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.
2003 Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen Blue Egg Chair 3 Avail
By Arne Jacobsen, Fritz Hansen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a single Egg Chair designed by Arne Jacobsen and produced by Fritz Hansen in Denmark in 2003. The price listed is for one chair and there are 3 available. Each chair is uphol...
Aluminum
2010s Antonio Citterio for Vitra Petit Repos Lounge Chair in Blue Fabric
By Antonio Citterio
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Petit Repos Lounge Chair, originally designed by Antonio Citterio for Vitra in 2013. This particular example was produced in Germany in the 2010s. The chair is comprised of...
Aluminum
1960s Eero Saarinen for Knoll Executive Dining Arm Chair in Light Blue Fabric
By Eero Saarinen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Saarinen Executive Arm Chair, originally designed by Eero Saarinen for Knoll in 1950. This example was produced in the 1960s. The design features legs of polished tubular s...
Steel
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
2023 Eero Saarinen for Knoll Womb Lounge Chair in Purple Fabric
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Womb Lounge Chair, designed by Eero Saarinen for Florence Knoll and Knoll Associates in 1948. This particular example was manufactured by Knoll in the USA in 2023. The piec...
Steel
1974 Eero Saarinen for Knoll Rolling Executive Office Chair Original Blue Fabric
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a single (each chair is sold separately, though two are available) Eero Saarinen rolling executive office chair with arms. These are gorgeous and original examples...
Metal
Eero Saarinen for Knoll Mid Century Womb Chair
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Eero Saarinen for Knoll Mid Century Womb Chair This chair measures: 39 wide x 33 deep x 36 high, with a seat height of 15.5 and arm height/chair clearance of 20.5 inches Good Vinta...
Metal
Eero Saarinen for Knoll Mid Century Womb Chair
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Eero Saarinen for Knoll Mid Century Womb Chair This chair measures: 39 wide x 33 deep x 35.5 high, with a seat height of 14.5 and arm height/chair clearance of 18.5 inches Good Vin...
Metal
Restored Eero Saarinen Womb Lounge Chair for Knoll, Fiberglass, 1950s
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in Detroit, MI
Note: We have a collection of vintage Eero Saarinen Womb chairs and loveseat settees undergoing restoration and can offer the pieces in multiples and with custom upholstery options. ...
Steel, Chrome
Saarinen Executive Armchair in Royal Blue Velvet, Chrome Tubular Legs
By Eero Saarinen
Located in Wilton, CT
The mid-century Classic vintage Eero Saarinen Executive Armchair, manufactured by Knoll Furniture and custom upholstered in a deep 100% cotton Italian Velvet in stunning Royal Blue. ...
Stainless Steel
Eero Saarinen For Knoll Wood Executive Armchair In Blue Bouclé
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This is the iconic Mid-Century Modern Executive Armchair designed by Eero Saarinen for Knoll. Originally introduced in 1950, this timeless design transformed the landscape of workpla...
Bouclé, Wood, Oak
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: 41 wide x 36 deep x 37 high, with a seat height of 17 inches and arm height/chair clearance of 21.5 i...
Metal
