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.
1st Generation Charles Eames for Herman Miller ESU Storage unit 270-C (Survivor)
By Charles Eames
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
All original ESU 270-C storage cabinet a first generation designed and produced in 1951-1952. The fixed legs were known to bend and were quickly scrapped for removable legs in 1953....
Steel, Zinc
British 1920s Metal Industrial Pigeon Hole Storage Unit CD Storage
Located in Llanbrynmair, GB
An early 20th century industrial pigeon hole storage unit, good size with 48 pigeon holes. The piece is made using steel rods and bolts and is ...
Metal
George Nelson Steel Frame Cabinet Model 4036 For Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This compact Mid-Century Modern Steel Frame credenza cabinet 'model 4036' was designed by American designer George Nelson circa 1955 and produced by Herman Miller. The cabinet featur...
Steel, Chrome
$8,800
H 33.25 in W 67 in D 19.25 in
George Nelson for Herman Miller Thin Edge Credenza, Model 5724, 1957
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Chicago, IL
George Nelson for Herman Miller Thin Edge Credenza, Model 5724, 1957 Beautifully grained walnut case with quarter-sawn walnut doors. Features four drawers and a pair of doors conceal...
Aluminum
George Nelson Chest / Dresser Cabinet for Herman Miller # 4935
By George Nelson
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A very well crafted dresser chest or cabinet standing on shorter legs in a dark ebony finish with side door having two adjustable shelves . The other side has five drawers , all with...
Stainless Steel
$7,500
H 29.5 in W 60 in D 28 in
Rare Charles & Ray Eames Walnut ESU / EDU Desk Model D-20N for Herman Miller-50s
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Dallas, TX
Rare early Eames Desk Unit (EDU) model D-20-N designed by Charles and Ray Eames and manufactured by Herman Miller between 1952-1955. This particularly handsome example features a bea...
Steel
$1,775
H 29.14 in W 45.67 in D 16.93 in
Wooden Storage Unit "Archimede" by Hirozi Fukuoh for Gavina, 1962
By Dino Gavina
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Modular furniture "Archimede" designed by Hirozi Fukuoh and produced by Gavina in 1962. These are storage units in veneered paniforte with load-bearing s...
Iron
Rare Midcentury Eames ESU 400-C for Herman Miller 1st Series
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
For your consideration is this Charles and Ray Eames designed ESU 400-C for Herman Miller. This is the rarest 1st series ESU (Eames Storage Unit) A versatile case piece that makes a ...
Steel, Chrome
George Nelson For Herman Miller Steel Frame Cabinet, Model 4032
Located in Toledo, OH
This is a 1950's Herman Miller steel framed cabinet with enameled lacquered Masonite model #4032. Features sliding doors with original Herman Miller tag. Measures 33 1/2" wide x 17 1...
Enamel, Steel
$18,000
H 32.5 in W 47 in D 16.75 in
1953 ESU 240-N Shelving Unit by Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller w/ Walnut
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an original 1953 ESU 240-N Shelving Unit designed by Ray and Charles Eames for Herman Miller in 1949. This unit dates to 1953 and will be accompanied by its original receipt ...
Enamel, Steel, Chrome
$5,000
H 24.5 in W 54 in D 19 in
George Nelson (1908-1986) for Herman Miller "Modern Management Group" Cabinet;
Located in New York, NY
Wonderful example of mid-century cabinet by a rpioneering American industrial designer who served as the Director of Design for the American furniture Company Herman Miller. He shape...
Steel
Pair of George Nelson for Herman Miller Bureau /Cabinets
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Westport, CT
Pair of George Nelson for Herman Miller bureau cabinet storage units, polished handles light colored birch with and black feet.
Metal, Chrome
$7,444
H 32.29 in W 70.08 in D 15.75 in
Charles and Ray Eames Storage unit 2 modular bookcase by Vitra
By Charles Eames
Located in Milano, IT
COD-CV174 Charles and Ray Eames Storage unit, 2 modular bookcase with 3 or 6 shelves in birch plywood with open compartments and compartments closed by colored metal panels. Vitra...
Metal
$6,495
H 39.75 in W 40 in D 18.5 in
George Nelson for Herman Miller Basic Series Walnut Two Door Cabinet - Pair
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Franklin Park, IL
George Nelson for Herman Miller Mid Century Basic Series Walnut Two Door Cabinet - Pair Each cabinet measures: 40 wide x 18.5 deep x 39.75 inches high All pieces of furniture can b...
Walnut
Glass Cabinet by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A solid walnut open cabinet or vitrine with three adjustable glass shelves and a solid glass paneled back.
Glass, Walnut
$10,800 / set
H 42 in W 40.13 in D 17 in
Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller Paldao Group Bookcases, Newly Refinished
By Herman Miller, Gilbert Rohde
Located in South Bend, IN
An extremely rare and exceptional pair of Mid-Century Modern bookcase cabinets Designed by Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller "Paldao Group" USA, 1940s Exotic book-matched pald...
Glass, Paldao
Eames Storage Unit by Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, Charles Eames
Located in Dallas, TX
The innovative Eames Storage Unit (1950) was designed to be configured to fit a specific space or need, and uses an ingenious and inventive system of construction as simple and as op...
Steel
Sold
H 32.25 in W 47 in D 16.75 in
1950s Charles & Ray Eames ESU 200 Storage Unit Credenza for Herman Miller
By Charles Eames
Located in Dallas, TX
This very rare second series ESU 200 is in excellent original condition and was acquired from the original owner. The four cream colored fiberglass panels on the front give the piece...
Steel
Eames ESU
By Charles Eames
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller, USA, circa 1950. A first series ESU 110-c. Zinc plated framework and Masonite panels with plywood top. Dimple doors look to be old but may n...
Eames ESU, First Series
By Charles Eames
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller, USA, circa 1950. Model 110-C, zinc plated steel frame, Masonite panels and birch ply top. Age appropriate wear, dimple doors have age but...
Charles Eames Storage Unit for Herman Miller
By Charles Eames
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Eames iconic first edition storage unit bought from the home of Philadelphia Architect Irving Maitlin. Single height open storage with crossbars and masonite panels. Completely orig...
Steel
Eames for Herman Miller ESU 270-C Cabinet
By Charles Eames
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller circa 1950 , a nice example of the rare 2 high 1 wide combination , or 270 . First series feet , coloured panels to the sides , cream to the b...
Exceptional Charles Eames ESU 220-N
By Charles Eames
Located in Toronto, Ontario
A first year example of the groundbreaking ESU series designed by Charles Eames in 1949. This example with incredibly rare fibreglass sliding doors and wire-framed sliding drawers...
Metal
Early Charles Eames ESU 270-N
By Charles Eames
Located in Toronto, Ontario
An incredibly rare example of the groundbreaking Eames ESU series. This example is one of the earliest configurations with wire drawer pulls and wire framed drawers. Black frame ...
Steel