Eero Saarinen Womb Chair Value Guide

Designed in 1948 at the request of Florence Knoll, the Womb Chair was engineered to feel like a 'basket full of pillows.' This iconic piece revolutionized mid-century modern furniture by utilizing a molded fiberglass shell to support a variety of relaxed sitting positions.

What Is Eero Saarinen Womb Chair Worth?

The typical price range for Eero Saarinen Womb Chair is $3,000 - $3,600 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• Condition of the original upholstery, as professional reupholstering can be costly due to the chair's complex curves.
• Age and provenance, with early production models from the late 1940s and 1950s often commanding higher prices among collectors.
• The integrity of the steel frame, specifically looking for signs of pitting, rust, or structural repairs to the welds.
• Authenticity of the foam; vintage pieces often require foam replacement if the original material has hardened or crumbled over time.

How to Identify Eero Saarinen Womb Chair?

• Check for the Knoll Associates or Knoll International label, typically found on the underside of the chair shell or the frame.
• Verify the frame construction; authentic examples feature a seamless, bent steel rod base available in chrome or powder-coated finishes.
• Examine the shell's organic curves for a high-quality fiberglass construction, as knock-offs often use inferior plastic or wood.
• Look for the signature separate seat and back cushions that are tailored specifically to fit the internal contours of the shell.

History of Eero Saarinen Womb Chair

The Womb Chair was designed by Eero Saarinen in 1948 at the request of Florence Knoll, who challenged him to create a chair that was "like a basket full of pillows ". Saarinen succeeded in creating a comfortable, enveloping chair that allowed for various sitting positions, becoming a hallmark of mid-century design and a testament to organic modernism. It's still produced by Knoll today, nearly 75 years later, and remains one of their most popular designs.