Released as part of the 1946 plywood group of furniture, CTW was the abbreviated name of the Coffee (C) Table (T) with a Wood (W) base. The Eames CTW Coffee Table consisted of a circular five-layer plywood top, sat upon four matching legs of bent ply to a near 90 degrees.
The plywood group was the first to be released to the general market for adults by the Eames Office in 1946. The furniture was manufactured first by the Evans Molded Plywood Company and sold through distributor Herman Miller. Miller then bought and took over the range entirely from 1950.
The group was the first of many from the Eames Office to consist of identical tops and different bases to create varying choices. This would famously be a theme for Eames design and seen to an even greater scale with the fiberglass range. The CTW had two matching all wood chairs in the group, the dining DCW and the lounge LCW as well as a sister rectangular table, the OTW. The Eames CTW Coffee Table and matching chairs were also replicated with metal legs and so named the CTM, DCM and LCM.
The Eames CTW tables were initially available with a choice of three natural veneers in Birch, Calico Ash and Walnut as well as a dyed red or black finish. After Herman Miller took over, they added a natural Oak to the list of available options. The tables were discontinued in 1954 but would be part of the re-release of classic Eames designs in 1994. These later versions would retain the 5 layers of ply in the table build but would use modern veneers including White Ash, new Walnut and Santos Palisander. The colored versions too would be a painted finish as opposed to the aniline dyes but into the 2010's and the use of dye is being used again with the plywood furniture.
| Height | 15.5" | 39.37 cm |
| Width | 34" | 86.36 cm |
| Length | 34" | 86.36 cm |
| Top | 5 layers of molded ply (Birch Core) |
| Finish | Calico Ash, Birch, Walnut and Oak, White Ash, Santos Palisander or dyed red or black |
| Base | Same 5 layers of bent molded plywood |
| Feet | Small circular silver feet are found only on some early Herman Miller made CTWs |
The lifespan of the Eames CTW coffee table was relatively short given that it was released in 1946 and only ran through 1954. That said, those short years saw a number of significant changes to the manufacture of the table which we declare as 'generations'. Generations in this, and any other furniture design, were not intended at the time, nor likely considered, but we can pinpoint these characteristics to help us age and valuate what we have.
First generation Evans made CTW table with the Octagonal center section on the underside leg meeting section
First Generation - Evans Molded Plywood
The first Eames CTW tables were refined throughout 1945 and released to the marketplace in 1946. The first generation table can be found only by looking to the underside.
The center of the table top underside used an additional Octagonal block shaped to meet the four legs in position. Though perhaps easier in initial construction it was essentially an extra wood section that would be efficiently removed with refinement.
The Evans tables would have either a paper or foil label or with no label at all the model number would likely be scrawled to the underside of the table top.
Estimated Years - 1946
The second generation Evans made CTW utilized arrow cut tips on the legs to snugly fit together in the center section (image courtesy of D Rose Modern)
Second Generation - Evans Molded Plywood
The second generation of the Evans made Eames CTW tables would see some minor subtle changes.
Most notable was that the additional Octagonal center block on the underside of the table was changed to a more material efficient four 'arrow heads' on the leg ends, which met perfectly in the center.
The second generation, as with the first generation, retained the flat head wood screws in its construction.
The table is found mostly with the Evans Foil label as means of identification.
Estimated years 1946-1949
The Herman Miller made CTW with the model abbreviation impressed into the top underside (image courtesy of D Rose Modern)
Third Generation - Herman Miller
Following a period whereby Herman Miller manufactured the table for Evans, they took over all rights and production for the company following their acquisition. This can make some early HM tables difficult to spot during the cross-over period.
As Herman Miller generally begun to improve quality, they changed the flat head screws to that with the cross-head. As well as labels, Herman Miller also stamped the model number into the underside of the top itself as a means of further identification. They also added Oak as an option to the range.
Estimated years 1950-1954
The later (post 1994) CTW table using newer materials and rounded head wood screws
Fourth Generation - Herman Miller
The fourth generation is that of the Herman Miller tables since the re-release of the table in 1994.
The post 1994 tables stay relatively true to the original Miller version of the 1950's with some subtle changes. The screw types tend to be of higher quality finish and with a rounded head.
The colored post 1994 Herman Miller tables were solid painted red and black as opposed to being dyed. The modern labels of the tables should be that of the black strip, silver strip, oval and or oblong modern variants.
Estimated years 1994-Present
The edges of the CTW (and CTM) coffee table top, showing the 5 layers of molded plywood
Modern Herman MIller Eames CTW coffee table in a light Ash plywood veneer finish
The specifications page of the 1952 Herman Miller furniture catalog, with the CTM
A post 1994 Herman Miller Eames CTW in a sold black paint finish
This 1952 catalog page excerpt detailed the finishes available for the Eames CTW table
From above, the top of the CTW (and sister CTM) with the pronounced edge and sunken center
An excerpt of a 1950 brochure for Herman Miller, designed by the Eames Office, including the CTW and OTW
The underside of the Eames CTW table showing the construction of the top, support slats and leg sections
This 1949 Herman Miller brochure page details the available finishes (note only 3 woods and two colors)