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Womb Chair
Iconic Designs

Womb Chair

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 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. 

Womb Chair

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Eero Saarinen for Knoll Womb Chair and Ottoman
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Eero Saarinen for Knoll Womb Chair and ottoman. Probably one of the most comfortable chairs ever created! This chair and ottoman d...
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Metal

Eero Saarinen Mid-Century Womb Chair & Ottoman by Knoll
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
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

Woodgreen Womb Chair & Ottoman by Eero Saarinen for Knoll, 1960s
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Aachen, NW
Early Woodwood Green Womb chair and ottoman by Eero Saarinen for Knoll. The groundbreaking Womb chair was designed in 1948 by Eero Saarinen at Florence Knoll's request for "a chair...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Lounge Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

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 Eero Saarinen Knoll Womb Chair & Ottoman, Blue Upholstery, Black Frame
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in New York, NY
Early Eero Saarinen Knoll Womb Chair, Blue Upholstery, Black Wrought Iron Frame. Being sold as is. The chair is in original condition and will need new upholstery if you're planning ...
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Wrought Iron

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

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 vintage Womb Chair and Ottoman for Knoll
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in Houston, TX
Eero Saarinen Knoll International USA 1946 upholstery, painted steel chair: 35 h × 41 w × 35 d inches Vintage Eero Saarinen womb chair and ottoman for Knoll restored in a prem...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Steel

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

Early Womb Chair Designed for Eero Saarinen
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
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

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 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

Vintage Midcentury Womb Chair and Ottoman by Eero Saarinen
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in Oxnard, CA
Here is an absolutely striking Womb chair and ottoman by Eero Saarinen for Knoll. This iconic lounge chair has been expertly reupholstered in premium Knoll "Cato" fabric. The now ubi...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Steel

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 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 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

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 Dedar Boucle
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 Dedar Boucle. "Eero Saarinen designed the groundbreaking Womb cha...
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Forsyth Bespoke Eero Saarinen Womb Chair and Ottoman in Wavy Sheepskin
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 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 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

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

Set of Two beige Eero Saarinen Womb Chair and Ottoman for Knoll, USA, 1960s
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
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 given apply to the chair. The ottoman measures 55...
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Metal

Forsyth Bespoke Eero Saarinen Womb Chair 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

Forsyth Bespoke Womb Chair and Ottoman in New Zealand Sheepskin, Smokey Taupe
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 po...
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Sheepskin

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 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

Forsyth Bespoke Eero Saarinen Womb Chair and Pouf 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 Eero Saarinen Womb Chair Without Ottoman in California Sheepskin
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
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

Forsyth Bespoke Womb Chair and Ottoman in New Zealand Sheepskin, Ivory
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 po...
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Sheepskin

Forsyth Bespoke Eero Saarinen Womb Chair and 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 Eero Saarinen Womb Chair in Australian Sheepskin
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
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

Eero Saarinen for Knoll Pair of Two-Tone Womb Chairs with Ottomans, USA 1955
By Eero Saarinen
Located in New York, NY
A pair of the Classic womb chairs designed by Eero Saarinen with matching ottomans upholstered in bouclé and faux fur. These are e...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Metal

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

Eero Saarinen for Knoll Womb Chair and Ottoman
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Garnerville, NY
Wonderful vintage 1960s Eero Saarinen for Knoll Womb Chair and ottoman. A wide and deep comfortable lounge chair. Feet up on the ottoman o...
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Steel, Iron

1960s Mid-Century Womb Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Eero Saarinen for Knoll
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Detroit, MI
The mid century classic modern Saarinen for Knoll Womb lounge chair and ottoman was designed by Eero Saarinen in 1946 in response to Florence Knoll's request for 'a chair that was li...
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Steel, Chrome

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