Charles Eames Zenith Rocker
View Similar Items
Charles Eames Zenith Rocker
About the Item
- Creator:Charles Eames (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 26.78 in (68 cm)Width: 24.81 in (63 cm)Depth: 27.17 in (69 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Wargrave, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU83954700453
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.
- Franco Albini for Poggi circa 1950, Folding ChairBy Franco AlbiniLocated in Wargrave, BerkshireFranco Albini for Poggi, Italy, circa 1950. A folding chair of wooden construction in completely original untouched vintage condition. Mech...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsWood
- Arthur Espenet Carpenter, "Wishbone” Chair circa 1970s, StampedBy Arthur Espenet CarpenterLocated in Wargrave, BerkshireArthur Espenet Carpenter, California, USA, circa early 1970s "Wishbone" chair of African Hyedua and brown leather strapping. Stamped to the underside "Espenet", he chose not to sign ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsLeather
- Hans Wegner, Folding Lounge Chair model JH-512, circa 1960, by Johannes HansenBy Hans J. Wegner, Johannes HansenLocated in Wargrave, BerkshireHans J Wegner (1914-2007), Folding Lounge Chair, model JH-512, original design 1949, this example possibly produced circa 1960. Produced by Johannes Hansen, Copenhagen Denmark, an...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBrass
- Ettore Sottsass, Painted Wood Planter for Poltronova, Italy, Designed, 1961By Ettore Sottsass, PoltronovaLocated in Wargrave, BerkshireDesigned by Ettore Sottsass in 1961 and manufactured by Poltronova, this white painted wooden planter has an internal metal tray to catch excess water from the plant pot. Conditi...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Planters and Jardinieres
MaterialsWood
- Paavo Tynell Desk Lamp , Model 9224 or " Horseshoe " Light . Stamped by maker .By Paavo TynellLocated in Wargrave, BerkshirePaavo Tynell , Finland . Rare version of the 9224 desk lamp featuring a perforated shade so that light is subtely diffused through many tiny holes . Brass structure with leather wra...Category
Vintage 1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- Finn Juhl for Kay Bojesen, Dennark, Set of 6 Teak Wood Bowls , All SignedBy Finn JuhlLocated in Wargrave, BerkshireFinn Juhl design circa 1951 for Kay Bojesen, Denmark. Carved teak wood of organic form, all 6 are signed by makers stamp to the underside. One with older repair.Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls
MaterialsTeak
- Charles & Ray Eames RAR Rocking Chair “Zenith”By Charles and Ray EamesLocated in Seattle, WAKnown as the RAR rocking chair designed by Charles & Ray Eames, this chair has Zenith checker label and is the first generation produced in Zenith Plastic Factory in Gardena, Califor...Category
Vintage 1950s North American Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
MaterialsMetal
$2,000 Sale Price20% Off - Eames Lemon Yellow Zenith Rope-Edge, RAR Rocker by Herman MillerBy Charles and Ray Eames, Herman MillerLocated in Highland, INThe first fiberglass Eames chairs were produced by Zenith Plastics. The early Zenith shells are distinctive for their high fiber content and larger, more substantial rubber shock mou...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- Early Charles Eames RAR Rocking Chair, Zenith , rope edge / Herman MillerBy Charles Eames, ZenithLocated in Buffalo, NYThe early Zenith shells are distinctive for their high fiber content and larger, more substantial rubber shock mounts, a translucent quality to the fiberglass. RAR was the designatio...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
MaterialsZinc
- Charles Eames Zenit RAR Rocker Chair First Edition Rope Edge Color LemonBy Charles EamesLocated in Hamburg, DEEarly production Charles Eames rocker with rope edged fibre glass shell, zinc Eiffel tower base and wood rockers wood birch, original label, first producti...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
MaterialsFiberglass, Birch
- Eames Zenith RAR Rocking Chair with Rope EdgeBy Zenith, Charles EamesLocated in Kalamazoo, MIThis is a highly collectible early edition rocking armchair on rod base (RAR) designed by Ray and Charles Eames and made by Zenith Plastics. The fiber-rich lemon yellow fiberglass sh...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
MaterialsMetal
$2,240 Sale Price40% Off - 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