Eames Time Life Chair
Vintage 1980s North American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk C...
Aluminum
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Aluminum
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Aluminum
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Aluminum
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Aluminum
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Aluminum
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Aluminum
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Aluminum
Vintage 1970s North American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk C...
Aluminum
Vintage 1970s North American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk C...
Aluminum
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Aluminum
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Metal, Aluminum
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1970s American Modern Lounge Chairs
Aluminum
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Aluminum, Chrome
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1980s North American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk C...
Aluminum
Vintage 1960s American Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Aluminum
Vintage 1960s American Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Aluminum
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Leather
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Aluminum, Chrome
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs
Aluminum
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Upholstery, Fiberglass
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Iron
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Aluminum
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs
Aluminum
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Aluminum
Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Steel
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Steel
Vintage 1970s American Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Aluminum
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs
Aluminum
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Aluminum
2010s Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Walnut
2010s Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Wood
2010s Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Oak
2010s Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Oak, Walnut, Lacquer
2010s Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Oak, Walnut, Lacquer
2010s Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Oak
2010s Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Oak
2010s Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Oak
2010s Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Walnut
2010s Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Wood
2010s Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Wood
2010s Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Wood
2010s Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Wood
2010s Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Leather, Wood
2010s Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Wood
2010s Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Leather, Wood
2010s Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Leather, Wood
2010s Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Wood
2010s Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Leather, Wood
2010s Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Wood
- 1
Vintage Eames Time-Life Chairs for Sale on 1stDibs
Shopping for a vintage Eames Time-Life chair?
The Eames Executive chair — also known as the Eames Time-Life Lobby chair, the Time-Life chair and simply the Lobby chair — was designed by Charles and Ray Eames in 1960. In exchange for Henry Luce’s granting them access to Time, Inc.’s vast photo archives — which they needed for another project — the Eameses agreed to design a number of areas in the company’s new Midtown Manhattan headquarters.
Created first and foremost for comfort, with extra-thick seat and back cushions and padded armrests, the chair was originally produced for the executive floors of the Time-Life Building.
Conceived to be smaller than the now-famous Eames lounge chair —another icon of mid-century modernism — the Executive chair was versatile enough to be used in conference rooms as well as in living rooms. Herman Miller, the core business of which was office furnishings by the 1960s, continues to produce the Eames Executive chair. It was notably featured in the boardroom of ad agency Sterling Cooper on the TV series Mad Men.
Find vintage Eames Time-Life chairs and other Eames seating for sale on 1stDibs.
Finding the Right Seating for You
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.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022The Eames chair is popular for a number of reasons. Many people appreciate the bold, clean lines of the piece. In addition, some find its gently reclined back and ergonomic cushioning comfortable. In addition, the chair is a famous mid-century modern design that is easy to recognize. Shop a variety of Eames chairs on 1stDibs.
- Is my vintage Eames chair real?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022To know if your vintage Eames chair is real, check for a reclining mechanism. On original chairs, the back had a permanent reclined position, so no mechanism is necessary. Also, a vintage piece is around 32 inches high, while later reproductions are normally bigger. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of expertly vetted Eames chairs.
Read More
The 21 Most Popular Mid-Century Modern Chairs
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
Fred Rigby’s Modular Seating Can Be Configured in So Many Handy Ways
The plush Cove Slipper 2.5 Seater sofa is just one of many convenient combinations from the London-based maker.
This Chubby-Chic Quilted Stool Stands on Its Own Two Feet
Sam Klemick's cool stool is edgy, cozy and environmentally sustainable all at once.
Is Lionel Jadot the Willy Wonka of Upcycled Belgian Design?
From his massive collaborative workshop in a former paper factory, the designer concocts funky furniture from disused materials, as well as luxe hotel interiors like the new Mix Brussels.
Rock Your Cares Away on This Sunny Hand-Crocheted Swing
The boho-chic Enchanted Forest Swing, handmade by marginalized women from Turkey and Syria, is uplifting in every way.
Learn Why Designer Maarten Baas Set This Charles Rennie Mackintosh Chair on Fire
What happens when you do something to a piece of furniture that you shouldn’t? It becomes an entirely new object.
Eileen Gray’s Famed Cliffside Villa in the South of France Is Returned to Its Modernist Glory
After years of diligent restoration, E-1027, the designer-cum-architect’s marriage of romance and modernism, is finally complete.
Light and Dwell Brings Elegance and Ease to an Oregon Wine Country Estate
Molly Kidd lets her affection for France shine through in a new-build home that has the character of a centuries-old villa but still feels light and fresh.