Vitra Eames Plywood Elephant
Charles and Ray Eames developed a toy elephant made of plywood in 1945, however, at the time this piece never went into production.
One prototype was shown at the Museum of Modern Art in New York in 1946 and still survives in the Eames family archives today.
After a limited edition in 2007, Vitra launched serial production of the Eames Elephant in plywood for the very first time which in 2025 was updated to feature new finishes.
Key Features:
- Original Eames Design
- Decorative or Practical Design
- Choice of Chestnut, Walnut or Ash Grey Finish
Wellworking Says...
"From the Eames archives, the plywood elephant in a technical marvel thanks to its seamlessly bent wood construction."
Vitra Eames Plywood Elephant FAQs
What is the Eames Plywood Elephant, and who designed it?
A creative offshoot of Charles and Ray Eames’ mid-century plywood explorations, the Plywood Elephant was crafted in 1945 but it never went into full production due to the technical complexity involved. One of only two prototypes made during their lifetime was exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art in 1946 and remains in the Eames archives.
When was it finally released commercially?
To mark Charles Eames’ 100th birthday in 2007, Vitra and the Eames Office released a limited edition of the elephant in plywood. Using that tooling, a more accessible plastic version followed soon after. Later, in 2017/2018, the original plywood edition was officially added to Vitra’s regular lineup. In 2025 Vitra updated the finishes and moved to using European wood and more environmentally friendly water based lacquers.
What materials and finishes are available?
There is a choice of Chestnut, Walnut or Ash grey finishes available.
What are the dimensions?
- Length: ~78.5 cm
- Height: ~41.5 cm
- Width/Depth: ~41 cm
What’s its intended use?
While originally conceived as a toy, the elephant makes for both a playful indoor companion and a sculptural decorative object. It also doubles cleverly as an occasional seat or side table.
Why is it iconic in design history?
This piece demonstrates the Eameses’ adventurous experimentation with three-dimensional plywood, representing a playful yet important step in material innovation. It blends serious design progress with whimsical charm.
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