HOW TO BUY A GENUINE EAMES LOUNGE CHAIR

WITH CHRISTOPHER HUGHES, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF THE ANTIQUE GUILD

For many lovers of mid-century furniture, the Eames lounge chair is an absolute must-have. The tricky part is so many truly iconic pieces of mid-century design like these have been copied ruthlessly. To make sure you’re buying the real deal, keep in mind these simple tips.

1. Know what you’re looking for – it’s the details that the forgeries tend to overlook. Have you seen enough real ones to know the difference? One thing to look for is size and scale; the knock-offs tend to be huge compared to the originals. Look for the original Herman Miller label, and check that the materials and construction are correct. Charles and Ray Eames were known not only for great design but also elegant structural solutions that allowed them to hide things like screws and joins. Exposed screws are a dead giveaway of a fake. The feet should also be adjustable to allow for inconsistencies in the floor, and the foot should have five spokes that are powder-coated with chrome tops.

2. Plenty of dealers have devoted their careers to this area of mid-century furniture. They love talking about their passion, so when in doubt, get a second opinion. Make sure you find someone impartial. In fact, Herman Miller still manufactures this chair, so why not contact them to ask what to look for in a genuine original?

3. These chairs were not an inexpensive item, and they will generally stand the test of time and age with beauty if they’re treated well. The knock-offs tend to show their age.

4. As a consumer, you do have some protection if you’ve been sold an item that isn’t what was promised. Dealers will try to get away with all kinds of things under the policy on their invoice. But if the policy doesn’t comply with the law, you can ask for a refund. Look out for descriptions like “Eames-style recliner” or “Eamesera chair” – just fancy ways of saying, “It’s a pretty good fake.”