Original Vintage Eames Aluminum Group Soft Pad Executive Desk Chair, Model EA437

Original Vintage Eames Soft Pad EA 437 Executive Chair in Leather by Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller, 1980’s 2nd generation

 

This is an Eames Aluminium Group Executive-Height Soft Pad Desk Chair, originally designed by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller in 1968 with this specific chair manufactured in 1980’s

 

Charles & Ray Eames' great portfolio of work continues to be a source of inspiration for designers worldwide. One of their most recognisable designs is the Aluminium Group line for Herman Miller from which these Soft Pad Executive Chairs were born. It is said that the Soft Pad variation was a design accident - cushions from the Eames Chaise found themselves draped over an Aluminium Group chair, and the rest is history. This anecdote, whatever the story may be, highlights the unparalleled comfort provided by the Soft Pad series, a comfort that contends with that of the iconic Eames Lounge Chair.

 

The Soft Pad series offers a Lounge Chair, a Low Back Management Chair, and the featured High Back Executive Chair, echoing the design ethos of the Eames Aluminium Group with its singular “sling” of material held by two cast aluminium side rails, enhanced here by four plush cushions for supreme comfort. These chairs feature a tilt mechanism with tension control and a manual height adjustment.

 

The design features chocolate brown leather and a polished aluminium frame, the chair's design includes a five-star base on casters and chrome-plated aluminium armrests. It promises exceptional comfort with its leather cushions, adjustable seat height (ranging from 39 to 49 cm), and a tilt/swivel mechanism that adapts to the user's weight.

The chair showcases an innovative sling form with deep, luxuriously padded leather cushions, detailed with double-needle topstitching—a technique chosen by Charles and Ray for its durability, despite its complexity and the time it demands. This evolution from the Aluminum Group aims to merge sleek design with enhanced comfort.

 

Presented in its original chocolate brown leather, the chair is in very good vintage condition, displaying minimal wear and a rich patina that attests to its age and history. The supple leather makes it an ideal choice for both home office yet durable enough to withstand high traffic use in an office environment. 

 

Signed with manufacture label.

 

Dimensions : Height: 99-110 / Width: 58 / Depth: 57 / Seat height: 38,5 - 50 cm

 

Condition: Whilst it is in fine original condition, it is vintage, and as such the leather upholstery has patination commensurate with their age, the leather has been professionally cleaned, conditioned, and repaired where needed, mainly on the corners.

 

Design Specifications: The design features a lightweight aluminum frame, and a 5-star aluminum base on casters. Their seats and backs have plush cushions, upholstered in original fine chocolate brown leather.

 

Charles and Ray Eames are revered not only for their aesthetic contributions but also for their pioneering approach to functionality and material use, merging cutting-edge techniques with classic design principles to create pieces that are as practical as they are beautiful.

 

Read more here  

 

 

Charles & Ray Eames stand as a hallmark of modern design, their partnership becoming one of the most celebrated in the design world. Born in the early part of the 20th Century Charles and Ray Eames joined their lives in marriage in 1941 and set up their creative base in Los Angeles.  It was there they embarked on pioneering experiments with plywood, aiming

to mold it into three-dimensional forms to produce comfortable, yet affordable chairs.

Playful and fun, the Eames' had a great energy that lives through their iconic products today. "Take your pleasure seriously" was a favourite saying of Charles Eames.

 

In their creative universe, Charles and Ray Eames engaged both intellect and emotion in their design process. Transforming industrial materials into items of beauty and practicality, they designed high-quality products catering to a diverse range of needs and markets. Each creation embodied what Charles referred to as its 'way-it-should-be-ness,' reflecting their deep intuitive grasp and meticulous attention to detail regarding form, colour, and finishings.

 

 

 

We try to capture the condition of our items in our photographs as best as possible. Prior to dispatch all items are carefully cleaned and re-coated with danish oil to ensure your item is looking its best when delivered.