Distinguishing an original Eames chair from a replica

Do you have an eames chaise longue in your hands and want to know whether it’s an original or a replica? Would you like to buy an armchair by the famous Eames brand, but don’t know what’s special about originals and replicas, or don’t want to own a low-quality replica?

Rest assured, we’re going to make you a real expert when it comes to detecting copies of the Eames chaise longue.

There are certain characteristics to be aware of between a low-end copy and a replica of similar quality. In the manner of the game of 7 differences, we will focus on several aspects of the chair, namely :

• Dimensions of the Eames chaise longue
• Labels and hull details
• The price of the chair

What is the Eames Chair with its ottoman?

Introduced in 1956, the original Eames chair with its ottoman continues to be one of the most recognizable and iconic chair designs in history. Herman Miller, a furniture manufacturer, has been making this influential chair since it first went into production.

Early chaise longues were made from molded plywood bases and finished in black leather with button tufts.

They were described as having “soft, crinkled leather and plush down feathers”, similar to more traditional upholstered chair styles.

Herman Miller manufactures the original Eames chaise longue and ottoman in a variety of leather colors and wood shells.

Vitra, a Swiss manufacturer of modern furniture, was authorized to produce furniture to the Eames’ original specifications for distribution abroad.

However, there are many replicas (detailed copies) and reproductions (close copies) on the market. Want to know if your Herman Miller chair is genuine? How can you tell an original from a replica? Or a cheap reproduction?

The rest of this article will help you distinguish between a cheap copy and a quality replica.

Why is the Eames chair so famous?

The “Home” show

The Eames chaise longue and ottoman made their national television debut in 1956. Charles and Ray Eames appeared on NBC’s “Home”, hosted by Arlene Francis. Celebrity followed for design and designers.

Yet, as popular as the chaise longue and ottoman have become, they remain rooted in the artisanal details that continue to distinguish this classic, authentic design,” according to the Herman Miller website.

Its comfort

One of the features that makes this chair so comfortable is the way the seat tilts permanently backwards. It has been designed in this way to relieve pressure on the lower back and spine. This design was conceived to rest in an inclined position without any adjustment.

If a similar chair has a visible tilt mechanism to adjust the inclination, this is a major clue that it’s not a genuine Eames piece.

1. Dimensions of the Eames lounge chair

Most low-end copies of the Eames chaise longue don’t match the original design specifications. They’re generally taller and look somewhat awkward. Look for three specific measures:

An authentic Eames lounge chair should measure 81 cm from the floor to the top of the headrest. Some copies are a few centimetres to 10 centimetres or more tall than the original.

The front edge of the seat should be about 38 cm from the floor, but note that sometimes other copies have the same measurement.

Measure the distance between the armrests and from front to back. Each of these zones will be 83 cm in a genuine Eames lounge chair. Any deviation from these measurements may indicate that your chair is not genuine.

2. Look for labels and hull details

Each original Eames lounge chair was marked with one of several types of paper label. Some of these labels indicated that the chair had been manufactured by Herman Miller, while others provided patent information.

The labels were under a cushion or on the underside of the chair. However, these types of labels can be removed or fall off for one reason or another over time.

Two other important details on the shell can help you determine whether a chair is a genuine item or not, or even determine the quality of the replica:

• There must be no visible screws in the three molded plywood shells that make up the chair’s outer body.
• Look at the number of layers of plywood used in the construction of the hulls. Antique chairs have five layers, while modern versions have seven.

The legs of a genuine Eames chaise longue are slightly angled, but neither stiff nor flat. Often, copies have a base built with square feet, or the feet may have a steep incline. Take a look at the ottoman too. A genuine Eames chaise longue footstool will have four legs extending from the base, not five as on copies of the model.

3. The price of the Eames lounge chair

Vintage and new production chaise lounges, with footrest, frequently sell in the same price range, between 4,500 and 6,500 euros, depending on materials. Vintage examples retain their value well, as does Eames furniture in general.

Copies of the Eames chaise longue, on the other hand, generally sell for between €850 and €1,500, and much less when they’re poorly made.

If you see a chair you think is authentic at a price too high to be real, be sure to look for signs that will confirm whether it’s an original, a mediocre copy or a faithful, quality-conscious replica.

If you get one of these replicas, you’ll see that they age well and degrade little or not at all.

For Stefano Design, it’s important to respect the spirit of quality and standing that make Eames lounge chairs a true work of art.