EA-104 Armchair

Charles & Ray Eames, Vitra

Vitra armchair, model EA-104, designed in 1958. Seat and backrest in original caramel aniline leather; the backrest is also fully upholstered in leather. Swivel base and armrests in chromed aluminum. Minimal signs of wear. Manufactured by Vitra in 2015. Considered currently a classic of 20th century design, the Aluminium Chair by Charles and Ray Eames was created in 1958, and has been manufactured continuously until today. It was born for a private house in Columbus, United States, built by architects Saarinen and Girard. The Eames adapted in the Aluminium Chair the shape of the seat to the chair's own structure by tensioning the fabric or leather between the two parts of the structure, leaving it rigid but maintaining its elasticity. This elastic form allows it to easily adapt to the contour of the body, gradually, thus increasing seating comfort. This enthusiastic design was perfectly received by both critics and the public, giving rise to a complete range of models for the Eames Aluminium Group. Charles and Ray Eames, 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 or 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 others.