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.
Dining or Game Table by Charles Eames for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, Charles Eames
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A square dining or game table with an ash top, on folding steel legs. Model DTM.
Steel
$3,500
H 29 in W 37 in D 37 in
Chunky Mid Century Modern Oak and Cork Square Dining Table or Game Table
By John Richardson
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A stunning and gorgeous square dining or card table circa 1960s. It features a simple modern design with a chunky stained oak frame and a cork top. The top has glass.
Oak, Glass, Cork
$1,437Sale Price|40% Off
H 27.88 in W 71.75 in D 42.75 in
Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller 6' Conference Dining Table
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in South Charleston, WV
71.75 x 41.75 x 27 7/8". Table was designed by Charles and Ray Eames in the early 1960s for Herman Miller, This model produced 1980. Laminate combed oak top. Signed to underside. Fea...
Aluminum
$1,800
H 29 in Dm 36 in
Charles and Ray Eames Round Oak Veneer Pedestal Dining Table for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Miami, FL
Herman Miller Aluminum Group cafe bistro / dining table with oak veneer top on an aluminum base originally designed by Charles and Ray Eames. This table was produced with the oak v...
Aluminum
1950s Harvey Probber Travertine and Ebonized Wood Dining or Game Table
By Harvey Probber
Located in Dallas, TX
Bold, geometric dining or game table designed and manufactured by Harvey Probber for Modern. With cross-hatching legs and an octagonal top of travertine outlined by a thick beveled e...
Travertine
Eames Herman Miller MCM Aluminum Group Tables Contract Base Black & White
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Topeka, KS
Vintage Eames Herman Miller MCM Aluminum Group 4 Prong Contract Base White Laminate Top Table Handsome vintage Eames for Herman Miller mid-century modern Aluminum Group 4 prong chro...
Aluminum, Steel
Vintage Eames Aluminum Group 48" Pedestal Table / Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames, Charles Eames
Located in Buffalo, NY
Iconic functionality of American Mid-Century Modern design with this classic pedestal table designed by the legendary Ray and Charles Eames for Herman Miller. Developed for their ti...
Aluminum
1970s Eames for Herman Miller Rosewood Segmented Base Table
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Cedar Falls, IA
Square rosewood segmented base table by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller, circa 1970s. Stunning rosewood veneer surface on polished aluminum base. Square 36"x36" top, comfor...
Aluminum
$6,000
H 28.5 in W 72 in D 41.75 in
Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller Restored Rosewood Conference Dining Table
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This rare table was designed by Charles and Ray Eames in the early 1960s for Herman Miller, the producer of all Eames designs at the time. It was not widely produced at the time, and...
Aluminum, Steel
$3,000
H 28.5 in W 71.75 in D 35.25 in
1960s Herman Miller Eames Segmented Dining Table / Conference Table in White
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Segmented Conference Dining Table, Model ET143, initially designed by Ray and Charles Eames for Herman Miller in 1964. This particular example dates back to the 1960s. This...
Steel
Louis XVI Style Travertine Top Dining Table or Game Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Elegant French Louis XVI style square dining table or game table featuring an Italian travertine top. The square stone top measures nearly 1 inch thick and is supported by a carved beech base with neoclassical style rosettes on the corners. The table has reeded edges and a lovely cerused or glazed finish that beautifully accents the travertine. The long slender legs are reeded and end with toupie feet. Perfect as a Mah Jong table...
Travertine
$7,950
H 29.5 in W 53.5 in D 53.5 in
Rare Lacquered Faux Goatskin Dining or Game Table by Alessandro for Baker
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in Atlanta, GA
An unusually beautiful dining or game table from the limited Alessandro for Baker Furniture production, circa 1981. Exquisite hardwood form highlighted by fabulous leg and apron det...
Hardwood, Lacquer
Eames Folding Rectangular Dining Table by Herman Miller, 1955
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Ray and Charles Eames for Herman Miller Folding Rectangular Dining Table. Walnut refinished. Legs show typical wear and rubber feet replaced.
Chrome
Herman Miller Style Modern Oval Dining Table or Library Table
By Herman Miller
Located in South Bend, IN
A sleek and stylish Modern or Mid-Century Modern oval dining table or library table In the manner of Herman Miller By Paladin Caseworks USA, Early 21st Century Durable blue lamin...
Metal
$2,800
H 26 in W 48 in D 48 in
1960s Charles Eames Herman Miller Round Black Conference or Dining Table
Located in Monrovia, CA
1960s Charles Eames aluminum group conference or dining table with segmented solid aluminum four star base. this sleek and elegant design by Charles and Ray Eames complements any ho...
Aluminum, Steel
Marble Herman Miller Dining Table
By Herman Miller
Located in Pasadena, TX
Custom marble Herman Miller table. 36" Cream marble top with the iconic Herman Miller segmented base. Great for dining or small conference a...
Marble, Aluminum
Eames Round Dining Table for Herman Miller, 1960s
By Charles Eames
Located in Denton, TX
Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller white top and cast aluminum dining table. Featuring a round thick natural textured surface, black column on cast aluminum pedestal legs. . Her...
Aluminum, Steel