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

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

We present for 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 seat represents 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 an aquatic green color.

Design and history:
The Aluminium Group line was initially created to furnish the outdoor 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 ultimately abandoned the concept of a closed-shell or monobloc seat. The project is based on a brilliant engineering intuition: to stretch a continuous sheet of fabric or leather between two lateral aluminum profiles, transforming the upholstery itself into an elastic structural element.
Even without heavy, complex padding, the chair dynamically adapts to the lines and weight of the human body, offering postural comfort and a flexibility still unmatched.
The EA 108 model stands out for its mid-height backrest and the sinuous geometric arms.

Lot conditions:
This original specimen, dating from the 1980s, comes from the historic Italian manufacturer ICF and is presented in good overall used condition.
Structure: the brushed aluminum frame and the distinctive 4-spoke swivel base (with fixed foot terminals) are perfectly solid, robust, and stable. The metal preserves its natural material shine thanks to recent cleaning and polishing, showing only minimal and normal signs of age that attest to the piece’s originality.
Upholstery: the Hopsack fabric upholstery in aquatic green has been cleaned and sanitized and is now in good used condition, intact and sturdy with slight age-related halos, consistent with the object's age. (the photos underexpose, the upholstery is in better condition live).
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 green aqua Hopsack EA 108 version, a timeless element of absolute elegance, ideal for boardrooms, executive offices, or refined domestic settings.

The Designers: Charles and Ray Eames
A pivotal couple of 20th-century design, Charles and Ray Eames managed to combine artistic exploration, functional ergonomics, and the logic of mass production like no other. Through scientific experimentation with materials—from curved plywood to plastic resins, up to aluminum alloys— they designed furnishings that weathered transient fashions and became eternal icons and museum-worthy representations 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 production and distribution of the Aluminium Group on national territory for the Eames couple. ICF’s manufacturing is historically celebrated by collectors for its very high quality standards, impeccable metal fusion work, and faithful adherence to the original drawings, features that make these vintage pieces collectible and capable of maintaining their 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 prepare a quote after the auction closes depending on the destination.