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 Charles Eames, Herman Miller
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
Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller Lounge Chair and Ottoman
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Astoria, NY
Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller Lounge Chair and Ottoman, model 670 and model 671, black leather upholstery and molded plywood frames, "Herman Miller" labels to undersides. ...
Leather, Plywood
8 DCM Chairs by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
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
$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
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 Leather Lounge Chair by Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
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
$5,400
H 32.25 in W 104.25 in D 20 in
Charles & Ray Eames Herman Miller Tandem 4 Seat Fiberglass Shell Chair Bench
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A vintage Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller 4 seat tandem shell chair bench. This is a very rare tandem bench from Herman Miller. This particular model features a four seat desig...
Metal
$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 Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
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 listed if you wish to create a pair. 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
$2,819
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
$1,147
H 32 in W 18.5 in D 24 in
Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller Mid Century Wheeled Shell Chair
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller Mid Century Wheeled Shell Chair This chair measures: 18.5 wide x 24 deep x 32 high, with a seat height of ...
Metal
$8,500
H 32 in W 132 in D 24 in
Three-Seat Shell Tandem Sofa By Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller C.1974
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Bernville, PA
Rare tandem shell seating designed by Charles & Ray Eames, USA 1974. This piece features three white fiberglass and light purple vinyl seats with Formica tables on each end sitting o...
Chrome
$10,000
H 32 in W 32 in D 33.8 in
Eames Leather Lounge Chair by Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller, 1960s
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 1960 and has Brazilian rosewood shells.
Metal
Charles and Ray Eames DKR-2 Wire Chair for Herman Miller
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Los Angeles, CA
DKR-2 chair by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller, also referred to as the bikini chair features a white Naugahyde seat cushion and seat back resembling a bikini. The chair has ...
Metal
Charles Eames for Herman Miller DSX Shell Chair
By Charles and Ray Eames, Charles Eames, Ray Eames, Herman Miller
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
$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
Charles and Ray Eames DAX armchair by Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Athens, Attiki
The DAX chair combines the shell of the 'Eames armchairs' with a classic four-legged base and is thus a realisation of the chair concept created by Charles and Ray Eames in the 1950s. Thanks to its relatively simple appearance, the dax chair is undoubtedly the most versatile of Eames plastic chairs...
Metal
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, Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
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.