If you covet Kagan or are looking for an alternative to a Noguchi coffee table, I’d like to introduce you to the fantastic and undervalued work of Adrian Pearsall.
A coffee table designed by Vladimir Kagan, whether produced in the fifties or sixties, or one of the contemporary reissues, can easily cost upwards of $4,000. The iconic (or unfortunately ubiquitous) Noguchi table is around $1,400 while ridiculously popular knock-offs can be had for a few hundred dollars (not that you would ever consider buying one).
Adrian Pearsall’s work is often simply identified as “in the style of Kagan”. A recent search on 1stdibs.com well illustrates this point. Auction houses similarly misattribute Pearsall’s creations as Kagan’s name and reputation is of much higher profile.
Pearsall’s best pieces were made by Craft Associates, the company he founded in Wilkes-Barre Pennsylvania, 1953. During the first few years, production focused on wrought iron pieces. When they introduced designs in the late 1950's made from walnut consumer response was overwhelmingly positive. Craft Associates grew tremendously during the 1960’s, eventually being sold to the Lane Company in 1969. (Interestingly, Lane produced several examples of brutalist/cubist wood furniture that is often misattributed to Paul Evans) While Pearsall continued to design, the combination of changing aesthetics and shuffling ownership led to the demise of Craft Associates in the 1970’s.
Information and period images of Pearsall's work remains scarce. An interesting trail of comments, several from Pearsall's family and colleagues, from a "Good Question" post from 2006 inspired and informed this write-up. As interest in (and research of) American 20th century design continues to blossom, there will be more verified attributions of Pearsall’s work. In the meantime, look for his Kagan-esque pieces at great prices.
Images: Rago Auctions, Istdibs, Live Auctioneers and Caviar20.com
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Very informative post - didn't know the history of Craft Associates before.
omg I remember growing up in the 70's we had that same glass-topped coffee table pictured here. As I got older and had houscleaning chores in my teens I remember complaining to my mom about the fingerprints on the glass table top and how hard it was to keep clean. She told me to get over it (always good advice for a complaining teenager) and that it was an expensive living room set that they'd gotten for a great deal when a furniture store went out of business. I have no idea what ever happened to that living room set but it had the coffee table, two end tables of the same style (wood cross braces with glass tops) and an orange modern sofa. Wish those items were still with us!
Great, interesting post. Thanks.
Bought a 'Jacks' table off of Craigslist for < $50. Love it.
Great post - It's so good to know about these less-obvious designers!
But why can nobody in the United States spell chaise longue correctly?
Because Umiricans don't say chaise longue, they say chaise lounge, so they spell it that way to; and who cares anyways? Speaking of Craft Associates and Chaise Lozenges, look for the Rocking Chaise, its a two person S curve chaise on a beautiful carved open walnut sled style base. I've owned and restored a few and have regretted selling each one after...
Three years ago at the worlds longest yardsale I found a Kagan coffee table down in southern Kentucky. The guy clearly ddint know what he had because when he asked 5$ for it, I didnt even bother to hagel!!
Swagdujour you are cracking me up! Thank you for a good laugh.
@Sussu, YES! Whyyyyy?