LAR Cats Cradle Chair by Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller, 1953

The Eames LKR 'Cats Cradle' Wire Side Chair was one of most memorable and unusual designs of Eames. It was available with removable upholstery, a full covering and a two piece ‘Bikini’ pad like this example. The Cats Cradle base has never been released with a side fiberglass shell, only with the wire side chair.

The chair comes in its original black finish and Bikini upholstery. The chair is in a very nice state, without any repair or additional welding. The bikini upholstery is worn, but original to the chair. The fabric is covered with ‘Tweed’, a fabric designed by Alexander Girard. Obviously it has to stay united with the chair, but it could be replaced by a reproduction bikini to use the chair while keeping the original in storage.

This chair has been bought from the daughter of the first owner, who acquired it in 1953. The couple built a modernist house in the state of NY and bought the Cats Cradle chair and a Herman Miller Rocking Chair when they moved in. The daughter was born in 1953 and she shared photographs of her in the chair at just 5 days old and 2 years old ! Digital copies of the photographs will be given to the buyer of the chair.

The original Herman Miller label is present under the bikini upholstery, the back in jute means that it has indeed been produced before 1957.

The lounge height cats cradle versions of these chairs are very rare and sought after.