American Design 
12 February 2015
American Design 
177

Charles and Ray Eames

rare LCMs, pair

Herman Miller
USA, 1946
original leather, aniline-dyed ash plywood, chrome-plated steel, rubber 26¾ h × 22 w × 25 d in (68 × 56 × 63 cm)
estimate: $5,000–7,000
result: $8,750
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During this early period at Herman Miller, few examples featuring leather were produced. Remarkably, this rare matched pair retains the original blue leather upholstery and has remained in the same collection until now.
Signed with applied metal manufacturer's label to underside of each example: [Charles Eames Design Herman Miller Zeeland Michigan] and distributor's fabric label to underside of each example: [Sold by Guy Howard 901 West Alabama Houston, Texas].
literature: Eames Design: The Work of the Office of Charles and Ray Eames, Neuhart, Neuhart and Eames, ppg. 72-75 The Herman Miller Collection, manufacturer's catalog, 1948, pg. 61

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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.

Auction Results Charles and Ray Eames

Ray Eames

Unique and Important Splint Sculpture

estimate: $50,000–70,000

result: $275,000

Charles and Ray Eames

Freestanding kiosk

estimate: $20,000–30,000

result: $56,250

Charles Eames and Eero Saarinen

chair from the Museum of Modern Art Organic Design Competition

estimate: $15,000–20,000

result: $50,400

Charles Eames and Eero Saarinen

high back armchair from the Museum of Modern Art Organic Design Competition

estimate: $50,000–70,000

result: $48,000

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