Details
Product type | Multi-purpose chair |
Dimensions | ![]() ![]() Without upholstery / with seat upholstery / with full upholstery Dimensions in mm |
Colours | Seat shell![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Upholstery Hopsak ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() (Further Hopsak colours available on request) Base ![]() ![]() |
Material | Seat shell: batch-dyed polypropylene Frame: tubular steel, chrome plated or powder coated Seat cushion/full upholstery: Hopsak (100% polyamide) |
Variants | Optionally available with seat cushion or full upholstery, edge reinforcement (piping) see image. Optionally available with glides for carpets or felt pads for hard floors (standard colour, see image) |
Function & properties | Not stackable Suitable for outdoor use (version with basic dark or white powder coated base) |
Care | To clean the plastic surfaces a soft, damp cloth and a mild, neutral detergent is recommended. Dust and lint can be simply vacuumed. To treat stains a damp cloth and a mild, neutral detergent is recommended. Professional cleaning should always be undertaken in an assembled state and with the use of upholstery foam or using a mobile washing extraction device. |
Awards & museum | MoMA, New York |
Certificates | EN 13761 (Office furniture - Visitor chairs) EN 1728 (Furniture - Seating - Test methods for the determination of strength and durability) |
Sustainability | The Vitra Eames DAX is: 100% recyclable contains up to 14% recycled material Vitra conform to ISO 90001: 2008 (Quality management systems) ISO 14001: 2004 (Environmental management systems) Vitra extends the repair and service offer for the Eames Fiberglass Chair and Eames Plastic Chairs and introduces a take-back programme, which will ensure proper recycling of the chairs at the end of their life cycle. |
Warranty | 24 months Register product and secure extended manufacturer's warranty of 10 years |
Accessories | Suitable Seat Pad for Eames Armchairs and Leather Seat Pad by Parkhaus Berlin or Seat Dots by Vitra |
Product family | Eames Plastic Chairs![]() |
Datasheet | Please click on the picture for detailed information (ca. 2,7 MB).![]() |
Product presentation |
FAQ
How much weight can a Vitra Eames DAX support?
The Vitra Eames DAX meets the "GS" test standards and is tested up to 110kg. The way in which the chair is used is also important. Swinging, for example, causes a higher strain which can reduce the chairs lifetime.
Can upholstery be added to an non-upholstered seat shell?
The Hopsack seat cushion is fixed to the seat shell with screws. For both the Eames side chair and Eames armchairs seat cushions can be ordered from Vitra, attaching this does however require special tools and is a job for specially trained technicians. (As an alternative smow offer cushions from Parkhaus in a range of colours.)
Why is there a new seat height?
Since Charles and Ray Eames designed the chairs the average height of the population has grown by around 10 cm. Therefore, in addition to adjusting the height of the Eames Lounge Chair in 2015, Vitra also adapted the Plastic Chairs (DSW/DAW, DSR/DAR, DSX/DAX) to better meet current user needs. The bases of the chairs are consequently now on average 2 cm higher. The change is minimal and accordingly can only be seen in direct comparison. Bases of the original height (41 cm) are still available as spare parts on request.
Can the Vitra Eames DAX be used outdoors?
Only the Vitra Eames DSR with the powder coated base can be used outdoors; special additives in the polypropylene slowing down the fading process. Despite that Vitra recommend not to leave the chairs in the sun for longer than necessary. Felt pads are not suitable for outdoor use, for outdoor use the plastic glides should always be used. Upholstered versions are not suitable for outdoor use.
How is the seat height measured?
The seat height is determined according to the European standard EN 1335-1. This states that the chair be clamped in a special tester and loaded with a weight. The dimensions are then determined in the loaded state. The seat height being measured at a position defined by the standard and when in the load bearing state. The stated seat height cannot be measured with a conventional measuring device, rather is a normalised comparison value so that different chairs (for example, with and without height adjustment, or with varying thickness of seat cushion, etc.) can be compared with one another.
How do I recognise an original Eames Plastic Chair?
On the underside of the seat shell, the material marking PP indicates the polypropylene used for the shell, a seal certifies the safety of the chair and a sticker indicates the place of manufacture and serial number. In addition, Vitra always supplies the original fully assembled.
Why a 2019 colour update?
The new colour palette allows for more possible combinations and offers a broader spectrum of different colour shades with the delineation into "Natural Tones", "Mid Tones" and "Bright Tones".

The colourful world of the Eames' DAX Chairs
Manufacturer
Vitra acquired in 1957 the exclusive license for the designs of Charles and Ray Eames in Europe and the Middle East: by which time the pair's fibreglass chairs were well on their way to becoming classics of 20th century furniture design. In 1992 both Herman Miller in the USA and Vitra in Europe switched from the use of fibreglass to polypropylene: Design and shape remained the same, however the burden on the environment through production and waste disposal was reduced considerably. Today Vitra is one of the most influential furniture manufacturers in the world; the fruitful cooperation with the heirs of the Eames estate and numerous collaborations with young and established designers being the key to the company's success. And beyond the Eames Classics Vitra generally places a great emphasis on high quality and recyclable materials; the longevity of the designer furniture is central to the sustainability philosophy. Vitra furniture are thus not only in terms of their appearance unrivalled classics, but thanks to their robust construction durable, long lasting and hard wearing classics.
The Design
Looking for the perfect seat shell for their chairs Charles & Ray Eames experimented with varied materials, and after several designs with plywood and aluminium finally arrived at fibreglass. That was the early 1940s and it took until the end of the decade before production technology had achieved a state that allowed fibreglass chairs to be mass produced economically. By 1950 the time had come and with the A-shell with armrests (Eames Plastic Armchair - e.g. Eames DAX) and the S-shell without armrests (Eames Plastic Side Chairs) two revolutionary chair types are born, and made available on a range of differing bases including the Rod Base (four-legged frame with wire struts), the Wooden Base (wooden frame), Cast Base (Five Star frame made of die-cast aluminium with wheels) and the X-Base with its four-leg tubular steel frame and which supports the Vitra DAX: DAX standing for Dining Height Armchair X-Base. The ingenious concept of Plastic Chairs allowed Charles and Ray Eames to create with minimum effort a coherent collection which provides the perfect chair for any location every place and every occasion. In 1955 the series was extended by the stackable DSS Chair and today also includes a rocking chair - the Eames RAR.

Vitra Production in Weil am Rhein
The Vitra Eames Shell Chairs: An Overview
Eames Plastic Chairs
Vitra Eames DSR
Dining Height Side Chair Rod Base
Vitra Eames DSX
Dining Height Side Chair X-Base
Vitra Eames DSW
Dining Height Side Chair Wood Base
Vitra Eames PSCC
Pivot Side Chair Cast Base on Castors
Vitra Eames DSS-N / DSS
Dining Height Side Chair Stacking Base
Vitra Eames DAR
Dining Height Armchair Rod Base
Vitra Eames DAX
Dining Height Armchair X-Base
Vitra Eames DAW
Dining Height Armchair Wooden Base
Vitra Eames PACC
Pivot Armchair Cast Base on Castors
Vitra Eames RAR
Rocking Armchair Rod Base