Iconic Designs
Womb ChairBy Eero Saarinen
About the Design
Shortly after Eero Saarinen (1910–61) joined Florence Knoll at the manufacturer she had established with her husband, Hans, she presented the Finnish-born designer with a serious request: to create for her the world’s most comfortable chair, something, Saarinen recalls, that felt like “a basket full of pillows.”
Presented with the challenge, Saarinen went primal. What, the designer figured, better signifies the very essence of comfort than the womb? "It was designed on the theory that a great number of people have never really felt comfortable and secure since they left the womb,” the designer said of his Womb chair, which began production in 1948. “The chair is an attempt to rectify this maladjustment in our civilization.”
The Womb chair, like many other masterpieces of modernist design, is genius in its simplicity. Comprised of few materials, the chair consists of a fabric-wrapped, molded fiberglass bucket set atop legs of tubular steel. The skeletal look of the frame keeps the chair from appearing bulky despite the seat’s oversized silhouette, which makes it inviting to people of all sizes.
"There seemed to be a need for a large and really comfortable chair to take the place of the old overstuffed chair,” Saarinen once said of his concept.
Indeed, despite being indisputably comfortable, the Womb doesn’t require an abundance of padding and tufting — instead, its comfort owes to a perfectly shaped shell of fiberglass. This new approach to ergonomics both reflected Saarinen’s love of streamlined forms and echoed the kind of experimental work being done by American designers Charles and Ray Eames, who, like Florence Knoll, were friends he'd made at Cranbrook Academy of Art while he taught there.
It didn’t take long for the chair to become a cultural phenomenon; in the decade following its release, it appeared in a Coca-Cola commercial, a New Yorker cartoon and in a Norman Rockwell painting on the cover of The Saturday Evening Post. Today, Knoll offers the seat in some 15 upholstery options, and when Saarinen’s famous TWA terminal reopened as a hotel in 2019, Womb chairs featured prominently in the guest rooms, continuing the legacy of this classic design.
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Custom Modernist KNOLL Womb Chair and Ottoman by Eero Saarinen
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Buffalo, NY
Eero Saarinen for Knoll Womb chair and ottoman. Custom Ordered “Puff” Mocha color upholstery "Nick Cave" and Manufactured by Knoll Textiles. Literally Brand new!! Woman ordered new f...
Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Metal, Steel
Eero Saarinen Mid-Century Womb Chair & Ottoman by Knoll
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Southampton, NY
This Iconic original Womb Chair and accompanying ottoman is by famed Finnish/ American designer Eero Saarinen and produced by Knoll. The chair and ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Womb Chair & Ottoman by Eero Saarinen for Knoll
By Eero Saarinen
Located in Dallas, TX
A womb chair and ottoman designed by Eero Saarinen for Knoll upholstered in baroque fabric.
Category
Vintage 1960s Lounge Chairs
Materials
Fabric
Forsyth Bespoke Eero Saarinen Womb Chair and Ottoman in Australian Sheepskin
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO
A favourite of the Forsyth design team!
We have an incredible collection of vintage chairs and design icons waiting for a new life. Our upcycled womb chairs are some of our most popular designs. This womb chair and ottoman will be made to order with the finest Australian sheepskins...
Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Sheepskin
Forsyth Bespoke Eero Saarinen Womb Chair and Pouf Ottoman in Patagonia Shearling
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO
A favourite of the Forsyth design team!
We have an incredible collection of vintage chairs and design icons waiting for a new life. Our upcycled Womb chairs are some of our most p...
Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Sheepskin
Forsyth Bespoke Womb Chair and Ottoman in New Zealand Sheepskin, Smokey Taupe
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO
A favorite of the Forsyth design team!
We have an incredible collection of vintage chairs and design icons waiting for a new life. Our upcycled womb chairs are some of our most po...
Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Sheepskin
Forsyth Bespoke Eero Saarinen Womb Chair in Australian Sheepskin
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO
We have an incredible collection of vintage chairs and design icons waiting for a new life. Our upcylced womb chairs are some of our most popular designs. This womb chair will be made to order with the finest Australian sheepskins...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Sheepskin
Forsyth Bespoke Eero Saarinen Womb Chair and Ottoman in Texas Sheepskin
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO
A favorite of the Forsyth design team!
We have an incredible collection of vintage chairs and design icons waiting for a new life. Our upcycled womb chairs are some of our most p...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Sheepskin
Forsyth Bespoke Eero Saarinen Womb Chair Without Ottoman in California Sheepskin
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO
Note: The listing is for womb chair only, no ottoman included.
A favourite of the Forsyth design team!
We have an incredible collection of vintage chairs and design icons waiting f...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Sheepskin
c. 1975 Rare Eero Saarinen Womb Settee, Restored in The Elder Statesman Cashmere
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO
Rare, vintage Womb Settee designed by Eero Saarinen for Knoll. Rebuilt and reupholstered in the most luxurious cashmere from The Elder Statesman.
One of a kind.
Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Settees
Materials
Steel, Chrome
Forsyth Bespoke Eero Saarinen Womb Chair and Ottoman in Zebra
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO
A favorite of the Forsyth design team! We have an incredible collection of vintage chairs and design icons waiting for a new life. Our upcycled Womb Chairs are some of our most popul...
Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Zebra Hide
Eero Saarinen for Knoll Mid Century Womb Chair with Ottoman
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in Countryside, IL
Eero Saarinen for Knoll Mid Century Womb Chair with Ottoman
The chair measures: 41 wide x 35 deep x 36 high, with a seat height of 16 inches and arm height/chair clearance of 21 inc...
Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Metal
Forsyth Bespoke Eero Saarinen Womb Chair and Ottoman in Shearling
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO
Lead Time: Please allow 10 to 12 weeks to restore a vintage Womb Chair and Ottoman in Shearling.
"Eero Saarinen designed the groundbreaking Wom...
Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Sheepskin
Forsyth Bespoke Eero Saarinen Womb Chair in Zebra
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO
A favorite of the Forsyth design team! We have an incredible collection of vintage chairs and design icons waiting for a new life. Our upcycled Womb Chairs are some of our most popul...
Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Zebra Hide
Forsyth Bespoke Eero Saarinen Womb Chair and Ottoman in Patagonia Shearling
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO
A favourite of the Forsyth design team!
We have an incredible collection of vintage chairs and design icons waiting for a new life. Our upcycled womb chairs are some of our most p...
Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Sheepskin
Forsyth Bespoke Womb Chair and Ottoman in New Zealand Sheepskin, Ivory
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO
A favorite of the Forsyth design team!
We have an incredible collection of vintage chairs and design icons waiting for a new life. Our upcycled womb chairs are some of our most po...
Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Sheepskin
Eero Saarinen fo Knoll Womb Chair and Ottoman
By Eero Saarinen
Located in New York, NY
Eero Saarinen for Knoll
Womb Chair and ottoman, 1946 / 2000s
Cream fabric and steel legs
Ottoman: H 16 x W 25 x D 21.5 in. (H 40.64 x W 63.5 x 54.61 cm)
The piece can be viewed in o...
Category
Early 2000s Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Eero Saarinen - Lounge Sessel "Womb" Knoll International, 1960er
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in Rosendahl, DE
Womb Lounge Chair with ottoman by Knoll International, designed by Eero Saarinen and produced in the 1960s. This iconic chair is renowned for its organic shapes and unparalleled comf...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Steel
Forsyth Bespoke Eero Saarinen Womb Chair and Ottoman in Suede
By Eero Saarinen
Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO
A favorite of the Forsyth design team!
“Eero Saarinen designed the groundbreaking Womb Chair at Florence Knoll's request for ‘a chair that was like a basket full of pillows - somet...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Chrome
Early Womb Chair Designed for Eero Saarinen
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Stamford, CT
A early production womb chair designed by Eero Saarinen. Produced by Knoll starting in 1946 this model was produced in 1952. It re...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Steel
Forsyth Bespoke Eero Saarinen Womb Chair and Ottoman in Wavy Sheepskin
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO
Lead Time: Please allow 10 to 12 weeks to restore a vintage Womb Chair and Ottoman in our wavy New Zealand sheepskin
"Eero Saarinen designed the groundbreaking Womb chair at Flore...
Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Chrome
Forsyth Bespoke Eero Saarinen Womb Chair and Ottoman in Shearling
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO
Lead Time: Please allow 10 to 12 weeks to restore a vintage Womb Chair and Ottoman in Shearling.
"Eero Saarinen designed the groundbreaking Wom...
Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Sheepskin
Eero Saarinen for Knoll Womb Chair Ottoman with black base
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Eero Saarinen for Knoll Womb Chair Ottoman with Black base. Chair is probably 10-15 years old. Good overall shape.
Category
Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Materials
Metal
Eero Saarinen for Knoll Womb Chair /ready for its makeover!
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Eero Saarinen for Knoll Womb Chair. Ready for it's make-over! We can help with Upholstery! About 1500 to redo by my guy who is excellent! Solid Chair just needs new fabric and foam!
Category
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Metal
Eero Saarinen for Knoll Mid Century Womb Chair with Ottoman
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in Countryside, IL
Eero Saarinen for Knoll Mid Century Womb Chair with Ottoman
The chair measures: 38.75 wide x 35 deep x 35.5 high, with a seat height of 17 inc...
Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Chrome
Forsyth Bespoke Eero Saarinen Womb Chair and Ottoman in Natural Cashmere
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO
Lead Time: Please allow 10 to 12 weeks to restore a vintage Womb Chair and Ottoman in Natural Cashmere.
"Eero Saarinen designed the groundbreaking Womb chair at Florence Knoll's req...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Goat Hair
Forsyth Bespoke Eero Saarinen Womb Chair and Ottoman in California Sheepskin
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO
A favourite of the Forsyth design team!
We have an incredible collection of vintage chairs and design icons waiting for a new life. Our upcylced womb chairs are some of our most pop...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Sheepskin
Womb Chair and Ottoman by Eero Saarinen for Knoll
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Dorchester, MA
Designed for Knoll by Eero Saarinen in 1948, the Womb chair with ottoman has become a modernist classic. The contoured frame of fiberglass and polished ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Chrome
Forsyth Eero Saarinen Womb Chair and Ottoman in Pierre Frey 'Wokabi' Fabric
By Eero Saarinen
Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO
A favorite of the Forsyth design team!
“Eero Saarinen designed the groundbreaking Womb Chair at Florence Knoll's request for ‘a chair that was like a basket full of pillows - som...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Fabric
Classic Early Production Eero Saarinen for Knoll Womb Chair with Ottoman
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Ferndale, MI
Shortly after Florence Knoll joined her husband, Hans in the running of Knoll , she presented the Finnish-born designer Eero Saarinen with a request: to create for her the world’s mo...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Steel, Wrought Iron
Early Wool Womb Chair by Eero Saarinen for Knoll, 1960s
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Aachen, NW
Early 2-tone wool Womb chair by Eero Saarinen for Knoll.
The groundbreaking Womb chair was designed in 1948 by Eero Saarinen at Florence Knoll's request for "a chair that was lik...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Lounge Chairs
Materials
Aluminum
Eero Saarinen for Knoll Womb Chair and Ottoman in Off-White Boucle
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Dallas, TX
Eero Saarinen's iconic womb chair with ottoman. We have restored this 20th Century chair with a beautiful high-quality off-white boucle with a black undertone. Super soft and this ch...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Chrome
Forsyth Bespoke Eero Saarinen Womb Chair and Ottoman in Dedar Boucle
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO
Lead Time: Please allow 10 to 12 weeks to restore a vintage Womb Chair and Ottoman in Dedar Boucle.
"Eero Saarinen designed the groundbreaking Womb cha...
Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Chrome
Set of Two beige Eero Saarinen Womb Chair and Ottoman for Knoll, USA, 1960s
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in Berlin, DE
Set of two Early Eero Saarinen womb chairs and ottoman for Knoll, USA - 1960s. Newly upholstered in a Knoll fabric. The measurements giv...
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Metal
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