As the Eames Office partners with Catawiki to release rare archival pieces, a new chapter of collectible design opens — one that feels surprisingly at home in today’s aesthetic landscape. Spanning playful plywood forms, original graphics, and sculptural furnishings, the Eames auction series isn’t just a nod to mid-century design — it’s a reminder of how Charles and Ray Eames helped define what visual storytelling could be.
A Legacy Built on Storytelling
Long before the term “multidisciplinary” was casually applied, the Eameses were living it. They didn’t just design chairs; they made short films, crafted exhibitions, built educational tools, and shaped entire environments. Their 1950s and ’60s design language influenced not just modern homes, but the sets and aesthetics of film, photography, and advertising.
Ray’s painterly eye and Charles’ architectural mind produced objects that weren’t just functional — they were alive. From the curvature of a fiberglass armchair to the whimsy of their children’s toys, their work told stories without needing dialogue.
When Design Becomes Collectible
In partnering with Catawiki, the Eames Office has made rare, limited-edition pieces available to European collectors for the first time. Known as one of Europe’s leading online marketplaces for curated and authenticated objects, Catawiki has built its reputation on bridging the gap between cultural heritage and contemporary collecting. Every item on its platform is vetted by a network of in-house experts — from art and design to fashion, jewellery, and ephemera.
This auction marks a significant move: not only does it bring Eames pieces to new audiences, but it also reflects how digital platforms are reshaping what it means to collect — turning rare design into a more accessible, global pursuit.
The first auction will run from 3–12 October 2025, with additional sales planned through spring 2026. Each round will feature a curated selection of original works, re-editions, and archival rarities — many of which have never before been available on the European market.
This reflects a larger trend Thurzdays has explored before: the rise of the collectionable. As fashion houses and filmmakers release screenplay books and limited-run coffee table editions, design too is entering its archival era — one shaped not by mass production, but by meaning, rarity, and cultural resonance.
A Moodboard for Modern Culture
The Eameses have taught us that their work sits at the intersection of design that tells a story, objects that define eras, visuals that live far beyond their frame.
The Eames philosophy — that good design should be beautiful, functional, and accessible — is one that still echoes in costume, set design, editorial fashion, and cinematic mood. And just like the garments we admire on screen or the silhouettes that sweep across the Lido, their work asks us to slow down and look closer.
The Collector’s Eye
As Catawiki’s auction opens, it offers more than just objects — it offers a moment to reflect. On how design moves from functional to emotional. On how legacy is preserved not just in museums, but on bookshelves, coffee tables, and living room floors. And on how — from fashion runways to film reels — the best stories are often told in the details.