The abbreviated Eames DAR Chair stood for the Eames Dining (D) height, Arm (A) Chair, on Rod (R) Base released in the first year of arm chair production of the plastic fiberglass series developed to the marketplace in 1950.
The early success of the Eames plastic arm chairs, released in 1950, was a co-ordinated effort between the Eames Office (Designers), Zenith Plastics (Manufacturers) and Herman Miller (Distributors). The chair series was always designed to have interchangeable bases and the DAR was one of the ‘original 5’ alongside the DAX X-base, LAR cats cradle, RAR Rocker and DAW dowel chair.
1951 saw the addition of the side chair to the plastic series and an Eiffel base chair version with a slightly narrower stance was made to complement the existing arm and named the Eames DSR.
Quite possibly one of the most famous and iconic chairs ever, the Eames DAR would most commonly become known as the ‘eiffel chair’ due to its sculptured wire base resembling that of Europe’s most notorious landmark.
The very first generation of the Eames DAR Eiffel Chair was recognizable not only for the ‘rope edge’ shell but also due to the protruding ‘1st gen’ feet as opposed to boot glides or later plastic feet. Over time, the DAR was made available in all shell colors, with or without upholstery and made at varying factories.
As production veered towards the commercial market, the base type was discontinued in 1967 but re-issued since 2001 first on polypropylene tops then on the later fiberglass generation.
| Height | 31.5” | 80 cm |
| Width | 24.875” | 63.18 cm |
| Depth | 24” | 60.96 cm |
| Seat Height | 17.875” | 45.40 cm |
| Top | Molded Plastic Zenaloy (fiberglass re-enforced plastic) |
| Base | Welded Steel Rods, Zinc Plated or Black |
| Feet | Built In Feet, Boot Glides or Self-leveling floor glides |
First Generation DAR Base with 'splayed' feet
First Generation
The first generation of Eiffel bases had splayed feet
The foot held an aluminum floor glide on with an attached thread and nut
The base was available only in zinc or black oxide
Beware, some modern reproduction makers use this version
Check shell generations here
Second Generation DAR base feet in two part large boot
Second Generation
The second generation used a ball welded to the base of each rod leg
The ball could then fit specially made floor feet which clipped over
The second generation was introduced very soon from the first
Base was only available in Zinc plate or black oxide
Check shell generations here
Third and present DAR Eiffel Base (post 2001)
Third Generation
The third generation has been in use since 2001
It retains the ball at the end of the leg but ever so slightly smaller
The third generation feet are simple self clip on plastic type
This later base is available in black, white, chrome but slightly older zinc version too
Check shell generations here
Late 1950's Eames Eiffel DAR Chair carrying orange fiberglass shell
Original 1952 Herman Miller brochure page detailing the DAR specifications
Group of recent (post 2014) Herman Miller fiberglass DAR chairs
Original 1964 Herman Miller Brochure detailing the Eiffel DAR & DSR
Early Greige Fiberglass Shell on 1st generation DAR base
1955 original Herman Miller Vintage Advert
Rear view of early 1960's Eames DAR in Parchment (Image courtesy of Circa Modern)
Upholstered 1970's Eames DAR arm chair (Image courtesy of D Rose Mod, Inc)