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.
Early Ed. Ray & Charles Eames Original Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Herman Miller
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in The Hague, NL
Classical lounge chair and ottoman designed by Charles& Ray Eames and manufactured by Herman Miller, end 40's beginning 50's period USA. "Who would say that pleasure is not usef...
Leather, Rosewood
Charles and Ray Eames 671 Ottoman
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Charles and ray Eames 671 ottoman 1950s issue Original rosewood shell and down filled leather cushion.
Rosewood
Lounge Chair and Ottoman, Charles and Ray Eames, prod. Vitra, 1990
By Charles and Ray Eames, Vitra
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Lounge Chair and Ottoman, pair, Charles and Ray Eames, Vitra Production 1990s, United States, 1956 (original design). Bent plywood frame, white-colored leather upholstery, and die-ca...
Leather, Wood
Herman Miller Eames Ivory Leather Management Desk Chair with Pneumatic Lift
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful edition of the classic Eames office chair. Herman Miller edition Eames aluminum group Management chair in ivory leather. Features the pneumatic height lift adjustment which...
Leather
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
Vitra Aluminium Chair EA 124 and Ottoman EA 125 by Charles & Ray Eames
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Milano, IT
Vitra Aluminium Chair EA 124 and Ottoman EA 125 manufactured by Herman Miller Designed by Charles & Ray Eames in 1958, the EA 124 and related EA 125 ottoman belong to the historic A...
Aluminum
$3,149 / item
H 33.08 in W 22.84 in D 23.63 in
Charles & Ray Eames EA208 Soft Pad Chairs Chrome and Cognac leather, Vitra
By Charles and Ray Eames, Vitra, Charles Eames
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Soft Pad chair EA208 belonging to the iconic Aluminium Series designed by Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller (US) / Vitra (EU). Exceptional comfort is guaranteed with the cushions...
Aluminum, Chrome
Herman Miller Eames Multicolored Dining Chair Set by Herman Miller
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Multicolored Eames fiberglass dining chair set by Herman Miller. Original vintage production, not new ersatz ones. Featuring a unique myriad of colors. On original steel tube H bases...
Metal
Vitra Eames Aluminium Lounge Chair, Model EA124
By Charles and Ray Eames, Vitra
Located in Delft, NL
Vitra Eames aluminium lounge chair , model EA124 Eames Alu ( Eames Aluminium Group) Lounge Swivel chair in black Hopsack fabric ( basket weave pattern) with ...
Aluminum
Raleigh Ottoman Geometric by CHARLES STEWART
By Charles Stewart Co.
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and ...
Cotton
$1,920Sale Price|20% Off
H 34 in W 26 in D 27.25 in
Tandem Sling Armchair by Ray and Charles Eames for Herman Miller, c 1970
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This single 'Tandem' sling armchair, designed by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller, is part of the iconic modular seating system originally introduced for airports and public spaces in the mid-20th century. The design reflects the Eameses’ ability to combine industrial efficiency with refined modernist aesthetics. *NOTE, we have another one in a separate listing if you wish to create a pair of chairs. The chair features a cast aluminum frame with a sculptural profile, supporting a suspended sling seat and back upholstered in black leatherette. The tailored upholstery is tensioned within the frame, creating a supportive yet flexible seating experience while maintaining a clean, architectural silhouette. Originally conceived as part of a connected beam seating system, this example has been configured as an individual armchair, allowing it to function as a standalone piece in a variety of interior settings. The aluminum frame provides both durability and visual lightness, while the black upholstery offers a timeless and versatile palette. The gently reclined back and integrated armrests contribute to the chair’s comfort, making it well-suited for use as a lounge chair, office chair, side chair, or accent chair. Its industrial origins also lend themselves well to interiors ranging from Mid-Century Modern and Modernist to Industrial and Contemporary environments. The Eames Tandem...
Aluminum
$3,840Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 34 in W 24 in D 25 in
Charles Eames for Herman Miller Tandem Aluminum Lounge Chairs in Edelman Leather
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Incredible pair of restored and reimagined Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller, 1962 Collection, Tandem modular seating that was originally designed for Chicago O'Hare Airport, w...
Aluminum
Charles and Ray Eames Zenith Rope Edge Fiberglass Armchair
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Brooklyn, NY
First-generation Zenith armchair designed by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller. This early Greige fiberglass shell has developed an unusually warm tone over decades of use, giv...
Fiberglass
$1,160Sale Price|30% Off
H 31.5 in W 24.02 in D 24.02 in
1960s Green Leather DAX Chair by Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Hilversum, NL
This striking DAX rope edge fiberglass Zenith shell chair, designed by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller Co., dates back to the 1960s. Featuring a fiberglass shell with origina...
Steel
$3,435
H 34.65 in W 22.84 in D 24.41 in
Soft Pad Chair by Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller, 1970s
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in bruxelles, BE
Brown leather chair with an aluminum base and casters. Seating height: 54 cm. Stamped “Herman Miller.” Wear due to age and time. FOR SHIPPING, REQUEST US FOR RECEIVE THE BEST PRICE
Aluminum
$8,500 / set
H 31.5 in W 33.5 in D 35 in
2003 Herman Miller Eames Cherry & Tobacco Leather Lounge Chair and Ottoman
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in St. Louis, MO
An exceptional, highly sophisticated, and rarely specified mid-century modern design icon: the Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman (Models 670 and 671), designed by the legendary duo Char...
Aluminum
Eames LCM Lounge Chair, Herman Miller, USA, 1950s
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
An Eames LCM lounge chair, Herman Miller, USA, 1950s. Ash plywood, chrome-plated steel and original rubber feet caps. With manufacturers label. ...
Steel
Charles and Ray Eames DCW for Herman Miller
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Belmont, MA
DCW by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller in original condition. Legs attached with 5/2/4 screw configuration. Original patina.
Plywood
Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Charles and Ray Eames, 1959
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The iconic first generation 670/671 lounge chair with ottoman by Ray and Charles Eames for Herman Miller, c.1959, USA. This version has down filled cushions and round silver upholste...
Leather, Rosewood, Down
Original Herman Miller Eames Rosewood Ottoman
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Original Herman Miller Eames ottoman (model 671) for use with the Eames lounge chair. Rosewood shell, and black leather cushion atop cast aluminum base. Foam fill still very comforta...
Aluminum
Special Listing for Ally
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Stamford, CT
Charles & Ray Eames Aluminum and Fabric Ottoman
Fabric
Vintage Herman Miller Eames Ottoman
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
Black leather ottoman designed by Charles and Ray Eames by Herman Miller, circa 1969, original condition.
Aluminum
Mid-Century Modern Vitra Eames Aluminum Group White Leather Ottoman
By Charles and Ray Eames, Vitra
Located in Secaucus, NJ
Stunning authentic mid-century modern Eames aluminum group ottoman. A timeless design classic and contemporary with innovative comfort fea...
Aluminum
Eames Herman Miller 671 Ottoman in Black Leather and Cherry
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A nice vintage Eames 671 Ottoman with a cherry veneer and black leather. The label looks like it dates to 1970-1984, although I’m not certain. The leather is in good condition altho...
Leather, Wood, Cherry
2000s Eames 671 Ottoman for Herman Miller Walnut and black leather
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
An early 2000s Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller 671 ottoman. This ottoman in walnut and black leather. Shows very well and in like new condition. A perfect mate for your 670 ...
Leather, Walnut
Vintage Herman Miller Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
Classic rosewood and black leather lounge chair and ottoman, 670 & 671 designed by Charles and Ray Eames by Herman Miller, circa 1970. Completel...
Aluminum
Sold
H 31.75 in W 33 in D 35.25 in
Charles Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman in Rosewood and Chocolate Leather, 1977
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Hamburg, PA
A gorgeous rosewood Charles Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman in chocolate brown leather, Third generation 1977. Beautiful rosewood veneer and chocolate brown leather that has been reco...
Aluminum
Vintage Herman Miller Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
Classic rosewood and black leather lounge chair and ottoman, 670 & 671 designed by Charles and Ray Eames by Herman Miller, circa 1969, original ...
Aluminum
Sold
H 32 in W 32 in D 33 in
1960s, Herman Miller Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman, Black Medallion Label
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Buffalo, NY
Beautiful vintage Brazilian rosewood and leather Eames lounge chair and ottoman by Herman Miller. 3rd Generation, mid to late 1960s. This is an excellent, unmolested example. The ori...
Aluminum
Sold
H 17.33 in W 24.81 in D 22.05 in
671 Ottoman by Charles and Ray Eames for Vitra Black Leather Tall XL
By Charles and Ray Eames, Vitra
Located in Stow on the Wold, GB
Wonderful ottoman designed by Charles and Ray Eames and manufactured by Vitra, model number 671 Plywood shell veneered in Santos with high quality black leather seat pad. This is ...
Leather, Wood