Good Questions: Why Does One Noguchi Cost More??

Hello AT,

Why would someone pay $1,400 for an "official" (licensed) Henry Miller [sic] Noguchi coffee table from DWR, as opposed to paying $770 for almost the same exact piece from Modernica?

Does it have anything to do with resell value?

Thanks in advance, Ken

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Dear Ken, Good question. Undoubtedly, Herman Miller has alot to lose by NOT convincing you that there is a difference, BUT, without having put a coffee cup on either one at the same time, we believe that they are almost exactly the same.

Remember that Modernica is also the manufacturer, so they have a much lower price point. DWR and Herman Miller both have to make some money. However, as far as collecting goes, the Herman Miller will be more collectible and resellable just because everyone knows who they are. There IS something in a name - especially on Craigslist... Anyone else?

BTW, Room and Board sells the Herman Miller version for $1145 (and shipping is MUCH better).

Comments (10)

I would keep looking for a nice original at a price you can afford. I bought a nice older original table at an auction in Chicago for $550. Pass on the knock offs and the reproductions unless you must have the design and the originals are to much $$$$.

If anyone is interested in selling a knock off that looks just like the original I have a contact who is a distributor if youd like to get a good deal. contact me at callmeporter@yahoo.com or on aim im rc5444

I meant to say purchasing not selling sorry ^^^

I did a little research before I made the decision to purchase an authentic Noguchi table (because I did not want to cough up the 1,400 buck or so with tax). I went to store after store and looked at the knock-off's verses the Herman Miller and I can honestly say that for me there is nothing like the real thing. There is just a "knowing" that I have that makes me confident that I made the right decision.

So, I say if something has caught your eye then nothing less will do.

My mother purchased a Noguchi coffee table back in the 60's. I kept the legs and need to get a new glass top. Has there been a change in the newly-manufactured Noguchi tables in anyway. How do I prove that this is a real Noguchi table?

All these comments about how "if the price is similar, buy the original - it's better quality" are simply ridiculous!

The all aluminium TOLEDO chair is $140 at designerseating.com

That chair is $940 at DWR.

The Eames fiberglass Chaise is $900 at White on White.

It is $8855 at DWR.

Let's get some perspective. Obviously anyone would buy an original if it was 10, 20% more. I'd buy it if it were twice as much. But it's 6 to 9 times as much, and I've sat on the repro and seen it in person and it looks great.

Furthermore, many of the high quality repros are made very well, and unless you're some kind of racist who thinks that well trained Chinese worker couldn't EVER equal well trained Italian or German workers, what's the difference.

These companies were given limited copyrights to make money off of their designs. They've made money. They don't need to continue to make money so that their great-grand-children can live off of trust funds.

I know that an original Herman Miller Noguchi table has the signature on the glass, etc as of 2003. How does one determine the authenticity of a pre-2003 Noguchi table? What are the marks to look for? Thanks!

I did find a really good price on a noguchi table at that link. I can't understand why people buy it for full price...who cares if it's the exact original or not? If it looks the same, and holds your coffee mug the same... :-)

Just to put my 2 cents in here, I am currently looking a purchasing a knock off of this table. Not because I don't want to have the "rel" one but because I have two kids aged 3.5yrs and 17 mos! I can't imagine the horror I will experience it one of them destroys the real deal! But I still want a contemporary feel in my living space. So for now, I will have to buy potentially throw away stuff and look down the road for the good stuff much later on!!

Very interesting debate. My impression is that there are differences in quality among the "knockoffs" just as there are differences in price ( around $250 to over $600). Can someone offer an opinion as to whose products are more solidly made, or whose to stay away from? Thanks.