Eero Saarinen

Womb Chair

1946

Upholstered latex foam on fiberglass-reinforced plastic shell and chrome-plated steel rod base

Not on view

Saarinen, an architect, designed this chair shortly after joining Knoll Associates in 1943. Its name expresses its purpose: "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 chair is an attempt to rectify this maladjustment in our civilization." Saarinen further explained, "There seemed to be a need for a large and really comfortable chair to take the place of the old overstuffed chair. . . . Today, more than ever before, we need to relax."

Gallery label from

What Was Good Design? MoMA's Message 1944–56, May 6, 2009–January 10, 2011.

Manufacturer Manufactured byKnoll Associates, New York, NY
Medium Upholstered latex foam on fiberglass-reinforced plastic shell and chrome-plated steel rod base
Dimensions 36 1/2 x 40 x 34" (92.7 x 101.6 x 86.4 cm)
Credit Gift of the manufacturer
Object number 447.1956.a-c
Department Architecture & Design

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