Eero Saarinen Rare and Early 'Womb' Chair in Grey Upholstery and Metal

Eero Saarinen for Knoll, early model 'Womb' chair, fabric and metal, United States, design 1946-1948

This shelled, cushioned lounge chair is designed between 1946 and 1948 by Eero Saarinen (1910-1961). The chair was a specific request by Florence Knoll (1917-2019), who thought it was time for a 'big one', because she got sick and tired of structured chairs that hold you in one position. The innovative woman strived for ‘a chair like a basket full of pillows – something I could curl up in’. This specific chair is an early model, since the shell is made out of metal, while later editions were produced with a fiberglass shell. Another difference between this model and the later productions is the opening in the backrest. This early model is very rare to find and for the collector a wonderful addition to the collection.

Eero Saarinen (1910-1961) was a Finnish-American architect who helped to shape the American postwar architecture of progression and optimism. Saarinen designed several airports and worked for large corporate clients such as IBM and General Motors. This meant that the identity of Saarinen's architecture went hand in hand with the identity of these companies. His design was also used in many companies and homes and thus helped to shape the aesthetic landscape of the United States in the 1950s and 1960s.

Knoll International was founded in New York by the 26 year old German Hans Knoll (1914-1955) in 1938. Hans' father, Walter Knoll, was a true modernist and furniture manufacturer who had a reputation for quality. When Hans Knoll died at a young age his wife Florence Knoll took over and under her influence the company flourished and created its best designs. She designed and led the company where she cooperated with talented designers such as Eero Saarinen, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Richard Schultz and Harry Bertoia.

Please note that we advise reupholstery before use. This item might contain some threadbare upholstery with loose seams and small stains. Reupholstery can be done before shipping by our experienced craftsmen and -women in our own in-house restoration atelier. With high attention for the original, they make sure every piece retains its value and is ready for the many years to come. We kindly ask you to contact our design experts for further information about the endless possibilities our restoration and upholstery atelier has to offer. Of course, a locally organized reupholstery is possible as well.

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