Skip to main content

Serving Table, from the John Philip Meyer House, Saint Louis, Missouri

Designer
Charles Eames, American, 1907–1978
Maker
John A. Rausch, American (born Germany), 1904–1980
Date
1936–38
Material
Walnut, mahogany, and other wood veneers
from
Saint Louis, Missouri, United States, North and Central America
made in
United States, North and Central America
Classification
Furniture
Collection
Decorative Arts and Design
Current Location
On View, Gallery 132
Dimensions
34 5/8 x 79 15/16 x 25 in. (87.9 x 203 x 63.5 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Alice S. Gerdine
Rights
Courtesy Eames Office, LLC
Object Number
597:1991
NOTES
With a meander, or Greek key, pattern inlaid on its top and delicate, tapered legs, this serving table shows the classical side of 1930s modern design. It is part of a lavish commission, which included a two-story brick house with custom, coordinated furnishings, that launched the career of Charles Eames. This young St. Louis-born architect drew the attention of Eliel Saarinen—president of the Cranbrook School of Art—who ended up consulting on the project. Eames went on to study at Cranbrook in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, where he met his wife and future design partner, Ray Kaiser.

We regularly update records, which may be incomplete. If you have additional information, please contact us at provenance@slam.org.