Eames Intermediate chair, early Fehlbaum production for Herman Miller, 1968-1973

Rare Charles and Ray Eames Intermediate arm chair in original black leather upholstery and cast aluminium frame, introduced in 1968. This model ES 102 combines aspects of the Time-Life chair and the Executive Desk chair and was only produced from 1968 to 1973 when it was discontinued because of high production costs.

Charles and Ray called this design “intermediate” because it was intermediate in price and weight compared to other Eames chairs. It weighed more, had more padding, and was more expensive than the Eames Aluminum Desk Chair.
It cost less than the Eames Executive Chair because it was not as heavy, and didn’t have that design’s multiple hand-tufted pads. Charles Eames used the Intermediate in his own office.
In the Vitra Design Museum, a recreation of Charles Eames’ personal office with the chair is displayed.

The chair has been manufactured by Herman Miller International, a Herman Miller venture run by Rolf Felhbaum, the founder of Vitra. Today, the company has the exclusive license for Eames furniture in Europe and the Middle East.

In 1973, the Eames Office and Herman Miller decided to discontinue production of the Eames Intermediate Chair.

A true collectors item in excellent original condition.