Charles Eames for Herman Miller Aluminium Group Oval Conference Table
View Similar Items
Charles Eames for Herman Miller Aluminium Group Oval Conference Table
About the Item
- Creator:Herman Miller (Manufacturer),Charles Eames (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 28 in (71.12 cm)Width: 83 in (210.82 cm)Depth: 41 in (104.14 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:20th Century
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Bridgeport, CT
- Reference Number:Seller: 589111stDibs: LU175527643573
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.
- Indian Wood Table with Incorporated Antique Carved LintelLocated in Bridgeport, CTA fine large Indian hardwood trestle dining table. The massive trestle supports, as well as the stretcher are incorporated antique architectural elements with hand-carved traditional...Category
Mid-20th Century Indian Anglo Raj Dining Room Tables
MaterialsWood
- Live-Edge Wood Dining Table and Bench Pair After George NakashimaLocated in Bridgeport, CTA remarkable table and bench set in the spirit and style of the iconic designer George Nakashima. A handsome live-edge piece of wood with beautiful graining for the table top mounted on an angular openwork Geometric metal support on each end. Along with a pair of benches with flat wood supports on the ends and a matching metal support in the middle. Table measures length. 130", depth varies 30 1/2-33 1/2", height. 31 1/2" Benches measures length 130", depth 11 1/2", height 17" Condition: The overall condition is very good, the wood on both table and benches has various age use and wear including some areas of finish loss, loss and wear to one bench corner...Category
20th Century Organic Modern Dining Room Sets
MaterialsMetal
- Antique Charles II Oval Oak Tavern Table With Turned LegsLocated in Bridgeport, CTA very well made Oak Tavern Table with peg construction, turned supports and stretcher base. With a smooth time-softened hand, solid construction and great age patina. Dimensions: ...Category
Antique Late 17th Century Charles II Tables
MaterialsOak
- Charles Levier (French, 1920 - 2003) Large Watercolor & Ink Group Of WomenBy Charles LevierLocated in Bridgeport, CTWatercolor and ink depicting a grope of women with forlorn and melancholy expressions, possible set against a street scene with a canopy and window in the background. Signed lower le...Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Paintings
MaterialsMetal
- Group of Three Contemporary Paper Covered Table LampsLocated in Bridgeport, CTAll made of white plastic covered with handmade paper in white with natural tan tones. Two are egg shaped and one free form. All are mounted on black circular bases. egg shaped one...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal
- Regency Oval Mahogany TableLocated in Bridgeport, CTA fine Regency mahogany oval table with a large column support mounted on a four part curved base ending in large carved and gilt lion's paw feet. In a fine polish. L. 38 1/4", Dep...Category
20th Century Regency Center Tables
MaterialsMahogany
- Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller 6' Conference Dining TableBy Charles and Ray Eames, Herman MillerLocated in South Charleston, WV71.75 x 41.75 x 27 7/8". Table was designed by Charles and Ray Eames in the early 1960s for Herman Miller, This model produced 1980. Laminate combed oak top. Signed to underside. Fea...Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Conference Tables
MaterialsAluminum
- Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller Conference Dining TableBy Charles and Ray Eames, Herman MillerLocated in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo LeonRosewood top Aluminum Group Conference Table, missing a padded leg.Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Conference Tables
MaterialsAluminum
- Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller Walnut Conference Dining TableBy Charles and Ray Eames, Herman MillerLocated in Denton, TXClassic Eames design for Herman Miller conference / dining table, walnut top with cast aluminum base make this iconic table usable ant home as well as the office. Dimensions: Heigh...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Conference Tables
MaterialsAluminum
- Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller Walnut & Steel Conference TableBy Herman Miller, Charles and Ray EamesLocated in High Wycombe, GBCharles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller Segmented Walnut & Steel Counter Height Table With Rectangular Top On Twin Supports Stamped to the underside of the table with Herman Miller au...Category
21st Century and Contemporary North American Mid-Century Modern Conferen...
MaterialsSteel
$2,587 Sale Price25% Off - 1 Herman Miller Eames Aluminum Group TableBy Charles Eames, Herman MillerLocated in Pasadena, TX1 Herman Miller Eames 42" aluminum group table. Charles Eames was born in St. Louis, Missouri in 1907. Ray Kaiser Eames was born in Sacramento, Californi...Category
21st Century and Contemporary North American Mid-Century Modern Conferen...
MaterialsAluminum
$1,200 / item - 1 Herman Miller Eames Conference or Dining TableBy Charles Eames, Herman MillerLocated in Pasadena, TX1 Herman Miller Eames 48" conference or dining table. Charles Eames was born in St. Louis, Missouri in 1907. Ray Kaiser Eames was born in Sacramento, Cali...Category
21st Century and Contemporary North American Mid-Century Modern Conferen...
MaterialsAluminum
$1,400 / 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.