The Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman, designed by Charles and Ray Eames in 1956, is an iconic piece of modern furniture manufactured and sold by Herman Miller.2 It was the first chair the Eameses designed for the high-end market and is composed of three curved plywood shells covered with veneer—headrest, backrest, and seat—interlocking to form a solid mass, with the shells made from seven layers of plywood in current production.23 The chair features a five-pointed die-cast aluminum base with a swivel mechanism, and the matching ottoman has a four-pointed base.3 The design was inspired by the traditional English club chair, with Charles Eames envisioning a chair with "the warm, receptive look of a well-used first baseman’s mitt".236

The original version used Brazilian rosewood veneer, but this was discontinued in the early 1990s due to sustainability concerns. Current models use finishing veneers of cherry, walnut, palisander rosewood (a sustainably grown alternative), and other finishes.2 Upholstery options include 100% Italian full-grain leather, mohair, textile, and a new bamboo-based alternative that reduces the chair’s carbon footprint by up to 35% and biodegrades in less than 250 days in a landfill.34 The chair is available in various wood finishes and sizes, including a taller XL version introduced in 2008.23

The Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman has been in continuous production since 1956 and is part of the permanent collection at New York’s Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), the Henry Ford Museum, and the Museum of Fine Arts Boston.23 It has been cited as one of the most counterfeited pieces of furniture, with Herman Miller and Vitra being the only authorized producers.2 The chair is assembled by hand to ensure high quality and craftsmanship, and each piece is stamped with a medallion to signify authenticity.4 The chair measures 32.75 inches in height, width, and depth, with a weight of 94 lbs and a 300-pound weight limit.3