Modern Design 
29 March 2012
Modern Design 
120

Charles and Ray Eames

pre-production Aluminum Group lounge chair and ottoman

Herman Miller
USA, 1958
aluminum, saran, enameled steel, plastic 39 h × 25½ w × 31 d in (99 × 65 × 79 cm)
estimate: $7,000–9,000
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Aluminum Group furniture was originally conceived as an outdoor furniture line; prior to production the line was redesigned and has since become ubiquitous with office furniture. This rare pre-production example is made with saran, a material that accomodates exposure to the elements and suitable for use outdoors.
Ottoman measures: 21 w x 21.5 d x 17.5 h inches. Signed with cast manufacturer’s mark to underside of each example: [Herman Miller, Furn. Co. Pat. Pen.].
literature: Eames Design: The Work of the Office of Charles and Ray Eames, Neuhart, Neuhart and Eames, ppg. 226-229

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Charles and Ray Eames

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The vast influence of Charles and Ray Eames is immeasurable; Responding to the burgeoning attitudes and landscapes of mid-century America, they created an utterly unique and novel design world, born from their curiosity, industriousness, optimism and humanistic impulses.

In 1940, the Charles and Ray met at Cranbrook Academy of Art, where Charles was collaborating with Eero Saarinen on furniture designs and Ray was studying painting. The two married in 1941 and moved to Los Angeles soon after, establishing their highly influential design firm that, with the help of other talented designers they brought in, would re-shape modern design. Early explorations in plywood and mass-producing sturdy, livable and charming furniture brought them success and allowed them to extend their efforts into more diverse fields such as education, textiles, filmmaking, curating, architecture and industrial design.

The Eames Office operated for over four decades, exerting an enormous influence on modern and contemporary design through their limitless vision of the human spirit. Charles passed away in 1978 and Ray died ten years later to the day. Their contribution to the American ethos continues to inspire and influence contemporary design today.

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