The legacy of Charles Eames looms large in design. In partnership with his wife, Ray, Charles was at the forefront of pioneering innovation in the use of molded plywood for furniture making. The Eameses’ cheerful and inviting work has endured among the most important advancements in the history of 20th-century design.
Together, visionary mid-century modern duo Charles and Ray Eames introduced a wide range of renowned furniture to the postwar market, including iconic designs such as the Eames lounge chair and ottoman, the wildly colorful birch plywood-and-plastic-laminate Eames storage unit, the Eames compact sofa and more. The designers were trailblazers in molded plywood furniture and brought lively organic form to metal and plastic.
Charles Eames studied architecture at Washington University in St. Louis. He traveled to Mexico and Europe, and experienced firsthand the work of designer-architects Le Corbusier and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. In 1930, upon returning to Missouri, Eames opened an architecture practice with Charles M. Gray but later moved to Michigan in 1938. He received a fellowship at Cranbrook Academy of Art, which would become a breeding ground for the stars of mid-century design. Eames continued his architecture studies at Cranbrook and also taught in the design department.
In 1940, Eames met his future wife, artist and designer Beatrice Alexandra "Ray" Kaiser, who was studying at Cranbrook under Abstract Expressionist painter Hans Hofmann. Charles teamed up with another Cranbrook instructor, Finnish-American designer Eero Saarinen, to explore the possibilities of plywood for use in furniture design.
With support from Ray, Charles and Eero created chairs and case pieces and submitted them to the “Organic Design in Home Furnishings” competition at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City — among them was the groundbreaking organic Side chair made of molded plywood with maple legs. It was upholstered by Heywood-Wakefield. This exhibition is considered critical by many to the popularization of what is known as mid-century modernism. Eames and Saarinen won first place for their submissions to the competition.
Charles and Ray were married in 1941 and soon after moved to Los Angeles, California, and lived in an apartment building designed by architect Richard Neutra. Charles worked on set design at MGM, and at night, in a humble workshop they established in the guest bedroom, he and Ray experimented with molded plywood on a homemade device they called the “Kazaam!” machine. In 1942, the couple won a U.S. Navy contract to create molded plywood leg splints that would be used to support wartime medical efforts. Soon, the Evans Product Company was making the splints and the Eameses opened the famed Eames Office and studio.
The Eameses’ innovative use of wire framing, molded plywood and applied fabrics caught the attention of many notable figures in interior design and architecture, including George Nelson, director of design at Herman Miller, a now-legendary modern furniture manufacturer. The company enlisted the Eameses’ talents and was eventually home to the couple’s classic pieces such as the Eames DCW chair and the DCM chair.
Find an extensive array of vintage Charles Eames seating, tables and case pieces on 1stDibs.
Vitra Eames E108 Office Chair
By Charles and Ray Eames, Vitra
Located in Rochester, England
The Eames E108 Chair by Vitra is a timeless design that blends refined style with exceptional comfort. Featuring an aluminum frame and a supple leather seat, it offers both durabilit...
Aluminum
$5,000 / item
H 30.71 in W 29.14 in D 27.56 in
Herman Miller ES105 Time Life Lobby Office Chair by Charles Eames
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Aachen, NW
Wonderful black leather Lobby Executive Chair model ES105 produced by Herman Miller/Vitra in the 70s/80s. The chair features a chromed aluminium frame on a chromed aluminium base. The version offered here is the wider ES105 variant. Overall the Lobby chair is in a very good condition. We have 4x of these Lobby chairs available. All chairs are fitted with rolls. Only one chair has slight chrome flaking below the armrest as showed in the pictures. We are able to ship the Eames lobby chair...
Aluminum
$6,750
H 45.28 in W 26.78 in D 29.53 in
Lobby Desk Chair ES104 by Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller, USA, 1960s
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Antwerp, BE
Eames executive chair ES-104, also known as the Time-Life chair, an iconic piece of mid-century design by Charles and Ray Eames. This chair was originally crafted for the executive f...
Aluminum
$1,298
H 32.09 in W 20.48 in D 22.05 in
Swivel Chair Mod. "ea107" Design Charles and Ray Eames for Icf De Padova, 1970s
By ICF Group, Charles Eames
Located in Argelato, BO
Charles & Ray Eames, EA 107 Aluminum Brown Chair for ICF (Signed) Designed by the legendary designers Charles & Ray Eames, offers a perfect combination of iconic design and function...
Aluminum
$3,300
H 41.15 in W 23.23 in D 21.66 in
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
$1,300Sale Price / item|30% Off
H 32.29 in W 22.84 in D 23.43 in
1 of 3 Charles & Ray Vitra Eames EA108 Hopsak Swivel Office Armchairs
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale 1 of 3 original fully stamped Charles & Ray Eames Hopsak chrome swivel armchairs RRP £2,200 each Super iconic, award winning, what more can you say, these are pretty much the most comfortable office chairs ever made, these are fully stamped with the model number to the base and the Eames label...
Chrome
$3,550
H 41.15 in W 23.23 in D 21.66 in
Office Chair EA216 by Charles and Ray Eames for Vitra, Germany, 1960s
By Vitra, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Antwerp, BE
Charles and Ray Eames EA216 softpad office chair, produced by Vitra. This distinguished chair boasts a sleek black leather seat and backrest, complemented ...
Chrome
$5,650
H 33 in W 26.25 in D 27 in
Eames Time Life Executive Lobby Chair for Herman Miller, Gray Leather Desk Chair
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Detroit, MI
This vintage mid century modern dark gray leather Model 3475 Eames Time Life Executive or "Lobby" Desk Chair designed by Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller was produced in the...
Aluminum, Steel
$5,500
H 35.5 in W 27 in D 27.75 in
Early Vintage Time Life Desk Chair ES104 by Charles Eames for Herman Miller
By Charles Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Time Life Desk Chair ES104 by Charles Eames for Herman Miller. The appears to be a nice early example of the design. Will double check the dimensions of the chair. Wear to t...
Metal
$3,295
H 40.95 in W 20.87 in D 22.84 in
Design Classic Eames Alu Group Office Chair EA119 by Vitra, 2000s
By Charles and Ray Eames, Vitra
Located in Renens, CH
The Aluminium Group chairs by Charles & Ray Eames are one of the most important and recognizable designs of the 20th Century: On offer we have an EA119 high back office chair, in red leather with chromed aluminium structure. Origination: 2000s, labelled Vitra Condition: Very good, minor signs of use on the leather as per photos. Tilt mechanism works perfectly, leather cleaned...
Aluminum
Charles & Ray Eames Black Leather Executive Desk Chair by Herman Miller
By Charles Eames, Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Dronten, NL
An iconic Executive office chair, model EA117 — known in the United States as the EA335 — designed by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller. One of the most celebrated office chair...
Aluminum
Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller – Swiveling Parchment Fiberglass Arm Chair
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Dronten, NL
An original 1960s swiveling fiberglass arm chair designed by Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller. This highly desirable early production example features the classic parchment-colo...
Aluminum
Eames La Fonda Armchair on Casters by Herman Miller, 1970s
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Dronten, NL
A striking vintage La Fonda armchair by Charles and Ray Eames, dating from the 1970s. Designed as part of the celebrated La Fonda series, this chair combines the sculptural form of a...
Aluminum, Steel
Arne Jacobsen Model 3117 Office Chair for Fritz Hansen, 1978
By Arne Jacobsen, Fritz Hansen
Located in Dronten, NL
A refined Mid-Century Modern office chair, model 3117, designed by the renowned Danish architect and designer Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen. This example was produced in 1978 and co...
Steel, Chrome
Set of Six Iconic EA108 Eames "Aluminium Group" Swivel Chairs by Vitra in Black
By Vitra, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Dronten, NL
A wonderful set of six EA108 swivel chairs by Charles and Ray Eames for Vitra. These authentic mid-century masterpieces feature polished chromed aluminum frames and the original blac...
Aluminum, Chrome
Set of Four Iconic EA108 Eames "Aluminium Group" Swivel Chairs by Vitra in Black
By Vitra, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Dronten, NL
A wonderful set of four EA108 swivel chairs by Charles and Ray Eames for Vitra. These authentic mid-century masterpieces feature polished chromed aluminum frames and the original bla...
Aluminum, Chrome
