ICF - Charles Eames, Ray Eames - Office chair - EA108 - Aluminium, Textile

Sedia Aluminium Chair EA 108 by Charles and Ray Eames for ICF

We present at auction one of the highest expressions of American modernism and global industrial design: the Aluminium Chair, model EA 108, in its swivel-base with armrests configuration. Conceived in 1958, this seat represents one of the greatest design successes of the 20th century, here offered in a rare vintage production by the Italian ICF, finished in polished aluminum with Hopsack fabric in aqua green.

Design and history:
The Aluminium Group line was initially created to furnish the exterior spaces of the private residence of the famous art collector J. Irwin Miller in Columbus, Indiana, challenging the construction norms of the period.
Charles and Ray Eames definitively abandoned the concept of a closed or monoblock shell seat. The project rests on a brilliant engineering intuition: stretching a continuous sheet of fabric or leather between two aluminum side profiles, transforming the upholstery itself into an elastic structural element.
Even without complex and heavy padding, the chair dynamically adapts to the lines and weight of the human body, offering postural comfort and a flexibility that remains unsurpassed.
Model EA 108 stands out for its mid-height backrest and the sinuous geometric arms.

Lot conditions:
This original example, dating from the 1980s, comes from the historic Italian manufacturer ICF and is presented in good general use condition.
Structure: the polished aluminum frame and the characteristic four-spoke swivel base (with fixed foot terminals) are perfectly solid, robust and stable. The metal retains its natural original tactile shine thanks to a recent cleaning and polishing, showing only minimal and normal signs of time that attest to the piece’s authenticity.
Upholstery: the aqua green Hopsack fabric upholstery has been cleaned and sanitized and is now in good usable condition, intact and sturdy with slight signs of age and consistent with the piece’s age. (photos do not do justice to the live condition; the upholstery is in better condition.)
Functionality: The rotation movement on the central pivot is smooth, consistent and free of structural play.

Dimensions:
Width: 58 cm
Depth: 59 cm
Height: 83 cm
Seat height: 40 cm

Acquire this rare aqua green Hopsack EA 108 version, a versatile element of absolute elegance, ideal for executive meeting rooms, corporate offices or refined domestic settings.

The Designers: Charles and Ray Eames
A cornerstone pair of 20th-century design, Charles and Ray Eames managed to unite artistic exploration, functional ergonomics and the logic of mass production like no one else. Through scientific experimentation with materials—from bent plywood to plastic resins, to aluminum alloys—they created furnishings that have withstood fleeting trends, becoming eternal icons and museum-worthy of modern living.

The Manufacturer: ICF (Industria Componenti per l'Arredamento)
Founded in Italy, ICF was for decades one of the few companies in the world to hold the official license for the production and distribution of the Eames Aluminium Group on the national territory. The ICF manufacturing is historically celebrated by collectors for its very high quality standards, impeccable fusion work, and fidelity to the original designs, characteristics that render these vintage pieces collectibles with value that remains stable over time.

Shipping and insurance:
Our company ORVETT includes shipping insurance in the listed shipping costs. For overseas shipping, the cost is indicative. We will prepare a post-auction quote according to the destination.