EAMES LAWSUIT RE OFFICE FURNITURE DESIGN

Eames is a well known name within the furniture industry for their contribution to modern architecture and industrial design, so it is no wonder that the news of one of their largest private archives that documented their designs was to be auctioned off, caused quite a stir. The archive was set to be auctioned off on Thursday 8th April at Wright auction house in Chicago, however was withdrawn because of a lawsuit contesting the ownership.

The archive in question contains over 100 folders of designs by Charles and Ray Eames, including mass produced chairs made from contoured plywood and fibreglass that were considered hugely contemporary at the time of their unveiling.

The archive was originally consigned by John and Marilyn Neuhart, who are both design historians in their 80’s.

Having heard the news of the auction, it was Lucia Eames the daughter of the designers’ filed a lawsuit in Illinois claiming that the sole rights to the files are owned by the family.

Two weeks before the auction, Demetrius Eames, son of Lucia Eames wrote in an email that the Neuharts had shared files and paperwork with his family, but “with no intention that they become the Neuharts personal property. The lot was estimated to sell for $150,000 – $200,000. The lawsuit is still underway.