In a nod to the iconic collaboration between design legends Charles and Ray Eames and acclaimed illustrator Saul Steinberg, a special edition of the innovative Shell Chair of 1950 has been reissued, featuring Steinberg’s original cat design. Launched as the first mass-produced furniture item in which the seat and backrest were formed from a single unified piece of plastic, the shell chairs revolutionized modern furniture design.
The story behind this unique collaboration dates back to 1950 when Saul Steinberg, known for his witty illustrations in The New Yorker, visited the Eameses’ office in Venice, California, during a trip to the West Coast with his wife, Hedda Sterne. The trio, brimming with imagination and eccentricity, embarked on a creative journey, resulting in a series of one-of-a-kind art objects.
During their time together, Steinberg designed a playful college degree for Charles Eames, who had left architecture school before graduating and even painted the outline of a bathing woman on an actual bathtub. Archival photographs from this period have recently emerged, showcasing Steinberg’s whimsical drawings projected onto his wife and Ray Eames. The convergence of Steinberg’s ideas and the Eameses’ designs left a lasting impact on their creative process.
Llisa Demetrios, the Eameses’ youngest granddaughter and chief curator of the Eames Institute, which preserves their artistic and design legacy, expressed her admiration for this collaboration. She remarked, “The interconnection of Steinberg’s ideas and how this overlapped into the designs of my grandparents is incredible. I think this collaboration is exemplary of how they liked to create—always open to another creative iteration, going beyond what’s expected.”
Scholar Francesca Pellicciari, co-curator of the exhibition “Saul Steinberg: Milan, New York” at the 2021 Triennale di Milano, highlighted Steinberg’s keen observations of America’s evolving cultural landscape. Known for his absurdist style, Steinberg delighted in the contrast between popular tastes and the avant-garde of modern art and design. His reputation as a painter and muralist flourished in the 1950s, following his inclusion in the prestigious group exhibition “Fourteen Americans” at MoMA in 1946, alongside renowned artists such as Arshile Gorky, Isamu Noguchi, and Robert Motherwell.
During their lively creative exchanges, Steinberg infused his wit and humor into two of the iconic shell chairs. On one chair, he drew the rough outline of a napping cat, while on the other, he depicted a naked woman. Recognizing the significance of these designs, the Eameses preserved the chairs throughout the years. Now, more than seven decades later, the Eames Institute, in collaboration with Vitra and furniture company Herman Miller, has meticulously reproduced the cat chair, down to the hand-drawn whiskers, in a limited edition of 500.
Design enthusiasts and collectors alike can acquire this extraordinary piece of furniture history for $2,500. With the reissue of the special edition Shell Chair, the legacy of Charles and Ray Eames intertwines with the artistic brilliance of Saul Steinberg, reminding us of their unbounded creativity and the enduring impact they have had on the world of design.