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.
Vintage Hans Wegner for C.M. Madsens 'W2' Chair in Oak; Denmark, 1950s
By C.M. Madsen, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A lovely example of the early work of the 20th century's master of seating design, Hans J. Wegner. The sculpted oak backrest or top-rail employed here was developed as part of a fami...
Oak
Vintage Steel & Wood American Horton Texteel Ironer Chair, 1940s
By Horton Texteel 1
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Lovely little vintage industrial American “Ironer” occasional chair with excellent lines and sophisticated yet utilitarian use of materials; by Horton Texteel, circa 1940. Modern tap...
Steel, Steel Mesh
Vintage Arne Hovmand-Olsen for Mogens Kold Teak Lounge Chair-Denmark, 1960s
By Arne Hovmand-Olsen, Mogens Kold Møbelfabrik
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A lovely and dynamically-proportioned lounge or easy chair attributed to Arne Hovmand-Olsen and manufactured by Mogens Kold Møbelfabrik (metal manufacturer's stamp to underside) in sculpted teak and original boucle wool upholstery. Deeply patinated teak lends visual contrast against the off-white upholstery. Completely original condition down the the seat straps and brass hardware. Sophisticated seat cushion and backrest mounting system consisting of custom brass spacers which create a suspended effect to the panels keeping the design very airy and light. Hovmand-Olsen’s designs span seating, tables, and secretaries, all of which are characteristically simple in form with clean lines, organic curves, and tapered legs. Like many of his Danish contemporaries, he favored the use of high-quality, beautifully grained woods like teak and rosewood. Notable designs include his Model 175 chair (1955)—which is often mistaken for N.O. Møller’s Model 77 chair...
Brass
Hans Wegner Vintage Sawbuck Chairs for Carl Hansen CH28 in Oak & Leather, 1951
By Carl Hansen, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An icon of 20th century seating design still celebrated 72 years after its introduction—the Sawbuck chair by Hans Wegner for Carl Hansen, 1951. Montaperto Studios is pleased to offer...
Leather, Oak
Black Walnut and Leather Lounge Chair attr. Sam Maloof, 1960s
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Gorgeous handmade American studio lounge chair in nicely patinated American black walnut with explored joinery and leather slip seat. Perfect lines and ergonomics, a design that brid...
Leather, Black Walnut
Vintage ‘Roxinho’ Sling Chair in Teak and Saddle Leather by Michel Arnoult, 1960
By Michel Arnoult, Mobília Contemporânea
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This handsome, safari-style leather sling chair (two available), features elegant lines, and a sturdy, fully-demountable construction. Demonstrating beautifully Arnoult's concept of ...
Leather, Teak
nicely Restored Early Production Eero Saarinen Grasshopper Chair for Knoll
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in Ferndale, MI
Eero Saarinen's "Grasshopper " chair model 61 was the first lounge chair he designed for Knoll in the late 1940s even before designing the Womb chair . Responding to what he saw as t...
Fabric, Maple
Grasshopper Chair in the Style of Eero Saarinen for Knoll
By Eero Saarinen
Located in Stamford, CT
A newly upholstered grasshopper chair in the style of Eero Saarinen for Knoll.
Grasshopper Lounge Chair designed by Eero Saarinen for Knoll International
By Eero Saarinen
Located in Offenburg, Baden Wurthemberg
Knoll International Grasshopper Lounge chair, Modell No. 61 designed by Eero Saarinen in 1946. Seat upholstered in grey wool fabric, with birch plywood base. Manufactured by Knoll...
Fabric, Plywood, Birch
Eero Saarinen 'Finnish-American, 1910-1961' "Grasshopper" Chair, Knoll Original
By Eero Saarinen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A magnificent example of Eero Saarinen's (Finnish-American, 1910-1961) "Grasshopper" Chair designed for Knoll Associates, USA, 1946. Newly reupholstered in an Italian Alpaca/Wool/Li...
Upholstery, Birch, Plywood
Armchair by Osvaldo Borsani / Tecno Milano 1955
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Berlin, DE
Armchair 'P72A' Osvaldo Borsani 1955 Founder with his brother Fulgenzio of Tecno, the architect Osvaldo Borsani designed most of Tecno's and italian design's icons, like the working...
Leather, Rosewood
Grasshopper Lounge Chair by Eero Saarinen for Knoll, 1946
By Eero Saarinen
Located in VILLEURBANNE, FR
Grasshopper lounge chair designed by Eero Saarinen for Knoll in 1946. Its bent laminated beech frame forms a continuous line that integrates the legs, armrests and seat support int...
Fabric, Wood
