Mid 20th Century Eero Saarinen for Knoll Model 61 Grasshopper Lounge Chair

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Eero Saarinen and Florence Knoll grew up together at Cranbrook school. Having remained close through the years Saarinen was asked … Read more Eero Saarinen and Florence Knoll grew up together at Cranbrook school. Having remained close through the years Saarinen was asked to develop modern design furniture for her husbands company in 1946 . While he has had many iconic 20th C designs. Few are aware that this the Model 61, also known as the Grasshopper chair was his first design for Knoll . The curved, organic style of the chair’s one piece bentwood arm-leg reminded Saarinen of the beloved grasshopper’s hind legs. Created for comfort and lounging. The curved upholstered back flows into a deep angled seat. The continuous arm and leg elements are made of bent laminated wood. A relatively new, light yet strong material utilized particularly for aviation during World War II. This new material and style of manufacture was developed further by Saarinen and Charles Eames and adapted for post-war modernist furniture. This is important to remember as a number of more traditional materials were still scarce in the years immediately after the war. While not being as great a hit as the Womb chair the Grasshopper was in production 1946 - 1965. This chair has been rebuilt from the inside out. New webbing and foam covered in Knoll A grade Cato textile. Maple arms have been refinished in the original honey tone. See less