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.
Vintage Eames Aluminum Group 42" Oak Laminate Table
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames, Ray Eames, Charles Eames
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Bring home the iconic functionality of American Mid-Century Modern design with this classic pedestal table designed by the legendary Ray and Charles Eames for Herman Miller. Develope...
Metal, Aluminum
Pair of Leather Eames DKX-1 Side Chairs for Herman Miller
By Charles Eames
Located in Tarrytown, NY
Pair of orange leather Eames DKX-1 side chairs for Herman Miller with original labels. Two pairs available. Sold as-is. Please note wear in leather upholstery.
Iron
Herman Miller Charles Eames Shell Chair Is a Nice Orange on Taupe Fiberglass
By Charles Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Chicago, IL
A very nice color combination of a popping upholstered color on a understated neautral Taupe-ish grey color. need to confirm dims on this chair.
Fiberglass
Dining or Game Table by Charles Eames for Herman Miller
By Charles Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A square dining or game table with an ash top, on folding steel legs. Model DTM.
Steel
Charles Eames Herman Miller Pivot Side Chair on Castors (PSCC)
By Charles Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Chicago, IL
Charles Eames Herman Miller Pivot Side Chair on Castors (PSCC) in a scarce Purple Fabric Upholstery is not tight against seat anymore. Loose in some areas. Some fading as shown. Fi...
Fiberglass
Early Charles Eames for Herman Miller Red Aniline DCM
By Herman Miller, Charles Eames
Located in St. Louis, MO
Early Charles Eames for Herman Miller red Aniline stained DCM with early glides, no label. Shock mounts are still solid, there is wear and loss to fi...
Plywood
Midcentury Charles Eames by Herman Miller Orange Fiberglass Shell Chair
By Charles Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Mortsel, BE
Introducing the midcentury Charles Eames by Herman Miller Orange Fiberglass Shell Chair, a timeless piece of design history. We are pleased to off...
Metal
Charles Eames Helena Polished Aluminium Pendant Lamp Small Version by Cassina
By Cassina, Charles Eames
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Charles Eames Helena Polished Aluminium Pendant Lamp by Cassina HARMONIOUS INTERPLAY OF LIGHT AND SHADOW A pendant lamp designed by Charles Eames to illuminate the interior of the ...
Aluminum
$1,400 / set
Pair Eames DCM in Worn Original Ebonized Finish
By Herman Miller, Charles Eames, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Ferndale, MI
Pair of early production Dining Chair Metal DCM designed by the Charles and Ray Eames team . Black wrought iron frames support black aniline dyed wood seats and backs. Finish shows w...
Steel
Charles & Ray Eames Early ETR "Surfboard" Coffee Table, 1950s
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames, Ray Eames, Charles Eames
Located in Coronado, CA
An early and rare edition of the 'ETR' (Elliptical Table Rod base) known as the 'Surfboard' coffee table. Design by Charles & Ray Eames in 1951 for Herman Miller. Black laminated tab...
Steel
Swivel Chair Mod. "ea107" Design Charles and Ray Eames for Icf De Padova, 1970s
By Charles Eames, ICF Group
Located in Argelato, BO
Charles & Ray Eames, EA 107 Aluminum Chair for ICF (Signed) Designed by the legendary designers Charles & Ray Eames, offers a perfect combination of iconic design and functionality....
Aluminum
Charles and Ray Eames Red Beech DCM Chairs, Herman Miller, Dining, Side Chair
By Herman Miller, Charles Eames
Located in Buffalo, NY
PRICED PER CHAIR.... Charles and Ray Eames red (aniline dye) beech DCM chairs manufactured by Herman Miller, dining, side chair. Labeled. Designed in 1946. Produced in 2019. Authentic Eames chair...
Metal
2x DAF Swag Leg Arm Stuhl Charles Eames George Nelson Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson, Charles Eames
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten insgesamt zwei wunderschöne und äußerst seltene DAF Swag Leg Arm Stühle von Herman Miller Collection zum Verkauf an. Der Entwurf stammt von George Nelson bzw. Charles Eame...
Metal
Early LCM Red Aniline Dyed by Charles Eames for Herman Miller
By Charles Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Buffalo, NY
Early LCM red aniline dyed by Charles Eames for Herman Miller... Retains original patina.. minor repair to rear of seat (see photo), Stamped , Incised. L C M. also dated 1953.. wond...
Metal
Charles and Ray Eames Storage unit 2 modular bookcase by Vitra
By Charles Eames
Located in Milano, IT
COD-CV174 Charles and Ray Eames Storage unit, 2 modular bookcase with 3 or 6 shelves in birch plywood with open compartments and compartments closed by colored metal panels. Vitra...
Metal
Charles Eames Herman Miller Mid Century Modern Multi Color Compact Sofa Loveseat
By Charles Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Charles Eames Herman Miller Mid Century Modern Multi Color Compact Sofa Loveseat Bench
Steel, Chrome
Eames Herman Miller Unusual Patriot Pattern Upholstered Shell Chair
By Charles Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Chicago, IL
Quite an interesting statement Eames chair. Possibly a corporate branded (by upholstery). American Airlines for example. Or, maybe a political event. or possibly a custom order by a ...
Metal
Swivel Chair Mod. "ea107" Design Charles and Ray Eames for Icf De Padova, 1970s
By Charles Eames, ICF Group
Located in Argelato, BO
Charles & Ray Eames, EA 107 Aluminum Chairs for ICF (Signed) Designed by the legendary designers Charles & Ray Eames, offers a perfect combination of iconic design and functionality...
Aluminum
Mid-Century Pair of Armchairs Designed by Eames for Herman Miller
By Charles Eames
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of Mid-Century Modern soft pad management lounge chairs from the Aluminium Group collection designed by Charles & Ray Eames and made by Herman Miller, original fabric. Dark...
Aluminum
1939 Charles Eames & Eero Saarinen Kleinhans Armless Chair in Beech, Fabric
By Charles Eames, Eero Saarinen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Kleinhans Armless Chair, designed by Charles Eames and Eero Saarinen in 1939. The two designers were working together at the Cranbrook Academy of Art at the time, and this ...
Beech, Plywood, Fabric, Foam
DCW' Dining Chair by Charles Eames for Herman Miller, 1946
By Herman Miller, Charles Eames
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An early, Mid-Century Modern oak 'DCW' dining chair designed by Charles Eames with a double shock-mount to the backrest. Manufactured by Herman Miller in the USA, circa 1950s.
Oak
$1,217Sale Price / item|30% Off
1 of 3 Vintage Vitra Icf Eames EA105 Hopsak Swivel Office Armchairs
By Vitra, Charles and Ray Eames, Charles Eames
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale 1 of 4 original fully stamped ICF for Charles Eames, EA105 Hopsak chrome swivel armchairs RRP £2,096 each. Super iconic, award winning, what more can you say, these are pretty much the most comfortable office chairs ever made, these are fully stamped with the model number to the base and the Eames label...
Chrome
Pair of Fine Early DKX Charles Eames Chairs for Herman Miller
By Charles Eames
Located in Chicago, IL
A good early pair. More detail pics available. Seats need to be attached better. Possibly worked on by an upholsterer. All original pieces. Missing the foot glides. They can be...
Metal
Charles Eames & Eero Saarinen for Vitra Organic Conference Chairs, Set of 4
By Vitra, Charles Eames, Eero Saarinen
Located in Secaucus, NJ
The iconic classic organic chair was designed by Charles Eames and Eero Saarinen in 1940 as a joint entry to the "organic design in home furnishings" A competition organized by the M...
Fabric, Ash, Oak
Mid-Century Charles Eames & Eero Saarinen for Vitra Organic Dining Chairs Pair
By Charles Eames, Vitra, Eero Saarinen
Located in Secaucus, NJ
The iconic classic organic chair was designed by Charles Eames and Eero Saarinen in 1940 as a joint entry to the "Organic Design in Home Furnishings" A competition organized by the ...
Fabric, Ash, Oak
2021 Charles Eames & Eero Saarinen Organic Chair by Vitra in Dark Green Fabric
By Charles Eames, Vitra
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an Organic chair designed by Charles Eames and Eero Saarinen as part of their submission for the Organic Designs in Home Furnishings exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in...
Fabric, Wood