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.
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 Red Chair
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Eames For Herman Miller Mid Century Fiberglass Shell Red Chair The chair measures: 24.75 wide x 22 deep x 31.25 high, with a seat...
Chrome
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
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
1960s Herman Miller Eames Fiberglass Arm Shell (no base) in Parchment Fiberglass
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
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
Green EA124 Armchair by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller, 1970s
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
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
Pair of Eames for Herman Miller LAR Shell Chairs with Yellow Naugahyde Pads
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Incredibly rare pair of Eames for Herman Miller LAR lounge chairs with yellow Naugahyde pads. The chairs both have their original paper labels and stamped with the Summit Prime and H...
Metal, Aluminum
Set of Four Eames Zenith Dar Armchairs by Herman Miller
By Charles and Ray Eames, 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 lemon yellow. The Zenith produced shells are distinctive f...
Steel
Original 1x Vitra Charles & Ray Eames Stuhl EA 108 Leder schwarz
By Charles and Ray Eames, Vitra
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
$3,202 / item
Chair by Charles & Ray Eames for Vitra, EA 107
By Vitra, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Praha, CZ
- Charles & Ray Eames - Marked by original label - Very comfortable - Leatherette - Has minor signs of use - Chrome in very good condition.
Chrome
Early 2nd Generation X Base Translucent Arm Shell Lounge Chair by Charles Eames
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Buffalo, NY
Early 2nd generation X base translucent arm shell lounge chair by Charles Eames for Herman Miller. Amazing condition, featuring low aluminum X base, large domes of silence shock moun...
Aluminum
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
C. 1950 Pair of Herman Miller Eames Rope Edge DAR Arm Shell Chair in Green
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a pair of DAR "Eiffel" Armchairs in seafoam green., originally designed by Ray and Charles Eames in 1949. This pair dates to C. 1950. These pieces are 1st year production exa...
Steel, Aluminum, Zinc
C. 1953 Herman Miller Eames Fiberglass Arm Shell MAX Chair with Black X Base
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an early 1950s (circa 1953) Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller fiberglass MAX arm chair. The piece does not retain its label, but we can accurately date the chair to bet...
Iron
Herman Miller DAT Executive armchair Designed by Charles & Ray Eames
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Offenburg, Baden Wurthemberg
Herman Miller DAT fibre plastic armchair on office base, Designed by Charles & Ray Eames in 1948. Off-white fibre plastic armshell, DAT shivel base equipped with tilt function,...
Aluminum
Armchair for " EA 117 " Charles Ray Eames for ICF USA 1969.
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Lot/Drogenbos, BE
Armchair model " EA117 " swivel in red fabric and aluminium frame on wheels, original black color, partly repainted, on castors added (higher seat). Designed by Charles & Ray Eames ...
Metal
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Herman Miller Eames Molded Fiberglass Black Armchair
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Secaucus, NJ
Gorgeous vintage mid-century modern Eames molded fiberglass black armchair. Arguably one of the 20th century's most beloved designs, the Eames ...
Steel, Chrome
Armchair Soft Pad Chair "EA 219" Charles Ray Eames, USA 1969.
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Lot/Drogenbos, BE
Armchair model " EA 219 " All Black, swivel Soft Pad in black graine leather and steel black frame, inclinaison arrière réglable. This version was produced by ICF, Italy. Designed ...
Steel
Soft Pad Chairs by Charles & Ray Eames for ring Mobelfabrikk Norway, 1970s
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in bruxelles, BE
Pair of Black leather armchairs with aluminium base and wheels. Turns on itself. Dimensions: Seat height 51cm. Stamped Ring Mobelfabrikk Norway. Wear due to time and age. FOR SHIPPIN...
Aluminum
Set of LAR Chairs by Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A rare set of 4 original LAR upholstered fiberglass lounge chairs on a wire frame base. Original Boris Kroll fabric.
Upholstery, Fiberglass
1975 Set of Three Herman Miller Eames Arm Shell Chairs PAC w/ Red/Orange Shells
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a set of three Eames Arm Shell PAC Chair, originally designed by Ray and Charles Eames in 1952. These particular examples were produced by Herman Miller and date back to 1975...
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
Vintage Eames / Zenith PAW Swivel Base Armchair, 1940s
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Renens, CH
First generation Eames rope-edge swivel base armchair. Manufactured only for a very short period in the late 1940s by Zenith. This chair is a true collector’s item with less than ...
Fiberglass, Wood
1958, Ray & Charles Eames for Vitra Lounge Chair EA 116 in Black Leather
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
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...
Aluminum
Armchair for " EA 117 " Charles Ray Eames for ICF USA 1969.
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Lot/Drogenbos, BE
Armchair model " EA 117 " swivel in red fabric and aluminium frame on wheels, original black color, partly repainted. Designed by Charles & Ray Eames for ICF, USA in 1969. D...
Metal, Aluminum, Steel