Charles & Ray Eames “The Chair

La Chaise, the famous design armchair created by Charles & Ray Eames and produced by Vitra around 1990.

• White polypropylene shell, chrome-plated steel and solid oak base.
• This vintage armchair, which has become a reference in 20th-^century design furniture, is presented in exceptional condition, near mint, with its original manufacturer’s label.
• Dimensions: W 150 × H 87 × D 90 cm.

A revolutionary design for its time

La Chaise is distinguished by its generous, one-piece shell, originally made of fiberglass-reinforced polyester and later produced in more modern composite materials. This asymmetrical armchair offers great freedom of movement and allows for multiple sitting or reclining positions. Through its innovative approach and sculptural aesthetic, it is part of the evolution of modernist design, while representing one of the most accomplished expressions of organic design developed by Charles & Ray Eames.

Both its name and form pay tribute to Gaston Lachaise‘s sculpture Floating Figure, whose sensual curves and sense of floating directly inspired the two designers. Rather than reproducing the work, they transposed its spirit into a design armchair with organic lines, capable of naturally following the body’s various positions. This approach places the user at the heart of the design and helps make La Chaise a major reference in 20th-^century design furniture.

Gaston Lachaise’s sculpture Floating Figure (1927), a direct source of inspiration for Charles & Ray Eames in the design of La Chaise.

The sculptural silhouette of La Chaise transposes the organic curves and sense of floating from Floating Figure into one of the most iconic design armchairs of the 20th ^century.

The base fully contributes to this sense of lightness. Thin chrome-plated steel tubes connect the shell to an elegant cross-shaped base in solid maple wood. This contrast between the warmth of the wood, the finesse of the metal, and the sculptural curves of the shell creates a remarkable balance between stability, elegance, and visual lightness. More than just a vintage armchair, La Chaise is a true functional sculpture where art, technical innovation, and comfort meet in remarkable harmony.

An icon of 20th-^century design

More than 75 years after its creation, La Chaise remains one of the major works of Charles & Ray Eames. Reissued by Vitra, it is among the most iconic armchairs of the 20th ^century and remains an essential reference for lovers of design armchairs, vintage armchairs, and furniture signed by the world’s greatest designers. Halfway between sculpture and furniture, it perfectly illustrates the Eames philosophy, based on innovation, comfort, and the timelessness of forms.