Saarinen For Knoll, Pair Of Saarinen Tulip Armchairs, 20th Century

The Tulip Chair (Model 150) was designed by Finnish-American architect and designer Eero Saarinen for Knoll as part of the Pedestal collection. Saarinen sought to eliminate what he called the “slum of legs”—that is, the visual tangle of legs beneath tables and chairs. He therefore envisioned a silhouette resting on a single central leg, giving the impression that the seat forms a continuous, almost sculptural whole.

The chair was particularly innovative for its time: its shell is made of molded fiberglass combined with an aluminum base, and its design naturally evokes the shape of a tulip.

It is upholstered in either Tonus fabric (90% combed wool, 10% Helanca) or Eva fabric (100% cotton).

This pursuit of simplicity, fluidity, and unity of form makes it one of the great icons of 20th-century modern design.

The model was developed around 1955–1956.

This piece is included in the permanent collections of prestigious international institutions, notably the MoMA in New York, the Centre Pompidou, and the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris.

In used condition, showing signs of wear and age-related marks.

One of the back panels has several tears, visible on the upholstery.

Period pieces, dating from the 1970s–1980s.

Selling price:

Per piece: 380 €

As a pair: 760 €

Dimensions: 69 x 65 cm

H: 82 cm.

Eero Saarinen (1910–1961) was a major Finnish-American architect and designer of the 20th century. The son of architect Eliel Saarinen, he developed a design approach based on the pursuit of sculptural, fluid, and functional forms.

Among his most iconic creations are the Tulip Chair and the Womb Chair, designed for Knoll, as well as the Pedestal table collection. His work, at the intersection of architecture and design, had a profound impact on postwar American modernism.

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Founded in 1938 by Hans and Florence Knoll, Knoll is one of the iconic names in modern American design. The brand has distinguished itself through its collaborations with some of the 20th century’s greatest designers and architects, including Eero Saarinen, Harry Bertoia, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, and Marcel Breuer.

Knoll has played a major role in the spread of modernist design by combining innovation, functional excellence, and high-quality craftsmanship. Many of its creations have become true design icons and continue to be produced and sought after around the world.