Important Design 
10 June 2021
Important Design 
110

Charles and Ray Eames

Flag from the IBM Pavilion, New York World's Fair

USA, c. 1964
enameled steel, turned and lacquered wood 57¼ h × 24 w × 9 d in (145 × 61 × 23 cm)
estimate: $5,000–7,000
result: $5,938
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provenance: Fat Chance Gallery, Los Angeles | Private Collection | Private Collection
literature: The Work of the Office of Charles and Ray Eames, Neuhart, Neuhart and Eames, ppg. 288, 284-291 discuss project

This work will ship from Wright in Chicago, Illinois.

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Let it Fly

A Rare Flag from the IBM Pavilion

This flag was originally installed atop one of the several exhibition kiosks designed by Charles and Ray Eames for the IBM Pavilion at the 1964 New York World's Fair. The project was one of the Eames' most impressive undertakings to date, and although monumental in scale, few works from the pavilion remain intact today.

Attendees gather under kiosks at the IBM Pavilion, 1964

Watch the Eames Office's "souvenir" film from 1964,
IBM at the Fair

There is a tradition that is held in common by natural philosophers, explorers, pioneer woodsmen—anyone who in his daily life has been compelled to face new problems. That is a tradition of respect and concern for the properties and the quality of everything in the world around them.

Charles Eames

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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