Tandem Seating Group

Released to the market in 1963, the Eames Tandem Seating Group was an extension to the already popular commercial seating options for the Fiberglass Arm and Side Chairs. It was an ingenious system designed for semi permanent installation into all kinds of commercial areas, from schools to lobbies, waiting rooms, surgeries to launderettes.

Following the huge success of the Eames Fiberglass Chairs, especially with the commercially minded stacking variants, this was a new and adaptable system with the idea that it could be safely installed into public spaces. In order to do this it would need to be able to take the rigors of heavy use and be built to deter theft. The solution ticked all those boxes, with a solid steel frame and polished Alu feet, the Eames Tandem Seating Group managed to be heavy duty enough for them not to be easily moved yet maintain a pleasant physical appearance.

The system was designed to have from 3 to 5 places on the frame. Using specially adapted 'spider' connectors it meant that any shell chair (arm or side, standard or La Fonda) could be utilized giving infinite possibilities of colors and setups specific to its application. Especially for the system was also developed a Tandem Table, a small white side table built to use the spider connector and which could also be used on any of the tandem places.

The Eames Tandem Seating series was a commercial success and their availability remained constant until the fiberglass chairs were discontinued in 1989.

• There are of course two stages to authenticating these by labels. Firstly the shells themselves should have one of a variety of labels and stamps as shown on our full page. Second is the tandem bench itself. These should have had a variety of adhesive labels on the underside of the bar however there are many around without.
• As the series was released in 1963 only the latter generations of the arm and side chairs would likely be found originally on Tandem Seating, as well as La Fonda variants.
• The good news is that, as far as we are aware, this particular Eames design has never been the subject of copying or reproduction and therefore by default any Tandem Seating should be authentic, it is only the usual checks on the Fiberglass that you need to carry out.
• Quite a lot of Tandem Benches turn up in pieces, always check that if you are buying these that all the pieces are present.

• The value of the Tandem Seating Group depends largely on the actual shells that sit on them and if tables are present. This makes the possibility of valuing such a piece very difficult and explains the huge differential that occurs in the secondary market. It must be remembered that generally, Tandem Seating is an acquired taste and that buyers will have a specific need for them. It is for this reason that the benches themselves do not reach high yields.
• The shell values follow the same process as with any Fiberglass Chair. Value is first driven by color, followed by age and condition. You may also find that some carry upholstery and value can again be impacted by those with special fabrics including those by Alexander Girard. 
• Originality does make a big difference. If shells have clearly been added this can impact slightly but not with over severity. We have found that Tandem Benches with 3 places tend to be the most desirable, likely due to the size factor.