Charles Eames Time Life White Leather Chair
View Similar Items
Charles Eames Time Life White Leather Chair
About the Item
- Creator:Herman Miller (Manufacturer),Charles Eames (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 35 in (88.9 cm)Width: 26 in (66.04 cm)Depth: 26 in (66.04 cm)Seat Height: 17 in (43.18 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:1980-1989
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1988
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Costa Mesa, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU138425027083
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 chairs, sofas, tables and other 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. Such instantly recognizable furnishings have become timeless — staples of a modernist décor; striking, offbeat notes in traditional environments.
Find a range of vintage Herman Miller office chairs, desks, coffee tables and other furniture on 1stDibs.
- 6 Limited Edition Charles Eames for Herman Miller DCM in Tri-Color Hairy HideBy Herman Miller, Charles EamesLocated in Costa Mesa, CASet of 6 Limited Edition Charles Eames for Herman Miller DCM in Tri-Color Hairy Hide, 1998. This rare set of DCM chairs were only produced for a short period of time and were a part ...Category
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsCowhide, Ash
- Charles Eames for Herman Miller 670/671 Lounge Chair and Ottoman, 2021By Charles and Ray EamesLocated in Costa Mesa, CACharles Eames for Herman Miller 670/671 Lounge Chair and Ottoman, 2021. Beautiful near new Charles Eames Lounge chair with ottoman in desirable 2100 series smooth black leather. Ch...Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Walnut
- High Back Steel Frame Siesta Chair in Grey Leather, circa 1970By Westnofa Furniture, Ingmar RellingLocated in Costa Mesa, CASteel Frame Siesta Chair in Grey Leather, circa 1970. Beautiful steel framed high back grey leather lounge chair with matching ottoman. Beaut...Category
Vintage 1970s Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsSteel, Chrome
$1,200 Sale Price / set51% Off - George Nelson for Herman Miller 72" Slatted Platform Bench, 2002By Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Costa Mesa, CAGeorge Nelson for Herman Miller 72" Slatted Platform Bench, 2002. Classic and timeless, this George Nelson bench has just the right amount of 20+ years of great honey colored patina...Category
Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Benches
MaterialsBirch
- George Nelson for Herman Miller Drop-Leaf Desk Model 4754, ca. 1955By Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Costa Mesa, CAGeorge Nelson for Herman Miller Drop-Leaf Desk Model 4754, ca. 1955. Professionally restored in showroom condition, this beautiful desk has a drop leaf on the left side with all orig...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsMahogany
$2,500 Sale Price28% Off - Pair of Russell Woodard Sculptura Outdoor Chairs, ca. 1950By Russell WoodardLocated in Costa Mesa, CAPair of Russell Woodard Sculptura Outdoor Chairs, circa 1950. Professionally restored with new white gloss powder coat. All welds are...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
MaterialsSteel
$1,760 Sale Price / set20% Off
- Time life chair Herman Miller Charles and Ray EamesBy Herman MillerLocated in Pasadena, TXTimeLife Chair Herman Miller designed by Charles Eames Height: 35.5 in (90.17 cm)Width: 26.5 in (67.31 cm)Depth: 29.5 in (74.93 cm)Seat Height: 17 in (43.18 cm) Style: Mid-Century M...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsAluminum
- Eames Time Life Office Desk Chair in Black LeatherBy Charles and Ray Eames, Herman MillerLocated in Brooklyn, NYEames Time Life office/desk chair. Executed in black leather and cast aluminum. On tilting adjustable height swivel base with casters. Manufactured 19...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsAluminum
- Early Vintage Time Life Desk Chair ES104 by Charles Eames for Herman MillerBy Charles Eames, Herman MillerLocated 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
- Eames Time Life Chair in Grey Leather for Herman Miller, 1980sBy Charles and Ray Eames, Herman MillerLocated in Los Angeles, CAClassic Eames Time Life chair for Herman Miller in light grey leather with a polished aluminum frame and legs made in Los Angeles, CA. Originally designed in 1960 by Charles and Ray Eames for use in the lobby of the Time Life building in New York. Recently re-upholstered in gray leather, in-keeping with the color and integrity of other Time-life models. Some slight blemishes to the aluminum frame in-keeping with age. Chair's height and recline is fully adjustable and also swivels 360 degrees. Timeless chair. In 1972, the Time-life chair made the news when notoriously fussy chess genius Bobby Fischer included this chair among his many demands for his legendary 1972 world championship match with Russian master...Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsAluminum
- Eames Time Life Chair in Chocolate Leather for Herman Miller, 1978 USABy Herman MillerLocated in Los Angeles, CAClassic Eames Time Life swivel chair in chocolate brown leather for Herman Miller. Original black leather with only slight wear as shown. Metal in good condition. Extremely comfortab...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsAluminum
- Eames Time Life Chair in Tan Leather for Herman Miller, 1980s USABy Charles and Ray Eames, Herman MillerLocated in Los Angeles, CAClassic Eames Time Life chair for Herman Miller in tan leather with a polished aluminum frame and legs. Originally designed in 1960 by Charles and Ray Eames for use in the lobby of t...Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsAluminum
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.