Tulip Chairs by Eero Saarinen for Knoll, white shell and orange seat, in a row

The 4 white Space-Age organic Knoll chairs with orange cushions

The 4 seats published by Knoll International seen from behind

The seats of the 4 chairs with their orange cushions

The seats of the 4 chairs without their cushions

The undersides of the cushions of the 4 seats

Underside of the cast aluminum pedestals of the 4 seats

Under the chairs, engraved in the cast, the publisher Knoll

4 Tulip Chairs by Eero Saarinen for Knoll International

€2800,00

Set of 4 Tulip chairs by Eero Saarinen, in white lacquered cast aluminum, with fixed off-white fiberglass seats. Period cushions and fabric.

Signed below the base “Knoll International“, circa 1960.
H 79 CM X D 55 CM X W 49 CM.
Seat height 45 CM.
Normal wear marks on hulls and legs. (see pictures).

1 available in store

Ref: 0009728 Categories: Chairs and Armchairs, Latest arrivals Tags: Chairs, Knoll International – Vintage Furniture and Lamps

4 Tulip Chairs by Eero Saarinen for Knoll International

Designed by Eero Saarinen in the late 1950s for Knoll International, the Tulip model is considered the first pedestal chair produced on a large scale. With this creation, which became emblematic of American design, Saarinen sought to eliminate what he called the “clutter of legs” generated by traditional four-legged tables and chairs.

The chair thus rests on a single central cast aluminum pedestal, giving the whole an immediately recognizable silhouette. This radically new approach for the time contributes to the fluid and organic aesthetic of the model, inspired by natural forms and the biomorphism developed in 1950s/60s design.

The base is covered with a white Rilsan-type coating, a synthetic material used by Knoll on early editions to achieve a smooth, soft-to-the-touch surface more resistant to daily use. This treatment contributes to the characteristic monolithic appearance of the Tulip, whose pedestal and base seem to form a single continuous volume.

The shell is made of molded fiberglass, an innovative material for the time, allowing for a seat that is simultaneously lightweight, solid, and enveloping. Authentic examples published by Knoll generally present several identifying characteristics: signature or stamp under the base, quality of shell molding, Rilsan-covered base, and a velcro cushion attachment system.

Beyond these technical elements, the Tulip remains above all recognizable by the particularly masterful balance of its proportions. Saarinen sought to reconcile industrial production, comfort, and visual purity.

This model can be compared to another series of Tulip chairs published by Knoll International previously in our collection.