First Generation Esu Cabinet Model 220c by Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller

Description

A rather iconic design from Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller, Eames Shelving Units or ESU for short have … more A rather iconic design from Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller, Eames Shelving Units or ESU for short have recently reached a new level of collectability due to the rarity especially of the First Generation, produced in 1950.

Lots of modern biographies have described the Eames ESU as possibly having Japanese influences in its visual and industrial design (which would certainly have been bold for the post war US). There are other theories, one being that it resembles Meccano, invented in 1898 by toy train maker Hornby, likely due to the metal frames and the fact that the buyer had to construct the units in early market examples. Another is that the design influence may well have come from the artwork of Mondrian, the Dutch artist famed for abstract art of square and rectangular pattern using black lines and red, yellow and blue panels in between.

The units were by no means a commercial failure but the changing requirements of Herman Miller's move away from the plywood furniture, meant they were discontinued in 1955. The re-rejuvenation of the Eames Classics would see the ESU units be re-introduced (in some models) in 1998 after a 43 year break.

Condition report:

The cabinet is in original condition, with wears on the black Formica top and drawers front.

The right (when drawers facing front) steel frames are slightly bent, which is usual for the first gen and was one of the design changes Eames made to the second Gen.

All new foot glide made by Modern Conscience.

Newer vintage doors and tracks ( original doors was thin one ply panels that warped and peeled). These are three ply panel doors, slightly thicker, possibly early modernica production. Original track will be included with the cabinet. less