Rocking Armchair Rod Base (RAR), 1948/1950
DesignRay Eames,
Sacramento
1912–1988
Los Angeles
MediumMetal, polyester, wood
Metal, polyester, wood
(H x W x D)68 x 60 x 69 cm
Place of originMichigan
About the workAfter the Second World War, the designer couple Ray and Charles Eames worked on the further development of various types of chairs. In 1948, for their submission to the New York Museum of Modern Art’s “International Competition for Low-Cost Furniture Design”, they devised wire chairs with seats made of fibre-reinforced plastic (fibreglass). This material was created by combining liquid plastic with glass fibres in a mould and curing it in presses. The result was the first one-piece plastic seat shell. The simple manufacturing process allowed for a huge variety of forms as well as mass production.
AccessionAcquisition 1989
Inventory numberP 1989-364
