Eames DKW Chair, Eames DKW Side Chair

Quick Intro

What is an Eames DKW or PKW wire side chairs?

Part of the Wire Mesh Chair Series, the abbreviated Eames DKW Chair stood for Dining (D) Height, K-Wire (K) chair on Wooden (W) Base. The PKW was essentially a pivoting (P) version of the same base. The designated 1 and 2 of the model was the indication of which upholstery the chair was shipped with, 1 being full cover and 2 the two-piece Bikini set.

As with all the Wire Side Chairs, the wooden dowel bases were adopted from those already used on the plastic series chairs. They were available in either a choice of Birch or Walnut and in either fixed (DKW) or pivoting (PKW) versions. Following their development in the previous year, they were released to the market in 1952 along with the Eiffel (DKR), four leg (DKX), Cats Cradle (LKR) and rocking (RKR) versions.

The chair of steel frame in black, upholstery and dowel base is a truly wonderful visual combination. It was just a shame that the dowel bases did not survive past 1954. The design was essentially flawed in that the weight being applied to the chair would often result in splintering, cracking and even complete breaks in the legs. For this reason, they were sadly discontinued. Dowel bases made a comeback in the 2000's re-releases of the Eames DKW Side Chair, but they were made with metal rods inside the legs to enable them to safely take the weight.

The surviving scarcity of the original bases have given them a real collectibility and high secondary market value. Original fabric covers of Alexander Girard designed textiles are also highly desirable.

Marketplace

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Specification

What are the original sizes of the Eames DKW and PKW Wire Side Chair?

Height	32.75”	83.19 cm
Width	19”	48.26 cm
Depth	21.25”	53.98 cm
Seat Height	18.5”	47 cm

What went into making the Eames DKW & PKW?

Top	Molded and Resistance Welded Steel wire – Black Or Zinc Plated
Base	Welded Steel Frame
Feet	Dowel Leg Originally Birch or Walnut, later also Ash (post 2001)

Generations

1st generation PKW with pivoting action

First Generation

The first bases were available in two types, the fixed DKW base and the pivoting PKW

The first bases were made by Seng, stamped into the top of PKW bases but not that of DKW

The bases were available only in Birch or Walnut. Most in the secondary market tend to be Birch.

The dowel bases were only made until 1953 and then discontinued due to breaking

Later second generation Herman Miller DKW base

Second Generation

Released post 2001, the newer generation of Herman Miller dowel bases

These bases are available in ebony, Ash, Maple and Walnut

These later bases have metal rods running through the dowels making the bases much heavier

The later wire series available in black, chrome and white

Buying Tips and Authenticity

Is my DKW or PKW real? What makes it valuable?

Vintage wire chairs do not have stamps or labels on the chair frame itself
The upholstery cover (either full cover or bikini two piece) is the only part that carries a label
A vintage PKW base is easier to authenticate with the makers mark SENG stamped into the metal and has not been reproduced
The static dowel base is one of the most copied bases of modern times therefore check for clear and obvious ageing of the wood, they were only made for 2 years and only in Birch and Walnut.
Modern repro bases are often lightweight and cheap quality and wood. The later Herman Miller dowel bases are super heavy with metal struts through each leg and use only very high quality material.

Original vintage dowel bases are very valuable as there are relatively few remaining compared to other base types. The pivoting version holds a negligible higher value than that of the static version.
A second generation Herman Miller dowel base (post 2001) will give the second highest market value as opposed to reproduction bases which hold no value at all and in some cases can even be very poorly made and dangerous.
Always check wire mesh chairs for breaks in the welds or where breaks may have been in the past. Repairs are never as seamless as the original and these can reduce the overall value of the chair.
The overriding factor in wire mesh eames chair value is it being complete, with its upholstery and the condition then of all parts. Any special Alexander Girard fabrics will also add to this.