1950 Herman Miller Eames Zenith RAR Rocking Chair w/ Rope-Edge Fiberglass Shell
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a ‘RAR’ Rocking Chair, designed by Ray and Charles Eames in 1950.
Metal
$1,520Sale Price / item|20% Off
1 Herman Miller Parchment Shell Fiberglass RAR Rocker by Eames
By Charles Eames
Located in Pasadena, TX
RAR rocking chair by Charles and Ray Eames and manufactured by Herman Miller.
Fiberglass
Herman Miller, 2 Shell Fiberglass RAR Rockers by Eames (Old Edition)
By Charles Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Argelato, BO
An icon of Mid-Century design, this is an all-original example of the famous Eames Rocking (R) Armchair (A) on Rod (R) base. This extraordinary pair of rocking chairs, perhaps the m...
Fabric, Fiberglass
Charles Eames RAR Rocker Chair Second Generation Ochre Fiberglass 1950s
By Charles Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Buffalo, NY
Early 1950s 2 nd generat,ion Eames R A R arm shell rocking chair.. Seldom seen OCHRE color,, Beautiful exposed fibers, stunning gel-coat , large "domes of silence" original sled wood...
Metal
1953 Herman Miller Eames RAR Rocking Chair with Fiberglass Shell and White Base
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a RAR Rocking Chair, designed by Ray and Charles Eames in 1950.
Metal
Blue Herman Miller Eames RAR Rocking Arm Shell Chair
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Loughborough, Leicester
A Herman Miller vintage, original, Eames blue vinyl upholstered white arm shell chair on its new RAR base is a great addition to any home, office or collection.
Fiberglass
Orange Herman Miller Eames RAR Arm Shell Chair
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Loughborough, Leicester
This Herman Miller Eames RAR arm shell chair is a vintage piece, which requires some maintenance work, but overall it is still in a very good condition.
Fiberglass
Unavailable
H 26.875 in W 24.875 in D 27 in
Orange Herman Miller Vintage Eames Upholstered RAR Arm Shell Chair
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Loughborough, Leicester
A wonderful example of a used, newer, orange, original, upholstered black Eames arm shell chair on a brand new RAR base for Herman Miller is in good condition. The new RAR walnut woo...
Fiberglass
Unavailable
H 26.875 in W 24.875 in D 27 in
Pink on Black Herman Miller Original Eames Upholstered Rocking Arm Shell Chair
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Loughborough, Leicester
This is an original, used Herman Miller Eames upholstered armchair, with vibrant, sophisticated pink fabric, enclosed on top of the black fiberglass shell. The RAR base is new, made ...
Fiberglass
Unavailable
H 26.875 in W 24.875 in D 27 in
Pink Herman Miller Original Eames Upholstered RAR Rocking Arm Shell Chair
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Loughborough, Leicester
This is an original, hot pink Herman Miller Eames upholstered arm shell, with white porcelain fiberglass shell attached to a brand new walnut RAR dowel base. Since the new base is ma...
Fiberglass
Sold
H 27 in W 25 in D 27 in
Vintage Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller RAR Fiberglass Shell Rocking Chair
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
This particular chair is a vintage model with a fiberglass shell, chrome frame, and wood rocking sled legs.
Chrome
Herman Miller Eames RAR Rocking Chair
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Brooklyn, NY
White Herman Miller Eames RAR rocking chair. Shell in good shape with no cracks.
Fiberglass
Sold
H 26.88 in W 24.81 in D 26.97 in
Early Eames RAR Rocking Chair, Seafoam Green Shell by Zenith, Rope Edge, c. 1950
By Herman Miller, Zenith, Charles Eames
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
Early all-original example of the famous Eames Rocking (R) Armchair (A) on Rod (R) base, very early 1950s example with seafoam green shell in moulded plastic zenaloy (fibreglass rein...
Zinc
Herman Miller Eames Greige RAR Rocking Chair
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Herman Miller Eames Greige RAR rocking chair. Shell in very good condition.
Steel
Sold
H 27.5 in W 25 in D 25 in
Charles Eames for Herman Miller Mid Century Orange Fiberglass Shell Rocking Chai
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Charles Eames for Herman Miller Mid Century Orange Fiberglass Shell Rocking Chair Chair measures: 25 wide x 25 deep x 27.5 high, with a seat height of 16 inches and arm height of 23...
Metal
Sold
H 25 in W 24 in D 31 in
Original Vintage Herman Miller Fiberglass Shell Rocking Chair Rocker in Greige
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Lafayette, IN
This is a wonderful original example of the Eames shell chair in one of the most desirable vintage colors offered, 'Greige'. This chair is in spectacular condition with only very, ve...
Fiberglass, Walnut
1960s Charles Eames for Herman Miller RAR Shell Rocker
By Charles Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Southampton, NJ
Unusual custom painted base from factory-for the hospital. Restored skis. All original parts. Ocher shell in nice condition with light wear.
Steel
Eames Zenith Rope Edged Rocker
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A very early Eames designed fiberglass arm shell rocking chair with rope edge, large shock mounts, satin black wire base and birchwood rockers.
Mid-Century Modern Vintage Eames Herman Miller Shell Rocker Rocking Chair, 1970s
By Charles Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is a vintage 1970s, Eames for Herman Miller, rocking chair with a recently painted white, fiberglass seat. In excellent condition. The dimensions are 25" W x 2...
Fiberglass
A Classic Eames Herman Miller rocking chair
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
An early production, zenith shell Eames rocking chair (RAR). Elephant gray.
Brutalist Mosaic Black Chest of Drawers
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Pictured next to a Herman Miller Eames rocking shell chair for scale.
Wood
Herman Miller Shell Fiberglass RAR Rocker by Eames, 1970s
By Charles Eames, Herman Miller
Located in The Hague, NL
RAR rocking chair by Charles and Ray Eames and manufactured by Herman Miller.
Chrome
Eames Side Shell Rocking Chair
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Eames shell seat from the 1960s, with original partial Herman Miller label and Cincinnati Milacron mark on a newer rocker base. Color is a light tan.
Metal
Brown Herman Miller Eames RAR Rocking Arm Shell Chair
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Loughborough, Leicester
Though a little used and displaying some signs of its age, this shell looks fantastic on its newer, used, RAR rocking base creating a great example of this iconic rocking chair.
Fiberglass
Brown Herman Miller Eames RAR Rocking Arm Shell Chair
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Loughborough, Leicester
A newer, re-introduced, fiberglass Eames arm shell by Herman Miller really captures the essence of the vintage versions.
Fiberglass
Sold
H 26.875 in W 24.875 in D 27 in
Turquoise Herman Miller Eames Upholstered Rar Rocking Arm Shell Chair
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Loughborough, Leicester
A little used, but stunning example of an original Eames Herman Miller RAR rocking chair. Finished in gorgeous turquoise naugahyde vinyl which is, sadly, a little more used than usua...
Fiberglass
Sold
H 26.875 in W 24.875 in D 27 in
Brown Herman Miller Eames Upholstered RAR Rocking Arm Shell Chair
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Loughborough, Leicester
A lovely, chocolate coloured, Eames Herman Miller original brown naugahyde vinyl on black shell RAR rocking chair will definitely make a great statement piece!
Fiberglass
Zenith Shell Rocking Chair RAR by Charles and Ray Eames
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Epagny, FR
A rare fiberglass "Zenith" lemon yellow, shell rocking chair with rope edges on a trestle iron base. Zenith Plastics Edition 1950-1951. 100% original.
Metal
Zenith Shell Rocking Chair RAR by Charles and Ray Eames
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Epagny, FR
A rare fiberglass "Zenith" elephant hide grey, shell rocking chair with rope edges on a trestle iron black base. Zenith Platica Edition 1950-1951. 100% original.
Metal
Sold
H 26.875 in W 24.875 in L 26.875 in
Orange Herman Miller Eames Upholstered Rar Fiberglass Rocking Arm Shell Chair
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Loughborough, Leicester
A newer version of Herman Miller’s RAR rocking arm chair by Eames. Finished in orange fabric on black shell, it looks amazing on its used, newer, RAR base.
Fiberglass
Sold
H 26.875 in W 24.875 in D 27 in
Orange Herman Miller Eames Upholstered Rar Fiberglass Rocking Arm Shell Chair
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Loughborough, Leicester
A newer version of Herman Miller’s RAR rocking armchair by Eames. Finished in the orange fabric on black shell, it looks amazing on its used, newer, RAR base. The shell is only a cou...
Fiberglass
Sold
H 26.875 in W 24.875 in D 27 in
Pink Herman Miller Original Eames Upholstered RAR Rocking Arm Shell Chair
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Loughborough, Leicester
This is an original, hot pink Herman Miller Eames upholstered arm shell, with white porcelain fiberglass shell attached to a brand new walnut RAR dowel base. Since the new base is ma...
Fiberglass
Sold
H 27.17 in W 24.81 in
1948 Parchment Color Fiberglass Shell RAR Rocking Chair by Charles & Ray Eames
By Zenith, Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Frankfurt, Hessen, DE
Rocking chair by Charles & Ray Eames, fiberglass shell and birch, USA, 1948 RAR rocking chair designed by famous couple Charles and Ray Eames.
Metal
Sold
H 27.56 in W 24.81 in D 27.56 in
1940s Parchment Color Fiberglass Shell Rar Rocking Chair by Charles & Ray Eames
By Charles and Ray Eames, Zenith, Herman Miller
Located in Frankfurt, Hessen, DE
Rocking chair by Charles & Ray Eames, fiberglass shell and birch, USA, 1948 RAR rocking chair designed by famous couple Charles and Ray Eames.
Metal
Sold
H 27.17 in W 24.81 in D 27.56 in
1948 Parchment Color Fiberglass Shell RAR Rocking Chair by Charles & Ray Eames
By Zenith, Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Frankfurt, Hessen, DE
Rocking Chair by Charles & Ray Eames, Fiberglass Shell and birch, USA, 1948 RAR rocking chair designed by famous couple Charles and Ray Eames.
Metal
Classic 1950 Charles Eames Shell Rocker
By Charles Eames
Located in Hudson, NY
Orange color with white fibers, typical of the early shell. Some darker fibers within the shell. Original Eiffel base, mounts and rockers. Some surface rust and scuffs on runner, but...
Metal
Vintage Eames RKR Wire Shell Rocker
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage Eames 'RKR' wire shell chair with original black rocking base by Herman Miller.
Steel
Sold
H 25.99 in W 24.81 in D 27.17 in
Charles Eames Union Jack Fiberglasss Shell Arm Chair on RAR Rocker Base
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Morristown, NJ
Charles Eames painted Union Jack fiberglass shell armchair on RAR Rocker Base. Beige shell on black wire and walnut runners, rubber mounts Herman Miller Tag and embossed logo intact.
Metal
Rare Eames Herman Miller Kelly Green Arm Shell Chair on Rocker Base
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Salt Lake City, UT
Super clean vintage arm shell on newer production rocking base.
Fiberglass
Sold
H 27.56 in W 16.93 in D 24.81 in
1960's Charles and Ray Eames white side shell rocker Herman Miller
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Antwerp, BE
Early 1960's Charles and Ray Eames white side shell (RAR) on an high quality reproduction Oak rocker base. Also available with choise of base.(Dowel-Eiffel-Rocker..). Original fibe...
Blue Herman Miller Eames RAR Rocking Arm Shell Chair
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Loughborough, Leicester
This blue naugahyde vinyl on white arm shell RAR rocking arm chair by Herman Miller by Eames is a perfect example of 1960s flare.
Fiberglass
Herman Miller Parchment Original Vintage Eames RAR Rocking Arm Shell Chair
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Loughborough, Leicester
This is a used, original Herman Miller Eames parchment armchair attached to a sleek, brand new walnut RAR rocking base. The parchment color may have faded slightly, due to its vintag...
Fiberglass
Sold
H 26.875 in W 24.875 in D 27 in
Beige Herman Miller Eames Upholstered RAR Rocking Arm Shell Chair
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Loughborough, Leicester
This may appear to be a 'standard' Herman Miller Eames upholstered RAR rocking arm chair but it features the very rare 'birth plate' on the back of the shell.
Fiberglass
$5,000 / set
H 27 in W 24 in D 27 in
Rocking Chairs by Charles Eames for Herman Miller with Alexander Girard Textile
By Charles Eames
Located in Dallas, TX
Matching pair of rocking chairs designed by Charles Eames for Herman Miller. Chairs have the original Alexander Girard upholstery - excellent original condition with the original zin...
Fiberglass
$3,495
H 25.5 in W 25 in D 24 in
Eames Herman Miller LAX Fiberglass Arm Shell Chair X Base Zenith Rope Edge
By Herman Miller, Zenith, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Topeka, KS
Awesome example of the Charles and Ray Eames LAX molded fiberglass arm shell chair for Herman Miller in one of the original colors, lemon yellow. This is an early chair made by Zenit...
Metal
Charles Eames Classic RAR Rocking Chair Herman Miller Greige
By Charles Eames
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A Classic Charles Eames RAR greige rocking chair with original birch runners. A survivor in very good original condition.
Fiberglass
Charles and Ray Eames Zenith Rope Edge Fiberglass Armchair
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Brooklyn, NY
First-generation Zenith armchair designed by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller. This early Greige fiberglass shell has developed an unusually warm tone over decades of use, giv...
Fiberglass
Pair of Early Eames DCW Side Chairs by Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Highland, IN
This handsome pair of 1950s Eames DCW (Dining Chair Wood base) have an ash veneer. They are second generation production, made by Herman Miller post Evans production with an embossed...
Wood
1950s Charles and Ray Eames DAR Fiberglass Armchair for Herman Miller
Located in Dekalb, IL
c. 1950s; Herman Miller - Zeeland, MI Vintage molded fiberglass DAR armchair designed by Charles and Ray Eames and manufactured by Herman Miller. DAR denotes "Dining Height Armchai...
Steel
Pair of Charles and Ray Eames "Translucent" Arm Shell Chairs
By Charles Eames
Located in Buffalo, NY
Great pair of lemon yellow arm shell chairs designed by Charles and Ray Eames.. manufactured by Herman Miller,, early elusive see-thrugh "Translucent" fiberglass parchment shells.. L...
Steel
$1,280Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 31.5 in W 25 in D 24 in
1 Herman Miller Eames Fiberglass Shell DAR Eiffel Base
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Pasadena, TX
Charles Eames and Ray Eames were the embodiment of the inventiveness, energy and optimism at the heart of Mid-Century Modern American design, and have been recognized as the most inf...
Fiberglass
Eames Early Rope Edge Lounge Chair for Herman Miller
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A very early 1st generation rope edge rare lounge height fiberglass arm shell chair with the larger rubber shock mounts having metal washers and satin black iron X base. The chair st...
Iron
$5,500 / set
H 27.375 in W 22.25 in D 25.375 in
1950s Pair of Herman Miller Eames LCW Lounge Chairs in Calico Ash
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a pair of LCW Lounge Chairs, originally designed by Ray and Charles Eames in 1948. They are early Herman Miller examples and feature the 5-2-4 screw pattern, dating back to t...
Steel
Charles Eames Parchment Arm Shell Chair, Herman Miller
By Charles Eames
Located in Buffalo, NY
Super clean example of this classic fiberglass arm shell chair, designed by Charles Eames, manufactured by Herman Miller. Beautiful parchment white color, exposed fibers, early black...
Metal
$2,571 / set
H 28.75 in W 25.2 in D 19.69 in
1960, Ray and Charles Eames, Original La Fonda Chairs by Miller in First Fabric
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL
This chair is part of the private collection of Casey Godrie and is situated in his private house. Ask him for competitive shipping quotes. His incredible Dune Villa, Amsterdam Beac...
Metal
1st Generation Eames RKR Rocker by Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Highland, IN
Charles and Ray Eames designed their fiberglass and wire chairs to be fitted with a wide variety of bases to offer a range of heights, uses, and aesthetics. One of the most desirable...
Steel
$2,799 / set
H 30 in W 25 in D 23 in
Pair of 2nd Generation "Seafoam" Fiberglass Eames Shell Chairs by Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Oxnard, CA
Here is a pair of fantastic "seafoam" fiberglass armchairs by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller. These collectible second generation chairs (1954-55) are characterized by thei...
Steel
$1,800 / set
H 31 in W 25 in D 25 in
Pair of Charles and Ray Eames Padded Arm Shell Chairs, Two-Tone /Herman Miller
By Charles Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic pair of Mid-Century Modern padded arm shell chairs,Designed by Charles and Ray Eames, for Herman Miller. Beautiful two-tone, chairs are in really nice original condition. Ext...
Aluminum
$4,914 / set
H 29.53 in W 25.2 in D 18.9 in
American modern armchairs La Fonda by Charles Eames for Herman Miller, 1960s
By Charles Eames, Herman Miller
Located in MIlano, IT
American modern beige armchairs La Fonda by Charles Eames for Herman Miller, 1960s Set of four armchairs model La Fonda with seat and backrest curved monocoque in beige fiberglass. A...
Aluminum
$720Sale Price|20% Off
H 29.5 in W 22 in D 23.5 in
Vintage Ivory Leather Copper Frame Tubular Knoll Brno Chair, Mies van der Rohe
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Pasadena, TX
A vintage Knoll Brno chair designed by Mies van der Rohe with tubular steel frame. This chair has been lovingly restored with a new ivory leather with a frame powder coated in a rust...
Stainless Steel
Crackle Textured Handmade Ceramic Mushroom Lamp, Blue
By Streicher Goods, Ethan Streicher
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Every mushroom lamp is hand-made and hand-painted by Ethan Streicher, the founder and designer behind the Streicher Goods brand in Brooklyn, NY. The lamp's silhouette is simple and c...
Brass
Pair of 70s Style Italian Bamboo and Brass Table Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Monumental size Bamboo lamps. Crafted in Italy and made to order, these lamps are modern and chic. Production lead time 2-4 weeks. Base diameter 8 inches, hat diameter 20 inches, he...
Brass
$1,875 / item
H 24 in W 60 in D 3.5 in
Lawson-Fenning Counterbalance Chandelier, Modern Brass Pendant Light
By Lawson-Fenning
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Counterbalance Chandelier features a brass rod that is delicately balanced with a brass finial on one end and a large bulb on the other. The chandelier is available in brass or p...
Brass
Classic Mid Century Plycraft Lounge Chair and Ottoman
By Charles and Ray Eames, Plycraft
Located in New York, NY
Iconic Plycraft Mr. style lounge chair and ottoman, executed in bent plywood, vinyl faux leather, chrome and steel. The chair swivels and tilts on its center pole support, which is ...
Upholstery, Plywood
Milo Baughman Style Mid Century Danish Rosewood Case Sofa
By Milo Baughman
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Milo Baughman Style Mid Century Danish Rosewood Case Sofa This sofa measures: 81.5 wide x 32.5 deep x 27 inches high, with a seat height of 15 and arm height of 26 inches All piece...
Chrome
Jean Prouvé, Pair of Standard Chairs, model 306, circa 1950
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
Pair of original "semi-metal" Standard chairs, model 306, designed by Jean Prouvé, and dating from around 1950. Constructed from plywood with the original ribbed vinyl covering and...
Metal, Enamel
$2,170 / item
H 30 in W 24 in D 1.5 in
Contemporary wall mirror, Forged in brass, Viya by Vikram Goyal
By Viya by Vikram Goyal
Located in Noida, DL
Contemporary wall mirror, Forged in brass, Viya by Vikram Goyal Mirror in brass. Handmade in India. From grit and flame, raw metal is reborn, each piece shaped by the ancient art o...
Brass
Scandinavian Shelf 'Poeme', Black Oak
By Poiat
Located in Paris, IDF
Shelf 'Poeme' designed by Timo Mikkonen & Antti Rouhunkoski for Poiat Studio Dimensions : W. 181 x H. 39 x D. 37.5 cm Model shown : - Color black oak ---- Graceful and poet...
Oak
$4,200Sale Price|20% Off
H 29 in W 120 in D 35.4 in
Johannes Andersen Teak Dining Table, Mid-Century Modern, 1960s
By Johannes Andersen
Located in Seattle, WA
A dining table in teak designed by Johannes Andersen for with clever hidden drawers on both ends concealing two large leaves. The table can accommodate up to 10 seating with extended...
Teak
$1,141
H 29.14 in W 77.17 in D 29.93 in
Midcentury Sofa or Daybed designed by Miroslav Navratil, 1960s.
By Miroslav Navratil, Interiér Praha
Located in Praha, CZ
- very iconic sofa - adjustable - confortable - rare colored
Fabric, Wood
Ate Van Apeldoorn King Size Pine Platform Bed Frame, 1960s
By Houtwerk Hattem
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Solid pine platform bed frame by Dutch designer Ate Van Apeldoorn, sized for a European king mattress at 68 x 78.5 inches. The frame is built from thick-cut solid pine planks with pr...
Pine
$24,800
H 20.86 in Dm 28 in
Max Ingrand Fontana Arte Semi Flush Mount Chandelier Mod. 1462 Glass Brass, 1960
By Max Ingrand, Fontana Arte
Located in Vienna, AT
Rare original Max Ingrand Fontana Arte semi flush mount Mod. 1642 Beautiful 28" ceiling fixture from blue-ish polished and satin glass, partially with clear and satin finish and smo...
Brass
$1,710 / set
H 31.5 in W 24.75 in D 21 in
Pair of grey DAX armchairs by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller 1950's
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of "DAX" armchairs by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller. Circa 1956-1959. Molded fiberglass shell, steel legs. Grey colored fiberglass. Both chairs contain original label...
Fiberglass
$4,750 / set
H 36.23 in W 27.96 in D 31.5 in
Pair of Eugen Schmidt Swivel Lounge Chairs for Soloform, Germany, 1960
By Eugen Schmidt
Located in Almelo, NL
Pair of Eugen Schmidt Swivel Lounge Chairs for Soloform, Germany, 1960 – Patinated Leather This rare pair of swivel lounge chairs, designed by Eugen Schmidt for Soloform, Germany, c...
Metal
$3,450 / item
H 14.97 in W 44.89 in D 44.89 in
1970s Low Tables 'Andre' by Tobia Scarpa for Knoll International
By Tobia Scarpa, Knoll
Located in Dronten, NL
Classic “Andre” low table designed by Tobia Scarpa for Gavina/Knoll International, featuring its original chromed steel base and a new matching glass top. This iconic model showcases...
Chrome
Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.
ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS
VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS
The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.
Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair, respectively.
Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer.
Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.
The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by celebrated manufacturer Knoll, a chief influencer in the rise of modern design in the United States, thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.
As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture designers caught the spirit.
Classically oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb, who designed holistic groups of sleek, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.
Generations turn over, and mid-century modern remains arguably the most popular style going. As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.
The phrase “rocking chair” didn’t find its way into the dictionary until the mid-18th century. While most of the sitting furniture that we use in our homes originated in either England or France, the iconic rocking chair is a quintessentially American piece of furniture.
A Philadelphia cabinetmaker’s bill for a proto-rocking chair issued in 1742, which identified the seat as a “Nurse Chair with rockers,” is the earliest surviving evidence of this design’s humble beginnings. The nurse chair was a low side chair intended for nursing women, so giving it a soothing rocking motion made sense. Rocking chairs, which saw a curved slat affixed to the chairs’ feet so that they could be literally rocked, quickly gained popularity across the United States, garnering a reputation as a seat that everyone could love. They offered casual comfort without the expensive fabrics and upholstery that put armchairs out of many families’ budgets.
Rocking chairs are unique in that they don’t just offer a place to rest — they offer an opportunity to reminisce. The presence of one of these classic pieces stirs up our penchant for nostalgia and has the power to transform a space. They easily introduce a simple country feel to the city or bring the peaceful rhythm of a porch swing into a sheltered sunroom. Although craftsmen took to painting and stenciling varieties of the chairs that emerged in New England during the 19th century, the most traditional rocking chairs are generally unadorned seats constructed with time-tested materials like wood and metal. As such, a minimalist vintage rocking chair can be ushered into any corner of your home without significantly disrupting your existing decor scheme or the room’s color palette.
In the decades since the first rocker, top designers have made the piece their own. Viennese chair maker Michael Thonet produced a series of rockers in the middle of the 19th century in which the different curved steam-bent wood parts were integrated into fluid, sinuous wholes. Mid-century modernists Charles and Ray Eames added wooden rockers to their famous plastic shell armchair, while Danish designer Frank Reenskaug opted for teak and polished beech, introducing pops of color with small cushions (a precursor to the bold works that would follow in the 1970s and 1980s).
No matter your personal style, let 1stDibs pair you with your perfect seat. Deck out your porch, patio or parlor — browse the vintage, new and antique rocking chairs in our vast collection today.