Written by the Decomica Design Team — updated June 2026. We have been sourcing and selling Eames Aluminium Group replicas for over a decade and handle customer questions about these chairs daily.
A replica Eames office chair is a reproduction of Charles and Ray Eames’ 1958 Aluminium Group seating range — built to the same proportions, finished in genuine leather on a polished aluminium frame, and priced between roughly €250 and €600 rather than the €5,000+ commanded by a Herman Miller or Vitra original.
If you are considering one, this guide covers exactly what you are buying, which models exist, how to judge quality, what it costs, and what the buying experience looks like from delivery through to returns.
What Is the Eames Aluminium Group?
Charles and Ray Eames designed the Aluminium Group in 1958 for a private commission at the Columbus, Indiana Miller House. The brief asked for outdoor furniture that looked as precise as the modernist architecture surrounding it. The result — a taut leather sling suspended between two cast aluminium side rails — turned out to be far better suited to the executive office than to a garden. Herman Miller began production in the United States; Vitra holds the licence in Europe.
The range spans several models, each identified by an EA (Eames Aluminium) number:
- EA117 / EA119 — thin-pad, ribbed upholstery; low back (117) and high back (119)
- EA217 / EA219 — soft-pad, cushioned upholstery added in 1969; low back (217) and high back (219)
- EA108 / EA208 — dining or conference height with arms, thin-pad and soft-pad variants
All share the same DNA: a polished cast or extruded aluminium frame, a five-star castor base, pneumatic height adjustment, and leather suspended or padded between the frame members.
Why Choose a Replica Rather Than the Original?
The honest answer is price. A Vitra EA219 in black leather lists at approximately €5,200 in 2026. A quality replica of the same chair from Decomica lists at around €450–600 — a saving of over €4,500 on a single chair. For a studio fitting out eight workstations, that difference is tens of thousands of euros.
What you give up is the manufacturer’s provenance, the Vitra or Herman Miller label, and access to their authorised repair network. What you keep is near-identical visual appearance, comparable day-to-day comfort, and a 2-year manufacturer’s warranty included as standard.
Quality replicas use genuine leather (not bonded or PU), a cast or die-cast aluminium frame rather than pressed steel, and high-density foam in the soft-pad versions. If you are equipping a rental property, co-working space, or home office rather than furnishing a collector’s showroom, a well-made replica is a rational purchase.
The Decomica Eames Office Chair Collection
Browse the full range here: Decomica Eames Office Chair Collection. Key models available at time of writing:
| Model | Back height | Pad style | Approx. price |
|---|---|---|---|
| EA117 | Low | Thin ribbed | From €280 |
| EA119 | High | Thin ribbed | From €320 |
| EA217 | Low | Soft pad | From €320 |
| EA219 | High | Soft pad | From €420 |
| EA108 | Low (dining height) | Thin ribbed | From €260 |
All models are available in multiple leather colours including black, white, cream, tan brown, dark brown, grey, and red. The frame finish is mirror-polished aluminium as standard.
How to Read an Eames Office Chair Specification
When comparing replica listings, these are the details worth checking:
Frame material
Should be cast or extruded aluminium. Cheaper replicas use painted steel, which is heavier, less stiff, and will rust if chipped. Run a magnet along the arm rail — it should not stick if the frame is aluminium.
Upholstery
Genuine leather is specified in our listings and means full-grain or top-grain cowhide. Bonded leather (sometimes labelled “eco-leather” or “PU leather”) peels after 18–24 months of regular use. Genuine leather, with basic maintenance, lasts 10+ years.
Gas lift
A class-4 gas lift (the standard for office chairs up to about 150 kg) adjusts seat height from approximately 48 cm to 56 cm. Confirm this matches your desk height. Standing desks typically require a seat height of 65–80 cm, which most Eames-style chairs do not accommodate — they are designed for fixed or conventional adjustable desks.
Base and castors
Five-star polished aluminium base with dual-wheel castors. Hard castors are suited to carpet; soft (polyurethane) castors are better for hard floors. Check which is included before ordering.
Ergonomics: What the Eames Chair Is and Is Not
The Aluminium Group was designed for mid-length working sessions in an era before eight-hour computer work became normal. It is not a task chair with adjustable lumbar support, seat tilt tension, or forward seat-pan tilt. If you have a diagnosed back condition requiring clinical lumbar support, a dedicated ergonomic task chair is a better fit.
For most people working standard hours, the EA217 and EA219 soft-pad models provide comfortable support. The slightly reclined seat angle, combined with padded leather cushions at the back and seat, distributes weight well. Users consistently rate the high-back EA219 as the more comfortable choice for sessions over four hours.
Minor assembly is required. Typically this means attaching the base, screwing on the gas lift sleeve, and fitting the seat to the mechanism — under 20 minutes with the included tools.
Buying, Delivery and Returns
Decomica ships free across the UK and EU (exceptions: Bulgaria, Greece, Cyprus, Malta). Orders are handled and dispatched within 1–2 working days; delivery via DPD typically adds 5–7 working days, making total door-to-door time 6–9 working days from order. You can track your shipment at DPD Ireland tracking.
If the chair arrives with a manufacturing defect, Decomica arranges a free DPD collection and ships a replacement at no cost. If you simply change your mind, you have 14 days from receipt to return the chair in its original packaging; the return cost (approximately €40–50 via DPD) is paid by the customer. Refunds are processed within 30 days of the returned item being received and inspected. All prices include VAT. Payment by credit/debit card or PayPal.
All chairs carry a 2-year manufacturer’s warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship.
Maintenance in Two Steps
- Clean: Wipe leather with a slightly damp cloth. Use a pH-neutral leather cleaner for stains. Avoid solvent-based products.
- Condition: Apply a leather conditioner every 6–12 months to prevent drying and surface cracking.
The aluminium frame requires no maintenance beyond an occasional wipe with a microfibre cloth.
Customer Reviews
Verified reviews are published on-site via Judge.me and independently on Trustpilot. Recurring themes across reviews: accurate colour representation in product photos, leather quality that exceeds expectations at the price point, and straightforward DPD delivery. For a thorough independent overview of models, see our comprehensive Eames office chair replica review.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it legal to sell Eames office chair replicas in the EU?
The Aluminium Group was designed in 1958. Charles Eames died in 1978; Ray Eames in 1988. EU design protection for three-dimensional works typically runs 70 years post-mortem of the author for copyright, but the practical legal position for furniture replicas varies by country and is contested. Decomica operates within the framework applicable to the markets it serves and does not ship replicas to markets where their sale is clearly prohibited.
How do replica leather colours compare to the Vitra originals?
Vitra uses proprietary aniline leather with specific colour codes. Replica colourways are matched to the visual appearance of those colours but are not the same leather. Black and dark brown are closest to the originals; white and cream require more maintenance to keep clean.
Can I use the chair with a standing desk?
Standard Eames-style replicas have a seat height range of approximately 48–56 cm. This suits conventional desks at 72–75 cm. For standing desks used in seated mode at higher positions (65–80 cm), you would need a draughtsman-height version — check product listings or contact support@decomica.com for current availability.
What is the weight capacity?
The standard aluminium five-star base and class-4 gas lift are rated to 120 kg for most models. Confirm the specific product page for the model you are considering.
Browse the full Eames office chair collection at Decomica or contact us at support@decomica.com with specific questions.
