The famous Eames Rocking (R) Arm (A) Chair on Rod (R) Base, abbreviated to RAR, was one of the ‘original 5’ released in 1950 and remains a firm favorite with collectors and home owners all these years later.
When the original Eames Office and Zenith Plastics colluded to produce the Eames RAR Rocking Chair in 1950 few could have predicted its enduring popularity and rise to ‘design classic’ over the coming years. This happened despite the fact the rocking base was sadly discontinued in 1968 by Herman Miller.
The Eames RAR Chair was originally marketed as a rocker chair ‘good for young mothers’ but it is fair to say it is a favorite corner piece in all kinds of homes today. It was launched as one option of the original 5 base options including the DAR Eiffel, Dowel DAW, 4-leg DAX and LAR ‘cats cradle’.
The RAR was available through the early generations of the fiberglass chair range with the 'rope' edges and were then made available with upholstery options as designed by Alexander Girard for Herman Miller.
Original rocking bases were available in either zinc plated or black oxide frame and Birch or Walnut runners. Due to them being discontinued it is fair to say that original RAR bases are rarer to find and quite valuable now. Famously, from 1968 to 1984, Herman Miller did continue to give a rocking chair to all employees with new born babies! These were always upholstered and in the desired shell color choice of the receiver and each one was also adorned with a personalized plaque.
Herman Miller did re-release the base in 2001 for the plastic chairs and they remain available to this day. The rocking RAR base is also one of the most copied of the Eames designs and copies exist the world over.
Everyone's favorite Eames chair, the fiberglass rocking chair (model RAR) in the most desirable of vintage colors, seafoam green. Originally released in 1950, the fiberglass group was an incredible range of versatile chairs with varying bases to give entirely differing feels and functions. The RAR is instantly recognizable and is rightly seen as a classic design of the time, regularly adorning picture perfect magazine covers and features. Our video showcases an original and authentic RAR, made by Herman Miller in circa 1955 and in the most desired of colors.
| Height | 26.875” | 68.26 cm |
| Width | 24.875” | 63.18 cm |
| Depth | 27” | 68.58 cm |
| Seat Height | 16.” | 40.64 cm |
| Top | Molded Plastic Zenaloy (fiberglass re-enforced plastic) |
| Base | Bent Wire Frame, Zinc or Black Oxide |
| Feet | Runners of Birch or Walnut |
1st Generation RAR 'Ankle Breaker' Base
First Generation
This is the very first production type released with the plastic arm chairs in 1950
The base only ran for a few months until a design flaw was recognised
The crossing wires in the center could effectively come down and impact the users ankles during rocking due to their placement. This is why the base coined the nickname 'ankle breaker' with collectors and Eames aficionados.
Note the criss-cross pattern of the rods when looking heading on which is distinctive next to the revised edition
See the generations of shells here
2nd Generation Rocking RAR base on early Zenith Arm Shell
Second Generation
The second generation of RAR base is essentially a revised variant of the first release and was introduced only a few months later. They are therefore second edition bases still on first edition tops!
Note the difference in the visual cross pattern when looking head on into the base.
The front rods, instead of crossing low into the center as with the first edition, travel higher into the top of the frame and away from the chair user's legs and ankles.
See the generations of shells here
3rd Generation Post 2001 Eames RAR rocking chair base
Third Generation
The third generation essentially is the post re-issue version since 2001
Although physically there is very little difference to the earlier second generation, the sheer 'newness' of the base and 33 years space between public availability determines the generation change.
The wooden runners are treated and certainly more durable than their age old predecessors.
The latter generation had added white frame choice and Walnut, Ash or Maple runners
See the generations of shells here
Elephant Hide Grey Eames RAR Rocking Chair
Original 1950 Herman Miller Plastic Chairs Vintage Advert
Eames RAR Rocking base second generation close up
1952 Herman Miller Catalog RAR Specifications Page
Later 60's RAR rocking arm chair side view
1955 Herman Miller Catalog RAR extract specs
Photograph of Herman Miller showroom setup including Eames RAR
1964 Herman Miller RAR brochure Extract
Close up of Seafoam Arm Eames RAR Shell Chair
Herman Miller base frame attachments are distinctively rectangular with indentations
Grouping of vintage RAR rockers in yellow, orange and grey. (Image courtesy of Circa Modern)
1st Generation RAR rocking chair with 'ankle breaker' base (image courtesy of D Rose Mod, Inc)
