I actually would like to know a little more on these wood legged bases as I can't find anything in my Eames or Herman Miller books. They seem to be very rare compared to Eiffel bases, roker bases or regural H- bases, i'm wondering why as I consider them as one of the best fit for the fiberglass side and shell chairs. Would any one be kind enough to share his knowledge on the subject??? thanks!
Eames Collector
the Eames Collector has a good website with some information about all the different bases, and when they were introduced.
It is my understanding that the dowel bases are rare because a) they were not the default base on the chairs b) the dowels, being wood, were subject to a easier and more permanent damage over time. If a metal leg bends it can be unbent, or welded if broken. A wooden break is pretty much finished.
You can buy good quality reproduction dowel bases from Modernica.
www.modernica.net
http://www.eamescollector.com
Many thanks for this answer...
Many thanks for this answer and very interesting link! It actually makes lot of sense that the more fragile wood didn't last as well as other materials. Still the weird thing is that "the dowel" seems totally forgotten by the three books I own on the subject...
Not quite right
The simple answer is that the dowel-legged base option -- there was no "default" base option; you could pick and choose what you wished -- for the fiberglass and wire chairs was only offered for a short time. I believe they appeared around 1951 (when the chairs), and are gone by the 1955/56 catalog (availabe via reprint).
...
OK - I found some more precise info, from Treadway's "Eames Auction" catalog of 23 May 1999 ('curated' by the now more famous Richard Wright of Wright auctions): "The Dowel Leg chairs were manufactured from 1951-54. They were manufactured with birch or walnut legs and w/fixed or swivel bases."
Contrast the rocker-chair base: "Eames rockers were sold by Herman Miller from 1950 to 1968. From 1968 to 1984 the rockers were produced exclusively as gifts for employees upon the birth or adoption of a child."
Thus, one sees far more of the rocker bases than the dowel legged ones.
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