1950s Early Production 'DCM' Chairs by Charles Eames for Herman Miller, Signed
View Similar Items
1950s Early Production 'DCM' Chairs by Charles Eames for Herman Miller, Signed
About the Item
- Creator:Charles and Ray Eames (Designer),Ray Eames (Designer),Charles Eames (Designer),Herman Miller (Manufacturer)
- Design:
- Dimensions:Height: 30 in (76.2 cm)Width: 19.5 in (49.53 cm)Depth: 21 in (53.34 cm)Seat Height: 17.5 in (44.45 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 4
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1960s
- Condition:Very good vintage condition with light patina. Some minor scratches and nicks to wood and oxidation to metal frames as to be expected with age. Attractive prime collectors examples. Presents very well and ready for immediate use.
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1330223966752
DCM
During World War II, American designers Charles and Ray Eames (1907–78; 1912–88) worked with the United States Navy to make a new leg splint. Recognizing that metal splints could further injure a wounded person through the vibrations of their material, the couple created a new model with molded plywood. That wartime experience propelled the Eameses to continue their explorations in plywood. In 1946, they debuted the DCM, its shortened name referencing the “Dining Height (D) Side Chair (C) on Metal (M) Rod Base.”
The DCM was featured in “New Furniture Designed by Charles Eames” at the Museum of Modern Art, even though the pieces on view were the fruit of the highly collaborative process between Charles and his wife, Ray. In fact, the sculptural form of the DCM’s seat and separate back — which earned it the nickname “Potato Chip” chair — were largely influenced by Ray’s interest in abstract art, such as Alexander Calder’s mobiles and Joan Miró’s biomorphic forms. Inventive in its application of the plywood molding process for its birch material, the DCM is shaped to fit the sitter’s body. Its use of tubular steel is also worthy of note — an innovation that makes it look as if the plywood seat and back are floating in place. Rubber “shock” mounts allow the parts to be easily screwed together.
When it was brought to the mass market by Herman Miller in 1947, the DCM was an almost instant success for its lightweight portability and versatility. It is still among the most popular models produced by Herman Miller, exemplifying the Eameses’ influential legacy in modern living.
Charles and Ray Eames
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.
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 (1907–78) studied architecture and industrial design. Ray (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 — they 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 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 collection of original Eames furniture on 1stDibs includes chairs, tables, case pieces and other items.
- Charles Eames for Herman Miller Tandem Aluminum Lounge Chairs in Edelman LeatherBy Charles and Ray Eames, Herman MillerLocated in Los Angeles, CAIncredible pair of restored and reimagined Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller, 1962 Collection, Tandem modular seating that was originally designed for Chicago O'Hare Airport, w...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsAluminum
- Tandem Sling by Ray and Charles Eames for Herman Miller, Four-SeatBy Charles and Ray Eames, Herman MillerLocated in Los Angeles, CARay and Charles Eames were commissioned to design the perfect utilitarian seating for the first international airports in 1962, created for comfort and convenience. For the modern-da...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Benches
MaterialsAluminum
$1,350 Sale Price / item57% Off - Set of Ten Early 'Zig Zag' Chairs by Gerrit Rietveld for Cassina, 1973, SignedBy Gerrit Rietveld, CassinaLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis set of ten early year 'Zig Zag' chairs by Gerrit Rietveld for Cassina are the holy grail of collectors pieces. Extremely rare and coveted, original 'Zig Zag' chairs are a part o...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian De Stijl Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsWood
$42,100 Sale Price / set23% Off - Eames for Herman Miller Two-Seat Tandem Sling Airport ChairBy Charles and Ray Eames, Herman MillerLocated in Los Angeles, CARay & Charles Eames were commissioned to design the perfect utilitarian seating for the first international airports in 1962. Created for comfort and convenience, this chair is iconi...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Loveseats
MaterialsAluminum
- 'Yucatan' Dining Chairs by Edmond Spence for Industria Mueblera, 1960s SignedBy Edmond J. Spence, Industria Mueblera MexicoLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis set of six classic mid-century modern Mahogany and cane 'Yucatan' dining chairs was designed by Swedish designer Edmond J. Spence in the 1950s and produced by Industria Mueblera...Category
Vintage 1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Cane, Mahogany
$9,999 Sale Price / set28% Off - Set of 8 Teak and Bouclé Dining Chairs by Arne Vodder for Sibast, 1960s, SignedBy Arne Vodder, SibastLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis gorgeous set of 8 dining chairs by Arne Norrell for Sibast (1960s Denmark) features gorgeous teak frames with Nakashima-styled slatted spindle backs and newly reupholstered whit...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsBouclé, Teak
$7,040 Sale Price / set20% Off
- DCM Chair by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman MillerBy Charles and Ray Eames, Herman MillerLocated in Los Angeles, CADCM chair (Dining metal chair) by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller. Designed in 1946, this molded plywood + chromed ste...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsPlywood
- 16 DCM Chairs by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman MillerBy Charles and Ray Eames, Herman MillerLocated in Los Angeles, CADCM chair (Dining metal chair) by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller. Designed in 1946, this molded plywood + chromed steel chair is a classic design. Sometimes referred to as the "potato chip chair...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Fine Charles Eames for Evans Sold by Herman Miller Ash Grain DCM Dining ChairBy Charles and Ray Eames, Evans Products Company, Herman MillerLocated in Ferndale, MIVery nice early production Charles and Ray Eames designed dining chair metal (DCM ). Clean chrome frame supports ash grain seat and back. Retains original Eames Evans Herman Miller w...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsChrome
- 70 Chairs by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman MillerBy Charles and Ray Eames, Herman MillerLocated in Los Angeles, CAWe have 65 of the these original Herman Miller polypropylene molded chairs designed by Ray and Charle Eames. We have 65 white chairs.Category
Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Charles Eames for Herman Miller DSX Shell ChairBy Charles Eames, Ray Eames, Charles and Ray Eames, Herman MillerLocated in Garnerville, NYCharles Eames for Herman Miller fiberglass DSX shell chair. Circa 1970. Retains all it's plastic glides. Shock mounts are in good condition with no visible drying or cracking. Struct...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsMetal, Steel
$516 Sale Price20% Off - DCW Dining Chair by Charles Eames for Herman MillerBy Charles Eames, Herman MillerLocated in Sagaponack, NYAn early, Mid-Century Modern oak 'DCW' dining chair designed by Charles Eames with a double shock-mount to the backrest. Manufactured by Herman Miller in the USA, circa 1950s.Category
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsOak
$2,100 / item
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
The 21 Most Popular Mid-Century Modern Chairs
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
A Guide to Herman Miller’s Most Iconic Furniture
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.