The Eames DCW Chair, an abbreviation for the Dining Height (D) Side Chair (C) on Wood (W) Base. The all plywood chair was finally released in 1946, designed by Charles Eames and manufactured by the Evans Molded Plywood Company.
Years of designs and prototypes were finally developed and refined in 1946 to give four choices of adult chairs ready for the general market. The DCW was joined by a very similar lounge chair version with more laid-back sitting position (LCW) as well as metal leg dining (DCM) and lounge (LCM) variants. The series was very much a glimpse of future Eames Office projects in being the first to use changing base options with the same seat structures. Although the bases on the plywood series would be fixed, the theme of using interchangeable bases would be seen successfully on the Plastic and Wire Series.
The Eames DCW Side Chair sold most of its numbers in Calico Ash and Birch however the chair was offered in a wider variety of wood veneers than perhaps people are aware of. The chair was also available with fixed upholstery in leather and slunk skin and after Herman Miller bought the Evans Plywood Division in 1949 it introduced further chair color dyes and upholstery designed by Alexander Girard.
As the 1950’s moved on, newer materials were becoming available and the demand for wood-based products was shrinking. With the DCM and LCM selling more and having a ‘modern’ look, with metal as well as plywood, it was decided in 1953 to discontinue production of the DCW, hence the relatively low numbers of vintage versions.
After forty one years, in 1994, Herman Miller re-issued the DCW chair and to this day are back amongst the most popular of eames chair designs.
| Height | 29.875” | 75.88 cm |
| Width | 19.5” | 49.53 cm |
| Depth | 21.25” | 53.98 cm |
| Seat Height | 17.5” | 44.45 cm |
| Top | 5 Layers of Molded Plywood, glued and with Rubber Shock Mounts |
| Base | Matching, 5 Layers of Molded Plywood |
| Feet | None, Alu Inserted Foot Rests |
Generations of designs are a mere natural evolution of a product over the years. They are certainly open to interpretation and act only as a guide in helping to authenticate, age and ultimately value an original piece. No production could ever be entirely defined as there will be cross overs and overlaps as well as introduced changes. Our interpretation of generations reflects on the best known differences and changes.
The 5-2-5 screw pattern and Evans label of the 1st generation DCW
1st Generation - Evans Plywood Products
Evans first generation DCW chairs will potentially have one of three labels, the medal, paper or foil label. Due to the relatively fragile nature of the labels they do not always survive, especially the paper version.
The next clear first generation indicator is the screw pattern. With the chair turned over and the seat to the floor the screw pattern should be five two five (5-2-5).
The top screws are always wood screws, used to connect the leg to the spine with the further 2 and 5 being bolts, connecting to the shock mounts underneath.
The oval shockmount on the early DCW plywood chairs
1st Generation - Evans Plywood Products - Continued
Evans products did not add additional feet on the underside of the leg ends. If feet are found they will be user added, likely to offer a protection on floorings etc.
The first generation DCW had a long oval shock mount that fitted to the shape of the spine and connects the back rest of the chair.
Some of the earliest versions of the chair were sealed with Melamine. This turned out to be short lived however as the melamine reacted to sunlight and often turned white.
Colored red and black versions of the chair used dyes which faded over time often unevenly. 1946-1950
The 5-2-4 screw pattern of the 2nd generation DCW, the first by Herman Miller
2nd Generation - (1st Herman Miller Gen)
Herman Miller took over from Evans the production and ownership of the DCW in 1949. Herman Miller's versions tend to originate from 1950 onwards.
Part of their refinement was to reduce a screw in the bottom leg and shockmount section. This gave the new version the pattern of five two four (5-2-4) which is by far the easiest method of recognizing this generation from the previous one.
Herman Miller retained the large oval shockmount to the back rest and introduced their own labels, the first of which used on the DCW was the half checker board as well as the foil strip.
The alu feet introduced to the DCW in the 2nd generation
2nd Generation - (1st Herman Miller Gen) - Continued
Herman Miller also introduced another addition to the chair. Small rounded alu feet were brought in and added to the bare wood of the legs. The idea was to offer silence if the chair was 'dragged' across the floor, not to mention the protection of the surface below.
Herman Miller retained the wood options and dye color versions which Evans had provided previously as well as continuing upholstered versions.
The relatively short life of the chair (1950-1953) meant that there would be no more significant developments for some forty one years.
The double circular shock mounts of the 3rd and current generation
3rd Generation - (2nd Herman Miller Gen) -
Herman Miller re-issued the DCW chair in 1994 as part of a re-focus of classic and home furniture.
The new generation (still currently produced) stayed largely true to the original but with a few tweaks.
The large oval shock mount was replaced with two circular mounts on the back rest and there are no additional feet on the bottom of the plywood legs.
The re-issue version has the same plywood build but has been available in differing wood types to the original including Oak, Ash and Santos Palisander. 1994-Present
Recent model DCW in Ash 5 layer plywood
1948 DCW vintage brochure snippet
1950's DCW in situ in front of plywood FSW (image courtesy of Circa Modern)
1950 Herman Miller plywood series vintage advert
Close up form view of the Eames DCW
1952 Herman Miller DCW specification page
Early Evans Plywood DCW with Slunk Skin (calf) upholstery
Early 1948 Vintage Ad DCW arrangement
