Written by the Decomica editorial team — specialists in mid-century replica furniture since 2018.
Key fact: The Eames rocking chair — formally the RAR, Rocking Armchair Rod — was designed by Charles and Ray Eames in 1950. It is the only rocking chair they ever produced. Licensed versions by Vitra cost €900+. A well-made replica costs €90–180 and delivers the same geometry, the same materials, and the same rocking motion. This article explains what you are buying, what you are not, and how to make a confident decision.
Charles and Ray Eames: Context That Matters
Charles Eames (1907–1978) and Ray Eames (1912–1988) were American designers who spent their careers trying to solve one problem: how do you make genuinely good furniture that ordinary people can afford? Not furniture that looks expensive but costs €50. Furniture that is structurally honest, ergonomically correct, and manufactured at scale without sacrificing quality.
The shell chair series — of which the RAR is the rocking variant — was their most successful answer. A single moulded shell, one material, no upholstery, adaptable to multiple bases. The shell’s shape was derived from wartime research the Eames Office had done for the US Navy into moulded fibreglass leg splints. The human body geometry that works for a leg splint also works for a chair back. They had the data; they applied it to furniture.
The result in 1950 was the world’s first mass-produced fibreglass chair. It was not the cheapest chair available, but it was the cheapest chair of its ergonomic quality. That is still true today of the replica market.
What the Original RAR Consists Of
The Shell
One-piece moulded form. No separate seat and back. No upholstery to wear out. The curves are not decorative — they follow the shape of the human back in a semi-reclined seated position. The lumbar zone, shoulder zone, and armrests are all integrated. Original production used fibreglass-reinforced polyester; current production (both licensed and quality replicas) uses polypropylene.
The Eiffel Base
Bent steel rod, approximately 8–10 mm diameter, in a four-legged pyramid pattern. The geometry is precise: leg splay, cross-brace position, and connector placement are all engineered to provide specific flex and stability characteristics. The base connects to the shell via four bolts.
The Rockers
Solid maple, lacquered. Arc radius approximately 900 mm. This radius was chosen deliberately: wide enough to prevent the chair pitching too far forward (a common failure in rocking chairs), tight enough to provide perceptible motion. The rockers attach to the Eiffel base brackets with steel clips.
The Licensed vs. Replica Question, Stated Plainly
Vitra (Europe) and Herman Miller (USA) hold the manufacturing licence for the Eames shell chair series. Their versions retail at €900–1,200. They use recycled polypropylene, maintain the original dimensions to the millimetre, and offer 5–10 year warranties. They are worth paying for if collector provenance, resale value, or brand significance matters to you.
The design protection on the RAR shell form has expired in the EU. Factories can legally produce replicas and sell them as such. A quality replica uses the same material categories (polypropylene shell, steel rod base, maple rockers) at €90–180. You do not get the Vitra brand, the licensed pedigree, or the extended warranty. You do get the same shape, the same sitting experience, and the same rocking motion at a fraction of the price.
That trade-off is appropriate for most home buyers. If you are buying furniture to use in a living room or nursery rather than as an investment, a quality replica is a rational choice.
Eames RAR Full Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Design year | 1950 |
| Designers | Charles and Ray Eames |
| Shell material | Injection-moulded polypropylene (replicas) / recycled PP (Vitra) |
| Base | Steel rod, chrome-plated, Eiffel pattern |
| Rockers | Solid maple, lacquered, ~900 mm arc radius |
| Overall H | ~67 cm |
| Overall W | ~63 cm |
| Overall D (incl. rockers) | ~69 cm |
| Seat height | ~39 cm |
| Weight capacity | 100–110 kg |
| Assembly | 10–15 minutes, tools included |
| Warranty (Decomica) | 2 years |
| Price (replica) | €90–180 |
Where the Eames Rocking Chair Works in a Home
Nurseries
The controlled rocking arc makes the RAR one of the most practical nursing chairs available. The armrests support a feeding position without being so wide that they force awkward arm angles. The chair is easy to clean (polypropylene, damp cloth), and the low centre of gravity means it does not tip with the asymmetric weight of a parent and infant. This is probably the single most common domestic use of the chair, both in its licensed and replica forms.
Reading Corners
The slight recline of the shell and the rocking motion are well-suited to extended sitting. The chair is light enough (~7 kg) to move easily between rooms. It does not have the sinking-in quality of an upholstered armchair, which some readers prefer — it keeps you alert without being uncomfortable.
Home Offices
Less conventional but increasingly common. The rocking motion activates core muscles slightly, which reduces back fatigue during long sitting periods. Better used as a secondary seating option alongside a desk chair than as a primary work seat.
Living Rooms
As an accent piece alongside a sofa. The RAR’s visual lightness — a single shell, a spidery base — means it does not dominate a room the way an upholstered armchair does. It reads as a design object while being fully functional.
Decomica’s RAR Rocking Chairs
Available in white, black, and light blue. All use injection-moulded polypropylene shells, steel rod Eiffel bases, and solid maple rockers. See the full Decomica rocking chair collection or view the white model below.
Ordering, Delivery and Returns
- Free delivery: All EU countries, plus Norway and Switzerland. VAT included, nothing extra at your door.
- Excluded destinations: Bulgaria, Greece, Malta, Cyprus. Email support@decomica.com for a quote.
- Delivery timeline: 1–2 days handling, 5–7 days transit. Typically 6–9 working days door to door.
- Carrier: DPD Ireland, with tracking link by email after dispatch.
- Returns: 14 days from delivery. Defect — free return, full refund or replacement. Change of mind — customer pays ~€40–50 via DPD. Item must be in original, unopened packaging.
- Refund: Processed within 30 days of return receipt.
- Payment: Card or PayPal. No Klarna. All prices VAT-inclusive.
- Warranty: 2 years manufacturer. Contact support@decomica.com to claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Charles and Ray Eames design other rocking chairs?
No. The RAR is the only rocking chair produced by the Eames Office. Other Eames chairs — DAR, DSR, DSW, Lounge Chair — are based on the same shell forms but with non-rocking bases.
What is the Eames Lounge Chair? Is it related to the RAR?
The Eames Lounge Chair (1956) is a different product entirely — larger, upholstered in leather, on a five-star aluminium swivel base with a matching ottoman. It is not a shell chair. The RAR and the Lounge Chair share designers but no structural or material DNA. Decomica also stocks the Eames Lounge Chair replica separately.
Is the rocking motion safe for children to use?
Yes, with supervision. The 900 mm arc radius prevents the chair from pitching aggressively. Place it on a hard flat floor, not thick carpet, for the most controlled motion.
How does the chair hold up after years of daily use?
Polypropylene shells at this quality tier do not crack, dent, or discolour under normal indoor use. The most common wear points are the rocker lacquer (touch up with clear furniture wax if it chips) and the chrome base (buff with chrome polish annually). The structural connection points — shell-to-base bolts, base-to-rocker clips — should be checked once a year and tightened if loose.
Can I sit in it if I weigh over 100 kg?
The chair is rated to 100–110 kg. If you have a specific query, email support@decomica.com before ordering.
Does the chair come in other colours?
Decomica currently offers white, black, and light blue. All use the same base and rockers. If you need a specific colour not in the current range, email support@decomica.com to ask about special orders.
Is there a physical Decomica showroom?
No. Decomica is an online-only business. All orders are placed via the website. Support is available via email (support@decomica.com) and live chat, with a 24–48 hour response time, Central European Time. No phone support.
Putting It Together
The Eames rocking chair is not a collector’s item dressed up as furniture. It is furniture — designed from ergonomic first principles and manufactured at scale. A quality replica gives you all of that at €90–180: the same shell geometry, the same steel base, the same maple rockers, the same rocking motion. What you don’t get is the Vitra brand mark or the 10-year warranty.
For most home buyers, that trade-off is straightforward. Browse the Decomica rocking chair collection, or contact support@decomica.com if you have questions before you buy.
