DCM (Dining Chair Metal)
Decorative Arts and Design
On View: Luce Visible Storage and Study Center, 5th Floor
The DCM is one of the most important and influential chairs of the postwar period. Although its official name mundanely refers to its use and materials—dining chair, metal (base)—it is commonly known as the “Potato Chip” chair because of its crisp, curving shapes. Growing out of wartime efforts to create a splint that conformed to the contours of the leg, this chair too is “organic” because its function is to support, and mimic, the shape of the human body.
DESIGNERS
Charles Eames, American, 1907–1978; Ray Eames (Bernice Alexandra Kaiser), American, 1912–1988
MANUFACTURER
Herman Miller, Inc., American, 1923–present
MEDIUM
Birch plywood, metal
DATES
Designed 1946
DIMENSIONS
29 1/4 x 19 1/2 x 22 3/4 in. (74.3 x 49.5 x 57.8 cm) (show scale)
COLLECTIONS
Decorative Arts and Design
ACCESSION NUMBER
X748
CREDIT LINE
Brooklyn Museum Collection
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
DCM dining chair of wood and metal. Back and seat are molded, five-ply birch plywood, 5/16" thick, both curved to fit the body and both of trapezoidal form with rounded corners. U-shaped sections of steel tubing form the front and back leg units and the tips of the legs are mounted with rubber pads and metal cups. Front legs are attached to seat with two rubber shock mounts and welded to 7/16" diameter steel rod which curves up from under seat to form the spine connecting seat and back. Rear leg unit welded to spine at curve. Top of spine welded to a horizontal bar which is mounted to the back with two rubber shock mounts.
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is on view in Luce Visible Storage and Study Center, 5th Floor
CAPTION
Charles Eames (American, 1907–1978). DCM (Dining Chair Metal), Designed 1946. Birch plywood, metal, 29 1/4 x 19 1/2 x 22 3/4 in. (74.3 x 49.5 x 57.8 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn Museum Collection, X748. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, X748_bw.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, X748_bw.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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