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.
Charles & Ray Eames DSS Seal Brown Stacking Shell Chairs Set of Ten
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in South Bend, IN
An iconic set of ten Eames "DSS" shell side chairs, dining chairs, or office chairs By Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller USA, Circa 1980s Rare "seal brown" colored fiberglass ...
Chrome
Eames For Herman Miller Mid Century Yellow Fiberglass Shell Chair
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Eames For Herman Miller Mid Century Yellow Fiberglass Shell Chair The chair measures: 24.75 wide x 22 deep x 31.25 high, with a s...
Chrome
Charles & Ray Eames DSS Seal Brown Stacking Shell Chairs Set of Twelve
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in South Bend, IN
An iconic set of twelve Eames "DSS" shell side chairs, dining chairs, or office chairs By Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller USA, Circa 1980s Rare "seal brown" colored fibergla...
Chrome
Charles & Ray Eames DSS Seal Brown Stacking Shell Chairs Set of Four
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in South Bend, IN
An iconic set of four Eames "DSS" shell side chairs, dining chairs, or office chairs By Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller USA, Circa 1980s Rare "seal brown" colored fiberglass...
Chrome
Charles & Ray Eames DSS Seal Brown Stacking Shell Chairs Set of Four
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in South Bend, IN
An iconic set of four Eames "DSS" shell side chairs, dining chairs, or office chairs By Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller USA, Circa 1980s Rare "seal brown" colored fiberglass...
Chrome
Set of Two '2' Herman Miller LCW Lounge Chairs by Charles & Ray Eames, USA
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Deland, FL
Stately, minimal but certainly not understated. This 90's produced pair of LCW chairs by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller has been reimaged in matte black; offered for your consideration as a limited custom release from ABT Modern. From the first of the plywood series, the abbreviated Eames LCW Chair was the Lounge Height (L) Side Chair (C) on Wood (W) Base. Designed by Charles Eames and first manufactured by the Evans Molded Plywood Division, the chair has long gained classic status. The techniques used to make these unique chairs had been developed during the war years and was evident in the Eames Splint, made for and utilized by the US Navy. The Eames LCW Plywood Chair...
Walnut
2010s Pair of Herman Miller Eames Dining Side Shell Chairs w/ Orange Upholstery
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a pair of orange upholstered Plastic Shell Chairs with Eiffel bases, made from steel with a chrome finish. This style was designed by Ray and Charles Eames, and these chairs ...
Steel
VITRA EAMES ALU CHAIR EA 124 with Ottoman BLACK
By Vitra, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Stuttgart, DE
VITRA EAMES ALU CHAIR EA 124 with Ottoman in black in a very good condition
Aluminum
Mid-Century Fiberglass Side Chair with La Fonda Base by Charles & Ray, 1960s
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Hamburg, DE
Original Herman Miller Eames Fiberglass Side Chair with black Hopsak and elegant La Fonda Base. The classic by Ray & Charles Eames. The black Hopsak upholstery is framed with a whit...
Metal
1960s Herman Miller Eames Fiberglass Arm Shell (no base) in Parchment Fiberglass
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Philadelphia, PA
These are Fiberglass Arm Shells, originally designed by Ray and Charles Eames for Herman Miller in 1950. These particular examples were produced in the 1960s. They are parchment fibe...
Fiberglass
RAR Rocking Chair by Eames for Vitra, Fiberglass & Wood, 1980s
By Vitra, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Berlin, DE
RAR Ray & Charles Eames Rocking Chair for Vitra
Metal
Charles and Ray Eames "DAR" Armchair by Zenith for Herman Miller
By Charles and Ray Eames, Zenith, Herman Miller
Located in Highland, IN
The earliest fiberglass Eames chairs were produced by Zenith Plastics and came in a limited palate of five colors including parchment. The Zenith produced shells are distinctive for ...
Steel
VIntage Red Upholstered Swivel Chair On Wheels By Charles And Ray Eames
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Doraville, GA
The Eames fiberglass arm chair was introduced sometime between 1950 - 1953. The chair offered is probably from the 1970's, has a gray fiberglass body, red fabric slip cover, wheels a...
Metal
Set of 4 Vintage Wooden Dining Chairs from Sirch, Bitzer, 1990s
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Hamburg, DE
Schlichter stacking chair from the Allgäu Holzmanufaktur Sirch. A purist design of special materials and processing. Like all furniture designs by Sirch also carries this model an u...
Wood
Tandem Eames for Herman Miller for Three Shells and a Table Top
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL
Tandem Base and Table without shells. Show signs of use. 35 cm H incl the height of the bar of the base/ 40 incl the top of the seat support/ 42 cm incl the top of the table top su...
Metal
Mid-Century Fiberglass Side Chair with La Fonda Base by Charles & Ray, 1960s
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Hamburg, DE
Original Herman Miller Eames Fiberglass Side Chair with black Hopsak and elegant La Fonda Base. The classic by Ray & Charles Eames. The black Hopsak upholstery is framed with a blac...
Metal
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
C. 1952 Herman Miller Eames DCW Dining Chair in Walnut and Slunk Skin
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a DCW Dining Side Chair, initially designed by Ray and Charles Eames in 1946. This particular chair was manufactured ca. 1952 in the United States by Herman Miller. The desi...
Steel
Charles and Ray Eames LCM Chair w/ Mongolian Lamb Wool , c. 2010
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Chicago, IL
Iconic LCM lounge chair by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller. Unique edition as it has been issued with the wood finished with red aniline dye and covered in black Mongolian la...
Steel
Set of 4 Mid-Century Side Stacking Chairs by Charles & Ray Eames, 1960s
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Hamburg, DE
4 Original Vitra Eames Fiberglass Side Chairs in a rare version with a checkered reference according to a design by Alexander Girard. The classic by Charles & Ray Eames with this ve...
Metal
1954 Ray and Charles Eames for Herman Miller DCM Dining Chair in Walnut
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an early DCM Chair, originally designed by Charles and Ray Eames in 1946. The piece was produced by Herman Miller and retains its tag under the seat. This example was produce...
Steel
Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Millerr Midcentury Rocking Chair 1960s
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
American Mid-Century Modern design rocking chair designed by Charles & Ray Eames and produced by Herman Miller with original fiberglass frame and fabric upholstered seat, refurbished...
Metal
Set of 4 Charles & Ray Eames Aluminum Group EA107 Chairs in Yellow fabric, Vitra
By Vitra, Charles and Ray Eames, Charles Eames
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Comfortable dining and/or conference chair EA107 belonging to the iconic Aluminium Series designed by Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller (US) / Vitra (EU). Comfort is guaranteed w...
Aluminum
American Yellow Shell Chairs by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller, 1970s
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in MIlano, IT
American modern Yellow Shell Chairs by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller, 1970s Pair of chairs belonging to the Shell Chairs series with curv...
Metal
Model EA 105 Aluminium Chairs by Eames for Herman Miller, 1970s, set of 2
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Radomsko, Województwo łódzkie
The Aluminium Chair EA 105, designed by Charles and Ray Eames in 1958, is an icon of modern design and craftsmanship. This chair perfectly blends timeless elegance with exceptional c...
Aluminum
1951 Set of Six Evans Herman Miller Eames DCW Dining Chairs in Birch
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a set of six DCW Dining Side Chairs, initially designed by Charles and Ray Eames in 1946. This particular set was manufactured ca. 1951. They were produced by Evans-Herman Mi...
Steel
Eames Time Life Lobby Lounge Chair in Black Leather for Herman Miller, 1980s USA
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Classic Eames Time Life Lobby Chair in black leather for Herman Miller. Black leather is in good condition with wear as shown. Extremely comfortable and worn in. Chair swivels. Heigh...
Aluminum
Set of 16 Saddle Leather DCM Chairs by Eames for Herman Miller
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Dallas, TX
Hard to find an incredible set of 16 classic EC-127 padded DCM dining chairs designed by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller, circa 1971-1981. This version was developed in 1969 in an effort to sidestep the challenges of the glued shock mounts found on the plywood versions. These famed chairs...
Metal
Eames EA108 Swivel Task Chair Licensed & Manufactured Made By ICF De Padova
By Charles and Ray Eames, ICF De Padova
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A Charles and Ray Eames EA108 Hopsack Swivel Task Chair from The Aluminium Group Manufactured Under License By ICF De Padova of Italy Each chair has an ...
Steel, Chrome
1954 Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller DCM Chair in Calico Ash
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an Eames DCM Side Chair, originally designed by Charles and Ray Eames in 1946. This particular example dates to approximately 1954 and has its foil patent pending sticker int...
Steel
Mid Century Purple DAX Lounge Chairs by Eames for Herman Miller, 1960s
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Detroit, MI
These vintage mid century modern purple DAX bucket lounge chairs were designed by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller. The iconic DAX chair - Dining (D) Arm Chair (A) on X Base (...
Aluminum, Steel
Six Vintage Eames Herman Miller Swivel Shell Chairs on Casters 1970s
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Baltimore, MD
Authentic rare Mid-Century Modern iconic molded fiberglass pivoting shell office or dining chairs on "contract bases" (PSC chairs) with casters, two armchairs and four side chairs, c...
Aluminum
LAH by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Vlimmeren, BE
This LAH (low Armchair H base) armchair has a leatherette seat and a fiberglass shell. This chair is the lounge version of the DAH or DAX. It is still in very good condition and perf...
Faux Leather, Fiberglass
Eames For Herman Miller Mid Century Fiberglass Shell Blue Chair
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Eames For Herman Miller Mid Century Fiberglass Shell Blue Chair The chair measures: 24.75 wide x 22 deep x 31.25 high, with a sea...
Chrome
DCM Chairs by Charles + Ray Eames for Herman Miller in Red Aniline Dye
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1951. USA. Price is for the set. Contact us if you’d like to purchase a single item. Red dye with wood construction and metal frame.
Metal
Classic Vintage Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller DCM Chair
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Classic vintage Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller DCM chair.
Chrome
Charles & Ray Eames Tandem Sling 3-seat bench, 1962
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Langemark-Poelkapelle, BE
Early production three-seat Tandem Sling bench, designed by Charles and Ray Eames in 1962. Originally developed as a modular seating system for airports and other public spaces, the...
Aluminum
Set of Four Herman Miller Eames DCM Dining Chairs
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage Herman Miller Eames DCM dining chair set. Executed in ash and chrome steel bases. All screws and self leveling glides intact. In even condition with...
Steel
Herman Miller Produced Eames RAR Rocking Chair
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Iconic mid-century modern shell rocking chair, designed by Charles and Ray Eames for the Herman Miller Company, and used by the CUNY University. Leather slip is in tact over the fibe...
Chrome
Early Red Aniline Dyed Eames LCM Lollipop Lounge Chair
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Very nice fairly early c.1948-1950 Red analine Eames LCM chair in usable condition. Frame has 'lollipop' back rest drop outs.
Metal
Black Fiberglass Desk Armchair Charles & Ray Eames Herman Miller Mid-Century
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a rare black fiberglass armchair, designed by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller. This specific model is an early, rare early generation version featurin...
Aluminum
Early Eames Swiveling Dowel Legged Wire Chair, DKW-1
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare early swiveling dowel leg chair with walnut legs, designed by Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller, model DKW-1, 1951/1952. Wire top and timeworn weaved fabric seat. Original t...
Wire
Aluminum Group EA 116 Chair by Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller, USA, 1990s
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Deland, FL
Introducing a rare, vintage Model EA 116 Swivel Chair designed by Eames couple for their now iconic 'Aluminium Group'. Designed by Charles and Ray Eames in 1958, the aluminum chair i...
Aluminum
Eames Herman Miller Black Leather Office Chair Thin Pad Aluminum Group
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Detroit, MI
The Aluminum Group Management height office chair designed by Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller is from the Eames Aluminum Group Collection. These distinctive chairs resulted...
Aluminum, Steel
Six Stacking Chairs, Charles & Ray Eames, Herman Miller, Red Fiberglass, 1974.
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A set of six stackable dining room chairs by Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller, manufactured in midcentury, 1974. The chairs are labe...
Metal, Chrome
Original 1x Vitra Charles & Ray Eames Stuhl EA 108 Leder schwarz
By Vitra, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten einen von insgesamt drei wunderschönen Vitra EA 108 Stühlen mit schwarzem Lederbezug zum Verkauf an. Der Entwurf stammt von Charles und Ray Eames und gilt heute als wahrer...
Steel, Chrome
Eames RSR Rocking Chair Elephant Gray
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Elephant gray Herman Miller Eames fiberglass shell on rocking base. Excellent grain in the fiberglass side shell. Stamped on bottom with Herman Miller. N...
Steel
$8,266Sale Price|29% Off
1956, Ray & Charles Eames Lounge Chair, Rare First Edition 1956 in Black Leather
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL
This item is part of the private collection of Casey Godrie and is situated in his private house. Ask him for competitive shipping quotes. His incredible Dune Villa, Amsterdam Beach...
Metal
Green EA124 Armchair by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller, 1970s
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in bruxelles, BE
Swivel armchair in green fabric and metal. Seat height: 47 cm. Stamped Herman Miller. Wear due to time and age. FOR SHIPPING, REQUEST US FOR RECEIVE THE BEST PRICE
Metal
3er Set La Fonda Stühle Herman Miller Charles Eames Fiberglas
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten ein wunderschönes 3er Set original La Fonda Stühle von Herman Miller aus den späten 1980er Jahren zum Verkauf an. Der Entwurf stammt von Charles & Ray Eames und gilt als a...
Steel, Chrome
4 Eames Aluminum Group Side Chairs Vicenza Leather Cream Herman Miller 2015
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Miami, FL
Set of 4 original Eames Aluminum Group Side Chairs in Vicenza Leather Cream. 360-degree swivel. Made by Herman Miler 2015
Aluminum
4er Set La Fonda Stühle Vitra Charles Eames Fiberglas Vintage
By Vitra, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten ein wunderschönes 4er Set original La Fonda Stühle von Vitra aus den späten 1980er Jahren zum Verkauf an. Der Entwurf stammt von Charles & Ray Eames und gilt als absoluter...
Steel, Chrome
1951 Herman Miller Eames RAR Fiberglass Rocking Chair w/ Rope Edge & Zenith Tags
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a very rare, early 'RAR' Rocking Chair, initially designed by Ray and Charles Eames in 1950. This particular chair dates to around 1951, as determined by the early Zenith lab...
Steel
Eames 671 Lounge Ottoman in Rosewood & Cognac Leather by Herman Miller
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Stamford, CT
This is an excellent example of an all-original Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller 671 Ottoman. Its highly sought after Rosewood shell and Cognac Leather remain in very good c...
Aluminum
Mid-Century Modern LCM Chair By Charles And Ray Eames, Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This iconic Midcentury Modern LCM chair is by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller. The LCM chair was designed by the duo in 1946 and manufactured by Herman Miller in the late 40s...
Steel, Chrome
Set of Soft Pad Lounge Chair and Ottoman in Black by Charles & Ray Eames for Vi
By Vitra, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Stuttgart, DE
Set of Soft Pad Lounge Chair and Ottoman in Black by Charles & Ray Eames for Vitra, 2000s in excellent condition
Aluminum
VITRA EAMES ALU CHAIR EA 124 with Ottoman in chocolate brown Leather
By Charles and Ray Eames, Vitra
Located in Stuttgart, DE
VITRA EAMES ALU CHAIR EA 124 with Ottoman in chocolate brown in a very good condition
Aluminum
Charles & Ray Eames "La Fonda" Blue Fiberglass Chairs Herman Miller
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in The Hague, NL
Mid- Century modern La Fonda chair by Ray and Charles Eames for Herman Miller, 1960's circa. The "La Fonda" designed by Charles and Ray Eames in 1961 for the La Fonda del Sol restau...
Aluminum
$2,400Sale Price / set|36% Off
Pair of Early Eames Herman Miller DKR Chairs on Eiffel Tower Bases With Covers
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Ferndale, MI
Completely original and intact Charles and Ray Eames Herman Miller DKR chairs on Eiffel tower base. Original seat covers retain labels show some mino...
Steel
Early First Edition Eames Walnut LCM Chair for Evans
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller, Evans Products Company
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
Hard to find pair of early LCM chairs designed by Charles and Ray Eames and manufactured in the 1940s by Evans Products Company. These chairs are in very good condition with minor we...
Steel