LA FONDA ARM CHAIR (1730-1)

DATE - 1961

This arm chair is one of two new fiberglass chairs Charles and Ray Eames designed in 1961, inspired by request from Alexander Girard, who needed seating for his new Manhattan restaurant, La Fonda Del Sol. Some collectors call these “La Fonda” chairs after the restaurant where they were first installed.

Eames La Fonda Arm Chair

Because Girard wanted chairs with seat backs no higher than dining table tops, Charles and Ray Eames designed the Eames La Fonda Arm Chair with a lower back than their original molded fiberglass chairs. Along with the new shells, Charles and Ray devised a new contract base, which combined all of the functions of a contract base in two symmetrical forms that could be joined together. The four vertical elements featured lightweight construction while still providing strength and stability to the solid cast.

Herman Miller offered this model and the Arm Chair to all of their customers for more than 12 years.