Eames Elephant
Child's Chair
2007 (manufactured)
2007 (manufactured)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This elephant was produced in 2007 by Vitra as one of a limited number in plywood. The original design by Charles (1907-1978) and Ray Eames (1912-1988) in 1945 never made it into mass production due to technical limitations and cost. Only two prototypes were ever made and these were displayed in the Museum of Modern Art. A modern polypropylene version was also produced making it more cost-effective and widely accessible. Charles and Ray Eames were fascinated with by elephants and spent time on trips to India and at circus to research them.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Eames Elephant (manufacturer's title) |
| Materials and techniques | Plywood, stained red and compression-moulded |
| Brief description | Chair, in the form of an elephant, designed by Charles and Ray Eames in 1945, manufactured by Vitra in 2007. |
| Physical description | A child's chair in the form of a stylised elephant, made from two pieces of red-stained, compression-moulded plywood, joined together on the top with a large screw. The front of the chair is the elephant's head. The design suggests large ears, a trunk and tusks, and there are two small drilled holes for eyes. The rear part - the seat - has four squat legs and a protruding tail. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Production type | Limited edition |
| Gallery label | Elephant seat
Designed 1945, produced 2007
The elephant is a favourite animal depicted in children's storybooks.
Charles (1907-1978) and Ray Eames (1912-1988) were fascinated by the animals, researching them during trips to India and to circus acts. They made two prototypes of this seat in birch plywood in 1945 but technical limitations and cost prevented it from going into production.
This elephant was produced in 2007 by Vitra as one of a limited number in plywood. A modern polypropylene version is now available. |
| Object history | This object was acquired for the 2010 exhibition 'Sit down: Seating for Kids' to show as an example of seats that are made to be played with, and also as an example of how animal shapes are a common inspiration for designers of children's products. It sat in the 'Children playing' section of the exhibition. |
| Production | The chair was originally designed in birch plywood by Charles (1907-1978) and Ray Eames (1912-1988) in 1945. A prototype was shown at the Museum of Modern Art in New York in 1946, yet it was not mass produced due to technical limitations and cost. The prototype is still held in the Eames family archive. This example was part of a limited edition produced by Vitra in 2007. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | This elephant was produced in 2007 by Vitra as one of a limited number in plywood. The original design by Charles (1907-1978) and Ray Eames (1912-1988) in 1945 never made it into mass production due to technical limitations and cost. Only two prototypes were ever made and these were displayed in the Museum of Modern Art. A modern polypropylene version was also produced making it more cost-effective and widely accessible. Charles and Ray Eames were fascinated with by elephants and spent time on trips to India and at circus to research them. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | B.257-2009 |
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| Record created | March 9, 2010 |
| Record URL |
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