Model DKR 2 thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Model DKR 2

Chair
1951 (designed)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Charles and Ray Eames's wire furniture of the early 1950s arose from their fascination with the proliferation of wire products, like trays, baskets and rat traps, that they saw around them. They liked the light and airy appearance of open wire structures which also appeared overtly 'modern' to them.

The shape of the one-piece seat and back is an adaptation of the Eameses' fibreglass shell chair designed in 1950, itself a development of the shell forms proposed by Charles Eames and Eero Saarinen in 1940. This enabled it to be fitted to existing bases designed for the fibreglass chair, including this wire base reminiscent of the structure of the Eiffel Tower.


Object details

Category
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Chair
  • Cushion
TitleModel DKR 2 (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Steel wire, chromed metal, imitation leather
Brief description
Chair, designed by Charles and Ray Eames, 1951, manufactured by Herman Miller, USA
Physical description
Chair with steel wire mesh seat and back, chromed metal legs and beige imitation leather upholstery partially covering the seat and back.
Dimensions
  • Height: 830mm
  • Width: 480mm
  • Depth: 515mm
Extrapolated from imperial dimensions on the registered description
Production typeMass produced
Summary
Charles and Ray Eames's wire furniture of the early 1950s arose from their fascination with the proliferation of wire products, like trays, baskets and rat traps, that they saw around them. They liked the light and airy appearance of open wire structures which also appeared overtly 'modern' to them.

The shape of the one-piece seat and back is an adaptation of the Eameses' fibreglass shell chair designed in 1950, itself a development of the shell forms proposed by Charles Eames and Eero Saarinen in 1940. This enabled it to be fitted to existing bases designed for the fibreglass chair, including this wire base reminiscent of the structure of the Eiffel Tower.
Collection
Accession number
CIRC.71&A-1969

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdDecember 1, 2005
Record URL
Download as: JSON