Eames Catch It All Side Table

Quick Intro

What is an Eames Catch It All Side Table?

Designed and released by Waverly Products in 1954, the Eames Catch It All side table showcased the Ray Eames Sea Things design on its 'bowl' like top. The table itself was not designed by Charles and Ray Eames, only Ray's pattern transfer. Waverly released a selection of products utilizing the award-winning Sea Things pattern including this table and the Sea Things Serving Trays.

The table top was not designed with a traditional flat surface but instead had an entirely convex shape for a specific function. As the name, suggests, Eames Catch It All side table, the purpose of the bowl-like table top was so that the user could place or toss items into the center of the table without fear of something falling out or from the sides. The table could be especially handy for smaller items including those such as keys, coins, a purse or a wallet.

Ray designed the Sea Things pattern for a Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) competition for fabric textile design in 1947. From the two she submitted her Sea Things design received an honorable mention, something of a coup for a participant not traditionally from a background in fabrics.

The Eames Catch It All side table was manufactured to order and it is likely that sale numbers were extremely low, giving rise to the possibility that very few exist today. They have, from time to time, appeared in specialist auctions and they have always fetched high values, largely due to Ray’s connection to the piece.

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Specification

What were the original sizes of the Catch It All Table?

Height	17.5"	44.45 cm
Length	26"	66.04 cm
Width	26"	66.04 cm

The materials that went into making the Catch It All Table were:

Top	Re-enforced Fiberglass
Frame	Brass
Base	Plastic Push On Feet

Buying Tips and Authenticity

Is my Eames Catch It All side table authentic? What makes it valuable?

The Eames Catch It All table has never been copied. There are so few in existence that the likelihood of it ever being so are undoubtedly very unlikely. If you were lucky enough to locate an example, and in good condition too, then it is almost certainly authentic by default.
It is not thought that there are clear or obvious labels or stamps on the Eames Catch It All table. The Waverly stamp found on the plastic serving trays are not present on the table.
Value is all but guaranteed to be high should this piece be found and or go to auction.
The condition is paramount to the overall value. The fragile nature of the table top means that this should be the first place to look for any potential damage. The chances of chips, dinks and cracks is high on a piece such as this (with a top protruding much farther than the base). Any such damage will of course detract from the overall value.
The base should display signs of natural tarnish and the presence of all three plastic feet would be beneficial to the overall desirability and price.

The base of the Catch It All side table utilized push on black plastic feet to protect flooring

Images

The top of the Catch It All side table is a deep dish designed for items to be placed into

The convexed top sits into the base using only gravity and measures 26" in diameter

The design of the base frame is a lightweight brass with three legs and a circular strengthener

The top as seen from the underside, a dome made from re-enforced fiberglass