Early First Generation Eames 670/671 Lounge Chair & Ottoman

Some furniture defines an era. Very few redefine what comfort can be.

When Charles and Ray Eames introduced the Lounge Chair and Ottoman in 1956, they set out to create what they famously described as the “warm, receptive look of a well-used first baseman’s mitt.” The result became one of the most celebrated designs of the twentieth century—a chair equally at home in museums, architectural masterpieces, and the finest private collections.

This exceptional first-generation Eames 670 Lounge Chair and 671 Ottoman represents one of the earliest and most desirable iterations ever produced by Herman Miller. It retains nearly every hallmark collectors search for, while showcasing some of the most breathtaking Brazilian rosewood veneer we have encountered.

The shells display extraordinary contrast between deep chocolate heartwood and brilliant golden sapwood, creating a dramatic ribbon-like figure that makes every angle of the chair a work of art. No two early Brazilian rosewood chairs are alike, but examples with this level of natural variation are exceptionally uncommon.

Complementing the extraordinary Brazilian rosewood are luxurious Midnight Blue full-aniline leather cushions with traditional down-filled construction. Crafted from premium full-aniline leather, the hides possess the rich depth, natural grain, and subtle tonal variation that allow them to evoke the warmth and character of beautifully aged vintage leather from the very beginning. Designed to soften and develop an even richer patina over time, they deliver the inviting, “lived-in” aesthetic that Charles and Ray Eames envisioned when they described the Lounge Chair as having the feel of a well-worn first baseman’s mitt—while providing the exceptional comfort that only down-filled cushions can offer.

This chair also preserves numerous features found only on the earliest production examples:

Early three-screw arms
Desirable narrow-wing shell profile
Original boot glides on the ottoman, preceding the later “Domes of Silence”
Early first-generation patent labels
Original Herman Miller medallion
Down-filled cushions
Beautiful early cast aluminum base with period-correct hardware
Together these details firmly place this example among the earliest generations of Herman Miller production and make it especially appealing to serious Eames collectors.

Professionally preserved by Hobbs Modern, the rosewood has been carefully restored to museum-quality standards while maintaining the integrity and character of the original veneers. The finish reveals remarkable depth allowing the spectacular grain to shift beautifully as light moves across the shells. The leather has been sympathetically conditioned, preserving its original patina while remaining exceptionally supple and comfortable.

Why We Love It
Finding an authentic first-generation Eames Lounge Chair is becoming increasingly difficult. Finding one with this level of originality, combined with such extraordinary Brazilian rosewood figure, is rarer still.

The dramatic sapwood contrast, narrow-wing profile, early collector features, and richly patinated Midnight Blue leather come together to create an example that feels less like furniture and more like functional sculpture. It embodies everything that made the Eames Lounge Chair an icon nearly seventy years ago—and why it remains one of the most recognizable and sought-after designs ever produced.

For collectors pursuing investment-quality mid-century modern furniture, this is precisely the type of early Eames Lounge Chair that continues to distinguish itself from later production: original, beautifully preserved, historically significant, and visually unforgettable.