a Fabricius and Kastholm grasshopper...
Category
1970s Brutalist Vintage Adrian Pearsall
Materials
Resin, Wood
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Mid Century Havana Chair with Ottoman
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in Countryside, IL
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Mid Century Havana Chair with Ottoman
The chair measures: 36 wide x 37 deep x 27.5 high, with a seat height of 14 inches
The ottoman measures: 3...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Adrian Pearsall
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Mid Century Swivel Lounge Chair
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in Countryside, IL
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Mid Century Swivel Lounge Chair
This chair measures: 36 wide x 29 deep x 30.25 inches high, with a seat height of 16.5 inches and arm height/cha...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Adrian Pearsall
Materials
Metal
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More Adrian Pearsall Designs
Gondola Sofa
Average Price
$9,575
Number Available
22
Gondola Sofa
By Adrian Pearsall
Materials
Wood, Walnut, Fabric, Upholstery
Styles
Mid Century Modern
One look at the furniture of Adrian Pearsall (1925–2011), and it’s easy to intuit that the American mid-century modern designer had a background in architecture. Although Pearsall did, in fact, earn a degree in architectural engineering from the University of Illinois in 1950, he would leave the architecture field just two years later to found his own furniture company. There, his celebrated work — such as the mid-1950s Gondola sofa — continued to retain a daring structural sensibility that n...
Adrian Pearsall Cloud Sofa
Average Price
$24,192
Number Available
11
Adrian Pearsall Cloud Sofa
By Adrian Pearsall
Materials
Fabric, Wood, Upholstery, Walnut
Styles
Mid Century Modern
The early days of Craft Associates— the furniture company founded in 1952 by Adrian Pearsall (1925–2011) — took shape in his mother-in-law’s duplex. There, the American architect and designer would build pieces while his wife, Dorie, would manage purchase orders and invoices. Even if the Pennsylvania-based operation was at first limited to the confines of an apartment, the company afforded Pearsall the opportunity to bring to life his residential furniture designs, such as his revered low-pro...
Wave Chaise Longue
Average Price
$5,448
Number Available
5
Wave Chaise Longue
By Adrian Pearsall
Materials
Fabric, Wood, Walnut, Upholstery
Styles
Mid Century Modern
Adrian Pearsall Ribbon Table
Average Price
$2,888
Number Available
1
Adrian Pearsall Ribbon Table
By Adrian Pearsall
Materials
Glass, Walnut, Wood
Styles
Mid Century Modern
Adrian Pearsall furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Adrian Pearsall furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Adrian Pearsall furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Adrian Pearsall were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Florence Knoll, Harvey Probber, and Craft Associates. Prices for Adrian Pearsall furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $499 and can go as high as $34,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $4,862.
Questions About Adrian Pearsall
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022One way to identify an Adrian Pearsall is to consider the materials used. A genuine Adrian Pearsall will feature real wood, glass and metal, while imitations often use cheaper materials like composites and plastics. Pearsall didn't sign his work, so items that show his signature are unlikely to be authentic. On 1stDibs, find a selection of expertly vetted Adrian Pearsall furniture.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022To pronounce Adrian Pearsall, say "A-dree-an PEER-sall." Pearsall was an American architect and furniture designer. He was born on September 18, 1925, in Trumansburg, New York, and he died on September 6, 2011, in Upper Makefield Township, Pennsylvania. You'll find a collection of Adrian Pearsall furniture on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2024Yes, Adrian Pearsall designed lamps. Most of his lighting designs were floor lamps produced by the manufacturer Modeline during the 1960s. Many have not survived the years.
Pearsall is a revered mid-century modern designer. He gave his imagination free rein, and his flamboyant, eye-catching styles are icons of what has become known as “Atomic Age” design.
Find vintage mid-century modern lighting on 1stDibs. - 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022To begin to authenticate an Adrian Pearsall table, closely examine the materials. Authentic pieces will contain no plastics or composite woods, as Pearsall only worked with genuine wood, metal and glass. Also, you won't find a signature or mark on a real Adrian Pearsall table. On 1stDibs, find a collection of expertly vetted Adrian Pearsall tables.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Most Adrian Pearsall furniture was handmade. Although wood composites and plastics gained popularity during the period, Pearsall preferred to build his pieces from genuine wood, glass and metal. Walnut wood was one of his most commonly used materials. Shop a range of Adrian Pearsall furniture on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022No, Adrian Pearsall did not usually sign his work. One way to identify his work is to examine the materials. Pearsall only used genuine wood, glass and metal. Pieces that feature wood composites or plastics aren't genuine. His pieces reflect characteristics of the atomic style, often flaunting smooth lines, graceful curves and asymmetrical details. On 1stDibs, find a variety of expertly vetted Adrian Pearsall furniture.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Yes, Adrian Pearsall did work for Bassett, designing tables and seating. He also manufactured his own designs through his company Craft Associates. He founded his workshop in 1952 in Pennsylvania. The company exists today but no longer has an affiliation with Pearsall. Find a selection of Adrian Pearsall on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022To authenticate an Adrian Pearsall sofa, focus on the frame. A genuine Pearsall piece will have a solid wood frame because the designer never used wood composites. Original upholstery tends to show off bright, solid colors. However, many authentic Adrian Pearsall sofas come reupholstered. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of expertly vetted Adrian Pearsall sofas.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Like other designers working in the atomic style, Adrian Pearsall typically used fabric upholstery. Generally, the upholstery was a bright color, and solids were more common than patterns. Often, Adrian Pearsall sofas and chairs being sold today do not feature original upholstery because the fabric tends to wear out before the frame. You'll find a selection of Adrian Pearsall furniture on 1stDibs.
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