Early Womb Chair & Ottoman

[OR313] Early Eero Saarinen for Knoll Womb Chair & Ottoman in Chocolate Mohair - Silo Ready-2.jpg

[OR313] Early Eero Saarinen for Knoll Womb Chair & Ottoman in Chocolate Mohair - Silo Ready-215.jpg

Early Womb Chair & Ottoman

$8,000.00

Good design is often born from a desire to challenge the norm. In the late 1940s, friends and collaborators Florence Knoll and Eero Saarinen found themselves disillusioned by the rigid, uninspired nature of lounge seating at the time — and they sought a revolution. Knoll expressed to Saarinen her frustration at having to sit "properly," as traditional designs so often demanded. Saarinen, inspired by her complaint, set out to create a chair that would not only satisfy his friend’s request but also make a groundbreaking statement.

Saarinen recognized a fundamental human desire for primal comfort, leading him to envision a form with organic roots. Traditional furniture-making techniques, however, could not achieve the form he imagined. Together, Knoll and Saarinen turned to emerging technologies in cast fiberglass and resin, practically redefining what a chair could be. Saarinen called this new creation Model 70 — though it would soon be universally known as "The Womb": a chair where Florence Knoll, and millions after her, could sit freely, comfortably, and in any position they wished, enveloped in a cocoon of comfort true to its name.

Knoll continues to handcraft the Womb Chair in keeping with Eero Saarinen’s original vision and specifications. This particular example is an early production model, dated 1965 on its fiberglass shell. Our team has meticulously restored both the chair and ottoman, upholstering them in a luxurious Angora Mohair in a deep Chocolate tone. The mohair’s rich texture pairs beautifully with the original black enameled frame, which remains in very good condition with only minor wear consistent with age. A true icon of modern design, this Womb Chair has been thoughtfully preserved and restored, ready to offer comfort and style just as Florence and Eero intended.