The legacy of Charles Eames looms large in design. In partnership with his wife, Ray, Charles was at the forefront of pioneering innovation in the use of molded plywood for furniture making. The Eameses’ cheerful and inviting work has endured among the most important advancements in the history of 20th-century design.
Together, visionary mid-century modern duo Charles and Ray Eames introduced a wide range of renowned furniture to the postwar market, including iconic designs such as the Eames lounge chair and ottoman, the wildly colorful birch plywood-and-plastic-laminate Eames storage unit, the Eames compact sofa and more. The designers were trailblazers in molded plywood furniture and brought lively organic form to metal and plastic.
Charles Eames studied architecture at Washington University in St. Louis. He traveled to Mexico and Europe, and experienced firsthand the work of designer-architects Le Corbusier and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. In 1930, upon returning to Missouri, Eames opened an architecture practice with Charles M. Gray but later moved to Michigan in 1938. He received a fellowship at Cranbrook Academy of Art, which would become a breeding ground for the stars of mid-century design. Eames continued his architecture studies at Cranbrook and also taught in the design department.
In 1940, Eames met his future wife, artist and designer Beatrice Alexandra "Ray" Kaiser, who was studying at Cranbrook under Abstract Expressionist painter Hans Hofmann. Charles teamed up with another Cranbrook instructor, Finnish-American designer Eero Saarinen, to explore the possibilities of plywood for use in furniture design.
With support from Ray, Charles and Eero created chairs and case pieces and submitted them to the “Organic Design in Home Furnishings” competition at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City — among them was the groundbreaking organic Side chair made of molded plywood with maple legs. It was upholstered by Heywood-Wakefield. This exhibition is considered critical by many to the popularization of what is known as mid-century modernism. Eames and Saarinen won first place for their submissions to the competition.
Charles and Ray were married in 1941 and soon after moved to Los Angeles, California, and lived in an apartment building designed by architect Richard Neutra. Charles worked on set design at MGM, and at night, in a humble workshop they established in the guest bedroom, he and Ray experimented with molded plywood on a homemade device they called the “Kazaam!” machine. In 1942, the couple won a U.S. Navy contract to create molded plywood leg splints that would be used to support wartime medical efforts. Soon, the Evans Product Company was making the splints and the Eameses opened the famed Eames Office and studio.
The Eameses’ innovative use of wire framing, molded plywood and applied fabrics caught the attention of many notable figures in interior design and architecture, including George Nelson, director of design at Herman Miller, a now-legendary modern furniture manufacturer. The company enlisted the Eameses’ talents and was eventually home to the couple’s classic pieces such as the Eames DCW chair and the DCM chair.
Find an extensive array of vintage Charles Eames seating, tables and case pieces on 1stDibs.
Tandem Five-Shell Seating by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, Charles Eames
Located in Buffalo, NY
Tandem Five-Shell (side scoops) Seating by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller,, Seldom seen black fiberglass shells,, all embossed "DESIGNED BY cHARLES EAMES" 40 years in this b...
Aluminum, Steel
$1,600
H 27 in W 25 in D 27 in
Vintage Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller RAR Fiberglass Shell Rocking Chair
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A vintage Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller RAR chair. This is a lovely and classic example of the ever-iconic RAR chair by Eames. The RAR, Rocking Arm chair on Rod base, is on...
Chrome
8 DCM Chairs by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Los Angeles, CA
DCM chair (Dining metal chair) by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller. Designed in 1946, this molded plywood + chromed steel chair is a classic design. Sometimes referred to as the "potato chip chair...
Metal
$2,422
H 13.78 in W 71.66 in D 22.05 in
Tandem Eames for Herman Miller for Three Shells and a Table Top
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
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
$6,300Sale Price|25% Off
H 34 in W 47 in D 25 in
Restored Charles Eames for Herman Miller Tandem Seating System w Edelman Leather
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This exemplary Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller 'Tandem' seating system was designed in 1962, originally for Chicago O'Hare airport and then adopted by many other airports and...
Aluminum
$2,991
H 31.75 in W 64 in D 23 in
Herman Miller Eames Tandem Bench with Brown Naugahyde Pad Shell Chairs
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Chattanooga, TN
This listing is for one bench. The second matching bench has been sold. Vintage Charles Eames 3-seat tandem bench. The bench features original brown Naugahyde pads and dark charcoa...
Metal, Aluminum
$11,500Sale Price|20% Off
H 33.5 in W 80 in D 31 in
Eames Three-Seat Sofa by Ray and Charles Eames for Herman Miller, Signed
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller, Charles Eames
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An icon of American modernism and one of the most refined seating designs of the 20th century, this is the celebrated Eames Three-Seat Sofa designed by Ray and Charles Eames for Herm...
Leather, Walnut
$3,800
H 34.25 in W 96 in D 28 in
Mid Century Eames for Herman Miller Black Tandem Sling Seating 1990s
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Detroit, MI
This classic mid century modern Eames Tandem Sling Seat is circa 1990. This stand-alone set features a four-seat configuration with original black Naugahyde fabric suspended seats and heavy cast aluminum frame. Released to the market in 1962, the Eames Tandem Sling Seating range was specifically designed for public spaces and commercial use and originally used in airports, hence also known as Eames Airport Seating...
Aluminum, Steel
$11,032 / set
H 31.11 in W 32.29 in D 33.08 in
Lounge Chair & Ottoman by Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller, 1970s
By Charles Eames, Herman Miller
Located in bruxelles, BE
Brown leather and wood swivel chair by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller. Seat height: 40 cm. Both pieces are stamped Herman Miller and numbered. Ottoman dimensions: H: 44 cm W...
Metal
Eames Leather Lounge Chair by Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in New York, NY
This is an original Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman, models 670 and 671, designed by Charles and Ray Eames in 1956. This set dates to circa 1970 and has Brazilian rosewood shells.
Metal, Aluminum
$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. 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
Charles Eames for Herman Miller DSX Shell Chair
By Charles Eames, Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames, Ray Eames
Located in New Windsor, NY
Charles Eames for Herman Miller fiberglass DSX shell chair. Circa 1970. Retains all it's plastic glides. Shock mounts are in good condition with no visible drying or cracking. Struct...
Metal, Steel
Charles and Ray Eames "DAR" Armchair by Zenith for Herman Miller
By Zenith, 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 parchment. The Zenith produced shells are distinctive for ...
Steel
Sold
H 35.25 in W 73.5 in D 29 in
Modern Eames for Herman Miller Chrome Compact Sofa in Alexander Girard Fabric
By Charles Eames, Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Houston, TX
Lovely modern chrome compact sofa NOS designed by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller. Freshly upholstered in a lovely Alexander Girard fabric with pink, green, orange and brown ...
Chrome
Eames Tandem Sling Seating Five-Seat for Herman Miller
By Charles Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Dronten, NL
Eames Tandem sling seating serves millions of travellers every day and does it comfortably and reliably. Designed for O’Hare International ...
Aluminum, Steel
Billy Wilder Chaise by Charles Eames
By Charles Eames
Located in Dallas, TX
A Billy Wilder chaise in brown leather with eggplant colored frame. Designed by Charles Eames for Herman Miller.