Executive Desk Chair by Charles Eames for Herman Miller
View Similar Items
Executive Desk Chair by Charles Eames for Herman Miller
About the Item
- Creator:Herman Miller (Manufacturer),Charles Eames (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 38.98 in (99 cm)Width: 22.84 in (58 cm)Depth: 22.84 in (58 cm)Seat Height: 18.12 in (46 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Unknown
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Brussels, BE
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2265320055692
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.
- Mid-Century Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Charles & Ray Eames for Herman MillerBy Herman Miller, Charles and Ray EamesLocated in Brussels, BEMid-Century Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller for ICFCategory
20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsLeather, Wood
- Mid-Century Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Charles & Ray Eames for Herman MillerBy Charles and Ray EamesLocated in Brussels, BEMid-Century Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller, Oak and Leather, 1980sCategory
Vintage 1980s European Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Wood
- Eames Desk Chair EA 117 by Herman Miller, 1990s - 3 AvailableBy Charles and Ray EamesLocated in Brussels, BEEames Desk Chair EA 117 by Herman Miller, 1990s - 3 available.Category
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsMetal
- Mid-Century Desk Chair by Perry King & Santiago Miranda for Planula, ItalyBy Perry King and Santiago MirandaLocated in Brussels, BEMid-Century Desk Chair by Perry King & Santiago Miranda for Planula, Italy, 1970sCategory
Vintage 1970s Italian Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsChrome
- Mid-Century Modern Action Office Desk by George Nelson for Herman Miller, 1960sBy George NelsonLocated in Brussels, BEMid-Century Modern Action Office Desk by George Nelson for Herman Miller, 1960sCategory
Vintage 1960s Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsChrome
- Mid-Century Large Executive Wooden Desk by Fabio Lenci for Bernini, Italy, 1960sBy Fabio LenciLocated in Brussels, BEMid-Century Large Executive Wooden Desk by Fabio Lenci for Bernini, Italy, 1960sCategory
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsWood
- Charles & Ray Eames EA117 Black Leather Executive Desk Chairs by Herman MillerBy Charles Eames, Charles and Ray Eames, Herman MillerLocated in Dronten, NLExecutive office chair, model EA117, in the USA known as EA335, designed by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller. Backrest and seat in black leather, both front and rear. Frame, a...Category
Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsAluminum
- Charles & Ray Eames EA119 Black Leather Executive Desk Chair by Herman MillerBy Charles Eames, Charles and Ray Eames, Herman MillerLocated in Dronten, NLExecutive office chair, model EA119, in the USA known as EA337, designed by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller. Backrest and seat in black leather, both front and rear. Frame, a...Category
Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsAluminum
- Aluminum Group Desk Chairs by Charles Eames for Herman Miller, SignedBy Charles Eames, Charles and Ray Eames, Herman MillerLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis classic and stylish 'Aluminum Group' executive desk chair by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller. Signed underneath seat with Herman Miller labels and production date September 2000. This beautiful office chair features black channel stitched seats and integrated seat backs with aluminum five star bases on casters with tilt adjust and height adjust mechanisms, and is height adjustable. Similar to the Soft Pad collection, also by Eames, which was based on the design of the Aluminum Group chairs with the addition of padded cushions. This iconic 'Aluminum Group' chair by Charles Eames for Herman Miller with its graceful silhouette and clean lines make it appropriate for a number of locations, from Classic and contemporary homes to elegant executive offices, home office or hip startups. Consider using in a Mid-Century Modern or Postmodern home...Category
Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsAluminum
- Early Vintage Time Life Desk Chair ES104 by Charles Eames for Herman MillerBy Herman Miller, Charles EamesLocated in Chicago, ILVintage Time Life Desk Chair ES104 by Charles Eames for Herman Miller. The appears to be a nice early example of the design. Will double check the dimensions of the chair. Wear to t...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Herman Miller DAT Executive armchair Designed by Charles & Ray EamesBy Herman Miller, Charles and Ray EamesLocated in Offenburg, Baden WurthembergHerman Miller DAT fibre plastic armchair on office base, Designed by Charles & Ray Eames in 1948. Off-white fibre plastic armshell, DAT shivel base equipped with tilt function, hei...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsAluminum
- One Eames For Herman Miller Executive ChairBy Charles and Ray EamesLocated in Pasadena, TXOne mid century modern executive chair designed by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller. The high back model from the Aluminum G...Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs
MaterialsAluminum
$1,900 / item
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.