Set of 2 Swivel Tulip Armchairs – Designed by Eero Saarinen for Knoll International

We present at auction an elegant set of two swivel Tulip armchairs, designed by Eero Saarinen for Knoll International. Considered among the most important design icons of the 20th century, the Tulip chairs represent a revolution in the concept of modern furniture, thanks to their unmistakable single-stem base that transformed a seat into an authentic functional sculpture. In this version, they are offered with cushions upholstered in red fabric, in refined contrast with the white shell.

Designed in 1957 as part of the famous Pedestal Collection, the Tulip was born from Eero Saarinen's desire to eliminate what he called the "ugly, confusing, unrestful world" created by the legs of traditional tables and chairs. The result is a chair with fluid and continuous forms, composed of an ergonomic shell with armrests that develops harmoniously over a single central aluminum casting stem. The swivel base increases the functionality of the design, while the essential lines give the armchair a timeless elegance, still perfectly current today.

Conditions

The set is in excellent overall condition, following careful professional restoration. The shells and swivel bases have been restored and repainted, appearing perfectly solid with a smooth and precise rotation mechanism. The cushions have been completely reupholstered in red fabric and are in like-new condition. The authenticity of the armchairs is attributable to the constructive details typical of early Knoll productions, including the particular conformation of the base and the characteristic rotation system.