Charles and Ray Eames, who pioneered modern chair design in the 1940s and '50s, were responsible for some of the most innovative chairs of the 20th century. Their chairs were fabricated from wood, fiberglass, plastic, and metal mesh. Eames chairs have been widely imitated, but originals are highly sought-after by collectors because they are considered breakthroughs in both design and technology. In 1940, Charles Eames met Ray Kaiser at Cranbrook Academy of Art in Michigan, which was also home to architect and Eames collaborator Eero Saarinen and furniture designer Harry Bertoia. The couple married a year later and moved to Los Angeles to continue their work in molded plywood. By 1945, the couple had figured out how to create compound curves in molded plywood. One of their first pieces was a birch child’s chair and stool manufactured by the Molded Plywood Division of Evans Products — production was limited to just 5,000 pieces. Evans also produced about 1,000 LCW chairs (which stands for Lounge Chair Wood) before the Eameses began a long collaboration with the Herman Miller Furniture Company, which produced and distributed a number of chairs for them, including the DCM (Dining Chair Metal), in which two pieces of plywood are secured to a solid-rod chromed frame with rubber shock mounts.
In 1951, Herman Miller was selling 2,000 of these chairs a month (examples with wooden legs were less popular, making them more collectible today). Molded fiberglass chairs in a variety of bright colors — with or without arms, with or without a rocking base — came next. Serious Eames connoisseurs look for chairs from this period, 1950-1953, with a "Miller-Zenith" label on their undersides. The ones with wooden bases (DAW, PAW) are less common and thus more sought-after than the ones with metal legs (DAR, LAX, LAR, RAR). Around the same time, the couple designed chairs made from sturdy wire mesh, with covers available in leather, vinyl, and fabric by designer Alexander Girard. These were the chairs that the Eameses produced for the mass consumer. By 1956, well-heeled customers could order a Lounge Chair and Ottoman, whose molded rosewood plywood form embraced rich leather upholstery. The chair is still available today from Herman Miller in cherry and walnut. In 1958, the couple launched a chair collection called the Aluminum Group, which included a desk chair and a lounge chair — the armless models of the latter are most prized today.
In 1960, Eames designed several chairs and a trio of stools for the new Time-Life Building in New York. One was an Executive Desk Chair, the other an Intermediate Desk Chair, which was a smaller version of the Executive that did not sell as well, making it the more prized of the two today. Steven Cabella's personal homage to Charles and Ray Eames. This site is as clean and visually appealing as the Eame… [read review or visit site] Work of Charles and Ray EamesThis Library of Congress microsite is an overview of the postwar modern design work of Charles (1907-78) and Ray (1… Herman Miller Consortium CollectionThis website showcases several hundred pieces of furniture, held by thirteen museums, that were designed for Herman… ModernismThis archived overview produced by the Minneapolis Institute of Arts offers thumbnail sketches of the design moveme… Buffalo Architecture and HistoryChuck LaChiusa's wonderful guide to the architecture and history of Buffalo, NY, also happens to host an impressive…
The Mid Century ModernistStephen Coles' really visual blog dedicated to the Modernist era of design from 1940 to 1970 (aka Mid-century Moder… ChipstoneThis beautiful site showcases the collection of Stanley and Polly Stone of Fox Point, Wisconsin, consisting of earl… Kentucky Online Arts ResourceThis huge online database from the Speed Art Museum is a rich trove of beautiful photos and reference information o… Classic ModernGet a taste of how homes were lit in the 50s, 60s, and 70s with the Danish retro-style lighting designs featured on… [read review or visit site]With graceful, sweeping lines and a distinctly modern design, the iconic Eames lounge chair debuted in 1956 and remains in production. Known as the 670 Eames chair and 671 Eames ottoman, these incorporate layered plywood seat shells, wood veneer, and leather cushions. Designers Charles Eames and his wife Ray-Bernice created the lounge chair as commissioned by Herman Miller Furniture. Consumers can find an Eames chair from brick-and-mortar stores and online sources, such as
Before purchasing a vintage Eames chair, consumers should consider a few tips. Shortly after the Eames lounge chair hit the market, imitators soon followed. Herman Miller took out an advertisement that cautioned consumers to avoid fakes. Plycraft produced a notable knock-off, which was considerably taller and bulkier than the original chair. The genuine headrest and chair back have equal proportions. Additionally, the ottoman and the seat cushions are interchangeable. Charles Eames believed the chair should have "the warm, receptive look of a well-used first baseman's mitt." The chair's design originates with traditional and comfortable English club chairs. Consumers may wish to become familiar with the distinctive details of the Eames chair through reference books. While many faux Eames chairs recline when the user leans back, the authentic item does not. The seat is low, and these lounge chairs contain a permanent recline. The armrests curve outward, following the flare of the seat's shell.
A second piece of leather welting covers authentic armrests. Copies have flat armrests and may have one piece of leather covering the edge. Many vintage Eames lounge chairs have paper labels on their undersides but about 30 percent of early original examples never had a label. These cream, red, or black labels typically read "Designed by Charles Eames" or "Charles Eames." The manufacturer's label reads "Herman Miller Furniture Company" and displays the company logo, which has two sharp prongs with a U-shaped interior. The factory location indicates Venice, California or Zeeland, Michigan. Early chairs should not have a zip code on the address, as they were not in use in the 1950s. The stickers may also include the plywood manufacturer name "Evans." Authentic Eames lounge chairs utilized specific materials in the exterior shell and cushions. Brazilian rosewood, walnut, cherry, or santos palisander construct the shell. Herman Miller ceased production of chairs made with Brazilian rosewood, which embargoed worldwide in 1992.
Age should softly wear the original finish of an Eames chair. It is possible that the chair's owner refinished or replaced the shell if the finish looks brand new. The urethane foam-filled cushions should be 6 inches deep and upholstered with soft leather. Look for black, tan, cream, or other muted colors in vintage examples. The seat cushions attach to the plywood shells with invisible rings and clips, which eliminate the need for bolts and screws. Authentic Eames lounge chairs display careful attention to detail that extends to the metalwork's fit and finish. Potential buyers should examine several crucial details to ensure that the chair is a true Eames. The ottoman has a four-legged base with legs that rise slightly toward the center pedestal. The chair's base contains five legs. Sets with the wrong number of legs are copies. Bases contain die-cast aluminum that is powder-coated black and the trim is polished aluminum. The feet should have adjustable glides made of stainless steel or rubber shock mounts.
The threaded glides allow the chair to stay level. The top and bottom elements of the chair back connect with two die-cast aluminum braces. Chair backs with square tubular braces indicate a copy. Authentic Eames lounge chairs should not have any exposed bolts or screws. Consumers should check the connection point between the legs and the center post. There should be a clean weld with no caps to hide bolts or uneven welds. While vintage pieces should have well cared for shells and leather, consumers may replace consumables, such as the shock mounts or rubber tips on the feet, without affecting the value of the chair. Replacing the rubber shock mounts can extend the chair's life, especially if used frequently. Once you decide on a vintage Eames chair, begin your search on any eBay page. Enter a term, such as "Eames lounge chair," into the search box and browse the listings. You can refine your search by specifying condition, color, or year. Because of the size of these pieces, look for sellers near your location.