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Eames DCW Chair
Iconic Designs

Eames DCW Chair

About the Design

Although their ubiquitous leather lounge might be more recognizable, there’s arguably no chair that better embodies the design ethos of Charles and Ray Eames (1907–78; 1912–88) than the DCW dining chair. It was introduced at New York City’s Museum of Modern Art in a 1946 exhibition titled “New Furniture Designed by Charles Eames.” (Ray was notably absent from the exhibition title, despite being a full collaborator on the work.) 

In its design, construction and manufacturing, the DCW is pure Eames. It was born of functionality and comfort, crafted in a shape that the ever-inquisitive Eameses decided would provide optimal support for a large number of people. “We found that comfort depended more on the perfect molding to the body shape than it did on the way the bone structure was supported,” Charles noted in a 1954 film on the piece. “If the structure was supported properly, the hard and rigid material, like molded plywood, can provide a remarkably high degree of comfort.”

This proper support is the result of the chair’s five distinct parts: a pair of two-legged bases, a bentwood seat, a bentwood back and a long piece of bentwood that connects each of these. Such construction allows for a certain flexibility in movement between the seat and the back without requiring any type of complicated adjustment mechanism.

The Eameses developed the DCW while tinkering with the “Kazam! Machine,” a mechanism they invented to press and mold wood veneer. In their Los Angeles apartment, the couple would place a sheet of wood veneer into the machine, then top it with a layer of glue. After repeating these steps 5 to 11 times and ensuring the layers were set in place, the Kazam! Machine was clamped shut and a bicycle pump inflated a balloon to press the layers into their molded shape. Charles and Ray then cut the mold and sanded each finished shape by hand. 

The Kazam! Machine was a direct result of Charles and Ray’s determination to conceive an efficient, inexpensive means of production. Plywood, too, was a significant choice. Not unlike the molded plastic with which the Eameses would experiment, plywood was relatively cheap and easily available, rendering it optimal for the kind of democratic design the couple championed.

The Eames DCW chair has appeared (and continues to appear) in interiors by top designers all over the world. Today, it remains a top seller for Herman Miller — with equal credit given to Charles and Ray.

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Early Eames Dining Chair DCW
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in New York, NY
Early example of the classic Eames DCW, having the large oval rubber bumper which is attached to the backrest. This example is structurally sound and sturdy, it has been painted bro...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Plywood

Mid Century DCW Red Plywood Chair by by Eames for Herman Miller
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Detroit, MI
This authentic molded plywood DCW (Dining Chair Wood Base) dining chair by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller is expertly crafted from red-stained ash molded plywood and feature...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Ash, Plywood

Charles & Ray Eames DCW Ash dining chair with Dark Brown Leather seat for Vitra
By Vitra, Charles and Ray Eames, Charles Eames
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Iconic DCW dining chair designed by Charles & Ray Eames and manufacture by Vitra, Germany. Solid Ash wood frames finished with matte lacquer. Seat and back panel is upholstered with ...
Category

Vintage 1940s German Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Leather, Ash

Charles and Ray Eames, "DCW" Chair, Plywood, USA, 1950s
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in High Point, NC
A moulded plywood DCW dining chair or side chair designed by Charles and Ray Eames and produced by Herman Miller, USA, 1960s. 16.6” seat height
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Plywood

Two Charles and Ray Eames Herman Miller DCW chairs
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Ferndale, MI
Two Herman Miller DCW ( dining chair wood ) chairs . From the Charles and Ray Eames office design studio . Both chairs are Walnut finish . They are priced individually . Estate fresh...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Plywood

Early Eames Bent Walnut DCW for Herman Miller
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A pair of very well grained early bent walnut plywood side chairs designed by the iconic team of Ray and Charles Eames . These sculptural chairs are part o...
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Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Walnut

Early Eames Walnut DCW for Herman Miller / Evans 'B'
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A early Eames DCW side chair in finely grained bent walnut ply from the iconic team of Ray and Charles Eames. Built after WW2 using techniques developed during war production and swi...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Walnut

Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller Red & Black DCW Armchair, 2004
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in London, GB
The DCW chair was originally released in 1946, with Herman Miller taking over the manufacture of the chairs in 1950. This lasted until 1953 when the chairs were taken out of producti...
Category

Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Plywood

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.
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Plywood

Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller Plywood DCW Dining Chairs, 1950s Set of 2
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in London, GB
The DCW chair was originally released in 1946, with Herman Miller taking over the manufacture of the chairs in 1950. This lasted until 1953 when the chairs were taken out of producti...
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Plywood

1940s Vintage Evans Herman Miller Eames Rosewood Dcw 5-2-5 Chair
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller, Evans Products Company
Located in Saint Paul, MN
The first chair by Charles and Ray Eames, the DCW changed mid century modernism forever. This rosewood example, bears the uncommon Herman Miller/ Evans Products label.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Rosewood

Dcw Dining Chairs Ash by Charles & Ray Eames for Evans / Herman Miller, 1940s
By Charles Eames, Charles and Ray Eames, Evans Products Company, Herman Miller
Located in Vorst, BE
DCW (dining chair wood) chairs In ash veneer. First generation chairs produced by Evans Products Company and distributed by Herman Miller between 19...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Ash, Plywood

1940s Vintage Evans Herman Miller Eames Ash Dcw 5-2-5 Chair
By Charles and Ray Eames, Evans Products Company, Herman Miller
Located in Saint Paul, MN
The first chair by Charles and Ray Eames, the DCW changed mid century modernism forever. This ash example is unmarked but has the 5-2-5 screw pattern that is documented and well know...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Ash

A Classic Charles Eames Evans DCW 1940's
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A classic, original, early production Charles Eames Evans Products, DCW (dining chair wood) in red analine dye.
Category

Vintage 1940s American Chairs

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of Early Walnut Eames DCWs Dining Chair Wood for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Gorgeous pair of early Eames DCW dining chairs in walnut. An ergonomic dining chair that is attractive as is comfortable to lounge in, like its...
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Walnut

Ray & Charles Eames Slunk Skin DCW for Evans Company
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A molded ash plywood DCW (dining chair wood) frame with slunk skin upholstered seat and seat back. Produced between 1948-1953 and having the early 12 screw ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Animal Skin

Early Eames DCW in Ash, ca. 1955
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Early Eames DCW in Ash, ca. 1955. Iconic and classic Charles Eames for Herman Miller DCW (dining chair wood) in Ash. Marked with impressed DCW on underside. This chair is in good ...
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Ash

Charles & Ray Eames Early DCW Red aniline dye Ash Dining Chair for Evans Plywood
By Charles Eames, Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller, Evans Products Company
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Iconic and early DCW dining chair designed by Charles & Ray Eames and manufacture by Evans Products Company, Molded Plywood division and distributed by Herman Miller late 40ties. Red...
Category

Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Ash, Plywood

Charles and Ray Eames Early DCW Ash Plywood Dining Chairs for Herman Miller
By Charles Eames, Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Iconic set of 4 DCW dining side chairs in ash plywood. Early Herman Miller production from the fifties (4-2-5 screw configuration), just after Herman Miller took over production from...
Category

Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

Materials

Plywood, Ash

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