Written by the Decomica Design Team — updated June 2026. We have specialised in mid-century replica seating since 2015 and have sold thousands of Aluminium Group replicas across the EU.
The Eames Aluminium Group chair replica gives you the polished-aluminium frame, suspended leather cushions and tilt-swivel mechanism of one of the twentieth century’s most admired office chairs — at a fraction of the €4,000–6,000 cost of a licensed Herman Miller or Vitra original.
If you are weighing up whether to buy one, what to look for, and which model suits your workspace, this guide covers everything from the design history of the Aluminium Group to the specific differences between the EA117, EA119, EA217 and EA219 models, plus honest notes on quality, pricing and what to expect from a mid-range replica in daily use.
What is the Eames Aluminium Group?
Charles and Ray Eames unveiled the Aluminium Group in 1958 for the “For Modern Living” exhibition in Detroit. The commission came from Alexander Girard and Eero Saarinen, who needed chairs for the Miller house in Columbus, Indiana — a space that blurred the line between indoors and outdoors. The result was a chair unlike anything being manufactured at the time.
Instead of a shell or a frame with separate cushions bolted on, the Eameses stretched a single upholstered sling — either a thin ribbed pad or a plush soft pad — between two polished aluminium side rails. The rails are attached at top and bottom, creating a tension-based seat that flexes slightly with the sitter’s weight. A five-star castor base and pneumatic height adjustment completed the package.
Herman Miller put the collection into production immediately and it has been in continuous manufacture ever since. Vitra holds the European licence. Between them they offer more than a dozen configurations today, from the low-back EA117 to the high-back executive EA119, with soft-pad variants EA217 and EA219 added in 1969 when Alexander Girard requested deeper, more cushioned seating for the Columbus house renovations.
The Four Core Models Explained
| Model | Back height | Upholstery | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| EA117 | Mid-back | Thin ribbed pad | Task / general office |
| EA119 | High-back | Thin ribbed pad | Executive desk, boardroom |
| EA217 | Low-back | Soft pad (plush) | Boardroom, home office |
| EA219 | High-back | Soft pad (plush) | Executive suite, director’s chair |
The thin-pad models (EA117/EA119) have a ribbed, stitched leather surface that sits close to the frame. They read as crisper and more architectural. The soft-pad models (EA217/EA219) have individual cushion sections separated by the aluminium rails, giving a deeper seat and more visible padding. Both families use the same polished aluminium frame and five-star castor base.
Why the Aluminium Group Has Never Gone Out of Production
Most furniture designs from 1958 feel dated. The Aluminium Group does not, for three reasons.
First, the construction logic is expressed honestly. You can see exactly how the chair works: the rails carry the load, the sling transfers it to the frame, the castors spread it across the floor. Nothing is hidden by decoration.
Second, the proportions are extremely fine. The aluminium rails taper toward the seat pan and flare at the armrests, giving a chair that looks lighter than it is. Photographs tend to make it look larger than it is in person; in reality it is a remarkably compact piece of seating.
Third, it works in virtually any interior. The reflective frame picks up surrounding colours; the leather reads as a neutral. A black-leather EA117 looks equally at home in a 1970s teak study, a concrete loft, or a glazed new-build home office.
What a Quality Eames Aluminium Group Chair Replica Should Have
The replica market spans a very wide range. At the lower end (below €200) you will find chairs with painted steel frames, poor leather substitutes, and castors that mark floors. At the mid-range (€250–500) you can find replicas with polished aluminium frames, genuine leather upholstery, and mechanisms that behave like the original. Here is what to check:
Frame
The rails should be polished cast or extruded aluminium — not chrome-plated steel, which is heavier and visually different. Pick up the chair; genuine aluminium frames feel notably lighter than steel alternatives. The armrest pads should be fixed firmly to the rail ends with no flex or creak.
Upholstery
Decomica’s Aluminium Group replicas use genuine Italian leather. Leather upholstery is the correct choice — it develops a patina over time, breathes better than most synthetics, and is far more durable in daily office use. The stitching on the thin-pad models should be even and follow the ribbed channel pattern of the original precisely.
Mechanism
The tilt tension should be adjustable via a knob or lever under the seat. The pneumatic height cylinder should raise and lower smoothly without drift. The five-star base should sit flat on the floor with no wobble. Castors should roll freely on hard floors and grip on carpet.
Dimensions
The original EA117 measures approximately 595mm wide × 595mm deep, with a seat height range of 420–510mm and overall height of 850–935mm. A good replica will be within 10–15mm of these figures on every dimension.
Eames Aluminium Group Chair Replica: Pricing in Context
A new Herman Miller EA117 retails at around €4,200 including VAT from an authorised dealer. A Vitra EA117 is similarly priced at €3,800–4,500 depending on leather specification. Both carry a 12-year Herman Miller warranty and are manufactured in the USA or Switzerland respectively.
A well-made Decomica Eames Aluminium Group chair replica sits in the €250–450 range depending on model and leather colour. It carries a 2-year manufacturer’s warranty and ships free to most EU addresses (Bulgaria, Greece, Cyprus and Malta are excluded from free shipping). That price gap — roughly 10:1 — reflects manufacturing location, brand licensing costs, and the heritage premium of the original. What the replica does not replicate is the collector or resale value of a genuine Herman Miller piece.
For most people furnishing a home office or fitting out a meeting room on a realistic budget, the replica is the rational choice. For someone buying a single chair for a permanent executive suite and intending to keep it for 20 years, the original’s warranty terms and resale value may justify the premium.
Ordering, Delivery and Returns
Decomica dispatches Aluminium Group chair replicas within 1–2 working days of order confirmation. Standard EU delivery by DPD takes 5–7 working days from dispatch, giving a typical door-to-door window of 6–9 working days. You can track your order via the DPD Ireland tracking portal (https://www.dpd.ie/tracking/) using the number emailed after dispatch.
Free shipping applies across the EU. All prices shown on decomica.com include VAT. Business customers requiring a VAT-exclusive invoice should contact the billing team via support@decomica.com before or at the point of purchase.
If your chair arrives with a manufacturing defect or transit damage, Decomica arranges a free DPD collection and sends a replacement at no cost. If you change your mind after delivery, you have 14 days from receipt to initiate a return. The chair must be in its original packaging and in unused condition; return shipping costs approximately €40–50, collected by DPD. Refunds are processed within 30 days of the returned chair being received and inspected.
Assembly and First Use
Aluminium Group replicas arrive partially assembled. Typical assembly involves attaching the five-star castor base to the gas cylinder, inserting the cylinder into the seat mechanism, and fitting the armrest rail into its receiver bracket. Most buyers complete this in 10–15 minutes with no tools. A brief Allen key step may be needed to secure the backrest rail.
On first use, adjust the tilt tension before sitting. Set the seat height so your feet rest flat and your thighs are approximately parallel to the floor. The slight recline built into the tilt mechanism is intentional — it distributes weight across the back as well as the seat, which reduces fatigue over long sessions.
Care Instructions
- Wipe leather with a damp, lint-free cloth; use a pH-neutral leather conditioner every 6–12 months to maintain suppleness.
- Clean the aluminium frame with a soft cloth and water; avoid abrasive cleaners that will scratch the polished finish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it legal to buy an Eames Aluminium Group chair replica in the EU?
Yes. The original 1958 design patents have long expired. What replica sellers cannot do is use Herman Miller or Vitra trademarks or claim the chairs are manufactured by those brands. Decomica sells its chairs as honest replicas inspired by the Aluminium Group design.
How does the Decomica replica differ from the Herman Miller original?
The primary differences are provenance, warranty length (2 years vs 12 years), and the manufacturing tolerances achievable at each price point. The polished aluminium frame, leather upholstery and tilt-swivel mechanism are all present in the Decomica replica. The leather grade and stitching precision of the Herman Miller original are superior, as you would expect at 10× the price.
Which model should I choose — EA117, EA119, EA217 or EA219?
Choose EA117 or EA219 for everyday desk work — the mid-back (EA117) or high-back (EA219) soft-pad gives good lumbar support during long sessions. Choose EA217 for a boardroom or meeting-room chair where you will sit for 30–90 minutes at a time. Choose EA119 for a statement executive chair at the head of a table.
Can I see the chair before buying?
Decomica is an online-only retailer with no showroom. If you have specific questions about a particular leather colour or want advice on which model suits your setup, email support@decomica.com or use the live chat on site. Response time is within 24–48 hours, Central European Time.
Explore the full Eames office chair collection at Decomica, or read the comprehensive Eames office chair replica review for side-by-side model comparisons. Free UK and EU delivery. 2-year warranty. 14-day returns.
