Evans Medal Strip Chair by Charles & Ray Eames, 1940s

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Lcw (low chair wood) chair in ash, charles & ray eames, first edition evans products - molded plywood division -
… Read more Lcw (low chair wood) chair in ash, charles & ray eames, first edition evans products - molded plywood division -
original manufacturer's label for the american market, well preserved under the seat, one of the rarest: the evans medal strip, indicating production between 1945 and 1946.
the only earlier label is the evans disc label, which was applied to models from 1944 to 1945, but only to prototypes.
screw arrangement: 5-2-5, as opposed to 5-2-4 under herman miller.

h 68 cm x d 61 cm x w 56 cm.
seat height: 36 cm.

history of the eames & evans molded plywood lcw chair

the first model in the molded plywood series, the eames lcw — lounge chair wood — is distinguished by its lounge height (l) and its all-wood base (w). Designed by charles and ray eames, it was initially manufactured by the evans molded plywood division before becoming a lasting classic of 20th-century design.

the techniques used in its manufacture originated from research conducted during world war ii. Charles eames had developed innovative plywood molding processes, notably used for the famous medical brace designed for the us navy. The lcw is made of five layers of plywood, glued together and then heated in a special press that allows the wood to be bent with great precision and given its final shape.

as early as 1946, four models of plywood chairs for adults were developed for commercial sale, along with a nesting chair for children. The lcw had a higher-seated version, the dcw, and both models were also offered with metal bases, giving rise to the lcm and dcm. The entire collection was quickly grouped under the generic name "eames chairs," under which it was marketed until the early 1950s.

the lcw is characterized by a bold construction combining five distinct molded plywood elements. The base consists of two curved legs of different sizes, connected by a contoured central piece that acts as a spine. The seat and back are attached to this structure by means of cleverly concealed rubber shock absorbers, which ensure both flexibility and comfort. This radically new approach resulted in a chair that is both sculptural and functional, emblematic of postwar aesthetics.

the lcw chair concept was developed jointly by charles eames and evans molded plywood. Herman miller was approached to distribute the furniture in 1947, before acquiring the rights to the entire catalog in 1949. This marked the beginning of a pivotal partnership in the history of modern design.

the lcw chair was offered in various wood veneers and finishes. The initial, intentionally understated versions were gradually enriched under herman miller's direction, notably through the chromatic and textile research of alexander girard.

during the 1950s, the emergence of new materials and designs led to a slowdown in demand for plywood furniture. While herman miller continued production of the dcm and lcm models, the lcw was discontinued in 1957. It was finally reissued in 1994 and remains in production today, a testament to the enduring relevance and modernity of its design. See less