The History of EA117

The aluminum chair is one of the greatest furniture designs of the 20th century, and stands out for its intelligent combination of materials. The covers are attached inside the aluminum profile sections and simply stretched over the frame, transforming them from mere coverings to a load-bearing part of the structure. It adapts to fit the body snugly and delivers great comfort, even without extensive upholstery. The large range of Aluminum Group chairs includes two office swivel chairs, the models EA117 and EA119. Thanks to their iconic design, they are an ideal seating solution for prestigious office environments. The combined effect of the tilt mechanism, which can be adjusted to the weight of the user, and the resilient sling seat, comprising a fabric or leather panel stretched tautly between the side ribs, ensures exceptional seating comfort. The extreme attention to detail of the sculpted metal frame combined with the choice of material ensures high quality construction and comfort, throughout the day. The mid-height backrest structure of the chair follows the body line to deliver maximum comfort, created by the use of tension bars which hold the fabric apart. This design allows the chair to encompass the ideal level of strength, yet also flexibility. The Eames EA117 is the mid-height backrest version. A broad selection of upholstery colors makes it easy to find the perfect chair for every business interior or home office. The aluminum chair EA119 is distinguishable from EA117 by its higher backrest. Medium backrest with adjustable backward tilt and height-adjustable pneumatic spring mechanism. Five-star aluminum base with castors. Base available in polished or chromed aluminum. Seat upholstered in Hopsack fabric, Leather with Plano fabric back panel or Leather premium with Plano fabric back panel.  This chair, as well as all others in the Eames Aluminum Group, includes a 30-year guarantee.

The Eames EA117 aluminum chair with castors and arms is a key member of the Aluminum Group of chairs; a classic collection that has won numerous awards worldwide and is rated by many as one of the greatest design achievements of the 20th century. Designed by Charles and Ray Eames in 1958, the EA117 is a classic example of how this world-famous husband-and-wife team combined innovation, vision and new manufacturing methods to create brand-new furniture that was functional, beautiful and original. Charles and Ray Eames are two of the most well-known and highly-respected designers of the twentieth century. They defined the “mid-century modern” style of furniture, with their organic, innovative designs, extending their considerable influence to architecture, exhibition design, photography, film-making, and manufacturing. The Aluminum Group of chairs is particularly revered for its clever combination of materials, using lightweight aluminum for strength, durability and lightness. Rather than having separate upholstered sections, these chairs benefit from loose-fitting upholstery that is suspended within, and an integral part of the frame. The result: incredible durability and beautiful, streamlined silhouettes.  Simple construction and clean lines mean every part of each chair is clearly visible, but since the design dispenses with visible bolts and fastenings, the cushioning and curved frame fuse to become one solid, graceful object. This technology was highly innovative in 1958 – as was the Eames’ use of aluminum, which at the time was largely viewed as a building material. The aluminum chair stands out for its intelligent combination of materials. The covers are attached inside the aluminum profile sections and simply stretched over the frame, transforming them from mere coverings to a load-bearing part of the structure. It adapts to fit the body snugly and delivers great comfort, even without extensive upholstery. The Eames EA117 Aluminum Chair with castors is quite simply a triumph of style and technology: invest in this chair and you invest in a piece of design history.