The Eames lounge and ottoman was one of the first Eames chairs to be designed for the high-end furniture market. They were constructed of three curved plywood shells and leather seat cushions. The Eames chair was publicly introduced in a 1956 television show and was made famous by a Herman Miller advertising campaign which touted the versatility of the chair by showing it in a Victorian parlor, on a rural front porch, and in the middle of a sunny hayfield. The lounge and ottoman are still in production today, 54 years later, both by licensed companies and as knock-offs by Chinese and European manufacturers. Herman Miller and Vitra are the only companies licensed to use the Eames name.
The original chairs are highly collectible. They were produced with a Brazilian Rosewood veneer, which is no longer available. This is one way in which original models are identified. In 2006 a special production run of the chair was released which used Palisander Rosewood veneer, in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the original release.
The original chairs are highly collectible. They were produced with a Brazilian Rosewood veneer, which is no longer available. This is one way in which original models are identified. In 2006 a special production run of the chair was released which used Palisander Rosewood veneer, in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the original release.
