I am a design armchair. I have graced living rooms since 1956. I owe my creation to Charles and Alexandra Ray Eames. I come with a matching footrest, also called an “ottoman.” Who am I? There is no doubt: I am the iconic Eames Lounge Chair! Under the inspiration of the Eames couple, this leather and wood armchair reimagines the traditional English club chair in a modern version.
A victim of its legendary success, this high-end furniture is nevertheless subject to numerous counterfeits. How can you distinguish a genuine Eames Lounge Chair from an imitation? As experts in design furniture, Jbonet shares its secrets for identifying the authentic Eames Lounge Chair.
The Main Characteristics of the Eames Lounge Chair
Did you know? Charles and Ray Eames wanted to create a lounge chair “as warm and inviting” as a well-worn baseball glove in their minds. An original source of inspiration that resulted in the creation of a comfortable design armchair composed of two pieces:
- the Eames Lounge Chair;
- the Ottoman footrest.
Both pieces feature a rosewood frame covered with leather cushions and mounted on a chrome base. All these elements allow this armchair designed in the 1950s to stand out from models produced until then.
However, knowing the key characteristics of the Eames Lounge Chair is not sufficient to distinguish a genuine one from an imitation.
5 Criteria for Identifying an Authentic Eames Lounge Chair
Fortunately for design furniture enthusiasts, there are several elements that ensure a chair is a genuine Eames Lounge Chair. Here are the criteria to consider when verifying leather armchairs with a similar design.
1. The Herman Miller or Vitra Label Under the Lounge Chair Seat
Manufactured by Herman Miller in the United States, the Lounge Chair is also produced by Vitra in Europe in accordance with the original specifications. An origin visible on the Lounge Chair in the form of a label placed under the chair seat or under the ottoman!
These labels notably feature the mentions “Herman Miller” or “Vitra”. Other labels provide information about patents or bear the inscription “Mobilier International,” a supplier of the Eames Lounge Chair in France in the 1960s and 1970s, or “ICF,” an Italian publisher that distributed Herman Miller in the 1980s.
2. The Dimensions of the Lounge Chair and the Ottoman
Depending on the version, the size of the Lounge Chair may vary.
Indeed, the armchair designed in the 1950s measures 840 mm in height, whereas certain versions manufactured by Vitra measure 890 mm in height. If the height of the classic version was not maintained on these models, it is simply to adapt to the increase in the average height of the population over the years.
Here are the dimensions provided by Vitra according to the model:
- Classic Lounge Chair size: 840 mm in height.
- New Lounge Chair size: 890 mm in height.
- Ottoman size: 420 mm in height.
3. The Base of the Lounge Chair and the Ottoman
Regardless of the edition of the Lounge Chair available for sale, the chair base must consist of 5 feet and the ottoman base of 4 feet. The shape of the base is also important: it should be neither square nor flat.
4. The Chair Backrest
If the design armchair available for sale and/or delivery has a mechanism to adjust the seat inclination, it is a copy. Indeed, a genuine Eames Lounge Chair is not reclining.
It is the design of the chair that makes it comfortable, its particular construction allowing the seat to permanently tilt backward to ensure rest and relaxation for the user without any adjustment. An essential quality criterion for distinguishing a genuine Eames Lounge Chair from a fake!
5. The Price of the Eames Lounge Chair
While the price of the chair and ottoman may vary depending on the version and year of production, the authentic Eames Lounge Chair is available at prices that reflect the high-end quality of its construction and materials. Vitra notably offers the classic version in black Premium leather at over 10,000 euros. The price of the chair varies according to the colors and materials chosen: Nubia upholstery, Premium Leather or Natural Leather, seat and backrest in American cherry, Santos rosewood, walnut, or ash, etc.
Of inferior quality, a copy of this design furniture will be available at a lower price. A low price is therefore also an element that should alert you when searching for an authentic Eames Lounge Chair.
Where to Purchase an Authentic Eames Lounge Chair?
Jbonet offers for sale and delivery products designed by the greatest brands in the design world. Official manufacturer of the Eames Lounge Chair for the European and Middle Eastern markets, Vitra is among these prestigious brands with which we collaborate closely on a daily basis. As in the 1950s, the company meticulously executes the 47 manufacturing steps necessary to create the chair and uses premium materials to ensure product durability.
Contact Jbonet to furnish your home with their exceptional creations and many other iconic Charles & Ray Eames furniture design products: Aluminium Chair, Eames Fiberglass Armchair, Eames Plastic Side Chair, Soft Pad Chaise, etc. Unlike other suppliers who simply offer their products in stock, we can support you from furniture selection to delivery, including custom interior design.
