Eames Catalog
La Chaise
1998
Vitra
La Chaise 1998
Shell 34 1/4" H by 59" W
Base 35 1/2" W
Highest Seat Height 19 1/4"
Two bonded fiberglass shells, chromed rod base with natural oak cruciform foot.This chair was originally designed in 1948 for the Museum of Modern Art's "International Competition for Low Cost Furniture Design." Another Eames design in that same competition, the armshell, won a prize and eventually went in to production in fiberglass, to great success. The play on words of the name "La Chaise" references both the furniture form and an observation by Charles and Ray that a floating sculpture by Gaston LaChaise could fit in this chair.
In 1948 and for decades after, "La Chaise" proved too expensive to produce. In 1990s, in response to public interest and demand, long-time Eames partner, VITRA of Germany, started to make and distribute this chair. This example was produced in June, 1998.
A proposal panel prepared for the MOMA competition gives an historical context for this design: "Conversation, rest & play. Gondola, Confortable, Duchesse, Psyche, Kangaroo: are some of the names of the past for a type of seating that fills a difficult-to-define need of the time."
You can read more about this design HERE on the Vitra Museum website.
J.F. Chen Collection
ADDITIONAL NOTES AND IMAGES
Floating figure 1927 by Gaston LACHAISE
bronze Impression: 5/7
Edition: no.5 in an edition of 7, with one unnumbered cast
135.0 h x 233.0 w x 57.0 d cm
Purchased 1978
Accession No: NGA 80.2744
National Gallery of Australia
We add new Catalog entries every week. Please check back often,
or sign up with your email and we'll keep you posted on our progress.