Charles & Ray Eames, EA-117 Chair for Vitra

CHARLES EAMES (U.S., 1907–1978) AND RAY EAMES (U.S., 1912–1988) for Vitra.
Chair Model EA-117.
Vitra office chair, with casters. Adjustable height and tilt function.
Chromed aluminum base and armrests, upholstery in original red leather. Latest generation with chrome ring at the edges.
Some signs of wear and patina.
Produced by Vitra.
Measurements; height 95/84 x 58 x 59 cm, 61/50 (seat height).

This chair is known by its design name, the “Aluminum EA 117.” Now considered a 20th-century design classic, the Aluminum Chair by Charles and Ray Eames was created in 1958 and has been in continuous production ever since. It was originally designed for a private home in Columbus, United States, built by architects Saarinen and Girard. The Eameses adapted the shape of the seat on the Aluminum Chair to the chair’s structure itself by stretching the fabric or leather between the two parts of the frame, making it rigid while maintaining its elasticity. This elastic form allows it to adapt easily and gradually to the contours of the body, thereby enhancing seating comfort.

This innovative design was warmly received by both critics and the public, leading to a complete range of models for the Eames Aluminum Group: the EA 101, 103, and 104 Aluminum Chairs (particularly suitable as dining chairs), the EA 105, 107, and 108 models (most commonly used in conference rooms), the EA 115, 116, EA 124, and 125 Aluminum Chairs form two groups of armchairs, and the EA 117, 118, and 119 versions are the task chairs in this product family. The seat tilt mechanism can be adjusted to the user’s weight, providing optimal comfort.

Charles and Ray Ames, a married couple and artistic partners, worked in the fields of industrial and graphic design, fine arts, and film, and are responsible for numerous designs that have become 20th-century classics. They were pioneers in the use of new techniques and materials such as fiberglass and plastic resin for chair manufacturing, and their creations can be seen at the Design Museum in London and the MoMA in New York, among many other venues.