Dat-1 Swivel Desk or Office Armchair by Charles Eames for Herman Miller, 1960s
About the Item
- Creator:Charles Eames (Designer),Herman Miller (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 34.26 in (87 cm)Width: 24.81 in (63 cm)Depth: 22.84 in (58 cm)Seat Height: 18.12 in (46 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:WIJCKEL, NL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU8306233545662
Charles Eames
The legacy of Charles Eames looms large in design. In partnership with his wife, Ray, Charles was at the forefront of pioneering innovation in the use of molded plywood for furniture making. The Eameses’ cheerful and inviting work has endured among the most important advancements in the history of 20th-century design.
Together, visionary mid-century modern duo Charles and Ray Eames introduced a wide range of renowned furniture to the postwar market, including iconic designs such as the Eames lounge chair and ottoman, the wildly colorful birch plywood-and-plastic-laminate Eames storage unit, the Eames compact sofa and more. The designers were trailblazers in molded plywood furniture and brought lively organic form to metal and plastic.
Charles Eames studied architecture at Washington University in St. Louis. He traveled to Mexico and Europe, and experienced firsthand the work of designer-architects Le Corbusier and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. In 1930, upon returning to Missouri, Eames opened an architecture practice with Charles M. Gray but later moved to Michigan in 1938. He received a fellowship at Cranbrook Academy of Art, which would become a breeding ground for the stars of mid-century design. Eames continued his architecture studies at Cranbrook and also taught in the design department.
In 1940, Eames met his future wife, artist and designer Beatrice Alexandra "Ray" Kaiser, who was studying at Cranbrook under Abstract Expressionist painter Hans Hofmann. Charles teamed up with another Cranbrook instructor, Finnish-American designer Eero Saarinen, to explore the possibilities of plywood for use in furniture design.
With support from Ray, Charles and Eero created chairs and case pieces and submitted them to the “Organic Design in Home Furnishings” competition at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City — among them was the groundbreaking organic Side chair made of molded plywood with maple legs. It was upholstered by Heywood-Wakefield. This exhibition is considered critical by many to the popularization of what is known as mid-century modernism. Eames and Saarinen won first place for their submissions to the competition.
Charles and Ray were married in 1941 and soon after moved to Los Angeles, California, and lived in an apartment building designed by architect Richard Neutra. Charles worked on set design at MGM, and at night, in a humble workshop they established in the guest bedroom, he and Ray experimented with molded plywood on a homemade device they called the “Kazaam!” machine. In 1942, the couple won a U.S. Navy contract to create molded plywood leg splints that would be used to support wartime medical efforts. Soon, the Evans Product Company was making the splints and the Eameses opened the famed Eames Office and studio.
The Eameses’ innovative use of wire framing, molded plywood and applied fabrics caught the attention of many notable figures in interior design and architecture, including George Nelson, director of design at Herman Miller, a now-legendary modern furniture manufacturer. The company enlisted the Eameses’ talents and was eventually home to the couple’s classic pieces such as the Eames DCW chair and the DCM chair.
Find an extensive array of vintage Charles Eames seating, tables and case pieces on 1stDibs.
Herman Miller
No other business of its kind did more than the Herman Miller Furniture Company to introduce modern design into American homes. Working with legendary designers such as Charles and Ray Eames, George Nelson and Alexander Girard, the Zeeland, Michigan-based firm fostered some of the boldest expressions of what we now call mid-century modern style. In doing so, Herman Miller produced some of the most beautiful, iconic and, one can even say, noblest chairs, sofas, tables and other furniture ever.
Founded in 1923, Herman Miller was originally known for grand historicist bedroom suites: heavily ornamented wood furniture that appealed to a high-minded, wealthier clientele. The company — named for its chief financial backer — began to suffer in the early 1930s as the Great Depression hit, and D.J. De Pree, the company’s CEO, feared bankruptcy. In 1932, aid came in the form of Gilbert Rohde, a self-taught furniture designer who had traveled widely in Europe, absorbing details of the Art Deco movement and other modernist influences. After persuading De Pree that the growing middle class required smaller, lighter household furnishings, Rohde set a new course for Herman Miller, creating sleek chairs, tables and cabinetry that were the essence of the Streamline Moderne style.
Rohde died suddenly in 1944. The following year, De Pree turned to George Nelson, an architect who had written widely about modern furniture design. Under Nelson’s leadership, Herman Miller would embrace new technologies and materials and audacious biomorphic forms.
Some of the pieces the company produced are now emblems of 20th century American design, including the Eames lounge chair and ottoman and Nelson’s Marshmallow sofa and Coconut chair. Such instantly recognizable furnishings have become timeless — staples of a modernist décor; striking, offbeat notes in traditional environments.
Find a range of vintage Herman Miller office chairs, desks, coffee tables and other furniture on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: WIJCKEL, Netherlands
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Armchairs in off-white from Charles Eames for Herman Miller Mid-Century ModernBy Charles Eames, Herman MillerLocated in WIJCKEL, NLA nice set of four fiberglass armchairs designed by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller. Offered in off-white color. The height of the armrests is 65 cm / 25.59 inch. One of the...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsMetal
- Charles & Ray Eames EA119 Executive Office Chair by VitraBy Vitra, Charles and Ray EamesLocated in WIJCKEL, NLWhat started as an idea for a solid piece of leisure furniture has grown into one of the most popular office furniture since its design in 1958. The EA 119 is part of the famous Aluminum Chair group. Designed by the Eames couple and produced by Vitra, it stands out from its peers due to its high backrest. The ingenious construction consists of a seat and backrest covered with upholstery fabric. The frame, side profiles, armrests and crossbars are made of cast chrome aluminum. The five-star base is made mobile by the attached wheels and ensures maximum comfort with the integrated reclining mechanism. The Vitra Aluminum...Category
2010s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsAluminum, Chrome
- Eames "Billy Wilder" ES106 Chaise Longue for Herman MillerBy Charles and Ray Eames, Herman MillerLocated in WIJCKEL, NLA handsome example of the Billy Wilder chaise lounge by Ray and Charles Eames for Herman Miller. In softpad and high-quality black leather on a eggplant color base. Six cushions conn...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Chaise Longues
MaterialsAluminum
- Nanna Ditzel Armchair or Desk Chair in Teak and Black Leatherette DenmarkBy Kolds Savvaerk, Nanna DitzelLocated in WIJCKEL, NLRare armchair or desk chair, model 114 designed by Nanna Ditzel. Great vintage condition and the teak has really nice graining. Scandinavian Modern design by one of Denmark's bes...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFaux Leather, Teak
- Set of two armchairs from Ole Wanscher in mahogany, cane and leather Denmark 60sBy Poul Jeppesens Møbelfabrik, Ole WanscherLocated in WIJCKEL, NLPair of ‘Colonial’ armchairs, model PJ301 in mahogany, cane and original leather. Elegant pair easy chairs with a mahogany slim frame by the Danish designer Ole Wanscher. These chair...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
MaterialsCane, Mahogany, Leather
- Pendant by Jørgen Kastholm & Preben Fabricius for Nordisk Solar, Denmark 1960sBy Jørgen Kastholm & Preben Fabricius, Nordisk Solar Co.Located in WIJCKEL, NLThe P376 pendant lamp is a perfect example of Fabricius & Kastholm's subtle architectural slant on design. Originally conceived in 1963, five concentric shades create gradations of c...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsAluminum, Metal
- Herman Miller DAT Executive armchair Designed by Charles & Ray EamesBy Herman Miller, Charles and Ray EamesLocated in Offenburg, Baden WurthembergHerman Miller DAT fibre plastic armchair on office base, Designed by Charles & Ray Eames in 1948. Off-white fibre plastic armshell, DAT shivel base equipped with tilt function, hei...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsAluminum
- Black Office chair by Charles &Ray Eames for Herman Miller, 1960sBy Herman Miller, Charles and Ray EamesLocated in Lasne, BEOffice chair in black fabric. Aluminium base. Stamped Herman Miller. Small wear marks due to time and age of the chair.Category
Vintage 1960s Central American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk...
MaterialsAluminum
- Charles and Ray Eames "DAR" Armchair by Zenith for Herman MillerBy Charles and Ray Eames, Zenith, Herman MillerLocated in Highland, INThe earliest fiberglass Eames chairs were produced by Zenith Plastics and came in a limited palate of five colors including parchment. The Zenith produced shells are distinctive for ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsSteel
- White Office Chair by Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller 1970sBy Charles and Ray Eames, ICF Milano 1Located in Lasne, BECanvas armchair with aluminium base and castors. Stamped under the seat ICF. Height and tilt adjustable. Turns on itself. Wear due to time and age. Maximum height: 109 cm. Seat heigh...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsAluminum
- Ea 216 Soft Pad Desk Chair by Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller, 1970sBy Charles and Ray Eames, Herman MillerLocated in Lasne, BELeather chair with aluminum base and wheels. Stamped Herman Miller under the seat. The chair turns on itself and reclines. Seat height: 53 cm. Wear due to time and age.Category
Vintage 1970s Central American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk...
MaterialsAluminum
- Herman Miller Aluminum Group Management Chair by Charles Eames, c. 1965By Charles Eames, Herman MillerLocated in Belmont, MAEames Aluminum Group for Herman Miller Task Chair, Zeeland, Michigan, c. 1965, aluminum, leather, Herman Miller manufacturer's label, ht. 30, wd. 23...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsAluminum
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
The 21 Most Popular Mid-Century Modern Chairs
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
A Guide to Herman Miller’s Most Iconic Furniture
The prolific manufacturer has partnered with many of the world’s top designers since opening its doors in 1923. Here are some of the company’s greatest hits, which helped transform the American home and office.