Eames Time Life Lobby Chair by Mobile International, France
About the Item
- Creator:Mobilier International (Manufacturer),Charles Eames (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 36.23 in (92 cm)Diameter: 30.32 in (77 cm)Seat Height: 21.26 in (54 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Refinished. Wear consistent with age and use. Nicely worn consistent with age. Please take a look at all our pictures.
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU6450237431922
Charles Eames
The legacy of Charles Eames looms large in design. In partnership with his wife, Ray, Charles was at the forefront of pioneering innovation in the use of molded plywood for furniture making. The Eameses’ cheerful and inviting work has endured among the most important advancements in the history of 20th-century design.
Together, visionary mid-century modern duo Charles and Ray Eames introduced a wide range of renowned furniture to the postwar market, including iconic designs such as the Eames lounge chair and ottoman, the wildly colorful birch plywood-and-plastic-laminate Eames storage unit, the Eames compact sofa and more. The designers were trailblazers in molded plywood furniture and brought lively organic form to metal and plastic.
Charles Eames studied architecture at Washington University in St. Louis. He traveled to Mexico and Europe, and experienced firsthand the work of designer-architects Le Corbusier and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. In 1930, upon returning to Missouri, Eames opened an architecture practice with Charles M. Gray but later moved to Michigan in 1938. He received a fellowship at Cranbrook Academy of Art, which would become a breeding ground for the stars of mid-century design. Eames continued his architecture studies at Cranbrook and also taught in the design department.
In 1940, Eames met his future wife, artist and designer Beatrice Alexandra "Ray" Kaiser, who was studying at Cranbrook under Abstract Expressionist painter Hans Hofmann. Charles teamed up with another Cranbrook instructor, Finnish-American designer Eero Saarinen, to explore the possibilities of plywood for use in furniture design.
With support from Ray, Charles and Eero created chairs and case pieces and submitted them to the “Organic Design in Home Furnishings” competition at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City — among them was the groundbreaking organic Side chair made of molded plywood with maple legs. It was upholstered by Heywood-Wakefield. This exhibition is considered critical by many to the popularization of what is known as mid-century modernism. Eames and Saarinen won first place for their submissions to the competition.
Charles and Ray were married in 1941 and soon after moved to Los Angeles, California, and lived in an apartment building designed by architect Richard Neutra. Charles worked on set design at MGM, and at night, in a humble workshop they established in the guest bedroom, he and Ray experimented with molded plywood on a homemade device they called the “Kazaam!” machine. In 1942, the couple won a U.S. Navy contract to create molded plywood leg splints that would be used to support wartime medical efforts. Soon, the Evans Product Company was making the splints and the Eameses opened the famed Eames Office and studio.
The Eameses’ innovative use of wire framing, molded plywood and applied fabrics caught the attention of many notable figures in interior design and architecture, including George Nelson, director of design at Herman Miller, a now-legendary modern furniture manufacturer. The company enlisted the Eameses’ talents and was eventually home to the couple’s classic pieces such as the Eames DCW chair and the DCM chair.
Find an extensive array of vintage Charles Eames seating, tables and case pieces on 1stDibs.
Mobilier International
Mobilier International was a prominent French furniture company that produced high-end pieces for the French market in the latter half of the 20th century. The company’s mid-century modern offerings boasted a relaxed and functional elegance. Known mainly for its leather lounge chairs and chaise lounges, Mobilier International also distributed pieces like cocktail tables and writing desks.
The story of Mobilier International began in 1955, when Michel Schulmann established Arflex France to import Italian Arflex furniture and SICAF to import Scandinavian and other Italian designs. In 1957, Shulman set up Mobilier International to bring the whole collection together under a single brand.
One of the company’s first significant imports was in 1959 with the Superleggera chair by Italian designer Gio Ponti. That same year, Mobilier International signed a contract to manufacture and sell Herman Miller furniture. The company had established itself as one of the few to offer mid-to-high-end modern furniture in France.
Throughout the 1960s, Mobilier International opened several manufacturing facilities. The company also introduced many now iconic designs, including Marco Zanuso’s Woodline armchair and the DSC 106 chair by Giancarlo Piretti. In 1968 alone, Mobilier International ordered 2,000 to 3,000 DSC 106 chairs per month to distribute in France.
In 1972, designer George Ciancimino created an interlocking aluminum furniture line for Mobilier International. The company also collaborated with Pierre Paulin on the Pacha furniture line for public buildings like hospitals and museums. Meanwhile, it continued importing international designs, like the Tizio lamp created by Richard Sapper for the Italian lighting company Artemide.
Mobilier International worked with several big names in furniture design throughout the 1980s, including Bruno Gecchelin, Pascal Mourgue and Bernard Govin.
In 1991, Mobilier International was sold to Haworth, an international office furniture manufacturer, ending the production of the company’s lounge chairs. Schulmann retired in 1994 and died in 2004, at the age of 94.
On 1stDibs, find Mobilier International seating, tables and more.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: London, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Set of 8 French Directoire Style Dining ChairsLocated in London, GBThis is a very decorative set of French dining chairs. The attractive directoire design is accentuated with the original cream and pale blue original paint. Please take a look at a...Category
Vintage 1940s French Directoire Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsWood, Paint
- Set of 4 French 1950s Decorative Garden Chairs '5 Available'Located in London, GBThese very attractive garden chairs were made in France in the 1950s. Crafted from wrought iron with a lovely swirling design. We have had all the chairs fully restored - each one...Category
Vintage 1950s French Country Patio and Garden Furniture
MaterialsWrought Iron
- Set of 4 French 1960s Stacking Chairs in the Manner of Alvar AltoLocated in London, GBA set of stylish French chairs, made in the 1960s in the manner of Alvar Alto. Attractive and practical mid century design. We've had them reupholstered using Bute fabric...Category
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- Large Clear Glass Vase by Daum, French 1960sBy DaumLocated in London, GBThis large clear glass vase has been crafted with a beautiful swirl design on either side. Made by the maker Daum in the 1960s, it can also be a decorative piece, or a flower vase. ...Category
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsGlass
- Pair of Carved French 19th Century Salon ChairsLocated in London, GBA beautiful pair of carved 19th century French salon chairs with original paint and castors to the front feet. We've had them upholstered in a light Mark Alexander...Category
Antique 1870s French Rococo Chairs
MaterialsLinen, Wood
- 'Argos' Model Vase by César Baldaccini, Daum, FranceBy César Baldaccini, DaumLocated in London, GBThis fabulous glass vase was made by Daum in Nancy, France in the 1970s. It looks very much like a piece of sculpture - no surprise given it's designer was César Baldaccini! Titled...Category
Vintage 1970s French Brutalist Vases
MaterialsGlass
- Eames Time Life Lobby Lounge Chair in Black Leather for Herman Miller, 1980s USABy Charles and Ray EamesLocated in Los Angeles, CAClassic Eames Time Life Lobby Chair in black leather for Herman Miller. Black leather is in good condition with wear as shown. Extremely comfortable and worn in. Chair swivels. Heigh...Category
Vintage 1980s North American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk C...
MaterialsAluminum
- Eames Time Life Office Desk Chair in Black LeatherBy Herman Miller, Charles and Ray EamesLocated in Brooklyn, NYEames Time Life office/desk chair. Executed in black leather and cast aluminum. On tilting adjustable height swivel base with casters. Manufactured 19...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsAluminum
- Time life chair Herman Miller Charles and Ray EamesBy Herman MillerLocated in Pasadena, TXTimeLife Chair Herman Miller designed by Charles Eames Height: 35.5 in (90.17 cm)Width: 26.5 in (67.31 cm)Depth: 29.5 in (74.93 cm)Seat Height: 17 in (43.18 cm) Style: Mid-Century M...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsAluminum
- Early Vintage Time Life Desk Chair ES104 by Charles Eames for Herman MillerBy Charles Eames, Herman MillerLocated in Chicago, ILVintage Time Life Desk Chair ES104 by Charles Eames for Herman Miller. The appears to be a nice early example of the design. Will double check the dimensions of the chair. Wear to t...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Eames Time Life Chair in Grey Leather for Herman Miller, 1980sBy Charles and Ray Eames, Herman MillerLocated in Los Angeles, CAClassic Eames Time Life chair for Herman Miller in light grey leather with a polished aluminum frame and legs made in Los Angeles, CA. Originally designed in 1960 by Charles and Ray Eames for use in the lobby of the Time Life building in New York. Recently re-upholstered in gray leather, in-keeping with the color and integrity of other Time-life models. Some slight blemishes to the aluminum frame in-keeping with age. Chair's height and recline is fully adjustable and also swivels 360 degrees. Timeless chair. In 1972, the Time-life chair made the news when notoriously fussy chess genius Bobby Fischer included this chair among his many demands for his legendary 1972 world championship match with Russian master...Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsAluminum
- Eames Time Life Chair in Black Leather for Herman Miller, 1980s USABy Charles and Ray EamesLocated in Los Angeles, CAClassic Eames Time Life swivel chair in black leather for Herman Miller. Original black leather with wear as shown. Extremely comfortable and worn in. Chair swivels. Chair reclines. ...Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsAluminum