5 tips on starting your own vintage Eames collection

Expert tips for aspiring collectors of Eames’ storied furniture designs

Charles and Ray Eames are undoubtedly two of the most beloved proponents of Mid-Century Modern design. Indeed, whether they were created ﬁve or ﬁfty years ago, Eames’ designs remain just as beautiful and useful as ever.

With the current interest in Mid-Century Modern design booming, The Eames Institute of Inﬁnite Curiosity has its latest feature, An Eames of Your Own, a detailed exploration into curating your own collection of Eames furniture and artefacts drawing from the expertise of the Institute’s head of research and acquisitions.

Whether you’re a longtime or newly anointed Eames enthusiast seeking vintage pieces, the Institute’s in-house experts explain what to look for—and what to avoid.

Discover the object’s history

Above Story over style

Story over style

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Prioritise story over style by focusing on discovering the object’s history instead of just its ﬂashy title. Find out as much about its history as possible and the object’s original owner and provenance.

Each Eames piece has an interesting background, and its unique journey can make it even more valuable.

Preserve the patina

Above Don’t mess with patina

Don’t mess with patina

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Don’t mess with the object’s patina. In fact, the less a collector does, the better, especially if they have a piece in its original condition.

Try to make no modiﬁcations to preserve the original quality, or if you do, channel Ray and Charles Eames by only making changes that increase the piece’s longevity.

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Old is not gold

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Earlier isn’t always better

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The older an Eames piece is doesn’t always make it more valuable, as Ray and Charles were constantly iterating to perfect their craft.

For example, after several years of making a four-legged fibreglass chair base with one point of connection in the middle, forming what looks like an X, the designers made a base resembling an H to prevent legs from splaying. So even though the X base is earlier, the H base is the better design—as such, the collector should always consider the context and the designer’s process.

Say no to the Franken Eames

Above Beware Franken Eames

Beware Franken Eames

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Certain dealers are notorious for haphazardly blending chair seats and frames or altering original designs. This creates a Frankenstein chair, which reduces the validity of the furniture and, therefore, its value.

Always find pieces with their original bases, and look for details like the condition of the screws in the base. A shiny screw is usually a giveaway that a replacement has been made.

Get an education in all. things Eames

Above Create an Eames Library

Create an Eames Library

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Get an Eames education by reading as much as possible about Ray and Charles Eames and their work. Start with vintage Herman Miller catalogues and design books to gather the necessary practical and conceptual knowledge.

An essential read is Connections: The Work of Charles and Ray Eames, one of the most thorough introductions to the work and philosophy of the Eameses, published in 1976.

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Credits

Illustration: Catherine Potvin

Topics

Charles and Ray Eames Eames Furniture An Eames of your Own The Eames Institute of Infinite Curiosity’ Experty Tips Furniture Collecting Mid-Century Modern

Jennifer Choo

Regional Managing Editor of Tatler Homes, Tatler Malaysia

Jennifer Choo is Regional Managing Editor of Tatler Homes, covering architecture, interior design, and art across Asia. Based in Malaysia, she oversees regional content on luxury residential design and contemporary art collections. Legally trained but choosing to pursue her passion for design, she previously led notable design publications and worked as an interior stylist and art consultant for property developers, design firms, and private clients.