Eames La Chaise, Eames La Chaise Design

Quick Intro

What is an Eames La Chaise?

Originally designed in 1948, the Eames La Chaise was a conceptual free-form & organically designed daybed on which a user could either sit or lie. With an almost Dali-esque appearance, the inspiration for the piece actually came from the sculpture 'The Floating Figure' by Gaston Lachaise, hence the origins of the name. Although intended to be released in 1950, Herman Miller found the piece to be too costly and never released one.

It would take over 40 years before the Eames La Chaise would actually be put into production. This would happen in 1991 when the first market pieces rolled off the production line of Vitra, the European licensee. It means therefore that the 'La Chaise' was a design that was not part of the portfolio of Charles and Ray Eames during their lifetime. Vitra later reproduced a few of the early Eames designs that were not released including La Chaise and the Plywood Elephant. Although the Wiki is designed to showcase the works of Charles and Ray available in their lifetime, the Eames La Chaise is included as it is known around the world, has a great history and is a faithful reproduction of the concept.

The Eames La Chaise design was actually a concept entered into the 'International Competition For Low Cost Furniture' held by the Museum of Modern Art in New York in 1948. It did not win as was deemed too large but did get special mention for its form. In truth the competition was more important for Charles Eames as the beginning of the development for the fiberglass side and arm chairs, even though they did start life in aluminum.

The Eames La Chaise was initially released in 1991 sympathetic to the original design before changing to use polyurethane in 2001.

Marketplace

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Specification

What are the original sizes of the released Eames La Chaise?

Height	34.5"	87 cm
Width	59"	150 cm
Depth	34"	86 cm
Seat Height	19.25"	49 cm

The materials that went into making the La Chaise were:

Top	Molded 2 part Fiberglass, later Injection molded Polyurethane
Struts	Chromed Steel
Base	Oak

Buying Tips and Authenticity

Is my Eames La Chaise authentic? What makes it valuable?

You can make a first check on authenticity as all Vitra made Eames La Chaise daybeds will carry the Vitra Label. Vitra labels may be black and silver or printed white and black and are always found on the underside of the body.
The bad news is that the La Chaise is one of the most copied Eames designs and has been a significant target for the last couple of decades. Some copies have even got so good that dealers are resorting to weighing them in order to ensure they are real. Versions have even been found with fake labels which is even more disconcerting.
It is difficult for the novice to tell authenticity. First check is the shape (many repros are all wrong and not high enough or not enough depth) so check the dimensions. Then the material, many of the repros continue to be made in Fiberglass even though the original has not used that material for many years. Then take a close look at the quality of the struts and finally the label placement and whether it is the correct version for the year.
The Eames La Chaise commands high value in the secondary marketplace, though it must be said more for the earlier fiberglass versions, therefore condition is imperative and the biggest value factor. No other colors have been produced other than white.

Distinctive black and silver label of a later made Vitra made Eames La Chaise

Images

The Eames La Chaise, made by Vitra, made in modern polyurethane material

The 'floating' of the seating/lying section is possible with the chromed steel struts

This 1949 Forum Magazine article shows the prototype Eames La Chaise with production mentioned for 1950

The rear view of the Eames La Chaise by Vitra with its sculptural curves and wooden frame