Eames "Billy Wilder" ES106 Chaise Longue for Herman Miller
About the Item
- Creator:Herman Miller (Manufacturer),Charles and Ray Eames (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 29.14 in (74 cm)Width: 76.38 in (194 cm)Depth: 17.72 in (45 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1970s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:WIJCKEL, NL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU8306237508762
Charles and Ray Eames
Charles Eames and Ray Eames were the embodiment of the inventiveness, energy and optimism at the heart of mid-century modern American design, and have been recognized as the most influential designers of the 20th century.
As furniture designers, filmmakers, artists, textile and graphic designers and even toy and puzzle makers, the Eameses were a visionary and effective force for the notion that design should be an agent of positive change. They are the happy, ever-curious, ever-adventurous faces of modernism.
Charles (1907–78) studied architecture and industrial design. Ray (née Beatrice Alexandra Kaiser, 1912–88) was an artist, who studied under the Abstract Expressionist painter Hans Hofmann. They met in 1940 at the Cranbrook Academy of Art in suburban Detroit (the legendary institution where Charles also met his frequent collaborator Eero Saarinen and the artist and designer Harry Bertoia) and married the next year.
His technical skills and her artistic flair were wonderfully complementary. They moved to Los Angeles in 1941, where Charles worked on set design for MGM. In the evenings at their apartment, they experimented with molded plywood using a handmade heat-and-pressurization device they called the “Kazam!” machine. The next year, they won a contract from the U.S. Navy for lightweight plywood leg splints for wounded servicemen — they are coveted collectibles today; more so those that Ray used to make sculptures.
The Navy contract allowed Charles to open a professional studio, and the attention-grabbing plywood furniture the firm produced prompted George Nelson, the director of design of the furniture-maker Herman Miller Inc., to enlist Charles and (by association, if not by contract) Ray in 1946. Some of the first Eames items to emerge from Herman Miller are now classics: the LCW, or Lounge Chair Wood, and the DCM, or Dining Chair Metal, supported by tubular steel.
The Eameses eagerly embraced new technology and materials, and one of their peculiar talents was to imbue their supremely modern design with references to folk traditions. Their Wire chair group of the 1950s, for example, was inspired by basket weaving techniques. The populist notion of “good design for all” drove their molded fiberglass chair series that same decade, and also produced the organic-form, ever-delightful La Chaise. In 1956 the Eames lounge chair and ottoman appeared — the supremely comfortable plywood-base-and-leather-upholstery creation that will likely live in homes as long as there are people with good taste and sense.
Charles Eames once said, “The role of the designer is that of a very good, thoughtful host anticipating the needs of his guests.” For very good collectors and thoughtful interior designers, a piece of design by the Eameses, the closer produced to original conception the better, is almost de rigueur — for its beauty and comfort, and not least as a tribute to the creative legacy and enduring influence of Charles and Ray Eames.
The collection of original Eames furniture on 1stDibs includes chairs, tables, case pieces and other items.
Herman Miller
No other business of its kind did more than the Herman Miller Furniture Company to introduce modern design into American homes. Working with legendary designers such as Charles and Ray Eames, George Nelson and Alexander Girard, the Zeeland, Michigan-based firm fostered some of the boldest expressions of what we now call mid-century modern style. In doing so, Herman Miller produced some of the most beautiful, iconic and, one can even say, noblest furniture ever.
Founded in 1923, Herman Miller was originally known for grand historicist bedroom suites: heavily ornamented wood furniture that appealed to a high-minded, wealthier clientele. The company — named for its chief financial backer — began to suffer in the early 1930s as the Great Depression hit, and D.J. De Pree, the company’s CEO, feared bankruptcy. In 1932, aid came in the form of Gilbert Rohde, a self-taught furniture designer who had traveled widely in Europe, absorbing details of the Art Deco movement and other modernist influences. After persuading De Pree that the growing middle-class required smaller, lighter household furnishings, Rohde set a new course for Herman Miller, creating sleek chairs, tables and cabinetry that were the essence of the Streamline Moderne style.
Rohde died suddenly in 1944. The following year, De Pree turned to George Nelson, an architect who had written widely about modern furniture design. Under Nelson’s leadership, Herman Miller would embrace new technologies and materials and audacious biomorphic forms. Some of the pieces the company produced are now emblems of 20th century American design, including the Eames lounge chair and ottoman and Nelson’s Marshmallow sofa and Coconut chair. As you can see on 1stDibs, such instantly recognizable furnishings have become timeless — staples of a modernist décor; striking, offbeat notes in traditional environments.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: WIJCKEL, Netherlands
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- LAR Armchair by Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller 1960sBy Charles Eames, Herman MillerLocated in WIJCKEL, NLCharles and Ray Eames Low Armchair Rod (LAR) for Herman Miller. Molded off-white fiberglass, chrome-plated steel, rubber. Signed with manufacturer’s mark und...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Dat-1 Swivel Desk or Office Armchair by Charles Eames for Herman Miller, 1960sBy Charles Eames, Herman MillerLocated in WIJCKEL, NLClassic Mid-Century Modern office or desk armchair, model DAT-1 on castors and tilt swivel in off-white with molded fiberglass shell on a chrome base. Tilt s...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Charles & Ray Eames EA119 Executive Office Chair by VitraBy Vitra, Charles and Ray EamesLocated in WIJCKEL, NLWhat started as an idea for a solid piece of leisure furniture has grown into one of the most popular office furniture since its design in 1958. The EA 119 is part of the famous Aluminum Chair group. Designed by the Eames couple and produced by Vitra, it stands out from its peers due to its high backrest. The ingenious construction consists of a seat and backrest covered with upholstery fabric. The frame, side profiles, armrests and crossbars are made of cast chrome aluminum. The five-star base is made mobile by the attached wheels and ensures maximum comfort with the integrated reclining mechanism. The Vitra Aluminum...Category
2010s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsAluminum, Chrome
- Hans Wegner white Opala Pendant for Louis Poulsen DenmarkBy Louis Poulsen, Hans J. WegnerLocated in WIJCKEL, NLThis largeset pendant-chandelier lamp has a top in grey lacquered metal and high gloss acryl shade opal. The maximum bulb is 200W. Marked inside by Louis Poulsen. The Opala lamp...Category
Vintage 1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsMetal
- Verner Panton Peacock Lounge Chair for Plus-Linje Denmark MidcenturyBy Verner Panton, Plus-LinjeLocated in WIJCKEL, NLConsisting of a bowl shaped top and a cylindrical foot made from electrogalvanized stainless steel wire. The two parts are connectable with clips for a floor standing version. The bowl shaped top can be used separately and hung from the ceiling. The chair has 7 removable original seat cushions upholstered in grey woolen fabric. Literature: Cara Greenberg, Op to Pop, New York, 1999, pp. 116 and 126 Alexander von Vegesack, Mathias Remmele, eds. Verner Panton: The Collected Works, exh. cat., Vitra Design Museum, Weil am Rhein, 2000, pp. 9 and 246 Charlotte and Peter Fiell, 60s Decorative Arts, Cologne, 2000, p. 18. A danish designer and architect who lives in Switserland, Verner Panton has worked in many areas and with many manufacturers, providing numerous designs. Verner Panton studied at the Royal Danish Academy in Copenhagen and worked as an associate with Arne Jacobsen. He opened his own design office in 1955 and created the first single-form injection molded plastic chair in 1960, edited by Herman Miller in 1967. He created truly innovative futuristic furniture...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- Bodil Kjaer Executive Free Standing Desk for E. Pedersen & Son DenmarkBy Bodil Kjaer, E. Pedersen & SønLocated in WIJCKEL, NLBodil Kjaer large freestanding rosewood executive desk, model 901 with chrome-plated metal frame, cassette top with four recessed drawers. Produced by E. Pedersen & Søn, Denmark. Manufacturer’s label to the underside. Key included. The rosewood is Santos rosewood, no CITES export document is applicable. The desk featured in the 1960s in the New York Times and The Sunday Times. It became even more famous when it was in some of the first James Bond films: ‘From Russia with love’ & ‘You only live twice’. The desk also appeared prominently in BBC election broadcasts. Literature: Mobilia, June 1961. Young executives that Bodil Kjær encountered in her work in architecture and design in the late 1950es were open, creative and flexible in their way of working. So, she reasoned that it would be counter-productive for them to be offered traditional office furniture, and set out to design a system of office units...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks
MaterialsMetal
- George Nelson for Herman Miller Chaise LongueBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Kansas City, MORare George Nelson chaise longue for Herman Miller. Heavy chromed steel frame with newer upholstery.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Chaise Longues
MaterialsChrome
- 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
- 2005 La Chaise Lounge Chair by Charles and Ray Eames for Vitra Herman MillerBy Vitra, Charles and Ray EamesLocated in Philadelphia, PAListed for sale are two (sold separately) authentic La Chaise lounge chairs by Charles and Ray Eames for Vitra. These were produced circa 2005 and carry original Vitra labels. This d...Category
Early 2000s American Modern Chaise Longues
MaterialsFiberglass
- Herman Miller ES102 Intermediate Chair Design Charles & Ray EamesBy Herman Miller, Charles and Ray EamesLocated in Offenburg, Baden Wurthembergrare Herman Miller ES102 Intermediate Desk chair designed by Charles & Ray Eames Upholstery in blue Hopsack fabric, with chromed aluminium parts, equipped with...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsAluminum, Chrome
- Early Eames for Herman Miller RockerBy Charles and Ray Eames, Herman MillerLocated in Stockton, NJEarly Eames for Herman Miller rocker with a rare coral colored fiberglass seat. Excellent vintage condition.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Chaise LongueLocated in Los Angeles, CA1950s chaise longue, mix of leather, sky and pony hair upholstery.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Chaise Longues
MaterialsWood
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
The 21 Most Popular Mid-Century Modern Chairs
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
A Guide to Herman Miller’s Most Iconic Furniture
The prolific manufacturer has partnered with many of the world’s top designers since opening its doors in 1923. Here are some of the company’s greatest hits, which helped transform the American home and office.