BRIEF HISTORY OF

A brief history of... The Eames bird

Forever linked to legendary designers Charles and Ray Eames, the carved blackbird is an object of beauty

Charles and Ray Eames.

When did Charles and Ray Eames design

the bird? This may come as a surprise if you ’re not part of the design world, but the couple known as mid-century masters of modern furniture, did not actually design it.

Why is it linked to them then? They discovered the simple carved wooden bird on their travels and loved it so much they brought it home. The couple gave it pride of place in the living room of their Pacific Palisades home and they often used it in promo work. And so began the bird’s enduring association with them.

Is anything known about its origins?

The bird is believed to have originated as a hunting decoy. Charles and Edna Perdew, of Illinois, are credited with creating it in 1910.

What’s so great about the bird? Anyone with a passion for interiors and beautiful design appreciates the bird’s clean and simple lines. Carved from a single piece of wood, it has steel legs and beads for eyes.

Apart from black, white and a walnut finish, does it come in any other colour?

Well, yes and no. A limited edition gold version was produced in 2015. Only 1000 birds were manufactured out of alder wood, covered in a layer of gold leaf. The Eames House Bird Golden is now a collector’s item.

Is the original bird the Eames brought

back still around? Yes, and you can go and see it. Those lucky enough to visit the Eames house, which today serves as a ‘time stood still’ museum near Santa Monica, California will spot it on a vintage rug in the living room. Lightly worn from the passing decades, it’s one of many objects from the couple’s far-flung travels artfully displayed throughout the home.

How old is the Eames house? Designed in 1945/1946, it was completed in 1949.

Where can I get hold of some Charles

and Ray Eames style? The Eames House Bird has been sold at Matisse in Auckland since it was launched by Vitra in 2007.