Adrian Pearsall designed some of the most exuberant and expressive American chairs, sofas and other 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 had a gift for tables, too, 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, Pearsall had flair, and his work adds an attention-getting, sculptural exclamation point to any décor.
Find vintage Adrian Pearsall sofas, armchairs, coffee tables and other furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
John Makepeace Vintage Pine Frame Coffee Table with Glazed Top, 1970s For Heals
By John Makepeace
Located in Reading, Berkshire
John Makepeace Pine Frame Square Coffee Table With A Removable Glazed Top 1970's For Heals This table has a simple and understated elegance, which would be well suited to a modern o...
Glass, Pine
Mid Century Teak Clear Glazed Hexagonal Coffee Table With Black Plinth Base
By G Plan Furniture
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A Mid Century Modern G-Plan Teak Glazed Hexagonal Coffee Table. Table features a Clear glass top and inverted arch panels to the sides, all over a black plinth base with under stora...
Teak, Glass
Poul Cadovius Rosewood Coffee Table Designed For France & Son Circular 1960s
By Poul Cadovius, Cado
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Poul Cadovius Beautiful Rosewood Coffee Table Designed For France & Son Circular Top Inlaid With Brushed Chrome Floral Decoration Made In Denmark 1960's Poul Cadovius (1911 - 2011) was one of the most colourful and successful persons in the history of Danish furniture industry. He was originally educated as an upholsterer but became very interested in design at an early stage, and in 1945 he established his own furniture manufacturing company Royal System. A few years later, in 1948, he designed the iconic shelving system ROYAL...
Steel
William Plunkett 1971 White Formica & Curved Steel Modernist Coffee Table
By William Plunkett
Located in Reading, Berkshire
William Plunkett 1971 White Formica & Curved Steel Modernist Coffee Table. By British Designer William Plunkett (1928 - 2013) His Designs Sold by Heals and Libertys of London. L...
Steel
Georg Jensen Kubus Radial Coffee Table, Teak, Mid Century Modern
By Georg Jensen
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Soren Georg Jensen Kubus Radial teak coffee table, raised on intersecting v shaped supports made in Denmark. Søren Georg Jensen (4 October 1917 – 20 September 1982) was a Danish s...
Teak
Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Danish Rosewood & Teak Square Coffee Table
By Dyrlund
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Elegant & Warm Rosewood & Teak Square Coffee Table Mid Century Made in Denmark 1970s By Dyrlund Rosewood Frame with teak veneered top. About: Founded in 1960, we at Dyrlund pride o...
Rosewood, Teak
Adrian Pearsall Style Mid Century Glass and Ebonized Base Coffee Table
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Adrian Pearsall Style mid century glass and ebonized base coffee table This table measures: 35 wide x 35 deep x 15.75 inches...
Glass, Wood
Mid-Century Modern Glass Top Coffee Table in the Adrian Pearsall Style. C 1960s
By Adrian Pearsall, Kroehler Mfg. Co.
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Adrian Pearsall Style Glass Top Coffee Table. Circa 1960s Attributed to Kroehler Mfg. Co Features a sculptural walnut base table with a plater in a natura...
Stained Glass, Walnut
Coffee Table w/ Glass Top, Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates, USA, c. 1960s
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Deland, FL
Designed by the incomparable Adrian Pearsall, this sculptural coffee table is the epitome of American Mid-Century Modern Design. In excellent original, vintage condition this iconic ...
Glass, Walnut
Adrian Pearsall Mid Century Coffee Table
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Adrian Pearsall Mid Century Coffee Table This coffee table measures: 30 wide x 47 deep x 16 inches high All pieces of furniture can...
Glass, Wood
Mid-Century Modern Coffee Table with Glass & Wood, Italy, 1950s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Nicolosi, IT
This refined coffee table was produced in Italy in the 1950s, in the style of Fontana Arte, reflecting the elegant material dialogue and sculptural clarity characteristic of Italian ...
Brass
Adrian Pearsall Wood and Glass Coffee Table
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Milano, IT
An elegant wood and glass coffee table designed by Adrian Pearsall Attr. in the 1960s. The coffee table consists of a solid light-coloure...
Glass, Wood
