An excellent early second-generation DAW armchair, designed by Charles and Ray Eames and produced by Herman Miller in 1954–55.

The chair retains its original Elephant Hide Grey moulded fibreglass shell, one of the earliest colours developed for the Eames fibreglass chairs. The colour is a particularly deep warm grey, almost black in certain light, with the individual glass fibres clearly visible throughout the surface. Elephant Hide Grey was one of the original group of colours developed by Charles and Ray Eames for the fibreglass chairs. 

This is a second-generation example and retains its original large shock mounts and original red Herman Miller Venice label to the underside. These are important early production details: second-generation arm shells dating from approximately 1954–55 are characterised by their flat edge and large shock mounts and can be found with either the red Venice label or no label. 

The shell is mounted on a wooden dowel base with black-painted metal cross-bracing, giving the chair its DAW designation — Dining Armchair Wood base. As far as we can determine, the base has always been with the chair. We cannot prove this conclusively, however, and therefore prefer not to describe it categorically as original to the shell. The timber and metalwork both display convincing age and wear consistent with the chair.

This chair is one of four early Eames fibreglass chairs we acquired from the same private collection. Although offered individually, their shared provenance is particularly interesting, with each chair retaining its own combination of early shell, colour and base.

The chair has survived in particularly good condition. Structurally the shell is excellent, with the original large shock mounts retained. The Elephant Hide Grey surface has developed an attractive patina through more than seventy years of use, with expected minor marks and wear but nothing we consider excessive. The chair has clearly been well looked after.

It has simply been carefully cleaned. We have deliberately avoided unnecessary restoration, preserving the original fibreglass surface, visible fibres, label and signs of age.

For us, the combination of Elephant Hide Grey, the surviving red Venice label, large original shock mounts and beautifully aged wooden dowel base makes this a particularly appealing early Eames chair. More importantly, it has survived as an honest and very well-preserved example of early 1950s production.

Viewing is warmly welcomed at our West London showroom.

High-resolution photographs, detailed condition reports and video inspections are available upon request.

We offer local, national and international shipping.

Please contact us for further information or to arrange a private viewing.