Eero Saarinen

EERO SAARINEN (Finland, 1910 - United States, 1961) for Knoll International.
Armchair and footrest "Womb". 1948.
First edition.
Chromed frame, in light blue Kvadrat Tonus2 fabric.
Good condition. The fabric shows slight discoloration.
Measurements: 100 x 90 x 90 cm (armchair); 50 x 40 x 30 cm (footrest).

The iconic "Womb" armchair, designed by Eero Saarinen for Knoll, is one of the great masterpieces of post-war modern design. Conceived in 1948 in response to the need for a seat "like a basket full of pillows," its organic, enveloping form redefined contemporary comfort with an unmistakable sculptural elegance.

This first edition, accompanied by its original footrest, retains the innovative essence of the model: a lightweight chrome-plated metal frame supporting a wide, protective body, designed to embrace the body in a relaxed posture. Upholstered in Kvadrat Tonus2 fabric in delicate light blue, it combines traditional craftsmanship with the sophistication of Nordic design.

Eero Saarinen trained in Paris and at Yale University, and was a professor at the influential Cranbrook Academy. He began his career in furniture design with Charles Eames, with whom he won the 1940 "Organic Design in Home Furnishings" award from MoMA in New York. He later developed iconic pieces for Knoll International, today present in reference collections such as the MoMA's own.