Original Eames for Herman Miller DKX-1 Side Chair in Army Green Vinyl, 1960s
View Similar Items
Original Eames for Herman Miller DKX-1 Side Chair in Army Green Vinyl, 1960s
About the Item
- Creator:Charles and Ray Eames (Designer),Herman Miller (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 32.5 in (82.55 cm)Width: 19.5 in (49.53 cm)Depth: 20.5 in (52.07 cm)Seat Height: 18.5 in (46.99 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Good original vintage condition. Minor wear from age and use.
- Seller Location:South Bend, IN
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU274538743143
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 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.
- Early Eames for Herman Miller CTM Coffee Table, Newly RefinishedBy Charles and Ray Eames, Herman MillerLocated in South Bend, INAn iconic Mid-Century Modern CTM coffee table Designed by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller USA, 1950s Ebonized ash top, with steel leg...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsSteel
- 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
- Herman Miller Rolling Office Chairs, PairBy Herman MillerLocated in South Bend, INA nice pair of rolling office or desk chairs By Herman Miller USA, 2000s A nice pair of rolling office or desk chairs By Herman Miller USA, 2000s Measures: 18" W x 19" D x 3...Category
Early 2000s American Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsAluminum
- Rare Charles Eames Herman Miller "Design of the Century" Advertising PosterBy Herman MillerLocated in South Bend, INAn extremely rare Charles Eames "Design of the Century" advertising poster By Herman Miller USA, circa 1999 Measures: 25.13"W x 0.75"D x 37.13"H. Excellent condition.Category
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Posters
MaterialsOak, Paper
- George Nelson for Herman Miller Black Lacquered Sideboard Credenza, RefinishedBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in South Bend, INAn exceptional Mid-Century Modern sideboard, credenza, or bar cabinet By George Nelson for Herman Miller USA, 1950s Black lacquered walnut, with original aluminum hardware. ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsAluminum
- George Nelson for Herman Miller Walnut Chest of Drawers, 1950sBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in South Bend, INAn exceptional mid-century modern five-drawer dresser chest By George Nelson for Herman Miller, "Basic Cabinet ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsAluminum
- Original Eames DKX-1 Side Chair in Orange Leather for Herman Miller, 1960sBy Charles and Ray Eames, Herman MillerLocated in Aramits, Nouvelle-AquitaineCharles and Ray Eames side chair DKX-1 in orange leather for Herman Miller, circa 1960s. The chair is in very good vintage condition, no damage to the leather, very solid chair.Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
MaterialsWire
- Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller DKX-1 Chair, Black Leather, H-Base, 1955By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray EamesLocated in Brooklyn, NYCharles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller DKX-1 chair, black leather, H-base, circa 1954, Boot glides .Pricing is per chair. Please change quantity to 4 to purchase entire set. The ab...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller DKX-1 Chair, Black Leather, H-Base, 1955By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray EamesLocated in Brooklyn, NYCharles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller DKX-1 chairs, set of four, black leather, H-base, circa 1954, Boot glides The abbreviated Eames DKX chair, part of the Wire Mesh Series, stood for Dining (D) height, K-Wire (K) chair on X-base (X). As with all the mesh series, the numbers represented the upholstery cut, with 1 meaning the full chair cover and 2 the two-part ‘bikini’ version. The X in the name of the DKX, LKX and MKX stands for the X-base, an original patterned base with a clear criss-cross where the base joins the top. This base was developed for the plastic series and was later utilized for the wire mesh chairs...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsSteel
$9,520 Sale Price / set30% Off - Original Vintage Eames Fiberglass Shell Dining Side Chairs for Herman MillerBy Charles and Ray Eames, Herman MillerLocated in San Jose, CAMid Century Modern DSS stacking dining side chairs designed by Ray and Charles Eames for Herman Miller circa 1960s. These collectible molded fiberglass shell seats are available in g...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
MaterialsFiberglass
$400 Sale Price / item20% Off - 4 DKX-2 Wire Bikini Shell Chairs X Bases Hot Pink Bikinis Eames Herman MillerBy Herman Miller, Charles and Ray EamesLocated in Topeka, KSFabulous set of four DKX-2 wire bikini shell chairs on X bases with Hot Pink Naugahyde bikini covers designed by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller. They are in wonderful vintage restored condition overall. The chairs have had some factory weld modifications and one chair has had repairs to welds. All have a fresh coat of black paint. The bikini covers have been cleaned. There may be a couple small nicks in the bikini covers. Please see photos. Circa 1960s. She wore an itsy bitsy teeny wennie not so yellow hot pink bikini………………..oh! Hello! I know. I get carried away. But how could you not with these absolutely over-the-top cool set of four wire shell chairs with hot pink, yes, I said hot pink, bikini covers? They are on solid X bases and we have ordered new boot feet for them. When the Eames designed the wire shell side chair for Herman Miller in the 1950s it was inspired by trays, dress forms, and baskets. Versatility was one of the Eames design edicts so this chair could be configured in multiple ways. It could be purchased on a variety of bases and without any covering, with a full cover, or with this the half cover which has been nick-named….the bikini. This set of four are circa 1960s. Charles Eames was born in St. Louis, Missouri in 1907. Ray Kaiser Eames was born in Sacramento, California in 1912. They met at Cranbrook Academy of Art in Michigan and were married in 1941. They moved together to California and continued their design work they began together at Cranbrook. A commission, which they acquired from the government during WWII to produce molded plywood splints and stretchers, launched a career producing iconic Mid-Century Modern furnishings which are still fresh and sought after today. The Eames and their association with Herman Miller were the partnership of the century. If you want to learn more about Charles and Ray please visit Eames Office, the Eames Official website. Herman Miller started life as Star furniture...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsSteel
$3,996 Sale Price / set20% Off - 1954 Herman Miller Eames Wire Shell Chair X Base DKX-1 Redwood Avenue LabelBy Charles and Ray Eames, Herman MillerLocated in Philadelphia, PAListed for sale is a super rare and original Eames for Herman Miller 1954 DKX chair with wire top, upholstered pad, and early X base. This piece can be dated due to the use of this ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Modern Side 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.