Released in 1945, the Eames plywood children's nested table was part of a range of furniture designs for children and were the first commercial release from the Eames Office in collaboration with the Evans Molded Plywood Company. In addition to the table the range also consisted of a Nested Chair and matching Stool.
Whilst we know from historical records that the range was limited to a production run of 5000 pieces, it is impossible to gauge how many of those were tables. Such is the rarity of this seldom seen design that many believe there are single figures still in existence today.
The plywood furniture for children was released right at the close of world war two. The techniques and moldings had been very carefully developed and improved through their use during the war years to create a range of useful items such as the leg splint, pilots seat and body litter.
The children's range was made solely in Birch but with a range of aniline dyed colors, though most of what is seen today (mainly chairs and stools) do tend to be in the natural veneer or in red and black.
The Eames plywood furniture for children has remained an enigma for many collectors over the years. All of the pieces are very rare and make high value yields at auction, but the table is by far the least seen of the group. The group was not a commercial success at the time, but it did serve as a precursor to the very popular adult plywood furniture released a year later. Herman Miller have never attempted a re-release of the series but the European maker Vitra have re-issued elements of it.
| Height | 16" | 40.64 cm |
| Width | 15" | 38.10 cm |
| Length | 25.5" | 64.77 cm |
| Body | Construction of 5 layers of Birch core plywood |
| Feet | None |
The edges and natural grain of the Birch plywood (as seen here on the matching nested stool)
Here the table is seen alongside 2 matching nested stools (image source: Wright20)
Close up of the leg of the Eames plywood Nested Table, Stool and Chair