Billy Wilder Chaise by Charles Eames
View Similar Items
Billy Wilder Chaise by Charles Eames
About the Item
- Creator:Charles Eames (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 30 in (76.2 cm)Width: 76 in (193.04 cm)Depth: 18 in (45.72 cm)
- Period:1980-1989
- Date of Manufacture:1980s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Dallas, TX
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU85188965631
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.
- De Sede DS-142 Adjustable Chaise Lounge by Winfried TotzekBy De SedeLocated in Dallas, TXThe DS-142 adjustable chaise lounge designed by Winfried Totzek for De Sede, 1980. Original green leather with wonderful patina. Two original pillows also included. Both arms and bac...Category
Vintage 1980s Chaise Longues
MaterialsLeather
- Tommi Parzinger Chaise Model 201By Tommi ParzingerLocated in Dallas, TXAn elegant chaise lounge model 201 designed by Tommi Parzinger for Parzinger Originals, 1950's. Fully restored.Category
Vintage 1950s Chaise Longues
MaterialsMahogany
- Vintage Grasshopper Chair by Preben Fabricius + Jørgen KastholmBy Jørgen Kastholm & Preben FabriciusLocated in Dallas, TXA vintage grasshopper chaise lounge by Preben Fabricius and Jørgen Kastholm for Kill International. Beautifully patinated leather that's worn to a greenish hue.Category
Vintage 1970s Chaise Longues
MaterialsLeather
- Womb Chair & Ottoman by Eero Saarinen for KnollBy Eero SaarinenLocated in Dallas, TXA womb chair and ottoman designed by Eero Saarinen for Knoll upholstered in baroque fabric.Category
Vintage 1960s Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric
- Vintage Grasshopper Chair by Preben Fabricius + Jørgen KastholmBy Jørgen Kastholm & Preben FabriciusLocated in Dallas, TXA vintage grasshopper chaise lounge by Preben Fabricius and Jørgen Kastholm for Kill International.Category
Vintage 1960s Chaise Longues
MaterialsLeather
- Pair of 670 Lounge Chairs by Charles Eames for Herman MillerBy Charles EamesLocated in Dallas, TXA pair of 670 lounge chairs designed by Charles Eames for Herman Miller in rosewood and original black leather. Both signed and dated 1978.Category
Vintage 1950s Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Rosewood
- 1970s Billy Wilder Eames Chaise w/ New Black LeatherBy Herman Miller, Charles and Ray EamesLocated in Philadelphia, PAThis is a circa 1970s Eames ES106 chaise lounge chairs, also known as the Billy Wilder chaise (the chair was designed for the famous film director). It was designed by Ray and Charle...Category
Vintage 1970s American Modern Chaise Longues
MaterialsAluminum
- Eames "Billy Wilder" ES106 Chaise Longue for Herman MillerBy Herman Miller, Charles and Ray EamesLocated in WIJCKEL, NLA handsome example of the Billy Wilder chaise lounge by Ray and Charles Eames for Herman Miller. In softpad and high-quality black leather on a eggplant color base. Six cushions conn...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Chaise Longues
MaterialsAluminum
- Franz Chaise by Michael GittingsBy Michael GittingsLocated in Geneve, CHFranz Chaise by Michael Gittings Edition of 3 Dimensions: d 90 x w 240 x h 80 cm Materials: stainless steel Michael Gittings Melbourne based designer Michael Gittings aims to ...Category
2010s Australian Post-Modern Chaise Longues
MaterialsStainless Steel
- Unique Chaise Longue by Jörg PietschmannBy Jörg PietschmannLocated in Geneve, CHUnique signed chaise lounge by Jörg Pietschmann Ash Dimensions: H 70 x W 230 x D 77 cm Side piece of an old oak with exceptional burl on colorful ...Category
2010s German Organic Modern Benches
MaterialsBog Wood
- Palito Lounge Chaise by Raka StudioBy Raka StudioLocated in Cape Girardeau, MOABOUT Palito - A lounge chassis designed and crafted by Raka Studio, is a part of the new collection, in which the studio has integrated a plain wooden surface. In this case, the pl...Category
2010s Chaise Longues
MaterialsVelvet, Bentwood
$9,500 / item - Elliot Taupe Chaise LongueBy CTS SalottiLocated in Milan, ITPart of the Elliot collection, this superbly elegant chaise lounge has a comfortable Silhouette upholstered in a refined velvet fabric in taupe (col. 1470/28 cat. Extralux) that will...Category
2010s Italian Chaise Longues
MaterialsTextile, Wood
$9,990 / item