Large set of 8 tulip armchairs by Eero Saarinen for Knoll International, 1970s

Eero Saarinen’s Tulip Armchair, designed in 1955-56 as part of his Pedestal Collection for Knoll, is a modernist icon. Saarinen sought to solve the issue of “the slum of legs” in traditional furniture by creating a chair with a single pedestal base, giving it a clean, sculptural appearance. While he originally envisioned the chair being made entirely of one material, technological limitations led to the use of a fiberglass seat and an aluminum base, painted to appear as a unified piece. The design, resembling both a flower and a wineglass, became revolutionary for its organic shape and simplicity. Its futuristic aesthetic, often associated with the Space Age, made it a staple of mid-century modern design Very good condition New pillows in Pine Green upholstery. The base naturally developed slight areas where the white paint began to split (see photos)