womb chair
With its sculptural fibreglass shell, plush upholstery, and enveloping shape, the Saarinen Womb Chair has remained in continuous production for over 75 years and is widely regarded as a cornerstone of mid-century modern design.
How do you sit in a Womb Chair?
Quite simply - however you like. The Womb Chair was designed by Eero Saarinen as a deliberate departure from the rigid lounge chairs of the 1940s, which encouraged a formal, upright posture. Florence Knoll famously told Saarinen she was “sick and tired of the one-dimensional lounge chair… long and narrow” and wanted a chair she could sit sideways in or relax in different positions. In response, Saarinen created a wide, supportive seat with gently sloping arms and a curved back that adapts to the sitter. Whether sitting upright, curling up, or lounging sideways with legs draped over the arm, the chair’s enveloping form is designed to support comfort in almost any position.
whats the history of the iconic womb chair?
The history of the Womb Chair is rooted in Eero Saarinen’s early explorations of organic seating and his collaboration with Charles Eames for the Museum of Modern Art’s 1941 Organic Design in Home Furnishings competition. Although those plywood designs were never mass-produced, they introduced Saarinen’s belief that comfort should come from a chair’s shape rather than excessive cushioning.
In 1946, Florence Knoll challenged Saarinen to design a lounge chair that rejected the social conventions of the time. She wanted a chair that allowed the sitter to relax, curl up, and sit in multiple positions. This request led Saarinen away from moulded plywood and toward experimental materials such as fibreglass and resin, which were still relatively new to furniture production.
After years of prototyping and collaboration with a New Jersey-based boat builder, the final design was achieved. The chair was released in 1948 as Knoll Model 70, later officially named the Womb Chair a reference to its cocoon-like sense of security and comfort.
The Womb Chair saw instant popularity upon its release and quickly ascended to cultural icon status. Swiss-born graphic designer Herbert Matter, another Knoll collaborator, created the chair’s striking marketing campaign. The design soon appeared across popular culture, including a 1958 campaign for Coca-Cola, a cartoon in The New Yorker, and a cover illustration for The Saturday Evening Post by Norman Rockwell. It also became a familiar presence in film and television sets, further cementing its status as one of the most recognisable pieces of mid-century modern furniture.
Who was Eero Saarinen ?
Eero Saarinen (1910–1961) was a Finnish-American architect and designer whose work shaped the visual language of modernism. The son of architect Eliel Saarinen and textile artist Loja Saarinen, he studied sculpture in Paris and architecture at Yale before launching his own practice in 1950.Saarinen is best known for iconic architectural works such as the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Dulles International Airport, and the TWA Flight Center in New York. In furniture design, his collaborations with Knoll including the Womb Chair demonstrate his belief that every design problem required its own unique and expressive solution. Eero Saarinen designed the famous Saarinen tulip collection and many more designs discover the Eero Saarinen collection here.
a design icon from 1948
Since its debut, the Womb Chair has been recognised as a defining work of post-war modernism. Its organic form stood in stark contrast to the upright, formal seating of the 1940s, offering instead a relaxed, human-centred approach to modern living.
Saarinen initially attempted to realise the design using the moulded plywood techniques he had recently explored with Charles Eames. However, the generous scale and enveloping shape that Florence Knoll had requested quickly proved beyond the limits of the material.Searching for alternatives, Saarinen and Knoll learned of a New Jersey-based commercial shipbuilder experimenting with fibreglass and resin. The pair boldly approached him for assistance. At first he struggled to see the connection between naval engineering and furniture design and repeatedly declined. As Florence Knoll later recalled,
We just begged him. I guess we were so young and enthusiastic, he finally gave in and worked with us.”
After many iterations and prototypes, the fibreglass shell was perfected. The final form often described as a truncated cone gently envelops the sitter, creating the protective, cocoon-like feeling that inspired the chair’s name. Foam was moulded over the shell and removable cushions added to the seat and back for additional softness. With generous armrests and a sweeping backrest, the design achieved the comforting, cup-like effect Florence Knoll had envisioned.
Upholstery was the final challenge. Florence Knoll insisted on a tightly tailored appearance, yet needles could not sew directly into the fibreglass shell. The solution was a cone-shaped slipcover, carefully fitted over the form, pinched neatly at the arms and stitched to itself to create a clean, sculptural finish.
Reflecting the design’s intention, Saarinen remarked at the time of its release: “Now more than ever, we need to relax.”
Throughout the 1950s, the chair featured in international exhibitions organised by the U.S. government, where it symbolised American innovation, optimism, and modern consumer culture.Today, the Womb Chair remains a fixture in design museums, architectural interiors, and private homes worldwide. Its enduring appeal lies in its rare balance of sculptural form, ergonomic comfort, and material innovation.
womb chair collection
womb chair + ottoman
At Cimmermann we sell the Relax version of the womb chair, it offers an additional level of comfort, with the seat and back cushions being softer, softening the strong, sculptural form. It also has a metal structure instead of the Classic Womb chair's reinforced fibre-glass one making it a more economical option to the original.
Its available in a wide selection of Knoll fabrics and leathers. The Base finishes are polished chrome or painted black steel. If you would like any samples or help please contact Matt or Helen.
the womb settee
Alongside the famous Womb Chair, Eero Saarinen also designed the double-width Womb Settee (Model 73) in 1948 for Knoll. Conceived as a two-person interpretation of the chair’s enveloping form, the settee extended the same sense of relaxed comfort into a shared seating design.However, the longer fibreglass shell created structural challenges, particularly around the unsupported arms, and the model was discontinued after only a few years of production. Decades later, Knoll successfully reintroduced the design using modern technologies such as Reaction Injection Molding to reinforce the structure while remaining faithful to Saarinen’s original vision.
Why choose the authentic Knoll Womb chair?
The original Womb Chairis manufactured exclusively by Knoll and adheres to Eero Saarinen’s original 1948 specifications.
Each authentic chair is produced using refined techniques developed over decades, combining advanced molding with skilled hand-upholstery.
Authentic Knoll Womb Chairs feature:
Correctly proportioned fiberglass shell Down-filled cushions over a polyurethane core.
Steel rod base in chrome or black
Knoll logo stamped into the chair and ottoman structure
Replica or imitation Womb Chairs often sacrifice comfort, durability, and material quality. While they may resemble the original visually, they lack the ergonomic performance and long-term value of the authentic Knoll version.
FAQS
When was the Womb Chair designed?
The Womb Chair was designed by Eero Saarinen in 1948 for Knoll.
Why is the Womb Chair famous?
It is famous for redefining modern comfort through its organic form, innovative materials, and human-centred design.
What materials are used in the Womb Chair?
The chair features a fiberglass shell, polyurethane foam, down-filled cushions, and a steel rod base.
How can I tell if a Womb Chair is authentic?
An authentic Knoll Womb Chair includes a stamped Knoll logo, superior craftsmanship, correct proportions, and premium materials.
Who commissioned the Womb Chair?
The Womb Chair was commissioned by Florence Knoll, who asked Saarinen to design a chair she could “curl up in.” The result was a deeply comfortable seat with a relaxed, enveloping form.
What design movement does the Womb Chair belong to?
The chair is considered a landmark of mid-century modern design, reflecting Saarinen’s interest in organic forms and ergonomic comfort.
Why is it called the “Womb” Chair?
The name refers to the chair’s protective, enveloping shape, which was intended to make the sitter feel relaxed, secure, and supported.
Is the Womb Chair comfortable for everyday use?
Yes, the Womb Chair was specifically designed for long, relaxed sitting thanks to its deep seat, tilted backrest, and generous cushioning.
Does the Womb Chair come with an ottoman?
Yes. The matching ottoman was designed alongside the chair and follows the same design language, providing additional comfort and visual balance.
Where is the Womb Chair manufactured today?
Authentic Womb Chairs are still produced by Knoll using updated manufacturing techniques while maintaining Saarinen’s original design.
How should you care for a Womb Chair?
Regular vacuuming with a soft brush attachment and prompt cleaning of spills will help maintain the upholstery. Professional cleaning is recommended for deeper care.
Is the Womb Chair suitable for small spaces?
Although it has a generous seat, the sculptural shape keeps the footprint relatively compact compared to traditional lounge chairs, making it suitable for many living spaces.
Has the Womb Chair appeared in museums or design collections?
Yes. The Womb Chair is widely recognised as a design icon and is held in major museum collections, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
