Original Vintage Charles & Ray Eames lounge chair and ottoman for Herman Miller

A Vintage Charles & Ray Eames leather and rosewood-veneered 'Model 670' chair and 'Model 671' ottoman, designed 1956, manufactured by Herman Miller

 

Widely regarded as one of the seminal design masterpieces of the 20th century.

 

This version, from the 1970s and manufactured by Herman Miller, comes with labels under both the chair and ottoman. Featuring one of the most exquisite veneers employed in the creation of the Lounge Chair – Brazilian Rio Rosewood, a material no longer available for use. The veneer showcases a remarkable flame pattern, adding to its beauty and uniqueness. 

 

Introduced in 1956, it broke new ground in furniture design and remains unmatched, embodying over six decades of iconic style and comfort. A sought-after collector's item, designed to be a sanctuary from the strains of modern living. 

 

This is a vintage chair dating back to the 1970s. Though its precise production date is unclear, it has all the hallmarks of a 3rd generation chair: complete with characteristic Herman Miller black labels, two arms screws, screw in ottoman feet, plastic back mounts, black cushion clips, specific type of UNC bolts on the underside of the arms, 5 equal layers of ply, rosewood.

 

Indulge in the ultimate symbol of modernist design.  The Eames chair consists of three elegantly curved plywood shells for the headrest, backrest, and seat. Two metal spines set on spacers supporting the reclined rosewood-veneered back and plush leather cushions 

 

Even Playboy magazine in 1961 sang the chair’s praises by saying the Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman “sank the sitter into a voluptuous luxury that few mortals since Nero have known”. Experience this chair for yourself and see why it's celebrated as the world’s most comfortable chair. It's a blend of historical significance and luxury, a true design icon.

 

Designer: Charles and Ray Eames

Manufacturer: Herman Miller, US - labels on both the chair and ottoman

Date: Designed 1956 - this example dates from the 1970s. 

Dimensions:

Chair: Width 85cm; Depth 90cm; Height 80cm; Seat Height 38 cm.

Ottoman: Width 65cm; Depth 53cm; Height 41cm

Condition: Very good vintage condition with all matching serial numbers. The rosewood is a lovely rich colour with a beautiful grain. The brown leather has a lovely patina showing some wear from use over the years, giving it character. 

It has been meticulously cleaned and polished.

Frame: Die-cast Aluminium finished in Black baked enamel

Paneling: Rosewood

Cushions: Original chocolate Leather

 

More on the The Eames Lounge Chair

‘Models 670 (lounge chair) and 671 (ottoman), a luxury chair and matching stool, commissioned by Herman Miller and released in 1956. The Eames lounge chair and ottoman were actually available to buy separately but always recommended together to ensure they would be entirely matching. The Eames lounge chair and ottoman has gone on to become one of the most well known and desirable furniture designs ever and has been in continuous production since it was launched.

Many a legend has been written about the origins of the design of the Eames Lounge Chair. Some stories indicate Charles wanted the chair to 'fit like a baseball glove' whilst others say he wanted the look and feel of a 'gentleman's club chair'. Whichever story is to be believed, one thing is certainly true, the combination of beautifully crafted rosewood, luxurious Scottish leather fully fits the luxurious tag and justifies the considerable cost of the piece through the decades.

The Eames Lounge Chair is one of the most complex pieces in terms of its construction. It is comprised of 20 major separate components and was one of the Eames Office’s first ‘expensive’ articles, moving away from the mass produced low cost furniture such as the fiberglass series. The final version had roots in previous plywood experimentation at the Eames Office by Charles, Don Albinson and Harry Bertoia during the 1940's.

The Eames Lounge Chair & Ottoman has stood the test of time and indeed the changes of tastes in fashion and furniture through the decades. Over the years the Herman Miller lounge chair has been produced in many beautiful real wood veneers, high quality leathers and fabrics.’ 

 

- read more here

 

Charles and Ray Eames

 were an American husband-and-wife duo who made significant contributions to modern architecture, furniture design, industrial design, and the photographic arts. Charles Eames (1907–1978) and Ray Eames (1912–1988) were not only partners in marriage but also in design, where their collaborative efforts created some of the most iconic and pioneering designs of the 20th century.

Charles Eames, trained as an architect at Washington University in St. Louis, and Ray Kaiser Eames, who studied painting with Hans Hofmann, met at the Cranbrook Academy of Art in Michigan. They married in 1941 and moved to California, where they continued their work in design and architecture.

During World War II, the Eameses contributed to the war effort by designing and manufacturing molded plywood splints and stretchers for the US Navy. This experience with molded plywood technology led to their later furniture designs. In 1946, their molded plywood chair was produced by the Evans Products Company and later by Herman Miller, a company that continues to produce their designs today. Their work with molded plywood also resulted in the creation of the iconic Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman in 1956, celebrated for its comfort and aesthetics.

The Eameses also made significant contributions to the field of architecture, designing and building the Eames House in 1949 as part of the Case Study House program in Los Angeles. This structure is a landmark of mid-20th-century modern architecture.

Apart from furniture and architecture, Charles and Ray Eames produced a wide array of other works, including films, exhibitions, and toys. Their design philosophy emphasized the importance of functional design and was based on the belief that good design could improve people's lives.

Throughout their careers, Charles and Ray Eames received numerous awards and honors, including the Royal Gold Medal from the Royal Institute of British Architects and the Twenty-five Year Award from the American Institute of Architects. Their legacy endures, with their designs continuing to be celebrated and used around the world.

 

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