Pair Eames Herman Miller DAX Leather Armchairs Vitra 1960s MCM Rope Edge Shell
A gorgeous and extremely rare pair of early 1960s caramel leather Eames DAX armchairs. A very special collaborative pair between Herman Miller and Vitra, these stunning armchairs work as lounge chairs, occasional chairs or dining chairs and will add stunning two-tone colouring and a fabulous Space Age 1960s aesthetic to any interior.
The DAX armchair was first produced in 1952 and is the most sought-after version of Charles and Ray Eames's classic fibreglass chairs, which revolutionised 20th Century furniture. Sometimes called the Eames 'Shell Chair', 'Bucket Chair' or 'Rope Edge Chair', this pair of DAX armchairs (which stands for Dining Height Armchair X-Base) has 'Greige' coloured (a combination of grey and beige) fibreglass shells, one of the three original Eames fibreglass shell colours produced from the early 1950s. This pair is fourth generation (made from 1959 onwards) as they have the improved white nylon glide feet and 'H-bases', so were likely manufactured in the early 1960s.
These wonderful armchairs features four-legged tubular steel chrome H-bases above all original & complete nylon glide feet. They have 'greige' fibreglass 'V'-stamped (for Vitra) shell seats, which join to the bases via Herman Miller marked black shock mounts and are upholstered in beautiful caramel leather with lovely contrasting white plastic bordering.
Much sought after for their simplicity, beautiful lines and their status as design icons, the gorgeous colouring and extremely rare collaborative authenticity of this pair of DAX chairs makes them even more special. Comfortable, iconic, exceptionally rare and effortlessly cool, these are a stunning and timeless pair of armchairs.
HERMAN MILLER / VITRA COLLABORATION & MARKINGS
Ray and Charles Eames began designing for Herman Miller in the late-1940s, since when the Herman Miller company has manufactured Eames furniture including the DAX chair, and in 1957 the Herman Miller company assigned the Swiss company Vitra the manufacturing licenses for the European market, since when they have also made Eames furniture including the DAX chair.
These two DAX chairs both have the Herman Miller logo markings to their black shock mounts and also have an embossed 'V' (for Vitra) on the underside of fibreglass shells, next to which the original Herman Miller sticker would have been placed. We therefore surmise that this pair would have been a collaborative effort produced for the European market between Herman Miller, who may have supplied the base (or at the very least the shock mounts) and Vitra, who made the fibreglass shell (and possibly all of the chair apart from the shock mounts.)
Despite extensive digging we haven't been able to find a detailed history of such collaborations between Herman Miller and Vitra, as it's rather nuanced and may have been carried out ad-hoc basis that wasn’t recorded in the histories of the companies. However, we think it highly plausible such collaborations would have happened, as both companies made the same Eames products and so could well have used each other's know-how and parts in the interest of keeping the Eames brand and products up to the highest specifications possible. Hence this very rare pair of twice-marked Eames DAX chairs.
CONDITION
These are in good vintage condition. Structurally sound, these have all original parts and so are in very good if not excellent condition on that front. The chairs are super-comfy and sit as they should, the nylon glide feet are in excellent condition, the chrome bases have been cleaned and are largely rust-and-pitting-free and the plastic bordering is in lovely condition with just a few grazes as is their purpose. The gorgeous caramel leather has been cleaned and treated and shows signs of wear including snags, scuffs, cracks, markings and areas where the stitching has come away, as is common with these rare old chairs and adds to their Mid Century authenticity. The arms on one chair shows wonderful patination where the caramel dye has worn to reveal the darker leather tone beneath. Overall these are a wonderful pair of extremely rare Eames DAX armchairs and if well looked after they should be just as gorgeous for generations to come – please see the photos.
MEASUREMENTS
Height - 82cm, Width - 65.5cm, Depth - 62.5cm, Seat Height - 47cm, Seat Width - 46cm, Seat Depth - 44cm, Arm Height – 68.5cm, Seat Front Lip Lowest Height - 40.5cm, Weight per chair- 8kg.
DELIVERY
UK delivery price quoted, collection also available from Warwick UK. Please CONTACT US FOR INTERNATIONAL DELIVERY QUOTES - the current International delivery quote is just a place-holder.
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