Eames La Fonda Side Chair, Eames DSL Chair

Quick Intro

What is an Eames La Fonda Side Chair?

The Eames La Fonda side chairs were essentially an adaptation of the fiberglass plastic chair series, commissioned by Alexander Girard for a new Mexican restaurant in the Time Life Building in New York that opened in 1961. The chairs were then simultaneously released for sale via the Herman Miller catalog of the same year. In Europe they were given the abbreviated name of the Eames DSL Chair, Dining (D) chair Height, Side (S) chair on La Fonda (L) Base.

Although the series was an adaptation of the existing plastic eames chairs, the design brief of the La Fonda series had two distinctive conditions. Firstly, Girard stipulated that the chairs must not be higher than the height of the table top, thus resulting in them being hidden from view. The second stipulation came from Charles, in that he wanted a pedestal base that contained multiple columns.

The result was a beautiful, almost ‘squashed’ smaller top that had essentially been reduced in height by 3 inches, standing atop a multi-columned special aluminium base that really defined the overall look of this series of chairs.

The series also included a La Fonda Arm chair as well as dining and side table. The Eames La Fonda Side Chair Series were only available in one color of fiberglass and came complete only fully upholstered, naturally designed by Girard for Herman Miller. As well as the unique La Fonda base, Herman Miller also released the tops with pedestal contract bases, these models were numbered 1705 and 1706 which had castors.

The restaurant itself had a unique and pleasant bright, cheerful overall design that represented Girard’s love of and inspiration from folk art. Sadly the restaurant closed in 1963 but the chairs remained available for a further 11 years, finally being discontinued in 1974.

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Specification

What are the original sizes of the Eames La Fonda Side Chair?

Height	29”	73.66 cm
Width	18.75”	47.63 cm
Depth	20”	50.80 cm
Seat Height	18.5”	7 cm

What materials went into making the Eames La Fonda Side Chairs?

Top	Molded Plastic Zenaloy (fiberglass re-enforced plastic)
Base	Cast Aluminum Base in solid colours & metals
Feet	Dowel Leg Originally Birch or Walnut, later also Ash (post 2001)

Buying Tips and Authenticity

Is My La Fonda Eames side chair real?

All La Fonda shells have Labels and stamps like all fiberglass shells which will aid in authentication.
Bases are not marked but are not generally thought to have been targeted by copiers
La Fonda shells were only sold in one fiberglass color (light greige) and were only sold upholstered.
All original tops had upholstery but unlike the plastic chair series, it was possible to remove some without damaging the shell or leaving holes, hence 'naked' shell versions being available.

Check the upholstery for rips and tears and lifting. Damage to the upholstery seriously reduces the value.
Check the fiberglass for holes, chips or breaks, especially around where the base connection points are located.
Those found with special Girard textile designs hold a higher value than those with regular factory fabric choices.
Naked fiberglass shells are not original but do still hold some value, through not as high as the original upholstered versions.
Check the base as cast aluminum which are often found in alu, black, gun metal and white.