Eames Furniture

About Vintage Eames Furniture

Charles and Ray Eames, a married couple who pioneered modern furniture and industrial design in the 1940s and '50s, were responsible for some of the most innovative and popular designs of the 20th century. Their tables, chairs, storage cabinets, and couches were fabricated from wood, fiberglass, plastic, and metal mesh. Eames designs have been widely imitated, but original Eames pieces are highly sought by collectors.

In 1940, Charles Eames met Ray Kaiser at Cranbrook Academy of Art in Michigan, which was also home to Eero Saarinen and Harry Bertoia. The couple married a year later and moved to Los Angeles. Almost immediately, Ray became a part of the city’s Mid-century Modern movement by designing abstract covers for Arts & Architecture magazine, one of the country’s leading advocates for new forms of art, music, film, and architecture...

In 1943, the couple established the Eames Office at 901 Washington Boulevard in Venice, an address they would work from until 1988. There they explored the possibilities of molded plywood and by 1945, the couple had figured out how to create compound curves in the material. One of their first pieces was a birch child’s chair and stool manufactured by the Molded Plywood Division of Evans Products — production was limited to just 5,000 pieces.

Around the same time, the Eameses were also designing their own house, which they built as a part of the Case Study House Program sponsored by John Entenza of Arts & Architecture. Their goal was to build a house that would be inexpensive to produce and easy to construct. True to this aim, the house’s exterior steel framing went up in about 90 man-hours.

Concurrently, the Eameses continued their short-lived collaboration with Evans Products when they produced about 1,000 LCW (Lounge Chair Wood) chairs. These were followed by a partnership with Herman Miller. One of their most fruitful early projects was the DCM (Dining Chair Metal), a two-piece chair whose plywood sections are secured to a solid-rod chromed frame with rubber mounts.

Molded fiberglass chairs in a variety of bright colors and configurations came next. Around the same time, the couple designed chairs made from sturdy wire mesh, with covers available in leather, vinyl, and fabric by Alexander Girard. And by 1956, the Eameses introduced their Lounge Chair and Ottoman, whose molded rosewood plywood form embraced rich leather upholstery.

Eames tables mirrored the aesthetic of their chairs. The OTW-1 was similar in design to the LCW chair, while the DTW-40 and DTW-1 had foldable and detachable legs respectively so that they could be stored when not in use. Of the Eames tables, the so-called "surfboard table" is probably the most eye-catching. It consists of a narrow black ellipse that sits on a low, wire-rod base.

Other Eames objects included plywood screens from the early 1950s, but the best-known non-table-or-chair objects are probably the storage units, also from the early 1950s. Some of these resemble cubist Mondrian paintings with their rectangular and square blocks of primary colors, open shelves, and natural wood.

The Eames storage units were sophisticated solutions to the mundane adult problem of where to put a lot of stuff. Which is not to say that the Eameses lacked a sense of humor about their work. As Eames aficionado Steve Cabella notes on his website, Eamescollector.com, when one of the larger storage units arrived at a customer’s doorstep fully assembled and packed in an Eames-designed carton, inside were instructions showing the kids of the home on how to convert the carton into a playhouse.

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Interviews & Articles

An Interview With Eames Collector and Mid Century Design Aficionado Steve Cabella

As a teenager, I collected everything from vintage bicycles to Coca-Cola to Victorian stuff. Once I realized… [more]

An Interview With Victorian Furniture Collector John Werry

How did I get started collecting Victorian Furniture? Antiques is in my genes, my mother's family were longti… [more]

An Interview with 20th Century Decorative Arts and Mid Century Modern Expert Frank Maraschiello

Mid-century Modern used the technology of mass production to produce good-looking pieces of furniture out of… [more]

An Interview With American Furniture Collector Chuck LaChiusa

About 11 years ago, my wife and I went on some architectural tours. We joined the organization that sponsored… [more]



See all 5 videos

Eames Mid-Century Videos



See all 5 videos


Best of the Web (“Hall of Fame”)

EamesCollector.com

EamesCollector.com

Steven Cabella's personal homage to Charles and Ray Eames. This site is as clean and visually appealing as the Eame… [read review or visit site]

Work of Charles and Ray Eames

Work of Charles and Ray Eames

This Library of Congress microsite is an overview of the postwar modern design work of Charles (1907-78) and Ray (1… [read review or visit site]

Herman Miller Consortium Collection

Herman Miller Consortium Collection

This website showcases several hundred pieces of furniture, held by thirteen museums, that were designed for Herman… [read review or visit site]

Modernism

Modernism

An overview by the Minneapolis Institute of Arts of the design movements between 1880 and 1940 that comprised Moder… [read review or visit site]

Buffalo Architecture and History

Buffalo Architecture and History

Chuck LaChiusa's wonderful guide to the architecture and history of Buffalo, NY, also happens to host an impressive… [read review or visit site]

The Mid Century Modernist

The Mid Century Modernist

Stephen Coles' really visual blog dedicated to the Modernist era of design from 1940 to 1970 (aka Mid-century Moder… [read review or visit site]

Rare Victorian

Rare Victorian

John Werry's in-depth blog on rare Victorian Furniture, with detailed, informative and often humorous posts on doze… [read review or visit site]

Chipstone

Chipstone

This beautiful site showcases the collection of Stanley and Polly Stone of Fox Point, Wisconsin, consisting of earl… [read review or visit site]

Classic Modern

Classic Modern

Get a taste of how homes were lit in the 50s, 60s, and 70s with the Danish retro-style lighting designs featured on… [read review or visit site]

Kentucky Online Arts Resource

Kentucky Online Arts Resource

This huge online database from the Speed Art Museum is a rich trove of beautiful photos and reference information o… [read review or visit site]

Index of American Design

Index of American Design

The Index of American Design project (1935-1942) was an effort to catalog American decorative arts objects from the… [read review or visit site]

LACMA Arts and Crafts

LACMA Arts and Crafts

This microsite from the LA County Museum of Art provides a good overview of the Arts and Crafts movement in Europe … [read review or visit site]

George Hunzinger Furniture

George Hunzinger Furniture

Scott Geyer's blog on the innovative Victorian furniture designs of George Jacob Hunzinger, who began manufacturing… [read review or visit site]


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Other Great Reference Sites: Furniture

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Eames Rosewood Lounge Chair & Ottoman By Herman Miller$2,650 Ends Tuesday 5 bids 47 watchers
Herman Miller Eames Lounge Chair Rosewood / Black$2,325 Ends Monday 10 bids 55 watchers
Danish Modern Mid Century Sofa Couch Daybed Eames Mint!$950.00 Ends Monday 5 bids 44 watchers
Mid Century Danish Modern Teak Credenza Sideboard Eames$900.00 Ends Sunday 2 bids 36 watchers
Authentic Florence Knoll 3-seat Chromed Bench Eames Era$900.00 Ends Sunday 1 bid 17 watchers
Arne Jacobsen Swan Settee Mid Century Danish Eames Era$898.00 Ends Sunday 12 bids 64 watchers
Mid Century Danish Modern Teak End Table Stand Eames $685.00 Ends Sunday 13 bids 39 watchers
Herman Miller Charles Eames Shell Arm Chair Rocker Vgc$504.00 Ends Sunday 2 bids 21 watchers
Mid Century Danish Modern Walnut Credenza Cabinet Eames$500.00 Ends Sunday 5 bids 49 watchers
Mid Century Teak Danish Modern Eames Era Lounge Set$455.00 Ends Saturday 4 bids 29 watchers
Rare Danish Modern Lane Coffee Table Mid-century Eames$405.00 Ends Tuesday 11 bids 97 watchers
Vintage Mid-century 40's Dcw Herman Miller Eames Chair$400.00 Ends Sunday 3 bids 67 watchers
Herman Miller Eames Walnut Stool$380.00 Ends Sunday 6 bids 23 watchers
1948 Rare Lounge Table Round By Charles Eames$333.00 Ends Sunday 9 bids 27 watchers
Danish Modern Black Leather Westnofa Chair Eames Era$306.00 Ends Tuesday 15 bids 39 watchers
Mid Century Danish Modern 6 Walnut Dinning Chair Eames$305.99 Ends Sunday 4 bids 32 watchers
Mid Century Danish Modern Credenza Sideboard Teak Eames$305.00 Ends Sunday 3 bids 68 watchers
2 Herman Miller Eames Fiberglass Shell Chairs Lot# 2 $270.60 Ends in 20 hours 9 bids 31 watchers
2 Herman Miller Eames Fiberglass Shell Chairs Lot#1 $266.60 Ends in 20 hours 14 bids 38 watchers
Hans Olsen Danish Modern Teak Lounge Chair Eames $255.00 Ends Sunday 4 bids 55 watchers
Eames Herman Miller Armshell Chair - Orange$229.50 Ends Monday 3 bids 38 watchers
Mid Century Danish Modern Teak Rocking Chair Eames $227.50 Ends Sunday 7 bids 45 watchers
Danish Mid Century Modern Ant Leg Side Tables Eames Era$225.00 Ends Tuesday 25 bids 61 watchers
Set Of 10 Rosewood Danish Chairs,scandinavian,eames Era$224.72 Ends Thursday 5 bids 24 watchers
Eames For Herman Miller Fiberglass Shell Chairs Set 4 B$207.50 Ends Tuesday 3 bids 25 watchers
Danish Modern Mid Century Floating Desk Teak Eames Era$202.50 Ends Tuesday 13 bids 95 watchers
Mid Century Danish Modern Teak Lounge Chair Eames Era $202.50 Ends Sunday 5 bids 109 watchers
Paul Mccobb Mid-century Modern Desk Eames Knoll$199.00 Ends in 6 hours 1 bid 16 watchers
Danish Modern Credenza Chest Raymor Storage Eames Era$182.50 Ends Wednesday 10 bids 46 watchers
Danish Modern Credenza Chest Raymor Storage Eames Era$177.50 Ends Tuesday 6 bids 27 watchers
Rare Danish Modern Lane End Table Mid-century Eames Era$177.50 Ends Tuesday 5 bids 52 watchers
Gilt Italian Hollywood Regency Wheat Table 2 Eames Era$167.50 Ends Sunday 5 bids 13 watchers
Mid Century Danish Modern Nightstands End Tables Eames$162.50 Ends Thursday 6 bids 38 watchers
Paul Mccobb Mid Century Modern Dining Table Eames Era$157.50 Ends Sunday 5 bids 18 watchers
Mid Century Danish Modern Teak Nesting Tables Eames $152.51 Ends Thursday 12 bids 82 watchers
Vintage Mid Century Danish Modern Side Table Eames Era$152.50 Ends Tuesday 8 bids 21 watchers
Vintage Warren Platner Side Table Marble Top Eames Era $142.50 Ends Tuesday 6 bids 37 watchers
Rare Heywood Wakefield Flateware Table Eames Era$123.50 Ends Monday 4 bids 32 watchers
Mid Century Modern Vintage Wood Bookcase Sm. Eames Era$122.50 Ends Tuesday 17 bids 44 watchers
German Art Deco Folding Serving Tray Table Modern Eames$112.50 Ends in 23 hours 2 bids 10 watchers
Paul Mccobb Mid Century Modern Dining Chair Eames Era$112.50 Ends Sunday 2 bids 21 watchers
Hollywood Regency Bench Stool Chair Chrome Eames Era$112.50 Ends Monday 6 bids 27 watchers
!shazam! Old Eames Itty Bitty Table !wow! Danish Modern$108.00 Ends Thursday 3 bids 19 watchers
Eames Mid-century Atomic Ranch Brandt Western Table Oak$105.38 Ends Sunday 4 bids 11 watchers
2 Casalino 1970s Modern Childs Chairs, Panton Eames Era$104.26 Ends Sunday 3 bids 18 watchers
Danish Rosewood Barrel Chair Mid-century Modern Eames$103.55 Ends Sunday 7 bids 114 watchers
Herman Miller Eames Fiberglass Armchair White$103.50 Ends Sunday 2 bids 16 watchers
60s Rocking Chair Danish Modern Italian Leather Eames$102.50 Ends Monday 12 bids 39 watchers
Jens Risom Table Side Mid Century Eames Knoll Era$99.95 Ends Sunday 1 bid 20 watchers
Vintage Danish Modern Jens Risom Side Table Eames$99.00 Ends Wednesday 1 bid 3 watchers
1970s Horn Ceiling Lamp Panton Eames Poulsen Danish Ufo$96.33 Ends in 21 hours 15 bids 78 watchers
George Nelson Daf Lounge Chair Herman Miller Eames Era$96.00 Ends Sunday 10 bids 100 watchers
Mid Century Danish Modern Teak Entry Table Eames Era$84.00 Ends Thursday 7 bids 76 watchers
Eames Dcm Herman Miller Molded Plywood Chair Knoll$81.00 Ends Sunday 16 bids 117 watchers
1950s Desk Lamp Walnut Art Deco Stilnovo Eames 60s 40s$76.40 Ends in 20 hours 12 bids 74 watchers
1985 Knoll Handkerchief Chairs Mid Century Modern Eames$76.00 Ends Sunday 19 bids 60 watchers
Beautiful Danish Modern Side Table Mid-century Eames $75.00 Ends in 2 hours 1 bid 12 watchers

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Recent News: Eames Furniture

Source: Google News

Mini-Mies (and Friends)
New York Times, November 7th

$285. Go to unicahome.com. Charles and Ray Eames's whimsical molded plywood chair proves that small is beautiful. $449. Go to eamesgallery.com...Read more

'I love the house for its clean lines'
Financial Times, November 6th

We also have an Eames Lounge chair by Vitra, which is an old favourite of mine. You have worked with many big names in design and architecture and are...Read more

Tennis Canada Statement on Successful Toronto 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games Bid
Tennis Canada, November 6th

“This is a landmark day for Canadian sport and a historic announcement for Toronto and the surrounding region,” said Tony Eames, chair, Tennis Canada board...Read more

The Purpose-Driven Wife
Newsweek, November 6th

They married, she moved into his remodeled Victorian farmhouse in Bloomfield Hills, and they had a baby named Eames, for Eero's best friend,...Read more

Kartell Masters chair
National, November 6th

Look again at each curve and you will see the outline of three of the greatest modern furniture masterpieces: Jacobsen's Series 7, Eames's Eiffel and...Read more

Designed for living
Liverpool Daily Post, November 4th

Another piece which Dick cites as a key one is the iconic Eames chair which, he says, they have sold more of this year than ever before...Read more

EBay Starts a Fashion Magazine
New York Times (blog), November 4th

interviewed an expert antique collector, Judith Miller, who picked out a selection of chairs for sale on eBay, like a vintage Eames chair for $500...Read more

`Babylon' backlash at Gerald Posner's book signing
MiamiHerald.com, October 14th

BY LESLEY ABRAVANEL There wasn't an empty Eames chair to be found Tuesday night at Design Within Reach, where author Gerald Posner spoke before a packed...Read more

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