Early Restored Mid Century Tan Womb Lounge Chair by Saarinen for Knoll, Multiples/Custom Available

Note: We have a collection of vintage Eero Saarinen Womb chairs and loveseat settees undergoing restoration and can offer the pieces in multiples and with custom upholstery options. Please reach out for further details.

This vintage mid century modern Womb lounge chair designed by Eero Saarinen for Knoll is from the early 1950s. This authentic vintage chair has been professionally restored by our team of experts and is reupholstered in Knoll Cato fabric in "Sand" and outfitted with a new Knoll steel rod frame.

Fabric
Cato is a classic Knoll fabric used for the Saarinen Womb chair. Designed for durability, its chunky, nubby, exaggerated texture gives this fabric depth and a tactile quality reminiscent of traditional hand-woven textiles, making it perfectly suited for this application. The color "Sand" is a beautiful shade of tan with texture and depth achieved by using yarns of varying color and thickness.

Model 70 Womb Chair
The mid century modern classic Saarinen for Knoll Womb lounge chair was designed by Eero Saarinen in 1946 in response to Florence Knoll's request for 'a chair that was like a basket full of pillows - something she could really curl up in.' The result was the Model 70 “Womb” chair - an elegantly sculptural and incredibly comfortable chair that has come to be a highly collectible mid century modern icon. The innovative design was drawn from the shipbuilding industry and includes foam padding and upholstery over a single-piece fiberglass shell seat resting on a tubular steel frame.

Historical Background & Provenance
This restored Saarinen Womb chair is part of a collection of Knoll furniture originally designed and customized in the early 1950s for the SS Spartan and SS Badger, luxury ferry liners that saw their heyday in the mid-20th century and traversed Lake Michigan from Michigan to Wisconsin. The interiors of the vessels were decorated with period mid-century modern furniture, including pieces designed by Eero Saarinen for Knoll and Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller. The Saarinen Womb chairs and settees were custom fitted to accommodate the requirements of the ships. Now rendered obsolete, the ferry ships were recently slated for destruction. Through the dedicated efforts of multiple parties, this historically important furniture was rescued and is undergoing professional restoration for continued life in a home or hospitality setting.

CONDITION
Excellent condition. Reupholstered in Knoll Cato fabric in "Sand". New Knoll chair base with polished chrome finish and stainless steel and nylon glides. Knoll logo embossed on leg. Some chair examples retain original Knoll Associates, Inc. 36-30 Steinway Street label, shown for reference.

DIMENSIONS
W 39.5" x D 35.5" x H 36.5"
Seat Height: 17.5"iv