It is impossible to talk about American Design without mentioning the iconic work of Charles and Ray Eames. Charles (1907-1978) and Ray (1912-1988) met at Cranbrook Academy of Art where the couple, along with architect and designer Eero Saarinen, prepared designs for the Museum of Modern Art’s Organic Furniture Competition. Charles and Ray would move to California in 1941 where they would continue their furniture design work with molded plywood.
Evans Products began producing the Eameses’ molded plywood furniture and their chair was called “the chair of the century” by the architectural critic Esther McCoy. Production would soon be taken over by Herman Miller, Inc, who continues to produce their furniture in the United States today.
Offered here are four pieces produced by Herman Miller. At the top is the Eames Desk Unit (EDU) which was first exhibited at the Detroit Institute of Arts in 1949 and entered production in 1950. It offers a spacious work surface and file drawer. Next is the Elliptical Table (commonly referred to as the Surfboard Table) which was designed in 1951. It exemplifies The Eameses' desire to create furniture that would become part of a life lived with simplicity and beauty.
Evans Products began producing the Eameses’ molded plywood furniture and their chair was called “the chair of the century” by the architectural critic Esther McCoy. Production would soon be taken over by Herman Miller, Inc, who continues to produce their furniture in the United States today.
Offered here are four pieces produced by Herman Miller. At the top is the Eames Desk Unit (EDU) which was first exhibited at the Detroit Institute of Arts in 1949 and entered production in 1950. It offers a spacious work surface and file drawer. Next is the Elliptical Table (commonly referred to as the Surfboard Table) which was designed in 1951. It exemplifies The Eameses' desire to create furniture that would become part of a life lived with simplicity and beauty.
Below is an Eames Molded Plywood Lounge Chair (LCW) which began as an experiment in the couple's apartment in 1946 and would soon become one of the most recognizable designs of the 20th Century. Finally, I have three Eames DKR Wire Chairs, designed in 1951, all with “Eiffel Tower” bases and “bikini” pads.
You can find more images and information by clicking on any image in the post, as well as a complete list of offerings by visiting the Design Section of my website. And as always you can click here to send me an email with any questions.
