 |
| Long and low Gondola Sofa Which Adrian Pearsall Is Known For |
A SURE FIRE WAY IN AUTHENTICATING ADRIAN PEARSALL FURNITURE IS TO TAKE PHOTOS OF THE ITEM IN QUESTION. AND SUBMIT IT TO NO LESS THAN A RELIABLE SOURCE -THE PEARSALL FAMILY. TAKE PHOTOS OF THE BACK,FRONT, SIDE AND TOP VIEWS OF THE FURNITURE. SEND IT TO jpearsall1482@gmail.com THE CERTIFICATION FEE IS $75
Include your mailing address, so they can send you the signed and dated certificate of authenticity along with a copy of the catalogue sheet. That is if your item is included in the catalog.
If your item isn't in the Adrian Pearsall catalog. They will attribute it to a similar work of Pearsall but not to other designers and manufacturers.
The Pearsall catalogue is believed to be 600 pages and counting. A. Pearsall was so prolific in his heydays he created innumerable designs. Plus he did a lot of custom work for other people on commission bases. His work is so extensive that many of countless original Adrian Pearsall Craft Associates products are floating around the world. It's almost impossible to catalog them all.
But the Pearsall family reassured that they will gradually beef up the catalog each time they discovered and authenticate new items.
But the Pearsall family reassured that they will gradually beef up the catalog each time they discovered and authenticate new items.
Recently there had been a resurgence of interests in Pearsall's work. Discriminating collectors and dealers are actively hunting them out. The value of these collectible furniture pieces are getting higher and pricier. The demand for genuine Pearsall pieces often exceeded than the supply.
It is not uncommon to find several reproductions of his work. There's nothing wrong with reproductions of famous designer pieces per se. But to sell them as vintage and at higher price are what makes it a fraud. There are unscrupulous dealers that violate copyright and trademark laws.
The Pearsall family is doing their best to track down and curb the knock-off trend. They actively discredit individuals and companies that pose as legit dealers and distributors of Adrian Pearsall Craft Associates, when actually they are really not.
ADRIAN PEARSALL CRAFT ASSOCIATES: THE GOLDEN YEARS
The 1960's were the golden years for Adrian Pearsall and Craft Associates. The company became one of the most coveted name in the Mid Century Modern era. And later on shaped Pearsall's legacy.
Pearsall first produced wrought iron pieces. But the business really took off when they started to incorporate walnut bases in their furniture. The consumers responded positively to the new and avant-garde designs of Craft Associates.
From the point of view where astronauts, moon launches, rocket ships and Formica countertops were the zeitgeist of the times-- Pearsall's work were regarded as aesthetically pleasing, daring and exciting which added a particular warmth to each piece. People thought they are "extraterrestrial."
Pearsall first produced wrought iron pieces. But the business really took off when they started to incorporate walnut bases in their furniture. The consumers responded positively to the new and avant-garde designs of Craft Associates.
From the point of view where astronauts, moon launches, rocket ships and Formica countertops were the zeitgeist of the times-- Pearsall's work were regarded as aesthetically pleasing, daring and exciting which added a particular warmth to each piece. People thought they are "extraterrestrial."
WHAT MAKES ADRIAN PEARSALL THE DARLING OF THE MID CENTURY MODERN ERA?
I think in my humble opinion he was one of the few designers who introduced high style or high end furniture design to the mass market like they have never seen before.
His high class pieces found its way to the working man's living room. In short, He was the poorman's Mid Mod Icon. And he was regarded as the voice that spoke the American-ness of the Atomic Age of a bygone era.
I think in my humble opinion he was one of the few designers who introduced high style or high end furniture design to the mass market like they have never seen before.
His high class pieces found its way to the working man's living room. In short, He was the poorman's Mid Mod Icon. And he was regarded as the voice that spoke the American-ness of the Atomic Age of a bygone era.
What His Critics Said:
His designs mostly were criticized as cheap version of Vladimir Kagan who was his contemporary.
Some people insinuated that his designs were middling dabblers of American kitsch.
Some people insinuated that his designs were middling dabblers of American kitsch.
Adrian Pearsall is popularly known for designing:
Large jacks table:
High back chairs:
High back chairs:
WHERE CAN YOU GET YOUR HANDS ON THESE ICONIC PIECES?
Usually you can score them at:
1. Auction houses--online or offline.
2.Local Antiques/ vintage shops.
3. Swanky houses/ specialty shops that does reproductions. If you're into knockoffs.
4. Estate Sales. Here you will find treasure.
5. Goodwill and Salvation Army--If you spend enough time, effort and creativity. You might get lucky.
6. Dumpsters-- if you get really, really, really lucky.
2.Local Antiques/ vintage shops.
3. Swanky houses/ specialty shops that does reproductions. If you're into knockoffs.
4. Estate Sales. Here you will find treasure.
5. Goodwill and Salvation Army--If you spend enough time, effort and creativity. You might get lucky.
6. Dumpsters-- if you get really, really, really lucky.
The prices may range from expensive to cheap and then to--free at No. 6
WHERE TO RESTORE/ REFINISH/ RE-UPHOLSTER YOUR ADRIAN PEARSALL CRAFT ASSOCIATES FURNITURE?
You need someone who is reliable and experienced in this area.
Click here to get a quote:
http://www.mod restoration.com/get-a-quote
You need someone who is reliable and experienced in this area.
Click here to get a quote:
http://www.mod restoration.com/get-a-quote
DO'S AND DONT'S ON HOW TO IDENTIFY AN AUTHENTIC ADRIAN PEARSALL CRAFT ASSOCIATE FURNITURE?
In the age of "Buyer Beware" operative keywords, most of the time the auctioneer will leave you (the collector/bidder)the responsibility to know the hints and clues of a truly collector's item. You have to know exactly what you are looking for.
I scoured the internet and did my research And make it easier for you and save you time to just read all the tips in one place.
Here's the do's and dont's on how to identify an authentic Adrian Pearsall Craft Associate furniture. Are you ready? Let's go:
Do's:
Do's:
1.Do look for tags that says:
Craft Associates
Wilkes-Barre
Pennsylvania
2. Do look for pieces that you think could be well-fitted in the sets of Buck Rogers, Mad Men and Astronaut's Wives Club TV series. That distinct Atomic age style is what's it's called.
3. Do look for details that incorporates high back on chairs, sharp angular arm rest, glass tops, neck rest or neck pillows. Furnitures that are low to the ground (gondola sofa), clean and broad sweeping lines, elaborate and exaggerated curves, and pieces that employ fabrics in geometrical and bold shapes, unexpected stunning color combinations and sometimes bright solid colors.
4. Do scrutinize the base for that signature warm-colored walnut wood.
Craft Associates
Wilkes-Barre
Pennsylvania
2. Do look for pieces that you think could be well-fitted in the sets of Buck Rogers, Mad Men and Astronaut's Wives Club TV series. That distinct Atomic age style is what's it's called.
3. Do look for details that incorporates high back on chairs, sharp angular arm rest, glass tops, neck rest or neck pillows. Furnitures that are low to the ground (gondola sofa), clean and broad sweeping lines, elaborate and exaggerated curves, and pieces that employ fabrics in geometrical and bold shapes, unexpected stunning color combinations and sometimes bright solid colors.
4. Do scrutinize the base for that signature warm-colored walnut wood.
Don't's
1. Don't buy if the item has an aspect of composite on it. Composite--plastic that made to look real. Everything must be real and natural like metal and wood.
2. Don't buy if it has urethane foam in it. Urethane foam was invented in the late 50's. And not only until later manufacturers used them on their furnitures.
3. Don't buy it if the overall look is brand new. Remember original Pearsall items are between 47 to 63 years old. Traces of wear and tear should be evident like scratches and dents, hairline cracks, worn-out fabrics and pitted leg caps.
4 Don't buy from a dealer who can't provide you with certificate of authenticity.
1. Don't buy if the item has an aspect of composite on it. Composite--plastic that made to look real. Everything must be real and natural like metal and wood.
2. Don't buy if it has urethane foam in it. Urethane foam was invented in the late 50's. And not only until later manufacturers used them on their furnitures.
3. Don't buy it if the overall look is brand new. Remember original Pearsall items are between 47 to 63 years old. Traces of wear and tear should be evident like scratches and dents, hairline cracks, worn-out fabrics and pitted leg caps.
4 Don't buy from a dealer who can't provide you with certificate of authenticity.
BITE-SIZE TRIVIA/ FUN FACTS ABOUT ADRIAN PEARSALL:
---He chose a generic name for Craft Associates the company he founded--just in case his furniture business tank. He could sell another line of products using the same generic trademark.
----He is the creator of the ubiquitous Bean bag chair. Remember college days when you pulled an all--nighter?
Bean bag chair.
----He started Craft Associates in the basement of his mother-in-law's duplex.
----He sold his first batch of furniture from the back of his truck in New York and Philadelphia area.
----He was nominated in the American Designer's Hall of Fame.
----No one really predicted that his pieces will be more popular and in demand 40-50-60 years after they were made. And continued to flourish even up to this day.
----He sold Craft Associates label to Lane Company in 1968.
--In 1970 He founded Comfort Designs and stayed there until his retirement.
---Later on in life he was an avid yachtman. Took interest in restoring old yatchs and sailboats.
----He noted that sometimes His designs(fabric wise) were influenced by women's fashion of that era.
----He was a philanthropist.
----He is the creator of the ubiquitous Bean bag chair. Remember college days when you pulled an all--nighter?
Bean bag chair.
----He started Craft Associates in the basement of his mother-in-law's duplex.
----He sold his first batch of furniture from the back of his truck in New York and Philadelphia area.
----He was nominated in the American Designer's Hall of Fame.
----No one really predicted that his pieces will be more popular and in demand 40-50-60 years after they were made. And continued to flourish even up to this day.
----He sold Craft Associates label to Lane Company in 1968.
--In 1970 He founded Comfort Designs and stayed there until his retirement.
---Later on in life he was an avid yachtman. Took interest in restoring old yatchs and sailboats.
----He noted that sometimes His designs(fabric wise) were influenced by women's fashion of that era.
----He was a philanthropist.
ADRIAN PEARSALL CRAFT ASSOCIATES FURNITURE THAT WERE RECENTLY SOLD AT AN AUCTION:
source: www.wright20.com
WHAT'S THE LATEST ADRIAN PEARSALL PIECE YOU ACQUIRED?
Please comment below.
Please comment below.
2 comments:
Two end tables
For years, I have loved my S shaped sofa in cream colored fur. It was swanky, sexy and when people saw it they were in awe. Today, I just realized that it is likely an Adrian Pearsall. Now, it all makes sense!!!
Post a Comment