No other business of its kind did more than the Herman Miller Furniture Company to introduce modern design into American homes. Working with legendary designers such as Charles and Ray Eames, George Nelson and Alexander Girard, the Zeeland, Michigan-based firm fostered some of the boldest expressions of what we now call mid-century modern style. In doing so, Herman Miller produced some of the most beautiful, iconic and, one can even say, noblest chairs, sofas, tables and other furniture ever.
Founded in 1923, Herman Miller was originally known for grand historicist bedroom suites: heavily ornamented wood furniture that appealed to a high-minded, wealthier clientele. The company — named for its chief financial backer — began to suffer in the early 1930s as the Great Depression hit, and D.J. De Pree, the company’s CEO, feared bankruptcy. In 1932, aid came in the form of Gilbert Rohde, a self-taught furniture designer who had traveled widely in Europe, absorbing details of the Art Deco movement and other modernist influences. After persuading De Pree that the growing middle class required smaller, lighter household furnishings, Rohde set a new course for Herman Miller, creating sleek chairs, tables and cabinetry that were the essence of the Streamline Moderne style.
Rohde died suddenly in 1944. The following year, De Pree turned to George Nelson, an architect who had written widely about modern furniture design. Under Nelson’s leadership, Herman Miller would embrace new technologies and materials and audacious biomorphic forms.
Some of the pieces the company produced are now emblems of 20th century American design, including the Eames lounge chair and ottoman and Nelson’s Marshmallow sofa and Coconut chair. Such instantly recognizable furnishings have become timeless — staples of a modernist décor; striking, offbeat notes in traditional environments.
Find a range of vintage Herman Miller office chairs, desks, coffee tables and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Early Eames LAR Fiberglass Arm shell Lounge Chair for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, Charles Eames
Located in Buffalo, NY
Rare Eames LAR chair for Herman Miller. Parchment molded fiberglass LAR chair designed by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller. On wire "cat's cradle" base. This example dates to ...
Iron
Herman Miller Eames DAX Fiberglass Chair
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Gorgeous and rare hue of red orange on this vintage fiberglass Herman Miller Eames armchair. Model DAX with H base. All shock mounts intact. Stamped Herman Miller under chair and gua...
Fiberglass
Herman Miller Eames Molded Fiberglass Shell Side Chair
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Baltimore, MD
Mid-Century Modern early vintage molded fiberglass shell side chair designed by Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller. Features molded fiberglass reinforced plastic shell accented wi...
Metal
$1,280Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 31.5 in W 25 in D 24 in
1 Herman Miller Eames Fiberglass Shell DAR Eiffel Base
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Pasadena, TX
Charles Eames and Ray Eames were the embodiment of the inventiveness, energy and optimism at the heart of Mid-Century Modern American design, and have been recognized as the most influential designers of the 20th century. The Eames' eagerly embraced new technology and materials, and one of their peculiar talents was to imbue their supremely modern design with references to folk traditions. Their Wire chair group of the 1950s, for example, was inspired by basket weaving techniques. The populist notion of “Good Design for all” drove their molded fiberglass chair series that same decade, and also produced the organic-form, ever-delightful La Chaise. In 1956 the Eames lounge chair and ottoman appeared — the supremely comfortable plywood-base-and-leather-upholstery creation that will likely live in homes as long as there are people with good taste and sense. 1 midcentury Herman Miller Eames Fiberglass Shell...
Fiberglass
$1,780
H 26 in W 25 in D 25 in
Early 2nd Generation X Base Translucent Arm Shell Lounge Chair by Charles Eames
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Buffalo, NY
Early 2nd generation X base translucent arm shell lounge chair by Charles Eames for Herman Miller. Amazing condition, featuring low aluminum X base, large domes of silence shock moun...
Aluminum
Eames Early Label Armshell Chair by Herman Miller
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Cincinnati, OH
An elephant gray green toned fiberglass armshell chair with satin black iron X-base, rubber and metal boot feet , large early shock mounts and the red second generation decal label w...
Fiberglass
Midcentury Eames for Herman Miller Fiberglass Chair LAX on X Base
By Herman Miller, Charles Eames, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Gorgeous early Eames for Herman Miller fiberglass chair LAX (Low Armchair on X Base) having large shock mounts and flat edge shell. All origina...
Iron
$2,500
H 29.75 in W 24.5 in D 23.5 in
C. 1950 Herman Miller Eames Zenith SAX Fiberglass Rope Edge Arm Shell Chair
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Zenith SAX Arm Chair, originally designed by Ray and Charles Eames in 1950. This particular example was produced by Herman Miller in the USA C. 1950. The chair is comprised...
Steel
Herman Miller Eames Armchair on Low Lounge Base
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Amazing color on this Eames fiberglass armshell for Herman Miller. Beautiful orange tone contrasts nicely against black lounge height base. No cracks or major wear. Even color throug...
Steel
$1,200
H 31 in W 24.75 in D 23.5 in
Early Zenith Parchment DAX Fiberglass Shell Armchair for Herman Miller
By Zenith, Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in San Jose, CA
Iconic design (DAX) dining armchair x-base by Ray and Charles Eames, circa early 1950's. This second generation parchment colored armchair retains a high gloss finish supported by th...
Steel
Eames for Herman Miller DCM Plywood and Chrome Chair Mid Century Modern
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
Enhance your home or office with the iconic Mid Century Modern charm of this Eames for Herman Miller DCM Chair. Showcasing the distinctive molded plywood construction, it combines n...
Chrome
Charles & Ray Eames Herman Miller Tandem 4 Seat Fiberglass Shell Chair Bench
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A vintage Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller 4 seat tandem shell chair bench. This is a very rare tandem bench from Herman Miller. This particular model features a four seat desig...
Metal
Set of 4 Charles & Ray Eames x Vitra DSR Rusty Orange Eiffel Tower Base Chairs
By Vitra, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A set of 4 Charles & Ray Eames x Vitra DSR chairs. DSR (Dining Height Side Chair Rod Base). This is a lovely contemporary set of classic mid century modern chairs by Eames, reproduce...
Chrome
Milo Baughman For Thayer Coggin Cantilever T Back Lounge Chair
By Thayer Coggin, Milo Baughman
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
This Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin cantilever T-back lounge chair exemplifies the designer’s refined approach to Mid-Century Modern seating, balancing comfort with clean architectu...
Metal
Lucite and Nickel Rocking Chair Sculpture By Charles Hollis Jones
By Charles Hollis Jones
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
An extraordinary blend of functional design and sculptural artistry, this Lucite and nickel rocking chair was designed and manufactured in the United States by renowned designer Char...
Nickel
Vintage Mid Century Modern Erwin Lambeth Lounging Armchair and Ottoman
By Erwin Lambeth
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A vintage mid century Erwin Lambeth armchair and ottoman. This is a lovely lounge set featuring a very comfy armchair and matching ottoman footstool to go with it. Each item is uphol...
Fabric, Wood
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
The prolific manufacturer has partnered with many of the world’s top designers since opening its doors in 1923. Here are some of the company’s greatest hits, which helped transform the American home and office.
