Early 2nd Generation X Base Arm Shell Lounge Chair by Charles Eames
About the Item
- Creator:Charles Eames (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 30.5 in (77.47 cm)Width: 25 in (63.5 cm)Depth: 24 in (60.96 cm)Seat Height: 17 in (43.18 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1952
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Buffalo, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1062423161212
Charles Eames
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Buffalo, NY
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Early 2nd Generation X Base Translucent Arm Shell Lounge Chair by Charles EamesBy Charles and Ray Eames, Herman MillerLocated in Buffalo, NYEarly 2nd generation X base translucent arm shell lounge chair by Charles Eames for Herman Miller. Amazing condition, featuring low aluminum X base, large domes of silence shock moun...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsAluminum
- Early 2nd Generation Charles and Ray Eames Arm Shell ChairBy Charles and Ray EamesLocated in Buffalo, NYClassic Mid-Century fiberglass arm shell chair designed by Charles and Ray Eames, 2nd year production featuring early exposed fibers, heavy iron x base, larg...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsIron
- Early Salmon color Charles and Ray Eames Arm Shell Chair, 2nd generation X baseBy Charles and Ray Eames, Herman MillerLocated in Buffalo, NYEarly Salmon color Charles and Ray Eames Arm Shell Chair, 2nd generation. X base. Amazing condition, retains clean, crisp gel coat, large domes o...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsIron
- Rare 2nd Generation Rosewood, Leather Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Charles EamesBy Charles Eames, Herman MillerLocated in Buffalo, NYRare 2nd Generation Brazilian Rosewood and black leather lounge chair and ottoman by Charles Eames,, Stunning richly grained rosewood,Retains original early white medallion label.. c...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsAluminum
- Second Generation "Ochre" X-Base Fiberglass Arm Shell Chairs, Charles EamesBy Charles Eames, Herman MillerLocated in Buffalo, NYSecond Generation "Ochre" X-base fiberglass arm shell chairs. Charles Eames manufactured by Herman Miller. Nice early versions. Seldom seen light ochre color, retaining original gel ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsSteel
- Pair of Charles and Ray Eames Padded Arm Shell Chairs, Two-Tone /Herman MillerBy Charles Eames, Herman MillerLocated in Buffalo, NYClassic pair of Mid-Century Modern padded arm shell chairs,Designed by Charles and Ray Eames, for Herman Miller. Beautiful two-tone, chairs are in really ni...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsAluminum
- Pair of Early 2nd Generation Eames Fiberglass LAX Lounge Chairs in Elephant GrayBy Herman Miller, Charles EamesLocated in Philadelphia, PAA classic pair Herman Miller fiberglass lounge chairs designed by Charles Eames from the early 1950's. These feature very desirable elephant hide grey fiberglass on lower sitting ste...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsSteel
- Eames Lcm Chair (2Nd Generation)Located in Brooklyn, NYThe Eames LCM (Lounge Chair Metal) is a celebrated example of mid-century modern design by Charles and Ray Eames. First introduced in 1945, this chair embodies simplicity, functionality, and comfort. Crafted with molded plywood and a metal base, the LCM chair showcases the Eameses’ skill in working with materials. Its clean lines and modest silhouette reflect a minimalist approach to design, emphasizing practicality over extravagance. The chair’s ergonomic shape, with its gently curved seat and backrest, offers a comfortable seating experience without the need for excessive padding. Its understated appearance and compact size make it suitable for various interior settings, from living rooms to office spaces. Renowned for its timeless appeal and enduring craftsmanship, the Eames LCM chair...Category
Vintage 1950s Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Eames Herman Miller LAX Fiberglass Arm Shell Chair X Base Zenith Rope EdgeBy Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames, ZenithLocated in Topeka, KSAwesome example of the Charles and Ray Eames LAX molded fiberglass arm shell chair for Herman Miller in one of the original colors, lemon yellow. This is an early chair made by Zenit...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsMetal
- Original First Generation Eames Zenith Rope-Edge LAX Lounge ChairBy Charles and Ray Eames, Herman MillerLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis first generation Zenith DAX lounge chair in Lemon yellow was designed by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller. It features the original rope edge beneath the chair, as well a...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsMetal
- Pair of Lounge Chairs by Charles & Ray Eames, Vitra, 1980sBy Charles and Ray EamesLocated in Berlin, BerlinPair of Lounge chairs, designed by Charles and Ray Eames. Germany, Vitra, 1986. Beautiful original lounge chairs with a black shell and subtle and used yellow leather upholstery. ...Category
Late 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsLeather, Bentwood
- Regency Style X-Base Chrome Arm or Lounge Chair 1970sLocated in Ft Lauderdale, FLRegency Style X-Base Chrome Arm or Lounge Chair 1970's. Exceptional X-base Chrome 1960's lounge chair. Super stylish lounge or arm chair, unique in design, deep-seated, heavy polish...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsChrome