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.
Eero Saarinen Womb Chair & Ottoman Medium in Alexander Girard Quatrefoil Fabric
By Eero Saarinen
Located in Seattle, WA
One of the most iconic chair designs of the 20th century, Eero Saarinen designed this lounge chair for Florence Knoll at the request of “a chair that was like a basket full of pillow...
Fabric, Fiberglass
George Nelson For Herman Miller First Generation Coconut Chair and Ottoman
By George Nelson
Located in Seattle, WA
The Coconut chair was designed in 1955 by the American architect, industrial designer, author, editor and teacher George Nelson. Unlike the later editions, the first generation has a...
Metal
George Nelson Low-Back Executive Tilt-Swivel Chair for Herman Miller
By George Nelson
Located in Seattle, WA
George Nelson & Associate was one the driving force for the revolutionary of Office space furniture in the 50s and 60s. Between 1955 and 1964, the group came up with some of the most iconic design of the Mid-Century Modern era such as the CSS shelving...
Naugahyde
Mid-Century Modern Saturno Sofa by Gastone Rinaldi, 1958, Italy
By Gastone Rinaldi
Located in Seattle, WA
Designed in 1958, the Saturno Sofa was one of the most iconic designs by Gastone Rinaldi, a prominent figure in Italian design alongside Gio Ponti, Ettore...
Steel
One Hans Wegner for Johannes Hansen JH501 "The Chair" in Teak & Cane
By Hans J. Wegner, Johannes Hansen
Located in Seattle, WA
A single JH501 with cane seat and back, designed by Hans J. Wegner for Johannes Hansen. This iconic Danish modern design is best known as "The Chair.” The more common version with le...
Cane, Teak
Niels Otto Moller Armchair Model 57, Rosewood and Papercord
By Niels Otto Møller
Located in Seattle, WA
One of the less common Moller designs, especially in solid rosewood, this Moller 57 armchair was made by J.L. Moller Møbelfabrik, Denmark, in 1959. The chai...
Papercord, Rosewood
Eero Saarinen for Knoll Womb Chair in Pierre Frey Boucle'
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Dallas, TX
The iconic Eero Saarinen for Knoll Womb Chair, newly upholstered in an exquisite bouclé with black frame.
Metal
Eero Saarinen for Knoll Womb Chair is French Boucle
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in Dallas, TX
An iconic Eero Saarinen for Knoll womb chair newly upholstered in a very high-quality French bouclé. The colors include yellow/gold, sienna browns and white. This pairs beautifully w...
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
Forsyth Bespoke Eero Saarinen Womb Chair and Ottoman in Dedar Boucle
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO
Lead Time: Please allow 10 to 12 weeks to restore a vintage Womb Chair and Ottoman in Dedar Boucle. "Eero Saarinen designed the groundbreaking Womb cha...
Chrome
2020s Eero Saarinen for Knoll Womb Lounge Chair in Grey Leather
By Eero Saarinen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Womb Lounge Chair, originally designed by Eero Saarinen for Knoll in 1948. This particular example was manufactured in the USA in the 2020s. The chair features a seat that ...
Steel
Early Restored Mid Century Ivory Wool Womb Chair by Saarinen for Knoll
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
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
