Eames chair: recognising and buying an original

The Eames chair is a true icon of the 20th century and one of the best-selling pieces of vintage furniture. In this article you will discover its history, the different models and editions, and how to recognise copies from originals! Contents: Charles and Ray Eames, a legendary design couple Charles and Ray Eames, a legendary design couple Charles and Ray Eames, a legendary design couple The origins of the Eames chair The origins of the Eames chair The origins of the Eames chair How to recognise a genuine Eames chair? How to recognise a genuine Eames chair? How do you recognise a genuine Eames chair? The different models available The different models available The different models available The different editions The different editions The different editions The semi-original Eames chairs The semi-original Eames chairs The semi-original Eames chairs The colour palette The colour palette The colour palette Eames chair prices Eames chair prices Eames chair prices Charles and Ray Eames, a legendary design couple Charles Eames was born in 1907 in Saint-Louis, in the United States. He studied architecture at Washington University and in 1930 decided to open his own firm (of architecture and design) with Charles Gray, even though his studies were not yet complete. In 1938, he decided to resume and complete his architectural studies at the Cranbrook Academy of Art. He went on to teach industrial design at the same school. During the following years, Charles Eames met Eero Saarinen, and in 1940 they won first prize together in the "Organic Design in Home Furnishings" competition organised by the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Ray Eames was born in 1912 in Sacramento, USA. She studied painting for several years at various schools. In 1937, she was one of the American abstract artists exhibited at the Riverside Museum in New York. Three years later, she enrolled at the Cranbrook Academy of Art, where she met Charles Eames. She became his wife in 1941. This year also marked the beginning of their professional collaboration. Throughout their lives, the couple worked together with a recurring common philosophy: to combine functionality and creativity. The Herman Miller Furniture Company, and in particular its founder J.D. De Pree, quickly took an interest in the couple's designs and decided to buy the production rights. Since 1966, the Eames chair distribution network has been made up of 150 professionals. They are present in many countries: Canada, South and Central America, Europe, Japan, the Middle East, Australia and Scandinavia. The network was extended in 1969, allowing Great Britain to benefit from the distribution of Eames chairs. From 1970 onwards, new production sites were set up in England, followed by France in the mid-1980s. At the same time, the company continued to expand in Australia, Korea and Malaysia. Today, Charles and Ray Eames are considered to be among the most influential designers of the 20th century, thanks to their revolutionary vision, both in terms of the shapes they imagined and the materials they used - the Eames chair being a worthy representative of this. They left a mark that continues to influence young contemporary designers around the world. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zpgZBFpRZ4#t=58 A presentation of the work of Charles and Ray Eames by their grandson Demetrios. The origins of the Eames chair The origins of the Eames chair In 1948, Charles and Ray Eames teamed up with the UCLA School of Engineering as part of the "International competition for Low Cost Furniture Design" organised by the Museum of Modern Art in New York (MOMA). Organised to meet the post-war need for equipment for middle-class American homes, the competition attracted 2,500 American and 500 European designers. The Eames couple presented the Fiberglass Chair , a UFO straight out of space that caught the jury's attention and earned them joint second place in the competition. In 1949, the Eameses contacted Zenith Plastics of Gardena, California, to produce a prototype, this time in fibreglass, a material the firm had developed for the manufacture of radar protection domes during the war. After several sleepless nights spent at the Zenith Plastics factory with Irv Green, the Eames finally came up with a moulded shell that met their needs and fulfilled the objective they had set themselves: to be able to mass-produce a compact moulded chair at a price that the average American could afford. The "" was born, with a fibreglass shell, a material that was so unusual at the time and that offered not only rock-solid strength but also a unique, modern aesthetic. Herman Miller ordered 2,000 copies of this chair and put them on sale in 1950, in the 11 original colours that made up the first collection. How can you recognise a genuine Eames chair? How can you recognise a genuine Eames chair? There are many websites offering copies of Eames chairs at very low prices, ranging from €50 to €150. If the price is too low, it must be a copy... there's no miracle! The quality of these copies is often mediocre, sometimes acceptable, but in all cases far inferior to the original or semi-original Eames chairs. Obviously, they have none of the interest or charm of an authentic piece by a great designer like Charles Eames, and will have little resale value (yes, you have to think about that too). Some websites will play on words to mislead you about the origin of the model, but only certain associated criteria can be used to authenticate a vintage Eames chair: the visible fibre in the shell: the 1st editions in particular, but later ones too to a lesser extent, have a fibreglass shell with a greater or lesser density of fibre (the 1st editions are made of large, very dense fibres). You need to be able to see the branches of the fibre very clearly - it's an essential distinguishing feature. The colour of the shell: there are 27 original colours, which provide additional proof of the era and authenticity of an Eames chair. The presence of a label and/or a brand engraved on the underside of the seat. This element is no longer always visible, as it has been erased by time, but when it is available it can be used to determine the era and origin of an Eames chair with precision... The different models of Eames chairs The different models of Eames chairs There are different models of Eames chairs defined mainly around two plastic shells (an armchair and a chair) in different colours and equipped with various and varied legs. The most popular are: There are different models of Eames chairs, mainly based around two plastic shells (an armchair and a chair) in different colours and fitted with a variety of different legs. The most popular are : DSR (Dining Sidechair Rod base)DSS (Dining Sidechair Stackable) DSX (Dining Sidechair X-base) DSW (Dining Sidechair Wooden base) DAR (Dining Armchair Rod base) DAX (Dining Armchair X-base) DAW (Dining Armchair Wooden base) LAR (Lounge Armchair Rod base) RAR (Rocking Armchair Rod) DKR (Dining K-Wire Rod base) RAR (Rocking Armchair Rod) DKR (Dining K-Wire Rod base) DKX (Dining K-Wire X-base) RKR (Rocking K-Wire Rod base) It should be noted that there are other models, notably with castors, which we haven't mentioned here. The different editions The different editions Once the design of a chair has been conceived, the manufacturing/production stage follows, entrusted to a subcontractor on behalf of the brand. Herman Miller entrusted the production of the Eames chair to various manufacturers over the course of the 20th century. A brief summary. 1950 to 1953 - Zenith Plastics (Gardena, California, USA): 1950 to 1953 - Zenith Plastics (Gardena, California, USA): Zenith Plastics was the first company to produce the Eames chair; they were already distributed by Herman Miller. The marking is not always present, and the label takes the form of a 4-square chequered pattern, as shown here: Note that there are also editions with a Zenith Plastics label with only two squares at the top. In all cases, the Zenith editions are recognisable by their large shockmounts and the shell with a very special rope edge. These models are very rare and highly sought-after, as they are handcrafted. Note that there are also editions with a Zenith Plastics label with two squares on the top only. In all cases, the Zenith editions are recognisable by their large shockmounts and the shell with its distinctive rope edge. These models are very rare and highly sought-after, as they are made by hand. 1953 - Zenith Plastics, 2nd generation (Gardena, California, USA): Zenith Plastics produced a second generation of Eames chairs for a few months in 1953, without the rope edge, but with a rectangular red label and the name Herman Miller. Some Zenith or post Zenith editions sometimes show a "Z" surrounded by three dots on the shells. Zenith Plastics produced a second generation of Eames chairs for a few months in 1953, without a "rope edge", with a rectangular red label and the name Herman Miller. Certain Zenith or post Zenith editions sometimes show a "Z" surrounded by three dots on the shells. 1953 to 1957 - Transitional chairs (USA) 1953 to 1957 - Transitional chairs (USA) Herman Miller outsourced production to two factories: Summit Plastics and Cincinnati Milacron. Eames chairs from these two manufacturers can be recognised by a label detailing the patents, origin and date. These models are known as "Transitional Chairs". Herman Miller outsourced its production to two factories: Summit Plastics and Cincinnati Milacron. Eames chairs from these two manufacturers can be identified by a label detailing the patents, origin and date. These models are known as "Transitional Chairs". 1953 to 1970 - Cincinnati Milacron (Cincinatti, Ohio, USA) 1953 to 1970 - Cincinnati Milacron (Cincinatti, Ohio, USA) Chairs from this period feature a distinctive logo consisting of an embossed Herman Miller logo and a "C" with a star in the centre. Chairs from this era feature a distinctive logo consisting of the embossed Herman Miller logo and a "C" with a star in the centre. 1953 to 1972 - Summit Plastics (Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA) 1953 to 1972 - Summit Plastics (Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA) The Herman Miller logo appears more clearly, as it is moulded directly into the fibre. Labels may also be present. These editions feature an 'S', either circled or not, on the back of the shell. Sometimes there is also a logo with two triangles superimposed. Note: some American editions have a flame-shaped logo. Note: there are some American editions on which the logo is in the shape of a flame. 1959 to 1972 - Herman Miller and Mobilier International (Tours, France) 1959 to 1972 - Herman Miller and Mobilier International (Tours, France) From 1959, the French company Mobilier International obtained exclusive rights to distribute Herman Miller chairs in France. In 1964, Mobilier International began producing the fibreglass resin chairs in its own factory in Tours. Below are a few examples of Mobilier International labels. In 1959, the French company Mobilier International obtained exclusive rights to distribute Herman Miller chairs in France. In 1964, Mobilier International began producing fibreglass resin chairs in its own factory in Tours. Below are a few examples of Mobilier International's labels. 1972 to 1989 - Herman Miller and Vitra (Weil am Rhein, Germany) 1972 to 1989 - Herman Miller and Vitra (Weil am Rhein, Germany) In 1972, the Fehlbaum family, already long-time friends of Charles Eames and Vitra, obtained the Herman Miller licences for the European market. A manufacturing unit then had to be built. It was built on land belonging to the Fehlbaum family in Weil-am-Rhein, Germany. Until 1989, the hulls could be recognised by the M and/or V signs moulded directly into the fibre. During the 1970s, it was also possible to find labels like this one: It indicates where the chair was produced (Michigan, Herman Miller's world headquarters). It indicates where the chair was produced (Michigan, Herman Miller world headquarters). The Eames chairs of the 90s The Eames chairs of the 90s Herman Miller is again inscribed in the shell, as in the example below: Herman Miller is again inscribed in the shell, as in the example below: In 1993, Herman Miller and Vitra stopped manufacturing Eames fibreglass chairs for ecological reasons. In the early 2000s, chair production was resumed thanks to propylene (ABS plastic), a recyclable and therefore more environmentally friendly material. It is used in manufacturing. However, Vitra is due to reintroduce fibreglass shells to the European market in the near future, similar to the original editions, although the fibre used at the time will no doubt be difficult to imitate. Modernica also produces Eames chairs, the rights to which have been in the public domain since 2006 in the United States (not in Europe!). The brand uses fibreglass for the chair shells. The legitimacy of Modernica is hotly contested by purists and afficionados, since these pieces are not official Herman Miller, although their quality is recognised and the design identical. But this is a matter for individual judgement... Semi-Original Chairs Semi-Original Chairs For an Eames chair to be considered original, the shell, shock mounts (rubber fixings under the seat), base and screws must be original. Nowadays, it is rare to acquire such a piece, as this type of entirely original item is so rare. Semi-original Eames chairs are the most common type of Eames chair on the market, with a period shell (made of fibreglass) and a new base. The main advantage of these models is that they are more affordable to buy, while the legs are higher and therefore more in line with today's standards. However, a semi-original Eames chair can lose interest in the eyes of collectors and afficionados, and its market value is therefore lower than that of a fully original chair. The shells used for these semi-original pieces are often those of the DSX or DSS. Originally, DSSs had wide shock mounts as opposed to narrow ones. Originally, the base used for DSSs was the 'Scholastic' as opposed to the Dowel or Eiffel base. Today, it is possible to find 'wide' DSS models with a Dowel or Eiffel base. For a connoisseur, this type of assembly is heresy, as it does not respect the history of the chairs, but everyone will appreciate it. The colour palette The colour palette The first Plastic Chairs were originally available in eleven colours (Greige, Navy Blue, Lemon Yellow, Olive Green, Red orange, etc.). Over the years, new colours have been added, bringing the total number of colours in the Herman Miller catalogue to twenty-seven. Some colours are very rare and particularly sought-after. What's more, they can be used to identify a chair as an old edition. Here are the 27 original colours (11+16): Since 1993 Vitra has been reissuing the Eames chair, but in ABS plastic. This collection has been accompanied by new, more contemporary colours over time, to arrive at the following palette: Since 1993 Vitra has been re-issuing the Eames chair, but in ABS plastic. This collection has been accompanied by new, more contemporary colours over time, to arrive at the following palette: The price of an Eames chair The price of an Eames chair The price of an Eames chair is highly variable and depends on many things, so there is no single standard price. Prices vary according to the model, its edition, age, colour, state of conservation and whether or not it has an original frame. Prices range from €150 for a basic, recent chair such as the DSX from the 90s, to several thousand euros for rare, old pieces such as the RAR 1st Zenith edition with rope edge and original legs. The price of an Eames chair is highly variable and depends on many factors, so there is no single standard price. Prices vary according to the model, its edition, age, colour, state of conservation and whether or not it has an original base. Prices range from €150 for a basic, recent chair such as the DSX from the 90s, to several thousand euros for rare, old pieces such as the RAR 1st edition Zenith with rope edge and original legs. Please note: these prices relate to the French market, as prices vary widely from country to country (the best prices are in the United States, of course, and closer to home in Belgium and the Netherlands). Please note: these prices are for the French market only, as prices vary widely from country to country (the best prices being in the United States, of course, and closer to home in Belgium or the Netherlands).

Eames chair: recognising and buying an original

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