Description

Grasshopper Chair by Eero Saarinen for Knoll

The Grasshopper (or model 61) chair was designed by Eero Saarinen for Knoll in 1946, it was actually the first chair designed for the Knoll company, and turned out as an immediate success.

Saarinen, an American but Finnish-born architect / industrial designer, was one of the main influencers of the new, modernist style now typical for mid-century American furniture design. His aim has always been to use simple forms, provide a comfortable user experience, while applying new techniques and often in cooperation with others. The use of laminated birch wood, regularly seen in the designs of Charles and Ray Eames is no coincidence, since they have worked together in the early 1940s. Other well-known pieces are the Womb Chair, and the Tulip or Pedestal series.

Our lounge chair is a Knoll International original, a licensed early Swiss production from the 1950s, marketed by Wohnbedarf AG (Basel). Typical for this version are the visible metal attachments to the wooden frame. Later productions have the attachments integrated in the laminated birch wood.

Literature Reference: “Swiss Furniture and Interiors in the 20th Century” by Arthur Rüegg, for Foundation Good Goods, Birkhäuser, page 143 and 315.

Condition: Excellent vintage condition. New upholstery, (Kvadrat Steelcut Trio), new foam. Some small signs of age on the birch laminated wood frame.

Origination: Switzerland, 1950s.