Early Charles Eames for Herman Miller Red Aniline DCM
About the Item
- Creator:Charles Eames (Designer),Herman Miller (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 28.88 in (73.36 cm)Width: 19.25 in (48.9 cm)Depth: 21.75 in (55.25 cm)Seat Height: 18 in (45.72 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:Plywood,Dyed
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses.
- Seller Location:St. Louis, MO
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU820212456083
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.
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: St. Louis, MO
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Charles Eames for Herman Miller Zebrawood DCM Chairs, RareBy Charles Eames, Herman MillerLocated in St. Louis, MOCharles Eames for Herman Miller Zebrawood DCM chairs, rare set. Zebrawood was used from 1954-1959. Very nice original condition, minor scuffs to seat. Labels.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsChrome
- Charles Eames for Herman Miller Low DAX Shell ArmchairBy Charles and Ray Eames, Herman MillerLocated in St. Louis, MOCharles and Ray Eames second generation Zenith shell armchair, black enameled metal legs in X-pattern, large shock mounts, pale yellow fibergla...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsMetal
- T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb Dining or Desk ChairBy Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-GibbingsLocated in St. Louis, MOListed is a single classic slat back dining chair by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb. Shown in original finish, but includes refinishing in color shown or dark espresso, custom ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsWalnut
- Set of Eight Edward Wormley for Dunbar Dining ArmchairsBy Edward Wormley, Dunbar FurnitureLocated in St. Louis, MOEdward Wormley for Dunbar Model number 842, set of eight armchairs in mahogany with red velvet seats. All original, minor touch up prior to shipping. These chairs were used around a ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Mahogany
- Edward Wormley for Dunbar Set of Eight Dining ChairsBy Edward WormleyLocated in St. Louis, MOEdward Wormley for Dunbar dining chairs, set of eight, two armchairs and six side chairs, sculpted mahogany chairs with upholstered seats, arm chairs 33" H x 22" D x 23.5" W with sea...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Mahogany
- Pair of Edward Wormley for Drexel Arm Chairs - Precedent CollectionBy Edward WormleyLocated in St. Louis, MOPair of Edward Wormley for Drexel dining arm chairs for his Precedent Collection circa 1950s, can be used as occasional chairs. Silver Elm refinished in a dark espresso with new tan...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsElm
- Early Charles Eames for Herman Miller DCM Chairs, Newly RestoredBy Charles Eames, Herman MillerLocated in South Bend, INA rare and outstanding iconic set of six early "DCM" chairs By Charles Eames for Herman Miller USA, 1950s Bent walnut plywood seats and backs, with metal frame. Measures:...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Early Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller DCM Chair in Oak, 1953By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray EamesLocated in Los Angeles, CAEarly Charles Eames for Herman Miller Company molded plywood dining chair in oak with wonderful patina. The oak version is very rare, only one year in production.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- DCM Chair by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman MillerBy Herman Miller, Charles and Ray EamesLocated in Los Angeles, CADCM chair (Dining metal chair) by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller. Designed in 1946, this molded plywood + chromed ste...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsPlywood
- Eames for Evans Aniline DCMBy Charles and Ray Eames, Herman MillerLocated in Brooklyn, NYScarce, early red aniline dye DCM dining chairs, designed by Charles and Ray Eames, made by Evans for Herman Miller. Molded plywood has great age, wearing its original patina handsom...Category
Mid-20th Century American Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsPlywood
- Ash Aniline Red DCM by EamesBy Charles and Ray Eames, Herman MillerLocated in Sagaponack, NYA rare aniline dyed red ash DCM chair with satin chrome frame. By Herman Miller with original foil tag.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- 16 DCM Chairs by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman MillerBy Herman Miller, Charles and Ray EamesLocated in Los Angeles, CADCM chair (Dining metal chair) by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller. Designed in 1946, this molded plywood + chromed steel chair is a classic design. Sometimes referred to as the "potato chip chair...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsMetal
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.