Eames Lounge Chair & Ottoman, Eames Lounge Chair

Quick Intro

What is the Eames ‘Lounge Chair and Ottoman?

They are models 670 (lounge chair) and 671 (ottoman), a luxury chair and matching stool, commissioned by Herman Miller and released in 1956. The Eames lounge chair and ottoman were actually available to buy separately but always recommended together to ensure they would be entirely matching. The Eames lounge chair and ottoman has gone on to become one of the most well known and desirable furniture designs ever and has been in continuous production since it was launched.

Many a legend has been written about the origins of the design of the Eames Lounge Chair. Some stories indicate Charles wanted the chair to 'fit like a baseball glove' whilst others say he wanted the look and feel of a 'gentleman's club chair'. Whichever story is to be believed, one thing is certainly true, the combination of beautifully crafted rosewood, luxurious Scottish leather and down filling fully fits the luxurious tag and justifies the considerable cost of the piece through the decades.

The Eames Lounge Chair is one of the most complex pieces in terms of its construction. It is comprised of 20 major separate components and was one of the Eames Office’s first ‘expensive’ articles, moving away from the mass produced low cost furniture such as the fiberglass series. The final version had roots in previous plywood experimentation at the Eames Office by Charles, Don Albinson and Harry Bertoia during the 1940's.

The Eames Lounge Chair & Ottoman has stood the test of time and indeed the changes of tastes in fashion and furniture through the decades. Over the years the Herman Miller lounge chair has been produced in many beautiful real wood veneers, high quality leathers and fabrics.

2010 saw the launch of a 'tall version' being slightly larger and higher, to accommodate the ever changing sizes of the population. This new version of the Eames Lounge Chair has proven to be a popular successor and is available side by side with the classic version.

The Eames Lounge Chair & Ottoman - A Video Introduction

An introduction to the Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman (officially catalog model numbers 670/671) in the original Rosewood veneer finish and black 'Best Auch' Scottish leather. Designed and released by Charles and Ray Eames (The Eames Office) in 1956, manufactured by Herman Miller. Our introductory video showcases a beautiful, untouched and vintage example with striking grain wood pattern and flawless leather to a museum standard.

Marketplace

8'935.80 CHF

Black 1960s Herman Miller Eames Lounge Chair & Ottoman

Beautiful 1960’s second generation Eames lounge chair by Herman Miller. All shock mounts have been p...

Excellent condition

1960s

View All 1 Eames Lounge Chair & Ottoman (670 & 671) products

Specification

What is the original size of the Eames Lounge Chair?

Height	31.50”	80.01 cm
Width	32.75”	83.19 cm
Depth	32.75”	83.19 cm
Seat height	15”	38.10 cm

What are the original sizes of the Lounge Chair Ottoman?

Height	17.25”	43.82 cm
Width	26”	66.04 cm
Depth	21.50”	54.61 cm
Seat height	17.25”	43.82 cm

The tall version of the lounge chair adds 1.75" to the overall height making it 34.50" Tall. It also adds half an inch to the seat height of the chair.

What is the original Eames Lounge Chair made from?

Frame	Die-cast Aluminium finished in Black baked enamel, now also available in white baked enamel finish
Paneling	Originally Rosewood, now finished in Walnut, Cherry, Santos Palisander, White Oak and Ebony Ash
Cushions	Originally goose down feathers enclosed in a choice of Leather, Vinyl or fabric later changed to foam filling

Generations

Generations were never intended as definitive moments of change in a product. They came about naturally, as a product developed and improved through the years. For this reason all generations of all products are certainly open to interpretation as to what even constitutes one. The Eames Lounge Chair & Ottoman is certainly no exception as this amazing design did go through some changes. So why do we define a generation? We do so in order to help us age a piece and ultimately value it.

See also our pictorial Eames Lounge Chair & Ottoman guide.

Three under arm screws of the first generation Eames Lounge Chair

1st Generation

The first and most visual way to tell a first generation lounge chair is to look under the arm rest from the side of the chair. First generation loungers had 3 screws whereas later ones were refined to just 2.

Early first generation chairs and ottomans contained only 'goose down feathers' as the cushion filler. Although an exquisite material to use, they were replaced later as they tended to flatten and sag through usage.

First generation Eames Lounge Chairs were only produced in Brazilian Rosewood and had period medallion labels.

Push on boot glides of the 1st edition Ottoman

1st Generation Continued

Although the high quality Scottish 'Best Auch' leather was the most popular choice for the chair, the early versions were available in fabric and Naugahyde too, all at the same price.

If a cushion is removed the clips on the underside of the ply should be circular and silver in color.

The feet of the ottoman on the 1st generations were boot glides, pushed onto the legs. A very small number of 1st gen ottomans were built with swivel action but were quickly changed to static as they were found to knock the chair.

Estimated Years 1956 - 1960

Silver cushion clips found on the second generation lounge chairs

2nd Generation

The second generation dropped the boot glides on the ottoman and changed for screw in feet, like the chair but with a smaller diameter.

The other notable difference was the reduction of screws under the arm from 3 to 2 which has remained to this day.

The second gen was still only available in Rosewood and retained the circular silver cushion clips as well as down fill for the cushions although an additional rubber block was added to the cushion in an attempt to keep them plush.

Estimated Years 1960-1971

Black rectangular cushion clips of post 1971 Eames Lounge Chairs

3rd Generation

The main changes are to be found in the cushion clips. Gone are the small circular silver hooks and in come the black rectangular type. Whereas the silver versions hooked onto a hoop in the back of the cushion the black ones actually slot into a recess in the cushion back itself. The idea was that the cushions would be more easily removed without bending or breaking off the hooks. It worked but the newer method brought its own issues too, most notably cracking and breaking of the cushion backing.

The generation retains Brazilian Rosewood panels throughout the chair but now finished in clear lacquer as opposed to gun stock oil.

Plastic bracket mounts replace the rubber versions in the 3rd generation

3rd Generation Continued

The combination of down feathers and synthetic filling in the cushions had also been replaced to an entirely synthetic mixture of latex foam and fiberfill, designed to keep the shape of the chair better.

The rubber shock mounts holding the bracket assemblies to the two rosewood panels was also changed to a Neoprone plastic compound. The reason was not for for any specific structural benefits but actually for a higher glossier finish of the component on the outside of the chair.

Estimated Years 1971-1974

4th generation uses 7 thinner plywood layers for added strength

4th Generation

This generation retains the features of the previous version however it sees the largest 'structural' change to the design.

The wood paneling went through a design revision and was changed from 5 ply layers into 7. The new 7 ply layers were slightly thinner thus the overall thickness of the paneling wasn't increased by any great margin however the toughness and durability of the new ply thickness was enhanced. You can physically count the ply layers on the seams of the chair or ottoman, helped by the light to dark to light pattern.

Estimated Years 1974-1991

Reddish hue of the Cherry wood panels of the post 1991 generation

5th Generation

In 1991 the use of Brazilian Rosewood for the paneling of the Eames Lounge Chair was halted. Ecological concerns of the preservation of the rain forest led to the decision for the use of the beautiful wood to be stopped.

The generation therefore was significant in the changes of the wood veneer available to the chair. Initially it was released in a Natural Cherry and a Walnut option. Whereas the Walnut had subtle grain and knot patterns in the wood, the reddish Cherry was color consistent and very different to the years of the Rosewood paneling that preceded it.

Post 2006 Palisander brought in to replicate Rosewood, on a 'tall' Eames Lounger Chair & Ottoman

5th Generation

The 5th generation of lounge chair has continued to this day using a variety of wood veneer and upholstery finishes. As well as the Cherry wood, the chairs have been available in Walnut, Oak, White Ash, Ebony and Santos Palisander, released in 2006.

In 2006 the 50th anniversary version was released and the year was commemorated with its own label as well as special edition fabrics and finishes. Later White Hot and ebony versions brought the chair into contemporary fashion and the 'tall' version was released for ever growing population.

Estimated years 1991-Present

Buying Tips and Authenticity

Is my Eames Lounge Chair & Ottoman authentic? What makes it valuable?

The first thing to check for are the labels and stamps of an Eames Lounge Chair & matching Ottoman. The lounge chair has always had at least one label but often more than one. Early versions would likely have contained both a manufacturer Herman Miller Label as well as a paper label due to the upholstery. Later model Lounge chairs may have additional quality control labels and manufacture date bar code labels.
We have seen and been made aware of occasional secondary market Lounge chairs, generally newer ones made over the last 5 years, whereby an original Herman Miller label has been affixed to a copy piece. It wouldn't be possible to emulate the original Brazilian Rosewood of the early vintage pieces but the later copies, especially emanating from China, do a good job in replicating the Walnut and Palisander veneer of later models. It is likely that the original labels have been taken from a lesser piece, such as a plywood chair for example, and fixed to the copy to make it appear as an original Herman Miller build.
Copy loungers actually being passed off as an original Herman Miller are luckily quite rare because the quality differences are quite easy to spot and the originator of the fraud is likely targeting a novice or first time buyer. If possible request Certificate of Authenticity although these do tend to be missing in 80% of them due to being put away in drawers when they buy a chair new. Failing that, buy your eames chair from a reputable vintage dealer or shop or enlist the help of a knowledgeable person to help.
Check our generations section for determinable differences in the chairs through the years. One of the main identifiers is the number of ply layers. The early version had 5 equal layers of ply but this changed to 7 in the 1970's. A lot of the reproduction models tend to use the 5 ply model, most likely as it is cheaper to produce, even with later style veneers such as Walnut or Palisander. There are also a great many copies that have the back rest angles of the chair all completely wrong and this can help in spotting them.
Original Eames Lounge Chairs have a specific type of UNC (Universal thread) bolts on the underside of the arms and also in the ply panels under the cushions. Almost all of repro copies use either hex (or alan) key fixings or with metric thread.
Finally, always check the cushions, open the zip and ensure the filling is what you would expect for the year and generation of the chair being offered. Check the cushion backings too as a complete set through a chair and ottoman if there is one would have the same markings and initialing on.
Always ask lots of questions about the origin of a chair you are looking to buy and always look to check whether there has been repairs or replacement parts.

Valuing an Eames Lounge Chair is never a simple task but the first and foremost thing on a collector's mind is originality.
Originality in all parts adds greater value. Check all panels of the chair and the ottoman. If they are matching they will all have the same numbers, initials, labels or signature of the factory worker. Check that the shock mounts are original, or at the very least replaced professionally. Check that the feet are all the same on the chair and ottoman and for originality these would be quite worn if on a vintage piece. Bases and back brackets may be more difficult to tell but are not commonly replaced. Finally the cushions, ensure the filling type fits for the age or that the leather ageing appears in keeping with the chair. Also check the cushion backs for factory signatures that would match throughout the set of chair and ottoman.
Age is certainly a factor to adding value when it comes to the very higher end models that can be found and especially in the very first generations. The truth is however that the difference in price between a vintage version and even one only a matter of a year or two old is not as great as one would think. There is certainly some difference but due to the relative price of the lounge chair actually being the same through the decades they do not vary a great deal.
Always be on the look out for both repairs and replacement. The design flaw of the Lounge chair is the failing of the mounts and this has happened through the years, old and new. Often if they break off they can come off 'clean' allowing a simple replacement. Sometimes however they break the plywood of the first back panel where the mounts are glued. Always look therefore for any indication of a line on the outer panel near the mounts that would indicate the ply being glued together. Likewise, a poor repair of the same issue is evident when it has been bolted 'out to in' under the arms on the wood panel instead of having the mount or replacement mount glued back into position. Both of these types of repairs seriously undermine the value of any lounger. Also check the panels under the cushions for cracks and breaks in the ply.
Wear and patina is more than acceptable on lounge chairs and indeed many collectors are more than happy for it to be present in vintage examples.
The desirability of the wood veneer is another value factor. The early original Rosewood chairs are the most sought after, especially those with beautiful patterns. Early Rosewood veneers actually fade a great deal to an orangery yellow almost oak appearance. They can actually be professionally restored and bring back out the amazing knots and grains of the original panels. Later Cherry panels were more red in color and there is also Walnut, Oak, Ash and Palisander which was brought in as a sustainable homage to the original Rosewood.
Look out for special edition versions of the Herman Miller lounge chair, often sporting unusual and high quality upholstery choices. Many were released during the 2006 '50th' anniversary year and these also had a specific label to commemorate the release.