Adrian Pearsall and Craft Associates
If you love mid-century modern design, you have probably heard of Adrian Pearsall. Adrian Pearsall was an architect who later became furniture designer that actually founded his own company. He was in good company with the likes of Eero Saarinen, Marcel Breuer, Charles and Ray Eames and more! His company was called Craft Associates and was located in Wilkes-Barr, Pennsylvania. Adrian Pearsall's furniture offerings were mainly wood coffee tables and end tables and upholstered sofas and chairs. He utilized unique geometric forms in his designs. Today, you will see lamps and case pieces misattributed to Adrian Pearsall, likely because they are reminiscent of his sculpted wood components to the pieces he did design.
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates 2313-S Sofa that we currently have available in our shop
Adrian Pearsall Did Not Design Lamps*!
So, if you found this article hoping to find out if your lamp was designed by Adrian Pearsall, straight away, the answer is no! Adrian Pearsall did not design lamps.
The catalog photos were staged with artwork and lamps from other companies, such as the example below with a Modeline 1525 Torchiere floor lamp to the side of the chaise lounge.
You may want to take a look at some companies that were making "modern" lamps in the same time period, such as Modeline of California, V.H. Woolums and even some offerings by Sears and Montgomery Ward!
*Well, he did design illuminated globes!
The Craft Associates catalog does contain some examples of upholstered art with walnut frames and design.
Reference a Catalog
What we have learned over the years of buying and selling furniture and encountering the black hole that is information about particular designs of furniture, is that you need to find a catalog! The catalog is a primary source of information. It is far more reliable than a website listing that someone created to sell an item. The catalog comes from the company that actually made the item. When it comes to identifying Adrian Pearsall's designs, a comprehensive catalog has been so helpful! You can actually access an online catalog here.
Catalog image that is a dead ringer for the sofa we recently restored!
Head on over to our Enthusiasts' Guide to Mid Century Modern Substack for an exclusive in-depth post with information about Adrian Pearsall and the tell-tale ways his pieces were constructed, as well as other furniture makers who made designs that you may confuse for Adrian Pearsall's designs.