ICF - Charles & Ray Eames - Chair - EA117 - Aluminium, Textile





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ICF aluminium office chair EA 117 designed by Charles and Ray Eames in the Design style, with a swivelling base, wheels and adjustable height, circa 1980, Italian-made with polished aluminium and grey Hopsak fabric, in excellent condition with minor signs of wear and ageing.
Description from the seller
Work Architecture: Aluminium chair EA 117 – Design Charles and Ray Eames – Production ICF (1980s)
We present at auction one of the milestones of global industrial design: the Aluminium Chair, model EA 117, in its office configuration with swivel base, casters, and height adjustment. Conceived in 1958, this seating revolutionized the architecture of workplace furniture, here offered in a historic and robust Italian production by ICF in polished aluminum and dark gray Hopsak fabric.
Design and history: the taut and transparent structure
With the Aluminium Group, Charles and Ray Eames disrupted the traditional concept of a padded armchair, introducing radical structural innovation. Tension as comfort: eliminating the rigid shell, the project is based on a continuous panel of fabric stretched between two aluminum side profiles. The seat thus becomes an elastic, shock-absorbing element that actively follows the body's lines.
Pure visual clarity: the EA 117 form is clean, light, and transparent. Every mechanical and structural component remains deliberately visible, celebrating the quality of the alloy and the geometric rigor of the design.
Polished aluminum finish: unlike mirror-polished chrome versions, polished aluminum offers a natural, material, and deep sheen that enhances the artisanal quality of finishes typical of the era’s craftsmanship.
Lot conditions: conservation state and maintenance
- This original specimen, dating from the early 1980s, presents itself in excellent overall condition, carefully preserved to ensure immediate use:
- Structure and metals: the polished aluminum casting is solid, robust, and perfectly intact. Surfaces retain their splendid original luster thanks to recent professional cleaning and polishing, showing only very minor signs of aging consistent with the piece’s age.
- Upholstery in Hopsak: the dark gray/black Hopsak fabric – famous for its tight weave and extremely high resistance – is intact and stable. It has undergone a thorough cleaning and sanitizing; it is in excellent condition with only light signs of use.
- Mechanics and functions: the chair is fully functional in all components. The gas lift for height adjustment responds with precision and smoothness, the swivel movement is steady, and the casters roll correctly.
Dimensions
Width: 51 cm
Depth: 70 cm
Height: 83 cm
Seat height: adjustable from 43.5 cm to 55 cm
The Designers: Charles & Ray Eames
A symbol pair of twentieth-century modernism, Charles and Ray Eames redefined the relationship between art, ergonomics, and mass production. Their experimental approach to materials produced structural solutions that have endured for decades, maintaining their visual and functional relevance.
The Manufacturer: ICF (Industria Componenti per l'Arredamento)
Founded in Italy, ICF was for years the official licensee for the production and distribution of the Aluminium Group on national territory. The manufacturer historically stood out for its exemplary build standards and for faithful philological adherence to the original designs of the Eames couple, making era pieces “made in Italy” highly sought after by collectors for their durability and attention to detail.
Shipping and Insurance:
Our company ORVETT includes insurance for transportation in the stated shipping costs. For overseas shipping the cost is indicative. We will formulate a quote after the auction ends depending on the destination.
Seller's Story
Work Architecture: Aluminium chair EA 117 – Design Charles and Ray Eames – Production ICF (1980s)
We present at auction one of the milestones of global industrial design: the Aluminium Chair, model EA 117, in its office configuration with swivel base, casters, and height adjustment. Conceived in 1958, this seating revolutionized the architecture of workplace furniture, here offered in a historic and robust Italian production by ICF in polished aluminum and dark gray Hopsak fabric.
Design and history: the taut and transparent structure
With the Aluminium Group, Charles and Ray Eames disrupted the traditional concept of a padded armchair, introducing radical structural innovation. Tension as comfort: eliminating the rigid shell, the project is based on a continuous panel of fabric stretched between two aluminum side profiles. The seat thus becomes an elastic, shock-absorbing element that actively follows the body's lines.
Pure visual clarity: the EA 117 form is clean, light, and transparent. Every mechanical and structural component remains deliberately visible, celebrating the quality of the alloy and the geometric rigor of the design.
Polished aluminum finish: unlike mirror-polished chrome versions, polished aluminum offers a natural, material, and deep sheen that enhances the artisanal quality of finishes typical of the era’s craftsmanship.
Lot conditions: conservation state and maintenance
- This original specimen, dating from the early 1980s, presents itself in excellent overall condition, carefully preserved to ensure immediate use:
- Structure and metals: the polished aluminum casting is solid, robust, and perfectly intact. Surfaces retain their splendid original luster thanks to recent professional cleaning and polishing, showing only very minor signs of aging consistent with the piece’s age.
- Upholstery in Hopsak: the dark gray/black Hopsak fabric – famous for its tight weave and extremely high resistance – is intact and stable. It has undergone a thorough cleaning and sanitizing; it is in excellent condition with only light signs of use.
- Mechanics and functions: the chair is fully functional in all components. The gas lift for height adjustment responds with precision and smoothness, the swivel movement is steady, and the casters roll correctly.
Dimensions
Width: 51 cm
Depth: 70 cm
Height: 83 cm
Seat height: adjustable from 43.5 cm to 55 cm
The Designers: Charles & Ray Eames
A symbol pair of twentieth-century modernism, Charles and Ray Eames redefined the relationship between art, ergonomics, and mass production. Their experimental approach to materials produced structural solutions that have endured for decades, maintaining their visual and functional relevance.
The Manufacturer: ICF (Industria Componenti per l'Arredamento)
Founded in Italy, ICF was for years the official licensee for the production and distribution of the Aluminium Group on national territory. The manufacturer historically stood out for its exemplary build standards and for faithful philological adherence to the original designs of the Eames couple, making era pieces “made in Italy” highly sought after by collectors for their durability and attention to detail.
Shipping and Insurance:
Our company ORVETT includes insurance for transportation in the stated shipping costs. For overseas shipping the cost is indicative. We will formulate a quote after the auction ends depending on the destination.

