Knowledge Base

The Eames Office is dedicated to communicating, preserving and extending the work of Charles and Ray Eames. We feel that all three of those dimensions are important to keeping the office useful and vital. We believe that all of Charles and Ray’s work was the result of a way of looking at the world—a design philosophy and process that is worth sharing in many different dimensions. We also believe that creating wholly new works is as consistent with that philosophy as restoring and distributing classic ones.

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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

  • 1. Where can I buy authentic Eames designs?

    The Eames Office maintains a gallery at 850 W. Pico Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA. The knowledgeable and helpful staff there can take your order for any and all Eames designs which are currently in production. Sometimes they have some vintage items for sale, from the personal collection of the Eames family. Be sure to ask what's available, as quantities are limited. Please click on the EAMES OFFICE link at the bottom of this page, or call them at 1-310-396-5991.

  • 2. What's an Eames chair worth?

    We can't do valuations, but there are many sources you can turn to for that. Here are some leads. 1. Professional appraisers. www.appraisers.org 2. Ebay completed listings 3. Auction houses that specialize in mid-century designs 4. On line sales websites, such as 1stdibs.com and vandm.com 5. Professional antique dealers who are well established. Many advertise on line with websites, which you can find through search terms, and also, some advertise in national publications, such as MODERNISM. 6. There are probably several websites that offer such advice for a fee, such as Worthpoint Please note we cannot and do not take responsibility for goods and/or services provided by third parties. Please check out our bookstore, at www.eamesgallery.com There are many books there of interest to collectors. It's always helpful to learn as much as possible about any area of collecting.

  • 3. Is design a craft for industrial purposes?

    No— but design may be a solution to some industrial problems.

  • 4. Is design an element of industrial policy?

    A. Certainly; as in any other aspect of quality, obvious or subtle, of the product. It seems that anything can be an element in policy.

  • 5. What is your definition of “design?”

    A plan for arranging elements in such a way as to best accomplish a particular purpose. A question that doesn't seem to have one right answer. Maybe that is a good thing and maybe that is a bad thing. Either way, it is a question that you should ask yourself if you are involved in the process of design. It doesn't matter if you are the actual designer or you are the person that employs the person doing the design, design is important and if you are going to be part of the process you have to understand your own idea of it.

  • 6. Is design an expression of art (an art form)

    The design is an expression of the purpose. It may (if it is good enough) later be judged as art.

  • 7. Ought form to derive from the analysis of function?

    The great risk here is that the analysis may not be complete.

  • 8. Is design a creation of an individual?

    No— because to be realistic one must always admit the influence of those who have gone before.

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