Written by the Decomica editorial team — specialists in mid-century replica furniture since 2018.
In short: The Eames RAR rocking chair (Rocking Armchair Rod) is the only rocking chair the Eames Office ever produced, and it remains one of the most structurally elegant pieces of 20th-century furniture. This guide covers its origins, materials, exact specifications, and what distinguishes a quality replica from the rest of the market.
What Does “RAR” Stand For?
RAR stands for Rocking Armchair Rod. The naming system Charles and Ray Eames used described function and base type: R = Rocking, A = Armchair (full shell with arm rest), R = Rod (the steel-rod Eiffel base). The same shell on a wooden “Dowel” base is the DAR; on a “Wire” base, the WAR; on an “H” base, the HAR. The RAR is unique in the series because its base includes the wooden rocker runners — the only base type that transforms the chair’s fundamental motion.
Historical Background
Charles and Ray Eames introduced the RAR in 1950, entering it in MoMA’s International Competition for Low-Cost Furniture Design. They were building on wartime research into moulded fibreglass for the US Navy — the shell chair series was their attempt to apply that manufacturing technique to domestic furniture at scale.
The original shells were made from fibreglass-reinforced polyester resin (a material Zenith Plastics manufactured as “Zenaloy”). Production shifted to polypropylene in the 1990s when fibreglass was phased out for health and environmental reasons. Vitra, the current European licensee, switched to recycled polypropylene and is working toward post-consumer recycled content across the range.
Herman Miller stopped producing the rocker base for the US market in 1968 — it was expensive to make relative to the other bases. Vitra in Europe continued. The rocker base has been in continuous production in some form since 1950, which is a remarkable commercial longevity for a mid-century design.
Anatomy of the RAR
The Shell
The shell is the defining element. It is a single-piece mould — no joints, no upholstery required, no separate seat and back. The form follows the shape of the human back in a seated position: the lumbar area is supported by the lower curve, the shoulder blades rest against the upper wings, and the armrests emerge organically from the side curves rather than being bolted on as afterthoughts.
For replicas, the material is injection-moulded polypropylene. Good tooling produces consistent wall thickness (~4 mm) across the entire shell. Poor tooling produces thin spots at the edges and thicker spots at the centre — you can feel this difference by pressing with your thumb around the rim.
The Eiffel Base
The base is bent from 8–10 mm steel rod into a precise four-legged pyramid, with cross-bracing at mid-height. The pattern looks like the Eiffel Tower in silhouette — hence the informal name. The base connects to the shell via four brackets, and those brackets connect to the rocker runners via two attachment points per side.
The geometry of the base is critical: the leg splay angle determines the stability of the chair both statically (when sat in) and dynamically (when rocking). An incorrect splay angle produces a chair that feels unstable or rocks too aggressively. Good replicas replicate the angle from the Vitra specification; cheap replicas use a simplified approximation.
The Rockers
The rockers are solid maple, lacquered to show the grain. The arc radius is approximately 900 mm — wide enough to provide a smooth, slow rock rather than a dramatic pitch. The runners have anti-scratch pads at the ground contact points. They are attached to the Eiffel base brackets via metal clips, which should be steel (not zinc alloy) on a quality piece.
Full Specifications Table
| Specification | Eames RAR Replica (Decomica) |
|---|---|
| Shell material | Injection-moulded polypropylene |
| Base | Steel rod, chrome-plated, Eiffel pattern |
| Rockers | Solid maple, lacquered |
| Overall height (H) | ~67 cm |
| Overall width (W) | ~63 cm |
| Overall depth (D, incl. rockers) | ~69 cm |
| Seat height | ~39 cm |
| Armrest height | ~67 cm from floor |
| Weight capacity | 100–110 kg |
| Chair weight | ~7 kg |
| Assembly time | 10–15 minutes |
| Warranty | 2 years (manufacturer) |
| Available colours | White, black, light blue |
Quality Benchmarks: How to Evaluate a Replica
Tier 1: €50–70
Blow-moulded shell (visible seam on the outer face), zinc-alloy Eiffel base (lighter and less rigid than steel rod), pine or MDF rockers. These chairs do the job for 12–24 months but show wear quickly. The base can flex noticeably when you lean back firmly. Not recommended for daily use.
Tier 2: €90–180
Injection-moulded polypropylene shell, steel rod Eiffel base, solid maple rockers. This is the quality tier Decomica operates in. Structurally close to the Vitra original. Functional life of 8–12 years with normal use. Suitable for daily use in living rooms, offices, and nurseries.
Tier 3: €900+ (Licensed)
Vitra or Herman Miller originals. Recycled polypropylene, proprietary base geometry, 5–10 year warranty. Worth paying for if you want collector value, brand provenance, or the manufacturer’s warranty. Not necessary for functional home use.
Decomica’s RAR Collection
The full Decomica rocking chair collection includes white, black, and light blue shell options. The white RAR is shown below.
Shipping, Returns and Warranty
- Free delivery across the EU, Norway and Switzerland. VAT included, nothing extra on delivery.
- Excluded: Bulgaria, Greece, Malta, Cyprus — contact support@decomica.com for a quote.
- Delivery time: 1–2 days handling + 5–7 days transit = typically 6–9 working days total.
- Carrier: DPD Ireland with tracking.
- Returns: 14 days from delivery. Defects — free return, full refund or replacement. Change of mind — customer pays ~€40–50 return shipping.
- Warranty: 2 years. Email support@decomica.com to claim.
- Payment: Card or PayPal. No Klarna. All prices VAT-inclusive.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does RAR stand for?
Rocking Armchair Rod. R = Rocking, A = Armchair, R = Rod base. The naming convention describes function and base type.
When was the Eames RAR first produced?
1950. Charles and Ray Eames introduced it at MoMA’s Low-Cost Furniture Design competition. It has been in continuous production in some form ever since.
What is the original shell material?
Fibreglass-reinforced polyester resin (“Zenaloy”), used from 1950 to the early 1990s. Current production — both Vitra originals and quality replicas — uses polypropylene, which is lighter and more environmentally manageable.
How does the RAR differ from the DAR, DSR, and other Eames shell chairs?
The shell is identical. Only the base changes. DAR = Dowel (wooden legs), DSR = Eiffel base without rockers, WAR = Wire base with rockers, HAR = H-frame base with rockers. The RAR’s rod base with rocker runners is unique in providing a rocking motion.
Is the Eames RAR comfortable for long periods?
Yes, for most users. The shell’s organic curve provides lumbar support and distributes weight broadly. The rocking motion reduces the static load on any single point, which is why it’s popular for nursing, reading, and extended seated work. Users requiring more lumbar support sometimes add a small cushion at the base of the spine.
How stable is the chair?
Very stable when on a hard, flat floor. The four-point ground contact and wide Eiffel base provide a secure platform. On thick carpet the rockers can sink in and make the chair feel less controlled; hard floors or a low-pile rug work better.
Can the shell be cleaned easily?
Yes. Polypropylene is non-porous and resists most common household stains. Wipe with a damp cloth and mild soap. Avoid solvents, which will dull the surface over time.
The Design Legacy in Context
The RAR is not nostalgic furniture. It is a piece that happened to be designed 75 years ago and has not been improved upon in its category since. The single-piece moulded shell is still the most efficient way to produce an ergonomic seat: one material, one tool, no assembly, no upholstery to wear out. The Eiffel base is structurally optimal for its footprint. The maple rockers are the most appropriate material for the job.
A good replica brings all of that into a living room at €90–180. Browse the full range at the Decomica rocking chair collection, or email support@decomica.com with any technical questions before you buy.
