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.
As a company that produced many of the most famous and iconic furniture designs of the 20th century, Knoll was a chief influence in the rise of modern design in the United States. Led by Florence Knoll, the firm would draw stellar talents such as Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Eero Saarinen into its compass. Their work would help change the face of the American home and office.
The company was formed in 1938 by the German immigrant Hans Knoll. He first worked with his fellow ex-pat, the Danish designer Jens Risom, who created furniture with flowing lines made of wood. While Risom served in World War II, in 1943 Knoll met his future wife, Florence Schust. She had studied and worked with eminent emigré leaders of the Bauhaus, including Mies, Walter Gropius and Marcel Breuer. She won Knoll over with Bauhaus notions of industrial arts, and an aesthetic that featured flat and tubular metal frames and angular forms. When Hans died in a car crash in 1955, Florence Knoll was appointed head of the company. It was as much through her holistic approach to design — a core division of the firm was dedicated to planning office systems — as Knoll's mid-century modern furnishings themselves that she brought about the sleek and efficient transformation of the American workplace.
Today, classic Knoll furnishings remain staples of modern design collections and decor. A history of modern design is written in pieces such as the elegant Barcelona chair — created by Mies and Lilly Reich — Saarinen’s pedestal Tulip chair, Breuer’s tubular steel Wassily lounge chair and the grid-patterned Diamond chair by Harry Bertoia.
As you can see from the collection of these designs and other vintage Knoll dining chairs, sofas and tables on 1stDibs, this manufacturer's offerings have become timeless emblems of the progressive spirit and sleek sophistication of the best of modernism.
Eero Saarinen Designed Grasshopper Chair
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This iconic mid-century design was made by Knoll and created by Eero Saarinen. Simple design with a wow factor! Two bentwood slats comprise the entire frame, and come from behind to ...
Bentwood
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
$4,701
H 35.44 in W 25.99 in D 31.89 in
Vintage Swiss Production Grasshopper Chair by Eero Saarinen for Knoll, 1950s
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Renens, CH
Grasshopper Chair by Eero Saarinen for Knoll The Grasshopper (or model 61) chair was designed by Eero Saarinen for Knoll in 1946, it was actually the first chair designed for the Knoll company, and turned out as an immediate success. Saarinen, an American but Finnish-born architect / industrial designer, was one of the main influencers of the new, modernist style now typical for mid-century American furniture design. His aim has always been to use simple forms, provide a comfortable user experience, while applying new techniques and often in cooperation with others. The use of laminated birch wood, regularly seen in the designs of Charles and Ray Eames is no coincidence, since they have worked together in the early 1940s. Other well-known pieces are the Womb Chair, and the Tulip or Pedestal series. Our lounge chair is a Knoll International original, a licensed early Swiss...
Wool, Wood
$4,593
H 35.44 in W 26.38 in D 33.08 in
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
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.
$6,500
H 34.5 in W 31 in D 35 in
Recently Restored Eero Saarinen for Knoll Model 61 Grasshopper Lounge Chair
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Ferndale, MI
Eero Saarinen and Florence Schust grew up together attending Cranbrook school. Saarinens father Eliel Saarinen was the first head master . Aftrer marrying Florence Schust became Flro...
Upholstery, Maple
$4,500
H 35 in W 27 in D 34 in
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
$7,800
H 34.5 in W 31 in D 35 in
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
Nicely restored Eero Saarinen for Knoll Grasshopper Lounge Chair
By Eero Saarinen
Located in Buffalo, NY
Grasshopper Chair by Eero Saarinen ..Nice 1970s example,, properly re-upholstered.. Retains original birch laminate plywood finish,, Wonderful patina,, great color..Extremely comfortable.. Hand delivery avail to New York City or anywhere en route from Buffalo ny The Grasshopper (or model 61) chair was designed by Eero Saarinen for Knoll in 1946, it was actually the first chair designed for the Knoll company, and turned out as an immediate success. Saarinen, an American but Finnish-born architect...
Fabric, Wood
1950s Grasshopper Chair and Stool for Knoll
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in Praha, CZ
- The chair was carefully refurbished from early model original piece. - The wooden parts have been black lacquered in high gloss finish. - Newly upholstered in white leather. - S...
Leather, Wood
Five Harry Bertoia Chrome Wire Dining Chairs by Knoll
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in San Mateo, CA
Set of five Harry Bertoia side chairs manufactured by Knoll. These chairs date to around 1970. They have a chrome finish. The chairs have black vinyl seat pads. The pads are Knoll re...
Chrome
Mid-Century Teak and Iron Patio or Garden Table
Located in San Mateo, CA
Small teak and iron dining table. This table has legs that are easily removed by sliding the end out of a bracket underneath the top. The top is made of solid teak boards. The metal ...
Iron
Chrome X Base Stool by Swaim Originals
By Swaim, John Mascheroni
Located in San Mateo, CA
Ottoman or stool made by Swaim Originals of High Point, N.C. This was likely designed by John Mascheroni. This has a chrome plated X base. The construct...
Chrome
George Nelson Desk for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in San Mateo, CA
Double pedestal desk by Herman Miller. This desk was probably a custom order. There are three wide drawers and three small drawers. The top small drawer has a sliding pencil...
Chrome
Walnut and Acrylic Mid Century Low Coffee Table
Located in San Mateo, CA
Walnut and acrylic slat coffee table. This table has the feeling of a Jens Risom design but we have not been able to document that. The table has three boards across the top with a s...
Acrylic, Walnut
Jens Quistgaard Fireplace Tools for Dansk Designs
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in San Mateo, CA
Rare set of Dansk fireplace tools designed by Jens Quistgaard. These consist of a poker, broom and shovel and are held on a wall mounted rack. This set...
Brass, Iron
