1960 Eames Lounge Chair

There’s perhaps no more recognizable moniker of mid-century modern furniture than the Eames chair, used, of course, to describe that ubiquitous leather-and-wood lounge that has been making its way into interiors since 1956. But the Eames lounger is just one of many iconic seats credited to the “first couple” of modern American design. Indeed, the name Eames is virtually synonymous with American mid-century seating — and for good reason.

Together, husband-and-wife duo Charles and Ray Eames (1907–78; 1912–88) designed some of the most recognizable and enduring chairs not only of the 20th century but in all of American history.

The couple met in 1940 at the illustrious Cranbrook Academy of Art — which would become the go-to art school for the icons of mid-century modernism — where they befriended design luminaries Eero Saarinen and Harry Bertoia. Charles and Ray married afterward, then moved to Los Angeles in 1941. There, they embarked on a streak of design experimentation, resulting in a staggering output of furniture across a multitude of often quite experimental materials.

Central to one of their most groundbreaking material developments was the “Kazam!” machine, a handmade, bicycle-pump-operated apparatus for molding layers of plywood together. This method would prove the basis for some of the couple’s most recognizable seats, including their DCW and DCM dining chairs, both produced for Herman Miller, whose director of design, George Nelson, tapped Charles in 1946. This partnership would go on to be one of the most prolific in modern design history, with Eames furniture still topping best-seller lists for the manufacturer today. Although Ray was notably absent from that Herman Miller contract — as well as from many historic recognitions of her husband’s work — she and Charles were true partners, working collaboratively on nearly all design projects.

Never content with one medium, Charles and Ray would go on to experiment with fiberglass, a low-cost, easily manipulatable material that aligned with their belief in mass, accessible design. The couple dipped a toe in making virtually every type of furniture, including coffee tables, dining tables, desks and even their clever Eames storage units, given the moniker “working art” upon their 1949 debut at the Detroit Institute of Arts. A fitting label, indeed, for all of the couple’s furnishings, even if they’re best remembered for their chair designs.

The Eames molded fiberglass side chairs and armchairs were released through Herman Miller in 1950. Their efforts also extended to the workplace (where Herman Miller got its start): Their 1958 Executive chair remains a staple in offices around the globe.

Browse a vast selection of vintage Eames lounge chairs and other innovative and long-admired seating designed by the Eameses today on 1stDibs.

With entire areas of our homes reserved for “sitting rooms,” the value of quality antique and vintage seating cannot be overstated.

Fortunately, the design of side chairs, armchairs and other lounge furniture — since what were, quite literally, the early perches of our ancestors — has evolved considerably.

Among the earliest standard seating furniture were stools. Egyptian stools, for example, designed for one person with no seat back, were x-shaped and typically folded to be tucked away. These rudimentary chairs informed the design of Greek and Roman stools, all of which were a long way from Sori Yanagi's Butterfly stool or Alvar Aalto's Stool 60. In the 18th century and earlier, seats with backs and armrests were largely reserved for high nobility.

The seating of today is more inclusive but the style and placement of chairs can still make a statement. Antique desk chairs and armchairs designed in the style of Louis XV, which eventually included painted furniture and were often made of rare woods, feature prominently curved legs as well as Chinese themes and varied ornaments. Much like the thrones of fairy tales and the regency, elegant lounges crafted in the Louis XV style convey wealth and prestige. In the kitchen, the dining chair placed at the head of the table is typically reserved for the head of the household or a revered guest.

Of course, with luxurious vintage or antique furnishings, every chair can seem like the best seat in the house. Whether your preference is stretching out on a plush sofa, such as the Serpentine, designed by Vladimir Kagan, or cozying up in a vintage wingback chair, there is likely to be a comfy classic or contemporary gem for you on 1stDibs.

With respect to the latest obsessions in design, cane seating has been cropping up everywhere, from sleek armchairs to lounge chairs, while bouclé fabric, a staple of modern furniture design, can be seen in mid-century modern, Scandinavian modern and Hollywood Regency furniture styles.

Admirers of the sophisticated craftsmanship and dark woods frequently associated with mid-century modern seating can find timeless furnishings in our expansive collection of lounge chairs, dining chairs and other items — whether they’re vintage editions or alluring official reproductions of iconic designs from the likes of Hans Wegner or from Charles and Ray Eames. Shop our inventory of Egg chairs, designed in 1958 by Arne Jacobsen, the Florence Knoll lounge chair and more.

No matter your style, the collection of unique chairs, sofas and other seating on 1stDibs is surely worthy of a standing ovation.