Designer, artist and architect Eileen Gray was one of the most fascinating creative figures of the 20th century. Her body of work includes lustrous lacquered pieces — her Dragons chair set an auction record for modern furniture ($28 million) at the 2009 sale of the Yves Saint Laurent estate — and sleek chrome furnishings that rival the work of Le Corbusier and the members of the Bauhaus as exemplars of pure, modernist design.
The independent and unconventional daughter of Irish landed gentry, Gray studied painting at London’s Slade School of Fine Art in her early twenties before moving to Paris in 1906 to pursue her artistic dreams. Gray had become captivated by lacquerware after seeing an exhibit in the Victoria & Albert Museum, and in Paris persuaded an expatriate Japanese master of the painstaking process, Seizo Sugawara, to teach her. Within a few years, Gray had become known among the cognoscenti for her sculptural lacquered furnishings, which she incorporated into the homes of interior design clients.
Gray was ever evolving as a designer. By the early 1920s she was creating geometric works that embodied the essence of Art Deco and the nascent modernist design movement. Some pieces — such as her Bricks screen, an assemblage of pivoting rectangular panels — employ the planar forms favored by Gerrit Rietveld and other De Stijl architects of the Netherlands. Others feature the tubular chrome framing used by Marcel Breuer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. These include the Bibendum chair — named for the resemblance of its semicircular back and armrest to the character known in English as the Michelin Man — and the adjustable E 1027 side table, conceived in 1927 for the interiors of a stark white villa she designed for herself in the South of France.
Never a self-promoter, Gray drifted out of the limelight in the 1930s. Interest in her work was revived in the early ’70s, however, when the estates of her early clients came to auction. Her original lacquer pieces are the most coveted, but, as the sale of the Dragons chair shows, are rare and extremely expensive.
None of Gray’s designs were made in large numbers until, a few years before her death, she granted a production license. These pieces range in price from $1,000 to $2,500, depending on furniture type and condition. Gray’s work has become iconic of practical and elegant modernist design. Yet, as you will see on 1stDibs, many of her creations have a simplicity that makes them welcome even in a traditional setting.
Customizable ClassiCon Roquebrune Rug in Wool by Eileen Gray
By Eileen Gray
Located in New York, NY
Eileen Gray created not only some of the most important furniture classics of the 20th century but also had her own studio where rugs were produced according to her designs. Some of ...
Wool
$18,447 / item
ClassiCon Kilkenny Rug by Eileen Gray
By Eileen Gray
Located in New York, NY
Eileen Gray created not only some of the most important furniture classics of the 20th century but also had her own studio where rugs were produced according to her designs. Some of ...
Wool
Customizable ClassiCon Centimetre Rug in Hand Knotted Wool by Eileen Gray
By Eileen Gray
Located in New York, NY
Eileen Gray created not only some of the most important furniture classics of the 20th century but also had her own studio where rugs were produced according to her designs: masterpieces of abstract textile art made of 100% pure new wool, hand knotted and processed to the highest quality. Designed for the Salon of the Villa E1027, the Centimetre Rug...
Wool
ClassiCon Customizable Wendingen Rug in Wool by Eileen Gray
By Eileen Gray
Located in New York, NY
Eileen Gray created not only some of the most important furniture classics of the 20th century but also had her own studio where rugs were produced ...
Wool
$11,932 / item
Customizable ClassiCon Castellar Rug by Eileen Gray
By Eileen Gray
Located in New York, NY
Eileen Gray created not only some of the most important furniture classics of the 20th century but also had her own studio where rugs were produced according to her designs. Some of ...
Wool
Customizable ClassiCon Blue Marine Rug by Eileen Gray
By Eileen Gray
Located in New York, NY
Eileen Gray created not only some of the most important furniture classics of the 20th century but also had her own studio where rugs were produced according to her designs. Some of her most beautiful patterns are now again available as re-editions: masterpieces of abstract textile art of 100 % pure new wool, natural vegetable dye, handwoven and processed to the highest quality with a density of 80 knots per square inch. Eileen Gray designed Blue Marine...
Wool
Customizable Size ClassiCon St. Tropez Rug in Wool by Eileen Gray
By Eileen Gray
Located in New York, NY
Eileen Gray created not only some of the most important furniture classics of the 20th century but also had her own studio where rugs were produced according to her designs. Some of ...
Wool
$8,294 / item
Customizable ClassiCon Bonaparte Rug by Eileen Gray
By Eileen Gray
Located in New York, NY
Eileen Gray created not only some of the most important furniture classics of the 20th century but also had her own studio where rugs were produced according to her designs. Some of ...
Wool
Classicon Wendingen Rug design Eileen Gray Virgin wool 300x250-118.1x98.4in
By Eileen Gray
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: ClassiCon Model: Wendingen Rug Design: Eileen Gray, 1920-1935 Eileen Gray not only created some of the most important furniture classics of the 20th century, but also ran a s...
Wool
$23,355 / item
Customizable ClassiCon Monolith Rug by Eileen Grey
By Eileen Gray
Located in New York, NY
Monolith is characterised by beige horizontal and vertical lines of varying lengths that elegantly accentuate the earthy dark grey background. In places, the lines cross without touching - they suggest a structure that seems to divide the rug into square spaces of different sizes. This design is based on gouaches and pencil drawings from the 1920s, which the Irish designer...
Wool
Rug Classicon St. Tropez Rug design Eileen Gray - Nettle 300x250cm 118.1x98.4 in
By Eileen Gray
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: ClassiCon Model: St. Tropez Rug Design: Eileen Gray, 1920-1935 Eileen Gray not only created some of the most important furniture classics of the 20th century, but also ran a ...
Wool
Rug ClassiCon De Stijl Rug design Eileen Gray - Nettle 250x345 cm 98.4x135.8 in
By Eileen Gray
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: ClassiCon Model: De Stijl Rug Design: Eileen Gray, 1920-1935 Eileen Gray not only created some of the most iconic 20th century furniture classics, but also ran a studio where...
Wool
Classicon Centimetre Rug design Eileen Gray Virginwool 200x300cm78.7x118.1in
By Eileen Gray
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: ClassiCon Model: Centimeter Rug Design: Eileen Gray, 1920-1935 Eileen Gray created not only some of the most important furniture classics of the 20th century, but also ran he...
Wool
Classicon Wendingen Rug design Eileen Gray Virgin wool 208x200cm 81.9x78.7in
By Eileen Gray
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: ClassiCon Model: Wendingen Rug Design: Eileen Gray, 1920-1935 Eileen Gray not only created some of the most important furniture classics of the 20th century, but also ran a s...
Wool
Classicon Bonaparte Rug design Eileen Gray Virgin wool 100x210cm 39.4x82.7in
By Eileen Gray
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: ClassiCon Model: Bonaparte Rug Design: Eileen Gray, 1920-1935 Eileen Gray not only created some of the most important furniture classics of the 20th century, but also ran her...
Wool
Classicon La Lune Rug design Eileen Gray - Virgin wool 200x175cm 78.7x68.9in
By Eileen Gray
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: ClassiCon Model: La Lune Rug Design: Eileen Gray, 1920-1935 Eileen Gray not only created some of the most iconic furniture classics of the 20th century, but also ran a studio...
Wool
Classicon Kilkenny Rug design Eileen Gray Virgin wool 235x201 cm 92.5x79.1in
By Eileen Gray
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: ClassiCon Model: Kilkenny Rug Design: Eileen Gray, 1920-1935 Eileen Gray not only created some of the most important furniture classics of the 20th century, but also ran her ...
Wool
Rug Classicon St. Tropez Rug design Eileen Gray Virgin Wool 300x250cm 118.1x98.4
By Eileen Gray
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: ClassiCon Model: St. Tropez Rug Design: Eileen Gray, 1920-1935 Eileen Gray not only created some of the most important furniture classics of the 20th century, but also ran a ...
Wool
Classicon Monolith Rug design Eileen Gray Virgin wool 200x300cm 78.7x118.1in
By Eileen Gray
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: ClassiCon Model: Monolith Rug Design: Eileen Gray, 1920-1935 Eileen Gray not only created some of the most iconic furniture classics of the 20th century, but also ran a studi...
Wool
Classicon Cassis Rug design Eileen Gray - Nettle 240x200 cm 94.5x78.7in
By Eileen Gray
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: ClassiCon Model: Cassis Rug Design: Eileen Gray, 1920-1935 Eileen Gray not only created some of the most iconic furniture classics of the 20th century, but also ran her own s...
Wool
Classicon Roquebrune Rug design Eileen Gray - Nettle 300x300cm 118.1x118.1in
By Eileen Gray
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: ClassiCon Model: Roquebrune Rug Design: Eileen Gray, 1920-1935 Eileen Gray not only created some of the most important furniture classics of the 20th century, but also ran a ...
Wool
Classicon Cassis Rug design Eileen Gray Virgin wool 300x250 cm 118.1x98.4 in
By Eileen Gray
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: ClassiCon Model: Cassis Rug Design: Eileen Gray, 1920-1935 Eileen Gray not only created some of the most iconic furniture classics of the 20th century, but also ran her own s...
Wool
Classicon Faubourg Rug design Eileen Gray - Nettle 300x300cm 118.1x118.1 inc
By Eileen Gray
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: ClassiCon Model: Faubourg Rug Design: Eileen Gray, 1920-1935 Eileen Gray not only created some of the most iconic furniture classics of the 20th century, but also ran her own...
Wool
Classicon Wendingen Rug design Eileen Gray - Nettle - 300x250cm 118.1x98.4in
By Eileen Gray
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: ClassiCon Model: Wendingen Rug Design: Eileen Gray, 1920-1935 Eileen Gray not only created some of the most important furniture classics of the 20th century, but also ran a s...
Wool
Classicon Wendingen Rug design Eileen Gray - Nettle - 208x200cm 81.9x78.7in
By Eileen Gray
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: ClassiCon Model: Wendingen Rug Design: Eileen Gray, 1920-1935 Eileen Gray not only created some of the most important furniture classics of the 20th century, but also ran a s...
Wool
Rug Classicon St. Tropez Rug design Eileen Gray - Nettle 204x204 cm 80.3x80.3 in
By Eileen Gray
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: ClassiCon Model: St. Tropez Rug Design: Eileen Gray, 1920-1935 Eileen Gray not only created some of the most important furniture classics of the 20th century, but also ran a ...
Wool
Rug Classicon St. Tropez Rug design Eileen Gray Virgin Wool 204x204cm80.3x80.3in
By Eileen Gray
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: ClassiCon Model: St. Tropez Rug Design: Eileen Gray, 1920-1935 Eileen Gray not only created some of the most important furniture classics of the 20th century, but also ran a ...
Wool
Classicon Roquebrune Rug design Eileen Gray - Nettle - 200x200cm 78.7x78.7in
By Eileen Gray
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: ClassiCon Model: Roquebrune Rug Design: Eileen Gray, 1920-1935 Eileen Gray not only created some of the most important furniture classics of the 20th century, but also ran a ...
Wool
Classicon Roquebrune Rug design Eileen Gray VirginWool 300x300cm 118.1x118.1
By Eileen Gray
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: ClassiCon Model: Roquebrune Rug Design: Eileen Gray, 1920-1935 Eileen Gray not only created some of the most important furniture classics of the 20th century, but also ran a ...
Wool
Classicon Roquebrune Rug design Eileen Gray Virgin wool 200x200cm78.7x78.7in
By Eileen Gray
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: ClassiCon Model: Roquebrune Rug Design: Eileen Gray, 1920-1935 Eileen Gray not only created some of the most important furniture classics of the 20th century, but also ran a ...
Wool
Classicon Monolith Rug design Eileen Gray - Nettle - 250x375cm 98.4x147.6 in
By Eileen Gray
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: ClassiCon Model: Monolith Rug Design: Eileen Gray, 1920-1935 Eileen Gray not only created some of the most iconic furniture classics of the 20th century, but also ran a studi...
Wool
Classicon Monolith Rug design Eileen Gray - Nettle - 200x300cm 78.7x118.1in
By Eileen Gray
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: ClassiCon Model: Monolith Rug Design: Eileen Gray, 1920-1935 Eileen Gray not only created some of the most iconic furniture classics of the 20th century, but also ran a studi...
Wool
Classicon Monolith Rug design Eileen Gray Virgin wool 250x375cm 98.4x147.6in
By Eileen Gray
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: ClassiCon Model: Monolith Rug Design: Eileen Gray, 1920-1935 Eileen Gray not only created some of the most iconic furniture classics of the 20th century, but also ran a studi...
Wool
Classicon La Lune Rug design Eileen Gray-Virgin wool 300x250cm 118.1x98.4in
By Eileen Gray
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: ClassiCon Model: La Lune Rug Design: Eileen Gray, 1920-1935 Eileen Gray not only created some of the most iconic furniture classics of the 20th century, but also ran a studio...
Wool
Classicon La Lune Rug design Eileen Gray - Nettle - 300x250cm 118.1x98.4 in
By Eileen Gray
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: ClassiCon Model: La Lune Rug Design: Eileen Gray, 1920-1935 Eileen Gray not only created some of the most iconic furniture classics of the 20th century, but also ran a studio...
Wool
Classicon La Lune Rug design Eileen Gray - Nettle - 200x175cm 78.7x68.9in
By Eileen Gray
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: ClassiCon Model: La Lune Rug Design: Eileen Gray, 1920-1935 Eileen Gray not only created some of the most iconic furniture classics of the 20th century, but also ran a studio...
Wool
Classicon Kilkenny Rug design Eileen Gray - Nettle - 300×250cm 118.1×98.4 in
By Eileen Gray
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: ClassiCon Model: Kilkenny Rug Design: Eileen Gray, 1920-1935 Eileen Gray not only created some of the most important furniture classics of the 20th century, but also ran her ...
Wool
Classicon Kilkenny Rug design Eileen Gray - Nettle - 235x201 cm 92.5x79.1 in
By Eileen Gray
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: ClassiCon Model: Kilkenny Rug Design: Eileen Gray, 1920-1935 Eileen Gray not only created some of the most important furniture classics of the 20th century, but also ran her ...
Wool
Classicon Kilkenny Rug design Eileen Gray Virgin wool 300x250cm 118.1x98.4in
By Eileen Gray
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: ClassiCon Model: Kilkenny Rug Design: Eileen Gray, 1920-1935 Eileen Gray not only created some of the most important furniture classics of the 20th century, but also ran her ...
Wool
Classicon Faubourg Rug design Eileen Gray - Nettle - 200x200 cm 78.7x78.7 in
By Eileen Gray
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: ClassiCon Model: Faubourg Rug Design: Eileen Gray, 1920-1935 Eileen Gray not only created some of the most iconic furniture classics of the 20th century, but also ran her own...
Wool
Classicon Faubourg Rug design Eileen Gray-Virgin wool 300x300 cm 118.1x118.1
By Eileen Gray
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: ClassiCon Model: Faubourg Rug Design: Eileen Gray, 1920-1935 Eileen Gray not only created some of the most iconic furniture classics of the 20th century, but also ran a studi...
Wool
Classicon Faubourg Rug design Eileen Gray-Virgin wool 200x200 cm 78.7x78.7in
By Eileen Gray
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: ClassiCon Model: Faubourg Rug Design: Eileen Gray, 1920-1935 Eileen Gray not only created some of the most iconic furniture classics of the 20th century, but also ran a studi...
Wool
Rug ClassiCon De Stijl Rug design Eileen Gray Virgin Wool 250x345cm 98.4x135.8in
By Eileen Gray
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: ClassiCon Model: De Stijl Rug Design: Eileen Gray, 1920-1935 Eileen Gray not only created some of the most iconic 20th century furniture classics, but also ran a studio where...
Wool
Rug ClassiCon De Stijl Rug design Eileen Gray Virgin Wool 220x300cm 86.6x118.1in
By Eileen Gray
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: ClassiCon Model: De Stijl Rug Design: Eileen Gray, 1920-1935 Eileen Gray not only created some of the most iconic 20th century furniture classics, but also ran a studio where...
Wool
Rug ClassiCon De Stijl Rug design Eileen Gray - Nettle - 220x300 cm 86.6x118.1in
By Eileen Gray
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: ClassiCon Model: De Stijl Rug Design: Eileen Gray, 1920-1935 Eileen Gray not only created some of the most iconic 20th century furniture classics, but also ran a studio where...
Wool
Classicon Centimetre Rug design Eileen Gray Nettle 250x375 cm 98.4x147.6 in
By Eileen Gray
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: ClassiCon Model: Centimeter Rug Design: Eileen Gray, 1920-1935 Eileen Gray created not only some of the most important furniture classics of the 20th century, but also ran he...
Wool
Classicon Centimetre Rug design Eileen Gray Nettle 200x300 cm 78.7x118.1 in
By Eileen Gray
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: ClassiCon Model: Centimeter Rug Design: Eileen Gray, 1920-1935 Eileen Gray created not only some of the most important furniture classics of the 20th century, but also ran he...
Wool
Classicon Centimetre Rug design Eileen Gray Virgin wool 250x375-98.4x147.6in
By Eileen Gray
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: ClassiCon Model: Centimeter Rug Design: Eileen Gray, 1920-1935 Eileen Gray created not only some of the most important furniture classics of the 20th century, but also ran he...
Wool
Classicon Castellar Rug design Eileen Gray Nettle - 300x250 cm 118.1x98.4 in
By Eileen Gray
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: ClassiCon Model: Castellar Rug Design: Eileen Gray, 1920-1935 Eileen Gray not only created some of the most important furniture classics of the 20th century, but also ran her...
Wool
Classicon Castellar Rug design Eileen Gray Nettle - 175x175 cm 68.9x68.9in
By Eileen Gray
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: ClassiCon Model: Castellar Rug Design: Eileen Gray, 1920-1935 Eileen Gray not only created some of the most important furniture classics of the 20th century, but also ran her...
Wool
Classicon Castellar Rug design Eileen Gray Virgin wool 300x250 118.1x98.4in
By Eileen Gray
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: ClassiCon Model: Castellar Rug Design: Eileen Gray, 1920-1935 Eileen Gray not only created some of the most important furniture classics of the 20th century, but also ran her...
Wool
Classicon Castellar Rug design Eileen Gray Virgin wool 175x175cm 68.9x68.9in
By Eileen Gray
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: ClassiCon Model: Castellar Rug Design: Eileen Gray, 1920-1935 Eileen Gray not only created some of the most important furniture classics of the 20th century, but also ran her...
Wool
Classicon Cassis Rug design Eileen Gray - Nettle 300x250 cm 118.1x98.4 in
By Eileen Gray
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: ClassiCon Model: Cassis Rug Design: Eileen Gray, 1920-1935 Eileen Gray not only created some of the most iconic furniture classics of the 20th century, but also ran her own s...
Wool
Classicon Cassis Rug design Eileen Gray - Virgin wool 240x200 cm 94.5x78.7in
By Eileen Gray
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: ClassiCon Model: Cassis Rug Design: Eileen Gray, 1920-1935 Eileen Gray not only created some of the most iconic furniture classics of the 20th century, but also ran her own s...
Wool
Classicon Bonaparte Rug design Eileen Gray Nettle - 167x350 cm 65.7x137.8 in
By Eileen Gray
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: ClassiCon Model: Bonaparte Rug Design: Eileen Gray, 1920-1935 Eileen Gray not only created some of the most important furniture classics of the 20th century, but also ran her...
Wool
Classicon Bonaparte Rug design Eileen Gray Virgin wool 167x350cm65.7x137.8in
By Eileen Gray
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: ClassiCon Model: Bonaparte Rug Design: Eileen Gray, 1920-1935 Eileen Gray not only created some of the most important furniture classics of the 20th century, but also ran her...
Wool
Classicon Bonaparte Rug design Eileen Gray Nettle - 100x210cm 39.4x82.7in
By Eileen Gray
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: ClassiCon Model: Bonaparte Rug Design: Eileen Gray, 1920-1935 Eileen Gray not only created some of the most important furniture classics of the 20th century, but also ran her...
Wool
Round rug ClassiCon L'Art Noir Rug Design Eileen Gray - Nettle - 300 cm 118.1 in
By Eileen Gray
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: ClassiCon Model: L'Art Noir Rug Designer: Eileen Gray (1920-1935) Type: Rug Eileen Gray not only created some of the most iconic furniture of the 20th...
Wool
Round rug ClassiCon L'Art Noir Rug Design Eileen Gray - Nettle - 200 cm 78.7 inc
By Eileen Gray
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: ClassiCon Model: L'Art Noir Rug Designer: Eileen Gray (1920-1935) Type: Rug Eileen Gray not only created some of the most iconic furniture of the 20th...
Wool
Round rug ClassiCon L'Art Noir Rug Design Eileen Gray Virgin wool 300 cm 118.1in
By Eileen Gray
Located in Alcamo, IT
Brand: ClassiCon Model: L'Art Noir Rug Designer: Eileen Gray (1920-1935) Type: Rug Eileen Gray not only created some of the most iconic furniture of the 20th...
Wool