Knoll TULIP Glass-fibre chair with padded seat

The Tulip chair is part of the famous collection designed by Eero Saarinen for Knoll in 1957.‎ The designer, American but of Finnish origin, wanted with this project to try to use new plastic materials to eliminate the traditional four legs of tables and Guest Chairs.‎ In order to arrive at the final design, the architect first made many scale prototypes, which he incorporated into dollhouse-like models, and then also in real size: after many tests he succeeded in obtaining a technically satisfactory result, but one that did not comply with his desire to realise the design in a single mould and with the use of a single material, due to the technical limitations that existed at the time in the processing of plastics.‎ In any case, the great value of the project was soon recognised and today the Tulip series is a true design icon.‎ The shell of the Tulip chair is made of cast aluminium with a Rilsan-coated finish for the white and black versions, while the platinum-coloured base has a polyurethane cover with a transparent finish.‎ The Tulip seating collection consists of an armchair and a chair without armrests, with swivel or fixed base.‎ Dining and Guest Chairs are available with upholstered seat cushion or fully upholstered inner shell with seat cushion, in a wide range of fabrics or leather.‎ A swivel stool with upholstered cushion completes the collection.‎ The KnollStudio logo and Eero Saarinen's signature can be found on the underside of the base.‎ The Saarinen Tulip seating collection consists of an armchair and an armless chair, with swivel or fixed base.‎ The chairs are available with either an upholstered seat cushion, or fully upholstered inner shell with seat cushion.‎ The swivel stool with an upholstered cushion completes the collection.‎ The KnollStudio logo and the signature of Eero Saarinen are located on the underside of the base.‎ CONSTRUCTION Base consists of cast aluminium with Rilsan coated finish for the white and black versions.‎ The Platinum base has a polyurethane coat with transparent finish.‎ The shell is moulded fibreglass reinforced plastic bonded finish.‎ FINISHES The shell and base are available in black, white or platinum colours.‎ Fully upholstered inner shell with seat cushion available in a wide range of fabrics.‎ Stool and chairs with seat cushion only are available in a wide range of fabrics and Spinneybeck leather.‎ This product is available with foam that meets requirements for BS5852.‎ AWARDS The Museum of Modern Art, New York, 1969.‎ Federal Award for Industrial Design, Germany, 1969.‎ Design Career Stuttgart Award, Germany, 1962.‎ Further info from manufacturer on TULIP Knoll