How can you recognise a genuine Eames Lounge Chair?

The legendary "Lounge Chair" designed by Charles and Ray Eames no longer needs to be introduced ..... So let's have a quick catch-up session, followed by our detailed advice on how not to be fooled when buying your Eames lounge chair fauteuil lounge chair Eames . The birth of the myth The birth of the myth "What if we modernised the traditional English club chair?" "What if we modernised the traditional English club chair? This question from Charles Eames was the starting point for the creation of the famous Lounge Chair. Introduced in 1956, this model (whose official name is n°670) with matching footrest, also known as the "ottoman" (n°671), is one of the most iconic designs by the design couple Charles Ray Eames. It has been manufactured by Herman Miller in the United States since it went into production in the 1950s, and by Vitra in Europe since 1984. The Lounge Chair made its debut on American television in 1956. Charles and Ray Eames appeared with their chair on the NBC Home Show. The Lounge Chair is a leather armchair upholstered in feathers and bultex foam and made up of a multi-layered structure of moulded plywood, to provide a seat that is both robust and ultra-comfortable. It has become a veritable icon of twentieth-century design, setting the benchmark for seating that every design enthusiast should have in their home. A copy of the Lounge Chair has even been included in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York (MOMA). One of the main reasons this chair is so comfortable is the way the seat is tilted back to take the weight off the back and spine, and the reason it's called a 'lounge'. The original versions manufactured by Herman Miller in the mid-1950s boasted "soft, supple leather pleats and soft feathers" similar to more traditional upholstered armchairs. The first clue that a chair is a pale copy should jump out at you if it has a reclining back. Because on the real Lounge Chair, it must be fixed, with no adjustment! If it has a variable reclining mechanism, it's not a genuine piece, but a copy. 1) Measure the armchair and ottoman 1) Measure the armchair and ottoman Most contemporary copies of the Eames Lounge Chair do not match Herman Miller's original specifications. They are, in fact, generally taller and wider because the average height of the world's population has increased by 10 cm since the 1950s (which is also why Vitra has been offering models with wider dimensions for some years now, to better suit new generations of customers). An authentic old Lounge Chair will measure 840 mm in height (from the floor to the top of the headrest), while recent Vitra versions can also be found with the new dimensions, notably measuring 890 mm in height. The detail Source: Vitra Source: Vitra Deviations from these official dimensions may indicate that your chair is not authentic. However, some parts have been restored and small deviations in dimensions have been introduced without making a pale copy. It may also be a recent, larger Vitra version. Size is therefore not the only criterion to take into account when authenticating it. 2) Look for a label 2) Look for a label Look first for a small plastic or paper label stuck to the underside of the seat. Either "Herman Miller", or "Mobilier International" (Herman Miller distributor in France in the 60s and 70s), or "Vitra" (official European distributor since the 80s). We can also find "ICF" labels, an Italian publisher that held the Herman Miller licence until the mid-1980s. Labels vary from one period to another, even within the same publisher, but here are a few examples of common labels: In addition, Lounge Chairs were all marked with various types of additional paper labels. Here are a few examples too: Some labels simply state that the chair was made by Herman Miller, others give more information. Sometimes paper labels are placed under a cushion if you can't find them under the seat. 3) Check the finishing details 3) Check the finishing details However, these types of labels can be removed or can degrade and fall off over time. On closer inspection, other details may play a role in authentication. For example: However, these types of labels may be removed or may degrade and fall off over time. On closer inspection, other details may play a role in authentication. For example: There must be no visible screws in the 3 parts of plywood forming the shell of the chair. There must be no visible screws in the 3 parts of plywood forming the shell of the chair. Also count the number of layers of plywood used in the construction of the shells. The oldest chairs have only five layers, the most recent have seven. Also count the number of layers of plywood used in the construction of the shells. The oldest chairs have only five layers, the most recent have seven. 4) Look at the base 4) Look at the base There are also a few differences in the base when comparing a real Eames Lounge Chair with a copy. For a start, the base has a bit of an angle to it (rather than being very steep) and the legs are not flat. Often, copies have a base built with square legs that don't fit, which is simpler to build. Alternatively, the legs can be steeply angled. This is one of the most obvious characteristics of an authentic Eames Lounge Chair. Note also that the ottoman (or footrest) must have 4 legs on the foot, not 5 like the seat. This difference is often seen on copies. There are also a few differences in the base when comparing a real Eames Lounge Chair with a copy. Firstly, the base has a bit of an angle to it (rather than being very steep) and the legs are not flat. Often, copies have a base constructed with square legs that don't fit, which is simpler to build. Alternatively, the legs can be steeply angled. This is one of the most obvious characteristics of an authentic Eames Lounge Chair. Note also that the ottoman (or footrest) must have 4 legs on the foot, not 5 like the seat. This difference is often seen on copies. 5) Challenge the price 5) Challenge the price Herman Miller and Vitra currently offer the Lounge Chair Ottoman in a variety of leather colours with matching woods. One thing all these chairs have in common is the price. Depending on the materials selected, they sell new for between €4,500 and €6,000 (including VAT, excluding delivery charges). Vintage models sell for between 10% and 50% less on average, depending on the model and the state of preservation and/or restoration. Copies of the Eames Lounge Chair generally sell for between €500 and €2,000 new, and much less second-hand. So if you spot an armchair for less than €4,500, ask yourself some questions.....either it's second-hand and in a poor state of conservation (in need of restoration), or it's a copy! All you have to do is check the various elements listed in this article to tell the real from the fake! Herman Miller and Vitra are currently offering the Lounge Chair Ottoman in a variety of leather colours with matching woods. One thing all these chairs have in common is the price. Depending on the materials selected, they sell new for between €4,500 and €6,000 (including VAT, excluding delivery charges). Vintage models sell for between 10% and 50% less on average, depending on the model and the state of preservation and/or restoration. Copies of the Eames Lounge Chair generally sell for between €500 and €2,000 new, and much less second-hand. So if you spot an armchair for less than €4,500, ask yourself some questions.....either it's second-hand and in a poor state of conservation (in need of restoration), or it's a copy! All you have to do is check the various elements listed in this article to tell the real thing from the fake! In conclusion In conclusion The legendary Lounge chair has to be earned! If you want to treat yourself to this icon of vintage design, it would be a shame to buy a copy for the price of the real thing. And while the investment may be substantial, the satisfaction of sitting in it, combined with the fact that your purchase will not lose value on resale (and may even gain value), make it a sure thing. So, if you want to take the plunge and don't want to make a mistake when buying your future Lounge Chair, consult a specialist player such as Design Market to obtain all the necessary guarantees before and after your purchase. http://www.*design-market.fr/19eames" target="*blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Discover all our Charles and Ray Eames armchairs here François Boutard François Boutard François Boutard

How can you recognise a genuine Eames Lounge Chair?

Read our other blogs too

Whoppah explores: Eames Lounge Chair

At home with Michael

Whoppah explores: Ludwig Mies van der Rohe

Whoppah explores: Frank Lloyd Wright