Library of Material Culture: Furniture Collection
Furniture Collection
The library is fortunate to house a large collection of chairs by some of the most influential architects in the 20th century from Charles and Ray Eames to Mario Botta. We encourage students to have a hands on understanding of their construction by using the collection as functional seating in the library.
The chair collection is a part of the larger Library of Material Culture. More information about LMC can be found here.
Eames La Chaise
Molded 2 part Fiberglass (later Injection molded Polyurethane), chromed steel, oak.
Charles and Ray Eames, 1948
Further Reading
The world of Charles and Ray Eames
Eames design : the work of the Office of Charles and Ray Eames
Red and Blue Chair
Wooden art chair, red high back, navy seat, black arms
Gerrit Thomas Rietveld, 1917
Further Reading
The furniture of Gerrit Thomas Rietveld
The complete Rietveld furniture
The Work of G. Rietveld, architect.
Paimio Armchair no. 41
Continuous rectangular forms of laminated birch form the frame with the seat composed of a single sheet of bent plywood finished in black lacquer.
Alvar Aalto, 1930
Further Reading
Barstool with backrest
Beech plywood
Alvar Aalto, 1933
Further Reading
Barcelona Chair
Chrome on steel frame with leather cushions filled with foam.
Ludwig Mies van Der Rohe and Lilly Reich, 1929
Further Reading
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe & Lilly Reich : furniture and interiors
La Tonda Chair
Black steel chair with perforated seat and rounded tubular back.
Mario Botta, 1987
Further Reading
Eames DCM (Dining Chair Metal)
Wood seat and back with metal legs and frame.
Charles Eames, 1946
Further Reading
The world of Charles and Ray Eames
Eames design : the work of the Office of Charles and Ray Eames
Kingswood School Auditorium Chair
Metal frame with navy fabric seat.
Eliel Saarinen, 1929
Further Reading
A quiet grandeur : the architectural drawings of Eliel Saarinen
E1027 Adjustable Table
Chrome and glass
Eileen Gray, 1927
Further Reading
Diamond Chair
Welded steel rods, Bonded Rilsan, foam and Chain Link fabric
Harry Bertoia, 1952
Further Reading
Ply Lounge Chair
Molded five-ply seat and back, with eight-ply legs and back brace.
Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller, 1925
Further Reading
DAR "Eiffel" Chair
White plastic shell on black Eiffel metal base.
Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller, 1950
Further Reading
The world of Charles and Ray Eames
Eames design : the work of the Office of Charles and Ray Eames
LC4 Chaise Lounge
Tubular chrome frame, lacquered steel, leather upholstered mattress and foam headrest.
Le Corbusier, 1928
Further Reading
Akari Light Sculpture UF3-S
handmade washi paper, bamboo ribbing, tubular metal frame.
Isamu Noguchi, 1951
Further Reading