1st Generation Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller - 1957

Description

This rare first-generation Eames Lounge Chair with matching ottoman was designed by Charles and Ray Eames and produced by Herman Miller between 1957 and 1959. Conceived with the comfort of their close friend, film director Billy Wilder, in mind, the chair was intended to combine modern elegance with the inviting softness of a well-worn baseball glove. First introduced to the public in 1956 on NBC’s Home television program, the Eames Lounge Chair redefined modern seating and has since become one of the most influential furniture designs of the 20th century.

This early series example displays all the defining characteristics of first-generation production, including the original 5-ply molded plywood shells, down-filled leather cushions, round cushion clips, and rubber spacers between the vertical back supports. These construction details reflect the experimental refinement of the earliest Herman Miller production years, when material quality and craftsmanship were paramount.

Finished in richly figured Rio Palisander veneer (Dalbergia nigra), this chair represents one of the most sought-after material combinations ever used on the Eames Lounge Chair. The species was placed on the CITES Appendix I list in 1992, making early examples exceptionally rare and increasingly collectible. The combination of early production features, luxurious materials, and iconic form results in a visually striking and historically significant Eames Lounge Chair and ottoman that embodies the pioneering spirit of Charles and Ray Eames and stands as a defining example of postwar American furniture design.

GW4408