Designer, artist and architect Eileen Gray was one of the most fascinating creative figures of the 20th century. Her body of work includes lustrous lacquered pieces — her Dragons chair set an auction record for modern furniture ($28 million) at the 2009 sale of the Yves Saint Laurent estate — and sleek chrome furnishings that rival the work of Le Corbusier and the members of the Bauhaus as exemplars of pure, modernist design.
The independent and unconventional daughter of Irish landed gentry, Gray studied painting at London’s Slade School of Fine Art in her early twenties before moving to Paris in 1906 to pursue her artistic dreams. Gray had become captivated by lacquerware after seeing an exhibit in the Victoria & Albert Museum, and in Paris persuaded an expatriate Japanese master of the painstaking process, Seizo Sugawara, to teach her. Within a few years, Gray had become known among the cognoscenti for her sculptural lacquered furnishings, which she incorporated into the homes of interior design clients.
Gray was ever evolving as a designer. By the early 1920s she was creating geometric works that embodied the essence of Art Deco and the nascent modernist design movement. Some pieces — such as her Bricks screen, an assemblage of pivoting rectangular panels — employ the planar forms favored by Gerrit Rietveld and other De Stijl architects of the Netherlands. Others feature the tubular chrome framing used by Marcel Breuer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. These include the Bibendum chair — named for the resemblance of its semicircular back and armrest to the character known in English as the Michelin Man — and the adjustable E 1027 side table, conceived in 1927 for the interiors of a stark white villa she designed for herself in the South of France.
Never a self-promoter, Gray drifted out of the limelight in the 1930s. Interest in her work was revived in the early ’70s, however, when the estates of her early clients came to auction. Her original lacquer pieces are the most coveted, but, as the sale of the Dragons chair shows, are rare and extremely expensive.
None of Gray’s designs were made in large numbers until, a few years before her death, she granted a production license. These pieces range in price from $1,000 to $2,500, depending on furniture type and condition. Gray’s work has become iconic of practical and elegant modernist design. Yet, as you will see on 1stDibs, many of her creations have a simplicity that makes them welcome even in a traditional setting.
Alivar Mvsevm Transat leather armchair 407 design Eileen Gray
By Alivar, Eileen Gray
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: Alivar Model: 407 Transat Designer: Eileen Gray Year: 1927 The Transat Chaise Lounge was conceived in 1927 for the living space of the E1027 house, one of Eileen Gray's most ...
Brass
Transat Chair With Black Leather, Design Eileen Gray 1927, France ca. 1975
By Eileen Gray
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Rare and valuable 19th century reproduction of the famous "Transat Chair" designed by none other than world renowed Irish designer Eileen Gray (1878 - 1976). There were only 12(!) or...
Brass, Nickel
$11,616
Eileen Gray Transat by Écart
By Eileen Gray, Ecart International, Andree Putman
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Réédition du Transat par Eileen Gray pour Écart.
Leather, Wood, Lacquer
Customizable ClassiCon Bibendum Lounge Chair by Eileen Gray
By Eileen Gray
Located in New York, NY
Bibendum is one of a kind. Nowhere in the history of design will one find an armchair that compares to this. It is captivatingly harmonious despite its size and unites a majestic imp...
Upholstery
Customizable ClassiCon Bibendum Lounge Chair by Eileen Gray
By Eileen Gray
Located in New York, NY
Bibendum is one of a kind. Nowhere in the history of design will one find an armchair that compares to this. It is captivatingly harmonious despite its size and unites a majestic imp...
Upholstery, Leather, Fabric
Customizable Leather ClassiCon Bibendum Lounge Armchair by Eileen Gray
By Eileen Gray
Located in New York, NY
Bibendum is one of a kind. Nowhere in the history of design will one find an armchair that compares to this. It is captivatingly harmonious despite its size and unites a majestic imp...
Upholstery, Leather, Textile
Customizable ClassiCon Bibendum Lounge Armchair by Eileen Gray
By Eileen Gray
Located in New York, NY
Bibendum is one of a kind. Nowhere in the history of design will one find an armchair that compares to this. It is captivatingly harmonious despite its size and unites a majestic imp...
Upholstery, Leather, Textile
$6,500 / set
Pair of Bibendum Armchairs by Eileen Gray
By Eileen Gray
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Bibendum armchairs by Eileen Gray Made in Ireland Additional information: Material: Chrome-plated steel, leather Size: 36.75 W × 34.5...
Leather
Early 21st Century Re-Edition of "1927 Transat" by Eileen Gray
By Eileen Gray
Located in Paris, FR
Early 21st century re-edition by Ecart International of a "1927 Transat" armchair by Eileen Gray with tilting head-rest. Black lacquered wood structure and black leather upholstery.
Leather, Wood
Armchair ClassiCon Bibendum Armchair design Eileen Gray
By Eileen Gray
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: ClassiCon Model: Bibendum Armchair Design: Eileen Gray, 1926 Bibendum is truly one of a kind. Nowhere in the history of design can one find an armchair comparable to this ext...
Steel
Armchair in white leather ClassiCon Bibendum Armchair design Eileen Gray
By Eileen Gray
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: ClassiCon Model: Bibendum Armchair Design: Eileen Gray, 1926 Bibendum is truly one of a kind. Nowhere in the history of design can one find an armchair comparable to this ext...
Steel
Armchair in black leather ClassiCon Bibendum Armchair design Eileen Gray
By Eileen Gray
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: ClassiCon Model: Bibendum Armchair Design: Eileen Gray, 1926 Bibendum is truly one of a kind. Nowhere in the history of design can one find an armchair comparable to this ext...
Steel
Armchair in leather white ClassiCon Non Conformist Armchair design Eileen Gray
By Eileen Gray
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: ClassiCon Model: Non Conformist Armchair Design: Eileen Gray, 1926 The Non Conformist Armchair lives up to its name by subtly challenging expectations while remaining inexpli...
Steel
Armchair in leather black ClassiCon Non Conformist Armchair design Eileen Gray
By Eileen Gray
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: ClassiCon Model: Non Conformist Armchair Design: Eileen Gray, 1926 The Non Conformist Armchair lives up to its name by subtly challenging expectations while remaining inexpli...
Steel
Armchair in white leather ClassiCon Bonaparte Armchair design Eileen Gray
By Eileen Gray
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: ClassiCon Model: Bonaparte Armchair Design: Eileen Gray, 1938 The Bonaparte Armchair is one of the rare examples in which luxurious upholstered comfort is successfully combin...
Steel
Armchair in black leather ClassiCon Bonaparte Armchair design Eileen Gray
By Eileen Gray
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: ClassiCon Model: Bonaparte Armchair Design: Eileen Gray, 1938 The Bonaparte Armchair is one of the rare examples in which luxurious upholstered comfort is successfully combin...
Steel
Limited Edition Classicon Bibendum Armchair in leather sand design Eileen Gray
By Eileen Gray
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: Classicon Model: Limited Edition Bibendum Armchair Design: Eileen Gray, 1926 A design that combines sculpture, cultural history, and a touch of humor. Eileen Gray's Bibendum...
Steel
Pair of armchairs by Eileen Gray Edition Ecart international
By Eileen Gray, Ecart International
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of armchairs by Eileen Gray Between 1926 and 1928, Eileen Gray collaborated with Jean Badovici on the creation of an architectural masterpiece: Villa E-1027 in Roquebrune-Cap-Ma...
Metal
Eileen Gray, Safari Chair / Authentic
By Eileen Gray
Located in Zürich, CH
The visible nonchalance here celebrates the lightness and the joy of life. It’s not about representation or impressing others. It demonstrates a truly modern lifestyle, much more cas...
Leather, Wood
Eileen Gray Non Conformist Sessel weiß Vereinigte Werkstätten Munich
By Eileen Gray, Vereinigte Werkstätten München
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten einen wunderschönen und sehr seltenen Armlehnstuhl von den Vereinigten Werkstätten Munich aus den 1970er Jahren zum Verkauf an. Der Entwurf stammt von Eileen Gray aus dem ...
Steel, Chrome
$2,300 / item
H 30 in W 29 in D 32 in
Customizable Black Matte and Gray Upholstered Lounge Chair - Soho Collection
By Uultis Design
Located in Miami, FL
A Soho armchair designed by Sérgio Batista for Uultis with black matte finish and checkered gray fabric. *Please check availability prior to purchase*. The Soho armchair brings vint...
Lacquer, Leather, Fabric, Cane
Eileen Gray Daybed
By Eileen Gray
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Red leather and tubular chrome daybed by Eileen Gray, 1980s.
Steel
$10,769 / set
H 27 in W 70 in D 28 in
Le Corbusier LC2 Armchair + 3-Seat Sofa Set in Black Leather & Chrome, Alivar
By Cassina, Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand Cassina, Alivar
Located in Grand Cayman, KY
Timelessly iconic Le Corbusier LC2 set of 3-seater sofa and armchair in chrome tube steel and black leather. Made in Italy by Alivar, a highly collectible licensed / authorized produ...
Steel, Chrome
$995Sale Price|76% Off
H 72 in W 97 in D 69 in
ClassiCon Turquoise Munich Lounge Chair Designed by Sauerbruch Hutton in STOCK
By Sauerbruch Hutton
Located in New York, NY
Modern art of the 20th and 21st centuries deserves an appropriate setting, with a building and its furniture that is just as modern. Berlin architects Sauerbruch Hutton were thus fac...
Leather
Eileen Gray Bar Stool No. 1 Black Leather Chrome, circa 1920
By Eileen Gray
Located in Vienna, AT
Eileen Gray bar stool no. 1, designed in 1920s, production by Classicon circa 1985- engraved and numbered. Classical design by Eileen Gray that...
Stainless Steel, Chrome
Pair of Bibendum Armchairs by Eileen Gray
By Eileen Gray
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Bibendum armchairs by Eileen Gray Made in Ireland Additional information: Material: Chrome-plated steel, leather Size: 36.75 W × 34.5...
Leather
$12,000 / set
H 24.5 in W 39 in D 29 in
Pair of 'LC3' Black Leather Club Chairs by Le Corbusier for Cassina, Signed
By Charlotte Perriand, Le Corbusier, Cassina, Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful pair of LC3 club chairs in thick supple black leather, by Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret and Charlotte Perriand for Cassina, signed with Cassina decking fabric, Cassina s...
Chrome
ClassiCon Eileen Gray Daybed Original Vintage Day Bed
By Eileen Gray
Located in Munich, Bavaria
Vintage daybed with the name Day Bed by Eileen Gray. Manufactured by Classicon. Classic all time piece of furniture by the original producer. Black leather and chrome tubular steel ...
Steel, Chrome
$2,293
H 31.11 in W 17.72 in D 20.87 in
ClassiCon Black Leather Roquebrune Chair by Eileen Gray in Stock
By Eileen Gray
Located in New York, NY
Roquebrune Chair Eileen Gray, 1927 leather For the terrace of her second house in Castellar Eileen Gray designed a very comfortable chair with a de...
Leather
$7,583 / item
H 30.71 in W 22.45 in D 24.81 in
Customizable ClassiCon Non Conformist Chair by Eileen Gray
By Eileen Gray
Located in New York, NY
It piques and provokes what one might expect of it, and yet it is inexplicably aesthetic and harmonious, a nonconformist on velvet paws. Eileen Gray commented quite pragmatically on ...
Leather
Customizable ClassiCon Bonaparte Chair by Eileen Gray
By Eileen Gray
Located in New York, NY
Bonaparte is one of the seldom cases in which the luxurious comfort of an upholstered chair has been successfully united with a tubular steel construction. The result communicates bo...
Upholstery
$11,305 / item
H 28.35 in W 35.44 in D 31.11 in
Customizable ClassiCon Bibendum Lounge Armchair by Eileen Gray
By Eileen Gray
Located in New York, NY
Bibendum is one of a kind. Nowhere in the history of design will one find an armchair that compares to this. It is captivatingly harmonious despite its size and unites a majestic imp...
Upholstery, Leather, Textile
Pair of Bibendum Armchairs by Eileen Gray, 1970s
By Eileen Gray
Located in Roma, IT
Bibendum Armchairs is a design item realized by Eileen Gray. Polished chromium plated tubular steel base. Fully original 1970s upholstered seat, back and armrests covered white lea...
Metal
Sold
H 79 in W 55 in D 106 in
Eileen Gray Ecart International Pair Transat Armchairs Gold Leather Natural Wood
By Ecart International, Eileen Gray
Located in Boulogne Billancourt, FR
Pair of Transat armchairs design by Eileen Gray in 1927 for the Villa E-1027. Edition in gold leather and natural wood by Ecart International, circa 1980. Reclining backrest and ch...
Leather, Wood, Lacquer
Sold
H 79 in W 55 in D 106 in
Eileen Gray, Ecart International, Transat Armchair Black Leather Lacquer Wood
By Ecart International, Eileen Gray
Located in Boulogne Billancourt, FR
Transat armchair design by Eileen Gray in 1927 for the Villa E-1027. Edition in black leather and black lacquer by Ecart International, circa 1980....
Leather, Wood, Lacquer
Eileen Gray, Transat Lounge Chair, 1970s
By Eileen Gray
Located in Argelato, BO
Eileen Grey, Black leather lounge chair, model Transat, 1970s. Black lacquered wood, brushed metal, black leather.
Metal
Pair of Bibendum Armchairs by Eileen Gray, 1970s
By Eileen Gray
Located in Roma, IT
Bibendum Armchairs is an original design item realized by Eileen Gray. Polished chromium plated tubular steel base. Fully original 1970s uphols...
Chrome
Eileen Gray Red Leather Non Conformist Chair, 2006
By Eileen Gray
Located in Basildon, London
Originally designed by Eileen Gray in 1926 and manufactured in 2006, the Non Conformist chair is a fantastic example of her pioneering modernist d...
Leather
Sold
H 79 in W 55 in D 106 in
Eileen Gray, Ecart International, Transat Chair Black Leather Lacquer Wood
By Ecart International, Eileen Gray
Located in Boulogne Billancourt, FR
Transat armchair design by Eileen Gray in 1927 for the Villa E-1027. Edition in black leather and black lacquer by Ecart International, circa 1980....
Leather, Wood, Lacquer
Modernist Design Classic, Eileen Gray Transat Lounge Chair
By Eileen Gray, Ecart International
Located in Renens, CH
Armchair designed during the 1920s by Irish-born architect Eileen Gray for use in her French villa E1027. The E1027 was Gray’s first large project, where her work as an interior desi...
Metal
Eileen Gray Non Conformist Black Leather and Steel Chair
By Eileen Gray
Located in Madrid, ES
Armchair, model "Non Conformist", designed by Eileen Gray (1878-1976) in 1926. This one is a new edition by ClassiCon. Made of chrome-plated steel tubes...
Steel
Sold
H 28.35 in W 35.44 in D 31.11 in
Classicon Red Velvet Bibendum Lounge Chair by Eileen Gray in STOCK
By Eileen Gray
Located in New York, NY
Bibendum is one of a kind. Eileen Gray underscored the character of her endearing prior lion with sly irony; she named it after the Michelin man, whose form this armchair calls to mi...
Velvet
Sold
H 31.11 in W 22.05 in D 36.23 in
Black wood, metal and leather Eileen Gray Transat Lounge Chair, 1970s
By Eileen Gray, Ecart International
Located in MIlano, IT
Black wood, metal and leather Eileen Gray Transat Lounge Chair, 1970s Striking black leather lounge chair by Eileen Gray for Ecart International f...
Leather, Wood
Bibendum Leather Lounge Chair by Eileen Gray
By Eileen Gray
Located in New York, NY
Bibendum is one of a kind. Eileen Gray underscored the character of her endearing parior lion with sly irony; she named it after the Michelin man, whose form this armchair calls to m...
Leather