Vitra’s Eames Elephant was designed by Charles and Ray Eames in 1945. The Elephant was originally made of plywood, but due to its challenging and detailed shape, it was put into production only later as a plastic version. The Eames’ designed the Elephant as a children’s toy and stool, but it has become a popular design classic that can be used anywhere. Made of durable polypropylene, the cheerful stool is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.
![Vitra Eames Elephant, white Vitra Eames Elephant, white](https://media.fds.fi/product_image/150x150/16Vitra_iso.jpg)
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![Vitra Eames Elephant, white Vitra Eames Elephant, white](https://media.fds.fi/decor_image/150x150/2-Seater-Mariposa-2-Seater-Metal-Side-Table-Eames-Elephant-Rotary-Tray_P-moir-_master.jpg)
![Video](https://media.fds.fi/product_image/16Vitra_iso.jpg)
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![Vitra Eames Elephant, white Vitra Eames Elephant, white](https://media.fds.fi/decor_image/150x150/Kids-Shooting-Basel_87533_master.jpg)
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![Vitra Eames Elephant, white Vitra Eames Elephant, white](https://media.fds.fi/decor_image/150x150/4808692_Panton-Junior-Eames-Elephant_master.jpg)
![Vitra Eames Elephant, white Vitra Eames Elephant, white](https://media.fds.fi/decor_image/150x150/Gand-Repos-Razzle-Dazzle-Zinc-Eames-Elephant-Black-Collection-Panton-Junior_1102563_master.jpg)
![Vitra Eames Elephant, white Vitra Eames Elephant, white](https://media.fds.fi/decor_image/150x150/Kids-Shooting-Basel_87526_master.jpg)
![Vitra Eames Elephant, white Vitra Eames Elephant, white](https://media.fds.fi/decor_image/150x150/Kids-Shooting-Basel_87519_master.jpg)
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Eames Elephant, white
Vitra
Description
Vitra’s Eames Elephant was designed by Charles and Ray Eames in 1945. The Elephant was originally made of plywood, but due to its challenging and detailed shape, it was put into production only later as a plastic version. The Eames’ designed the Elephant as a children’s toy and stool, but it has become a popular design classic that can be used anywhere. Made of durable polypropylene, the cheerful stool is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.
Product details (5)
- Colour
- White
- Length
- 78.5 cm
- Width
- 41 cm
- Height
- 41.5 cm
- Material
- Dyed-through polypropylene, matt finish
- Product ID
Designer
Ray and Charles Eames were an American designer couple whose name is familiar for anyone with an interest in modern design. Charles Eames was born in 1907 in St. Louis, Missouri. He studied architecture at University of Washington and, invited by the Finnish architect Eliel Saarinen, continued his studies at the Cranbrook Academy of Arts, Michigan in 1940. There he met Eero Saarinen, with whom he participated in a competition called ”Organic Design in Home Furnishing”, arranged by New York’s MoMA. Eames and Saarinen won the competition using a plywood moulding technique originally developed by Alvar Aalto. In Cranbrook Charles Eames also met her future wife Ray, and the couple got married in 1941.
Ray Eames (née Kaiser) was an artist and photographer born in 1912 in Sacramento, California. She created a significant career as a furniture designer starting from 1941, when she began moulding plywood into furniture together with Charles Eames. In 1946, the Eameses exhibited their work at MoMA, and in 1948 Herman Miller began producing their designs. In 1949, the famous Eames House was build in California – besides a home, the Eames House was also space for exhibitions of many notable designers of the time. In 1950s the Eameses started to focus more on photography and cinema.
During their career, Charles and Ray Eames were awarded with many prestigious design awards, such as the British Royal Gold Medal and the Twenty-five Year Award by the American Institute of Architects, and in 1985 the Industrial Designers Society of America gave the Eameses ”The Most Influential Designer of the 20th Century" recognition. Charles Eames continued his productive career until his death in 1978, and Ray passed away in 1988, ten years to the day after Charles.
The designs of Ray and Charles Eames, such as the iconic Lounge Chair, different versions of the Plastic Chair and the ’Hang it all’ coat rack, have always been essential part of Vitra's production. Eameses’ influence on Vitra is more than just furniture – even today, their design philosophy influences Vitra’s values, course and goals.
Would you like to read more about Charles and Ray Eames and their work? Discover our books:
Eames, Eames Furniture Sourcebook, Essential Eames – Words & Pictures, The Design Book, Woman Made: Great Women Designers, Case Study Houses, Women in Design, Mid-Century Modern Design, Mid-Century Modern: Icons of Design, A Century of Colour in Design
Reviews (0)
Sustainability
The Product Sustainability Framework, our criteria of sustainable design, helps you find the most sustainable products in our selection. Read below which sustainability criteria this product has met.
Working conditions & labour 7/9
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Equal opportunities for all employees
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Commitment to UN Global Compact, fair compensation for all employees
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Corporate responsibility requirements defined and communicated for suppliers
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Systematic work for improved inclusion and well-being in the workplace
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Transparent supply chain
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Suppliers' compliance to a code of conduct ensured
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Compliance to the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights ensured in the supply chain
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Direct suppliers audited and certified
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Support for community involvement in the supply chain
Eco-friendly production 7/9
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Fair and resource-wise water-use in production
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No incineration or landfilling of returned items
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No use of endangered species as materials
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No direct environmental emissions or waste (excl. GHGs) from production
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Production and material sourcing that respect biodiversity, animal rights, and natural ecosystems
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Material-efficient and ecological packaging
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No potentially harmful chemicals used in own production
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The sustainability of direct suppliers' production is addressed and monitored
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Positive impact on nature’s well-being through operations that regenerate natural ecosystems
Climate impact 5/8
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Company's direct greenhouse gas emissions identified and commitment to reduction
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Product's carbon impact identified and commitment to reduction
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Guidance on energy- and eco-efficient use of the product
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Contribution to climate initiatives beyond the brand’s direct operations
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100 % renewable energy in own production and operations
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Low-carbon or compensated transportation
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Carbon footprint of the product calculated and goals set to reduce it
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Carbon neutral or carbon negative product
Sustainable materials 5/6
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Sustainable and long-lasting material choices
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No harmful or hazardous substances
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Responsible raw material sourcing and production
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Materials suited for circularity: monomaterials, recyclable finishings, renewable or recycled contents etc.
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Ecological materials: natural, biodegradable, recyclable or recycled contents
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Outstanding materials in terms of innovativeness, responsibility, sustainability and circularity: local production or sourcing, 100 % recycled content, C2C-certification etc.
Circular design 4/5
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High aesthetic quality promoting long-term use of the product
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Technically durable product design and material choices
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Design for enduring life-long quality
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Design and support for product maintenance, repair and upgradability
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Innovative circular design solutions: circular service system, resale platform, remanufacturing, collection of used products, etc.
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