Eero Saarinen ‘Womb’ Lounge Chair in Red and Black Upholstery

Eero Saarinen for Knoll, 'Womb' easy chair, fabric, coated steel, United States, design 1948

This shelled, cushioned lounge chair ‘Womb’ was designed between 1946 and 1948 by Eero Saarinen. The chair was a specific request by Florence Knoll, who thought it was time for a 'big one'. It was at Florence Knoll's specific request as she claims to have been sick and tired of structured chairs which held you in one position. She said she wanted 'a chair in which was like basket full of pillows - something I could curl up in'. Eero designed the chair and did the prototype himself too. These specific chairs are upholstered in red and black fabric, held by a slim black coated frame.

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.

Eero Saarinen (1910-1961) was a Finish-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.

Please note that the fabric is in fair condition with discoloration, stains and wear. Reupholstery is possible before shipping by our experienced craftsman 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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