Charles and Ray Eames

CHARLES EAMES (St. Louis, Missouri, 1907–1978) and RAY EAMES (Sacramento, California, 1912–1988) for Vitra.
“Aluminum Chair,” model EA 108, designed in 1958.
Polished die-cast aluminum and black mesh fabric.
Swivel seat, armrests, and four-spoke base.
Features a Vitra authenticity label and a manufacturer’s label.
Good condition, with signs of use and patina consistent with its age.
Measurements: 83 x 55 x 55 cm; seat height: 48 cm.

Designed in 1958, the Aluminium Chair represented a major innovation in the work of Charles and Ray Eames. In contrast to their well-known work with molded shells, the designers developed a structure in which a flexible fabric surface is stretched between two aluminum side profiles, turning the covering itself into a supporting element. This solution gives the model its characteristic visual lightness and remarkable adaptability to the body.

The EA 108 belongs to the series intended for meeting spaces and is distinguished by its armrests, four-spoke base, and swivel mechanism. Its combination of industrial precision, minimalist design, and comfort made the Aluminum Group one of the most recognizable families of office furniture in postwar American design. Vitra continues to produce these models today as the authorized manufacturer of Eames designs in Europe and the Middle East.

Charles and Ray Eames are among the most influential designers of the 20th century. From their studio in Los Angeles, they developed an interdisciplinary body of work that spanned furniture, architecture, film, photography, and exhibition design. Their furniture is part of major international collections, including those of the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Vitra Design Museum.