Mid-Century Modern Armchairs or Dining Chairs by Eames and Saarinen for Vitra
View Similar Items
Mid-Century Modern Armchairs or Dining Chairs by Eames and Saarinen for Vitra
About the Item
- Creator:
- Design:Executive Arm ChairExecutive Series
- Dimensions:Height: 37 in (93.98 cm)Width: 29 in (73.66 cm)Depth: 23 in (58.42 cm)Seat Height: 19 in (48.26 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:2000s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Very clean condition and ready for use.
- Seller Location:Philadelphia, PA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1273212831812
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.
Eero Saarinen
Through his work as an architect and designer, Eero Saarinen was a prime mover in the introduction of modernism into the American mainstream. Particularly affecting were the organic, curvilinear forms seen in Saarinen’s furniture and his best-known structures: the gull-winged TWA Flight Center at John F. Kennedy airport in New York (opened 1962), Dulles International Airport in Virginia (1962) and the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri (1965).
Saarinen had a peerless modernist pedigree. His father, Eliel Saarinen, was an eminent Finnish architect who in 1932 became the first head of the Cranbrook Academy of Art in suburban Detroit. The school became synonymous with progressive design and decorative arts in the United States, and while studying there the younger Saarinen met and befriended several luminaries of mid-century modernism, among them Harry Bertoia and Charles and Ray Eames.
At Cranbrook, Saarinen also met Florence Schust Knoll, who, as director of her husband Hans Knoll's eponymous furniture company, would put Saarinen’s best designs into production. These include the Grasshopper chair, designed in 1946 and so named because its angled bentwood frame resembles the insect; the Tulip chair (1957), a flower-shaped fiberglass shell mounted on a cast-aluminum pedestal; and the lushly contoured Womb lounge chair and ottoman (1948). In his furniture as in his architecture, the keynotes of Eero Saarinen’s designs are simplicity, strength and grace.
Find vintage Eero Saarinen tables, chairs and other furniture on 1stDibs.
- Mid-Century Charles Eames for Herman Miller Fiberglass Dining Chairs in OrangeBy Charles Eames, Herman MillerLocated in Philadelphia, PAHere we have an iconic design classic from the Mid-Century Modern period. This vintage fiberglass shell chair was designed by Charles Eames and produced by Herman Miller, circa 1972....Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- Mid-Century Modern Walnut Dining Chairs after Paul McCobb or Gio PontiBy Ico Parisi, Gio Ponti, Paul McCobbLocated in Philadelphia, PAA beautiful and interesting set of dining chairs made by Heywood Wakefield. A very nice minimalistic look created out of solid walnut. Armchairs measure H 40 W 23 D 19. In the sty...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsVelvet, Wood
- Set of Four Mid-Century Modern Dining Chairs by Philippe Starck for DriadeBy Philippe Starck, DriadeLocated in Philadelphia, PASet of four 1980s "Costes" dining-chairs designed by Philippe Starck and made in Italy by Driade. The feature cherry barrel plywood shells with black...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Set of 4 Mid-Century Modern Dining Chairs by Charles Eames for Herman MillerBy Charles Eames, Herman MillerLocated in Philadelphia, PAA nice early set of four DCW chairs designed by Charles Eames and produced by Herman Miller in the 1950's. These feature dark stained plywood construction. Nice warm patina and likel...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsPlywood
- Set of Four High Back Armchair-Dining Chair by Erwin Lambeth for TomlinsonBy Tomlinson/Erwin-Lambeth Furniture Company, Erwin LambethLocated in Philadelphia, PAElegant set of four high backed armchairs that can be used as dining chairs or game table chairs. Lovely design with slender lags and a high back that makes for a beautiful profile. ...Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsUpholstery
- Mid-Century Italian Modern Black and Chrome Cord Bauhaus Chairs by René HerbstBy René HerbstLocated in Philadelphia, PA1980s edition of the Sandows chair designed by Rene´ Herbst. An iconic Classic from the Bauhaus period. The feature polished stainless frames with elasticated cords. Plenty of extra ...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Bauhaus Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsStainless Steel
- Mid-Century Charles Eames & Eero Saarinen for Vitra Organic Dining Chairs PairBy Eero Saarinen, Vitra, Charles EamesLocated in Secaucus, NJThe iconic classic organic chair was designed by Charles Eames and Eero Saarinen in 1940 as a joint entry to the "Organic Design in Home Furnishings" A competition organized by the ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Ch...
MaterialsFabric, Ash, Oak
- Charles Eames & Eero Saarinen for Vitra Organic Conference Chairs, Set of 4By Eero Saarinen, Vitra, Charles EamesLocated in Secaucus, NJThe iconic classic organic chair was designed by Charles Eames and Eero Saarinen in 1940 as a joint entry to the "organic design in home furnishings" A competition organized by the M...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Ch...
MaterialsAsh, Oak, Fabric
- Mid-Century Modern Eero Saarinen for Knoll Brown Executive Arm ChairBy Eero Saarinen, KnollLocated in Secaucus, NJStunning authentic Mid-century modern Saarinen Executive Arm Chair by Knoll. One of Knoll most popular designs that achieved comfort through the shape of its shell. Was introduced in...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsSteel, Chrome
- 2010s Charles Eames & Eero Saarinen Organic Chairs by Vitra in Dark Gray FabricBy Charles Eames, Vitra, Eero SaarinenLocated in Philadelphia, PAListed for sale is a set of five Organic chairs designed by Charles Eames and Eero Saarinen as part of their submission for the Organic Designs in Home Furnishings exhibition at the ...Category
2010s Swiss Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Eames EA108 Black Netweave Dining Chair by VitraBy Vitra, Charles and Ray Eames, Charles EamesLocated in Amsterdam, NLComfortable dining chairs in very good condition with normal light wear. Lightweight chrome-plated aluminum frame with swivel mechanism and black (very strong) netweave upholstery. S...Category
Vintage 1950s German Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsAluminum, Chrome
$1,093 / item - Modern Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec for Vitra Ice Blue Softshell Chairs, a PairBy Vitra, Ronan and Erwan BouroullecLocated in Secaucus, NJThe fabulous cozy softshell chair will surprise you with its exceptional comfort. Constructed of flexible ribs concealed in the backrest shell and ada...Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Fiberglass, Foam