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 Eameses were lovers of folk craft who had a genius for making highly original chairs, tables, case pieces and other furniture using traditional materials and forms.
As furniture designers, filmmakers, artists, textile and graphic designers and even toy and puzzle makers, the Eameses were a visionary and effective force for the notion that design should be an agent of positive change. They are the happy, ever-curious, ever-adventurous faces of modernism.
Charles Eames (1907–78) studied architecture and industrial design. Ray Eames (née Beatrice Alexandra Kaiser, 1912–88) was an artist, who studied under the Abstract Expressionist painter Hans Hofmann. They met in 1940 at the Cranbrook Academy of Art in suburban Detroit (the legendary institution where Charles also met his frequent collaborator Eero Saarinen and the artist and designer Harry Bertoia) and married the next year.
His technical skills and her artistic flair were wonderfully complementary. They moved to Los Angeles in 1941, where Charles worked on set design for MGM. In the evenings at their apartment, they experimented with molded plywood using a handmade heat-and-pressurization device they called the “Kazam!” machine. The next year, they won a contract from the U.S. Navy for lightweight plywood leg splints for wounded servicemen — vintage Eames splints are coveted collectibles today; more so those that Ray used to make sculptures.
The Navy contract allowed Charles to open a professional studio, and the attention-grabbing plywood furniture the firm produced prompted George Nelson, the director of design of the furniture-maker Herman Miller Inc., to enlist Charles and (by association, if not by contract) Ray in 1946. Some of the first Eames items to emerge from Herman Miller are now classics: the Eames chair, the LCW, or Lounge Chair Wood, and the DCM, or Dining Chair Metal, supported by tubular steel.
The Eameses 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.
Charles Eames once said, “The role of the designer is that of a very good, thoughtful host anticipating the needs of his guests.” For very good collectors and thoughtful interior designers, a piece of design by the Eameses, the closer produced to original conception the better, is almost de rigueur — for its beauty and comfort, and not least as a tribute to the creative legacy and enduring influence of Charles and Ray Eames.
The original Eames furniture for sale on 1stDibs includes chairs, tables, case pieces and other items.
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.
One Charles Eames Herman Miller Aluminum Group Chair
By Herman Miller, Charles Eames
Located in Pasadena, TX
One Charles Eames Herman Miller aluminum group chair 1970s Charles and Ray Eames aluminum group side chair, EA330 office confe...
Aluminum
One Eames For Herman Miller Executive Chair
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Pasadena, TX
One mid century modern executive chair designed by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller. The high back model from the Aluminum G...
Aluminum
Time Life Herman Miller Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Pasadena, TX
TimeLife Chair Herman Miller designed by Charles Eames Height: 35.5 in (90.17 cm)Width: 26.5 in (67.31 cm)Depth: 29.5 in (74.93 cm)Seat Height: 17 in (43.18 cm) Style: Mid-Century M...
Aluminum
1 Aluminum Group Lounge Chair for Herman Miller
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Pasadena, TX
A chair designed in 1958 as outdoor seating still manages to look both classic and contemporary in 21st century interiors. The chairs` clean, trim lines make them appropriate for all...
Aluminum
1 Herman Miller Time Life Office Executive Leather Chair 4-Star Base
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Pasadena, TX
Herman Miller Time Life Executive Chair Originally designed in 1960 for the lobby of the Time-Life building in New York. Anodized aluminium 4- star base and frame Original taupe l...
Aluminum
Herman Miller Eames ’ Aluminum Chair
By Herman Miller
Located in Pasadena, TX
Herman miller chairs Aluminium Red Fabric Vintage Herman Miller Eames ‘EA316’ aluminum chair is a bold yet impressive piece to add to your own lou...
Aluminum
Soft Pad Office Chair by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller, US, 1960s
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Antwerp, BE
Charles and Ray Eames softpad office chair, produced by Herman Miller. This distinguished chair, crafted as the original USA edition for Herman Miller, features a sleek black leather seat and backrest, complemented by a chrome frame and armrests. An extension of the iconic Aluminum Group chairs, designed in 1958 for the Irwin Miller home, the Soft Pad Group retains the structural integrity of its predecessor while introducing plush cushions for enhanced comfort. Its 5-star base with casters, tilt-swivel mechanism, and seat-height adjustment ensure functionality and versatility, making it ideal for executive or office use. The Eames soft pad executive chair...
Chrome
EC228 Secretary Chair by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1970s. Uncommon chair upholstered in red/orange fabric. Signed.
Fabric
MCM Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller Aluminum Group High Back Chair
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Topeka, KS
Marvelous vintage MCM (a.k.a. Mid-Century Modern) Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller Aluminum Group high back chair. Comprised of aluminum frame, 4 prong aluminum base, nylon feet, black swivel shaft, black powder coated aluminum arms, & has been reupholstered in an aubergine or eggplant faux suede. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear. There are some minor scratches on the arms. Please see photos and zoom in for details. We attempt to portray any imperfections. Design Date, 1958. circa, 1960-1978. (We currently have three currently available but priced separately.) I can’t think of anything better than a vintage Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller Aluminum Group high back chair!!! Except maybe a purple one!! Aubergine Eggplant, Purple whichever!! WOW!!! It is comprised of an aluminum frame, 4 prong aluminum base with nylon feet, black swivel shaft, black powder coated aluminum arms, and it has been reupholstered in a lovely aubergine or eggplant faux suede fabric. Can we just say Design EXCELLENCE!!!! And not to mention extraordinary comfort! The dynamic design duo of husband and wife team Charles & Ray Eames focused on every detail and combined ergonomics, flexibility, constructive elements, highest quality materials, and attention to superior style which created a masterpiece that is highly sought after still today. The design was introduced in 1958 and is still in production! This vintage beauty will be phenomenal at a desk in an office setting, next to your bed or in the dressing area of your bedroom, or extra seating in the sitting room. It is versatile enough to blend in with many décor styles, but it’s bursting with Mid-Century Modern magnificence!! This treasure is exactly what the designer ordered! Charles Eames was born in St. Louis, Missouri in 1907. Ray Kaiser Eames was born in Sacramento, California in 1912. They met at Cranbrook Academy of Art in Michigan and were married in 1941. They moved together to California and continued their design work they began together at Cranbrook. A commission, which they acquired from the government during WWII to produce molded plywood splints and stretchers, launched a career producing iconic Mid-Century Modern furnishings which are still fresh and sought after today. The Eames and their association with Herman Miller were the partnership of the century. If you want to learn more about Charles and Ray please visit Eames Office, the Eames Official website. Herman Miller started life as Star furniture...
Aluminum
Eames Soft-Pad Executive Chairs in Charcoal Maharam Wool by Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Stamford, CT
The great portfolio of Charles & Ray Eames is widely celebrated and serves as a model of inspiration for designers to this day. One of their most recognizable designs is the Aluminum Group line for Herman Miller from which these Soft Pad Executive Chairs were born. It is said that the Soft Pad variation was a design accident - cushions from the Eames Chaise found themselves draped over an Aluminum Group chair, and the rest is history. Whatever the story may be, the comfort of Charles & Ray’s Soft Pad seating perhaps rivals that of their famed Eames Lounge Chair. The Soft Pad collection consists of a Lounge Chair, a Low Back Management Chair, and this High Back Executive Chair. The design language is similar to the Eames Aluminum Group suite which sports a single “sling” of material which is tethered to two cast aluminum side rails and in this case, four plush cushions for optimal comfort. These chairs are equipped with a tilt mechanism with tension control as well as manual height adjustment. We have a large quantity of these Eames Soft Pad Executive Chairs...
Aluminum
Uncommon Desk Chair by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1970s. USA. Reupholstered in curly lambchop boucle
Bouclé
1977 Eames Herman Miller EC175 Upholstered Fiberglass Shell Chair
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a rare and marvelous EC175-8 chair, designed by Charles and Ray Eames, produced by Herman Miller. This is one of the more unique and later Eames designs, building...
Fabric, Fiberglass
