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 configuration with armrests. Conceived in 1958, this seating is one of the great design successes of the 20th century, here offered in a rare vintage production by the Italian ICF, finished in brushed aluminum and Hopsack fabric in aqua green.

Design and history:
The Aluminium Group line was originally created to furnish the exterior spaces of the private residence of renowned art collector J. Irwin Miller in Columbus, Indiana, challenging the construction norms of the period.
Charles and Ray Eames abandoned the concept of a closed-shell or monoblock seat. The project is based on a brilliant engineering intuition: to tension a continuous sheet of fabric or leather between two lateral aluminum profiles, turning 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 unmatched to this day.
The EA 108 model is distinguished by its mid-height back and the sinuous geometric armrests.

Lot conditions:
This original instance, dating from the 1980s, comes from the historic Italian manufacturer ICF and presents in generally good used condition.
Structure: the brushed aluminum frame and the characteristic four-spoke swivel base (with fixed foot tips) are perfectly solid, robust, and stable. The metal retains its natural material luster thanks to a recent cleaning and polishing, showing only minimal and normal signs of wear that attest to the piece’s originality.
Upholstery: the aqua green Hopsack fabric upholstery has been cleaned and sanitized and now presents in good used condition, intact and sturdy with slight age-related halos and consistent with the object's age. (the photos do not do justice to the upholstery in person; it is in better condition than the live images suggest.)
Functionality: The rotation movement on the central pin is fluid, steady, and free of structural play.

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

Bid on this rare aqua-green Hopsack EA 108 version, a versatile piece of absolute elegance, ideal for conference rooms, executive offices, or refined domestic settings.

The Designers: Charles and Ray Eames
A cornerstone duo of 20th-century design, Charles and Ray Eames balanced artistic exploration, functional ergonomics, and the logic of mass production like no other. Through scientific experimentation with materials—from bent plywood to plastic resins to aluminum alloys—they created furnishings that withstood changing fashions, becoming eternal and museum-like icons of modern living.

The Manufacturer: ICF (Industria Componenti per l'Arredamento)
Founded in Italy, ICF for decades was one of the few companies in the world licensed to officially produce and distribute the Aluminium Group by the Eames couple within the national territory. The ICF manufacturing facility is historically celebrated by collectors for its very high quality standards, the flawless fusion of metals, and faithful adherence to the original designs, characteristics that make these vintage pieces collectible and likely to maintain stable value over time.

Shipping and insurance:
Our company ORVETT includes transport insurance in the indicated shipping costs. For overseas shipping, the cost is indicative. We will issue a quote at the end of the auction depending on the destination.