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. The Eameses were lovers of folk craft who had a genius for making highly original chairs, tables, case pieces and other furniture using traditional materials and forms.
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 Eames (1907–78) studied architecture and industrial design. Ray Eames (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 — vintage Eames splints 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 Eames chair, 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 original Eames furniture for sale on 1stDibs includes chairs, tables, case pieces and other items.
2010s Eames Aluminum Group Management Desk Chair in Grey Naugahyde
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an Eames Aluminum Group Management Desk Chair, designed by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller in 1958. This pa...
Aluminum
2014 Herman Miller Eames Aluminum Group Management Desk Chairs in Grey Leather
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Philadelphia, PA
These are Eames Aluminum Group Management Desk Chairs, model EA335, originally designed by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller in 1958. These particular examples date to 2014. Th...
Aluminum, Steel
2013 Herman Miller Eames Aluminum Group Desk Chairs in Brown 9x Available
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Philadelphia, PA
These are Eames Aluminum Group Management Desk Chairs, model EA335, originally designed by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller in 1958. These particular examples date to 2013. Th...
Aluminum, Steel
2010s Herman Miller Eames Aluminum Management Desk Chair Light White Naugahyde
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an Eames Aluminum Group Management Chair, originally designed by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller in 1958. This particular example was produced in the 2010s. The desig...
Aluminum
1995 Herman Miller Eames Aluminum Management Desk Chair in Grey Leather
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an Aluminum Group Management Desk Chair, Model EA335, originally designed by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller in 1958. These particular examples date to 1995. The desi...
Aluminum, Steel
C. 1957 Set of Four Herman Miller Eames DKX-1 Dining Chairs in Wire and Fabric
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a set of four DKX-1 dining chairs, originally designed by Ray and Charles Eames in 1951. These particular examples were produced by Herman Miller in the USA C. 1957. The chai...
Steel
2010s Herman Miller Eames Aluminum Group Management Desk Chair in White Leather
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an Eames Aluminum Group Management Chair, Model EA335, originally designed by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller in 1958. This particular example was produced in the 201...
Aluminum
1948 Eames for Evans & Herman Miller Set of Six DCM Dining Chairs w/ Provenance
By Charles and Ray Eames, Evans Products Company
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is one of the rarest and best documented sets of Eames DCM chairs in existence. First and foremost, it is a set of six original matching maple DCM dining chairs, prod...
Wood
Set of Four Charles and Ray Eames DKW-1 Chairs for Herman Miller
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Early set of four wire frame chairs by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller. The chairs feature greige marled fabric seat covers over black metal frames. Each chair rests on four ...
Metal
1957 Herman Miller Eames DKX Wire Dining Chair with Full Naugahyde Orange Pad
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a single circa 1957 production Eames DKX dining chair with wire upper and fully upholstered pad. The pad is original naugahyde in a red/orange color. The upholster...
Aluminum
2013 Herman Miller Eames Aluminum Group Lounge Chairs in Grey Leather
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Philadelphia, PA
These are Eames Aluminum Group Lounge Chairs, model EA316, originally designed by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller in 1958. These particular examples date to 2013. They are up...
Aluminum
Vitra EA 107 Bürostuhl Vitra Charles Ray Eames hopsak dunkelgrau
By Charles and Ray Eames, Vitra
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten einen wunderschönen Vitra EA 107 Konferenzstuhl mit dunklem Rahmen und dunkelgrauem Hopsak Stoff zum Verkauf an. Der Stuhl wurde professionell gereinigt und aufgearbeitet....
Steel, Chrome
Mid-Century Herman Miller Eames Aluminum Group Gray Leather Management Chair
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Secaucus, NJ
Stunning authentic Mid-Century Modern Eames aluminum group management chair. A timeless design classic and contemporary with Innovative comfort features. One of Herman Miller's most ...
Aluminum
2009 Herman Miller Eames Aluminum Management Desk Chair in Grey Maharam Fabric
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an Eames Aluminum Group Management Desk Chair, Model EA335, designed by Ray and Charles Eames for Herman Miller in 1958. This particular example was produced in 2009. The des...
Aluminum
C. 1953 Pair of Herman Miller Eames LKR Cats Cradle Lounge Chairs with Bases
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Pair of LKR Wire Side Chairs with Rare "Cats Cradle" Lounge Bases, initially designed by Ray and Charles Eames for Herman Miller in 1951.This pair dates to circa 1953, and ...
Steel
3er Set Asserbo Stühle Borge Morgensen Roland Wilhelmsson
By Charles and Ray Eames, Vitra
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten ein wunderschönes 3er Set Vintage Stühle von Borge Morgensen & Söner aus den 1970er Jahren zum Verkauf an. Der Entwurf "Asserbo" stammt von Børge Mogensen & Roland...
Steel, Chrome
Ash Aniline Red DCM Chair by Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A rare aniline dyed red ash DCM chair with satin chrome frame. By Herman Miller with original foil tag.
Steel
MCM Herman Miller Eames Aluminum Group Management Chair in Hunter Brown Leather
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Secaucus, NJ
Stunning authentic mid-century modern Eames aluminum group management chair. A timeless design classic and contemporary with Innovative comfort features. One of Herman Miller's most ...
Aluminum, Steel
1964 Eames for Herman Miller 3473 Three Seat Sofa in White Naugahyde #1
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a 3473 sofa, originally designed by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller in 1964. It's constructed from aluminum, iron, and plywood. It may be the original white naugahyde...
Aluminum, Iron
2017 Herman Miller Eames EAG Aluminum Group Management Chair in Grey Leather
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an Eames Aluminum Group Management Desk Chair, model EA335, originally designed by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller in 1958. These particular examples date to 2017. Th...
Aluminum, Steel
2010s Herman Miller Eames Aluminum Management Desk Chair in Cream w/ Manual Lift
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an Eames Aluminum Group Management Chair, originally designed by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller in 1958. This particular example was produced in the 2010s. The desig...
Aluminum
Eames Desk Chair EA 117 by Herman Miller, 1990s - 3 Available
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Brussels, BE
Eames Desk Chair EA 117 by Herman Miller, 1990s - 3 available.
Metal
2010s Herman Miller Eames Aluminum Group Management Desk Chair in Grey Leather
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an Eames Aluminum Group Management Desk Chair, designed by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller in 1958. This particular chair was produced in the 2010s. The design sports...
Aluminum
Pair of C. 1953 Herman Miller Eames LCW Lounge Chair Wood Refinished Red Aniline
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Philadelphia, PA
"Listed for sale is an original pair of circa 1953 production Eames LCW (Lounge Chair Wood) chairs, originally specified in red aniline dye. These examples were refinished and restor...
Wood
Set of 6 Vitra EA107 Aluminum Chairs by Charles & Ray Eames 'Mid-Century Modern'
By Vitra, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in CULEMBORG, GE
Charles and Ray Eames designed this chair in 1958 for the private residence of an art collector in Columbus, Indiana (USA). For its construction, the designer couple experimented wit...
Aluminum
Armchair by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller, 1970s
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in bruxelles, BE
Swivel chair on casters in metal and fiberglass. Wear due to time and age of the chair (see photo) FOR SHIPPING, REQUEST US FOR RECEIVE THE BEST PRICE
Metal
2010s Herman Miller Eames Aluminum Management Desk Chair in Grey w/ Manual Lift
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an Eames Aluminum Group Management Chair, originally designed by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller in 1958. This particular example was produced in the 2010s. The desig...
Aluminum
Price Upon Request
Half-Size FSW-6 Screen by Charles and Ray Eames
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in New York, NY
Half-size FSW-6 screen in ash plywood and canvas. Designed by Charles and Ray Eames and manufactured by Herman Miller, Zeeland, MI, circa 1948. Unmarked.
Canvas, Plywood