Tulip Table - 1955
Eero Saarinen
by Knoll
Many design objects have become part of our
"cultural / aesthetic legacy", over the time. Among these, one of the most important icons of modern design was born in 1955: the Tulip Table by Eero Saarinen.
Its unique and innovative design is reminiscent of a tulip stem. Saarinen distances himself from the collective imagination of tables adorned with four legs, giving life to an object characterised by a
single central leg that opens like a stem to support the corolla, that is the top of the table. The famous Tulip chairs will become part of the collection as well, always realised according to the same criteria.
Saarinen conceived this table to avoid the annoying "slum of legs" created by chairs, tables, and humans: this confusion represented to him an "ugly, confusing and unrestful world". The project, however, was the result of a
great experimentation, born from the desire to design innovative and ingenious home furnishings for Knoll.
In addition to the shape, also the materials used were very innovative. At that time, plastic was not yet strong enough to support the weight of the top; therefore, he initially used the aluminium fibre to realise the base, and the fibreglass shaped as a shell, covered in black, white, or platinum. The top is still available today both round and oval, laminated, veneered, or made of marble.
Today, the patents for Saarinen's works are expired; so, how is it possible to recognise the originals? Thanks to the plate at the base bearing the
Knoll Logo and Designer's signature, exactly to certify its authenticity.