The Playful Spirit of the Eames Elephant: A Mid-Century Icon Reimagined
When Charles and Ray Eames first began experimenting with molded plywood in the 1940s, few could have predicted how far their playful ideas would travel. Among their whimsical creations—a frog, a seal, a horse—the Eames Elephant has perhaps captured hearts the most.
Originally designed in 1945, the Elephant was part of an exploration into making furniture and objects that felt joyful, not just functional. Though only two plywood prototypes were made at the time (the technology simply wasn’t ready yet), the idea stuck. Decades later, Vitra would bring the Eames Elephant back to life for new generations, staying true to the original spirit while adapting it for modern homes.
Today, the Elephant is more than a children's toy—it's a piece of mid-century history. Whether made from elegant American cherry plywood or durable polypropylene for outdoor play, the Eames Elephant carries forward a sense of whimsy, optimism, and clever design thinking that still feels remarkably fresh.
It’s amazing to think that something so simple—two curved plywood forms joined together—could express so much. Maybe that’s why it has found a permanent home not just in nurseries, but in living rooms, design studios, and even museum collections like the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
For those who want to bring a bit of the Eames magic into their homes, carefully crafted reproductions are available today, honoring the craftsmanship and playfulness Charles and Ray envisioned nearly 80 years ago.
| Product type | Eames Plywood Elephant |
| Dimensions |  1. Height, rear: 12.9" 2. Length: 30.9" 3. Height, front: 16.33" 4. Width: 13.78" |
| Material | Moulded plywood with deck veneer in American Cherry |
| Care | To clean, a soft, damp cloth and a mild neutral detergent are recommended. |
| Museums | Museum of Modern Art, New York |
| Certificates & Sustainability | Vitra conform to ISO 90001: 2008 (Quality management systems) ISO 14001: 2004 (Environmental management systems) |
