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My philosophy is that if the price is close I would prefer to go with the original. This is partly out of snobbery but mostly out of fear that the quality will be inferior on the knock-off. In my experience quality is often inferior especially in terms of materials used but also often in terms of subtleties of design which reduce comfort – examples include inferior wood on “Eames-style” executive lounge chairs and uncomfortable knock-offs of Le Corbusier LC2 armchairs. There are lots of originals (official modern re-issues) at reasonable prices - nelson lamps, eames LCW chairs, etc.. These products are priced fairly. However like previous posters I have trouble bringing myself to pay three or four times as much for the re-issue - Barcelona chairs, Swan chairs, etc. are good examples.

As for resale value I do not suffer from the delusion that the re-issues that I have purchased will be worth a significant amount of money at some future point in time. How many Eames LCW chairs do you think Herman Miller sells in a year? They probably sold more in 2005 than they did throughout the entire 1950s (I have no data to back that statement up). Plus most people who buy the re-issues are treating them as modern classics to be treasured so most of them will survive better than the originals - again creating a larger pool to choose from in the future.

Furthermore with so many knock-offs of key pieces around I think there is price pressure on the re-issues. Consider the Noguchi coffee table for which re-issues are now selling for about $1150 down from $1400 and the LCW chair (previously $750US... now they sell for $550). Will Fritz Hansen, Cassina and Knoll be able to keep their prices high or in 5 years will a new re-issue cost 25% less than you pay for it today. I agree that re-issues will hold their value better than knock offs because of the prestige and quality associated with the manufacturer but I'm not convinced that 20 years from now a worn looking re-issues from the '90s will fetch the same *premium* that a similarly worn looking original from the 60s or 70s fetches today (again using the Eames executive lounge chair as an example). I just don't think these re-issues will have the exclusivity in future that the originals have today.

Where I am a little more willing to spend exorbitant amounts of money is on original modern (contemporary) pieces from reputable manufacturers that are well designed and constructed but that have not been labeled classics and for which there is no alternative today. They may never be labeled classics and may not hold their value but if I'm lucky a few will be and I’ll own an original (not a re-issue) that will add to my children's inheritance. In the mean time however I've bought them for quality of design and construction and I am the only one I know who has them meaning that my home reflects my unique tastes.

According to a GREAT article about knock-offs in Domino (it takes a big man to admit to reading Domino), Room & Board is also selling knock-offs (albeit good quality, as is all their stuff).

That article is actually a great resource that puts the whole topic in perspective. It also talsk about how reissues have actually hurt the resale market, with vintage pieces (even of good quality) going for less than modern reissues.

I also just recently learned (via an article about Thomas O'Brien's stuff for Target) that one of the ways mass-manufacturers save money on wood furniture is to use spray dye instead of actual wood stain. That is perhaps why some lower-end dark-stained furniture shows lighter colored nicks so easily... because the pigment is only sitting on the surface, as opposed to penetrating the wood.

So apparently, really good penetration costs more. Wait...

Anywho, not sure that is the case with the Noguchi and Noguchi wannabees above, but it was some good new learnin'.

I'd say go see the stuff in person if you are able. There WILL be some discernible difference. Whether, to you, the differences warrant the price, is the only real issue.

(I DO, btw, have an issue with knock-offs of really iconic pieces like this...)

I personally feel the official products are made with much better materials, will last longer and hold there resale value. What Modernica is selling is basically a knockoff (like Gucci/Prada handbags on Canal St).
You can find the Miller version for $1145 at Highbrowfurniture.com with NO TAX and NO SHIPPING Charges

i work in holland, michigan which is basically the home of herman miller (zeeland, mi). i also am an art director at the ad agency for herman miller which was the brainchild behind a hm campaign in the last 2 years stressing authenticity and to promote awareness of classic furniture knockoffs. the first phase, "Get Real," was intended to educate consumers about the differences between genuine products built to designers' exact specifications and the profusion of poorly constructed imitations. if you care to do so, the video can be viewed here:

http://www.fairlypainless.com/movies/getReal.mov

what i've learned from this process is that Herman Miller really tried to promote the genuine articles -- protecting both the unsuspecting buyer and the intellectual property rights of the original designer and manufacturer.

in the words of my client at miller: "That way they (buyers) can rest easy knowing they're getting a product that meets the designer's intended standards of quality and durability.

"Imitation may indeed be the sincerest form of flattery, but in the domain of classic furniture design it cheats the designers, the manufacturers, the distributors, and ultimately the buyers who believe they're getting the real thing."

The second part of "Get Real" was a video documentary called "Real Voices." in it, we interviewed today's furniture design icons who have partnered with herman miller; such as bill stumpf (aeron chair), mark goetz, ayse birsel and studio 7.5 from berlin. through all of their comments, the recurring sentiment was an excitment -- almost a relief -- to be partnered with a company like miller, who encourages innovation and design integrity. they trust herman miller to protect their original ideas, intents and designs for generations to come.

obviously i'm biased, having worked so closely with this subject, but even as someone who desn't have a huge home furnishings budget, i would feel like i'd cheated myself by buying a shell chair from modernica, or a knockoff eames lounge chair from plycraft to save a couple hundred bucks. yes, resale is a factor, but it's also much more of a private, internal preference for me to know my purchase is the direct descendant of the original design and that i'm supporting a company who encourages such design morality and innovation.

i'll step off my soap box now. :)

It always does Patrick, it always does....

I also read the Domino article. However, I think that in the long run, the authentic pieces will retain their value and perhaps be worth even more. Whereas the knock-offs will be looked upon as inferior and will not have the same value.

As for me, I *only* buy authentic pieces. Whether they are new or vintage, authenticity (not price) is the key factor for me when making a buying decision.

what is the difference between "knockoff" and "reproduction"? if we ignore the resale value (i do not buy a piece of furniture with the intent to sell it in the future; does anybody?), then it's about design and quality. if the reproduction was made to the same specs as the original, then sometimes the only difference is that one has a stamp or sticker from the original licensee and the other doesn't. or in other cases, the reproduction, although it costs less, is of higher quality. for example, the wood may be hollow or veneered on the original, but solid in the reproduction, as is the case with my Case Study bed, which i had made to the exact specifications of the original, except instead of birch veneer, i chose solid birch. my bed will outlast an "official" reproduction. to me, the vintage version from "back in the day" is historically valuable, but the licensed reproduction only gives you a sticker or stamp that no one is ever going to see. The value in that is that you can go to your grave with the peace and knowledge that you paid more for the same exact piece of furniture that someone else paid less for. and in the spirit of the Eames' philosophy more people are getting better design for a lesser price. i don't think Chuck & Ray would be loving the fact that only the wealthy could afford their furniture.

k.b.--

GREAT insight, right from (or at least very, very close to) the source! Thansk for that post!

The video you spoke about was shown at the MoMA Store and was FANTASTIC (and I even tracked down up one of the awesome "Get Real" posters). Like all Herman Miller efforts, it was all beautifully designed and presented.

One of the reasons I really support Herman Miller's stance on licensing and intellectual property is because they have ALWAYS been proponents of design and designers... the advertising and graphic arts as well. That's actually also why I stand by DWR, for founder Rob Forbes' similar philosophy and vision.

I was actually disappointed to learn Room & Board was not an official licensee of many of the "modern classics" they sell.

Or, Chuck and Ray would be outrageously wealthy and give lots of money to charity.

They also were proponents of using available technology, and quite franky not all their stuff (now) is cheap to produce, licensed or not, because "affordable technology" has also changed.

It really depends if you're buying it for future resale value. If you're talking about a $500 difference, I personally think it's worth it to just buy the "authentic" one. The Barcelona chair, on the other hand, man what a difference in price.

patrick! i designed the get real poster! and let me tell you, coming up with the juxtaposed images was a company-wide hoot.

coming from someone who's apartment i absolutely DROOLED over in the smallest,coolest contest ... you made my day! thanks!

what bullsh$% k.b.! the only thing you're protecting is your job. people who pay high prices are suckered by promises of "authenticity". i wonder how much it actually costs to make some of this stuff.

anon--
Since you obviously don't have enough creativity to even come up with a witty screen name, no WONDER you don't value anyone else's creativity, work or intellectual property.

Take a furniture making or upholstery class and get back to us on "how hard could it be?"

ps, anon--
Um, I believe k.b. said they worked for an agency, and not for Herman Miller directly, so there goes that (sad, weak) argument. If they lost Herman Miller as a client, I'd say they could work for one of the knock-off houses like Modernica. Oh, wait, Modernica wouldn't value their talent, or agree to pay them fair market value.

Or, they have already copied the work from Herman Miller and don't need an agency.

pps--
Mark-up on furniture is outrageous, REGARDLESS of price point. And not just the big boys (or dominant doyennes) are doing it.

thanks p (too).

anon, i can't tell you how much it costs to make herman miller furniture, but i would imagine the higher price point comes from higher quality materials and higher quality control standards. and i work for an independent advertising agency, not herman miller, but i can tell you this: miller is a dream client who values honesty, integrity, innovation and yes ... maybe they have a higher price point, but its for a highly superior product.

I have three reproduction items in my apartment. A set of Barcelona chairs, an Eames storage unit, and a Nelson bench. I bought repro for a couple reasons.

1 - I'm not buying for resale value, I'm buying for appearance and utility.

2 - The price difference can be outrageous. I love the Barcelona chairs. I can't justify dropping $9000 for a pair though. I went for very well made repros for about $700 each.

Some of the repros are poorly made and not worth anyone's time. But many of them are very well made, and just as nice as the originals minus the large price tag.

Morality on this can be debated, in so much as an expanded design awareness is pushing "classic" design elements into more of a commodity than they were previously.

At the end of the day my wallet tends to win out. To me this is a simple matter of supply and demand. The demand for these pieces has become so great that without external controls someone is going to step in to fill some of that demand at a lower margin. As it stands right now, perfectly legal options are available to those who want these designs at a lower cost. Innevitably that will win out, despite marketing campaigns.

I bought a Herman Miller Noguchi from DWR last year, after considering some of the cheaper knockoffs. One thing I noticed was that the knockoffs' glass tops were thinner - and therefore more likely to break. Buying the "real deal" was expensive for me, but I felt it was worth it for the better quality.

FYI, the Modernica Noguchi tables have even thicker glass tops than the Herman Miller...which goes to my earlier point that sometimes the unlicenced reproductions are better quality than the licenced ones.

I have the Modernica version and the only difference is a slight variation in dimensions but the quality is outstanding.

I think it's funny that the Room & Board table in the Domino article does NOT have a counter weight to prevent tipping...isn't that kind of necessary on such a delicate design? Seems not all repros are of great quality and if I remember correctly, it was only about a $200 difference.

I'll take the one that won't tip over and squish my kids or dogs, thank you very much.

Gary--
Yeah, that seemed like, um, NOT the place to cut corners!!

And you point out something I've started to notice.. the price gap between MOST repros and originals seems to be dwindling...

Off topic, sort of, but k.b., I love Holland, MI! I was doing a project in nearby Allegan (I work on downtown revitalization-type projects), and the experience made me a Michigan fan!

Anyway, I have mixed feelings on knockoffs versus authentics. I think that even when people buy knockoffs, they still desire the real thing. It's like fashion...just because you buy a Gucci knockoff or Gucci-inspired piece, doesn't mean that you're substituting it for a real one. It doesn't make the real thing any less. I guess the question is whether the people buying the knockoffs would buy the real thing. For me, if a table is, say, $5000, I will in my current financial state, not buy it. Ever. If I could get a reproduction for $500, I might. There are people who would accept nothing less than the real thing...and there will always be those people. So, for some things, those cheaper things aren't stealing market share of the authentic ones, depending on the margin of difference between the prices. On the other hand, personally, I feel like buying a knockoff of something of such a unique design is lame, but that's me, because I don't want it at all...if I did, I might feel differently

Wait. Isn't it likely (in fact, nearly certain?) that anyone buying a copy can't comfortably afford the original? Call me a Pollyanna, but I think most people buying knock-offs would LOVE to own the original. They settle for a knock-off because they want to look (which they admire) and don't have enough dough for the real thing. YES, I suppose it hurts the manufacturer and/or designer, but that's why clothing designers came out with bridge lines (think Donna Karan and DKNY); they recognized that the VAST majority of people cannot and never will be able to buy the originals. Herman Miller tried something similar with that Red line (is that what it was called?) a few years back, but I think it was still very expensive. It's easy to sneer at people who buy knock-offs, but when most American families live on less than 50K per year, how many can spring for a Noguchi coffee table? Flea markets and auctions are great sources of original furniture (esp. Herman Miller) at good prices, but they're a very time intensive way to shop.

peter--
You'd think, right?!? But some of the earlier post-ers have said that anyone, even if they COULD afford the "real thing", would be stupid to spend any more on an original. When the prices are starting to run so neck and neck, and you care enough about furniture and design to WANT the real thing, yeah, I don't get why a knock off is even an option. But that's just me.

I DO have to confess, when the potential of working on my own company's new office public spaces came up, and I KNEW they would never go for a REAL Saarinen table, I was prepared to go White on White or Room & Board just to get the look... and primarily (he says, by way of meager justification) so it would soften the blow on the Eames Aluminum Management chairs I was proposing for the conference room.

Alas, the plug was pulled on the whole thing, so my moral dilemma was never fully realized.

Its as simple as this...the original licensed designs pay royalties to the designer or his estate while knock-offs use a designers creativity and the manufacturers are the only ones who benefit. Tough call but being an artist I can appreciate the original licensed products. BTW....looks like DWR is selling off all its knock off Le Corbusier products most-likely because Cassina has the exclusive design rights to those designs...like Herman Miller/Vitra have the exclusive rights to most Eames and Noguchi products.

As someone who owns a knockoff Noguchi table, I have to say I honestly could not afford the real thing but if I could, I would buy it in a heartbeat. My knockoff version is without a doubt an inferior copy but it's price was lower than other less attractive coffee tables that I was looking at.

I have also purchased an Eames dining/conference table from Herman Miller (via highbrowfurniture.com). The table arrived damaged. The packaging was terrible. Upon calling highbrow I was told they often get calls about the poor packaging from Herman Miller. They sent another table which was great, but again, it was just as badly packaged but this time arrived in perfect condition. I'm happy with my table but I've seen better packaging from Hold Everything!

Reef

I think a lot of people's (not everyone's) opposition to knock-offs is really -- eek -- snobbery. Those most bothered by them are the ones who forked over the cash for the real thing. As the "look" becomes common (the Noguchi coffee table, perfect example), the item loses some of its allure. As far as protecting royalties, the purchase of a second-hand -- but original -- Noguchi table isn't yielding anyone any royalties, but no one is opposed to buying one at auction. It's the item's identity as a "knock-off" that rankles. On the other hand, I think there ARE those who appreciate the difference -- from an aesthetic perspective -- between, say, an Artemide Tolomeo vs. a 14th Street lighting store "Tolomeo-inspired" task lamp. LAST POINT: if you CAN afford it, it's a better deal to buy the original. Depending on the design, not only will it hold its value (the Tolomeo), it could appreciate a great deal (any vintage Artemide lamp from the 60s). It's a lot like buying a Mercedes.

This is a great discussion but I really think some of you "purists" are misguided about the intentions of furniture designers and artists like Noguchi or Eames. Noguchi, for instance, created one of a kind works in stone -- where it could never be reproduced -- his furniture was meant for mass consumption. (Of course, I too cannot speak for him, but when you chose this medium to express your art, one would assume that's the intention.) I totally think an artist deserves full credit and monetary compensation for their ideas, but these pieces of furniture have been SO celebrated and have become so iconic in status that they should be affordable. (Immortality through greatness isn't enough? You think Mozart would want a piece of the action everytime you sang Twinkle Twinkle to your kid?) Imagine a world where everyone owned a beautiful Noguchi table and Barcelona chair. Personally, I think some of you just want to be elitists about design and beauty -- and you've gravitated toward these artists not because you truly appreciate art, but because you want to be distinguished from the hoi palloi.

I wanted a Nelson bench. I could buy it from a Vitra distributor in the UK (i.e. a official Herman Miller licencee) for £900 - that's around $1600 (and yes, I shopped around). DWR sells the Herman Miller version in the USA for $599 - £330. In other words, for the pleasure of paying in my local currency, I get charged three times the price. I bought an unlicenced version. And do you know what? I don't feel guilty at all.

This seems to me related to the phenomena of people selling 'vintage' (/'second hand') Eames plywood lounge chairs for massive premiums to new ones. Shops in London will sell 'a good specimen' for over £1000 ($1800) - versus an identical but new chair, made to the same spec, from the same line in the same factory with the same owner - for $550 (DWR again). What, exactly, am I paying for?

When I worked for a furniture retailer I learned that there's a factory in China making knockoffs across the street from the one making the originals.

Not for everything obviously (the Italian made stuff, especially), but a lot of things it's just a markup for the name.

To be fair, there are terrible knockoffs that are total crap, but there are a lot that are just "brandless"

I have to say that I enjoy reading your posts. As an owner of one of the companies that creates "knockoffs", I must say that it is an issue we have debated with internally for quite some time. While we considered pulling our reproductions in favor of "originals", we believed that a few over-riding factors were more important to us:

1.) Cost - we feel that it is a terrible injustice to common people looking to furnish their homes with modern pieces and have them pay upwards of $4000 for chairs that are considered "originals".

2.) Re-issue vs. original - What is an original, by the way? And what is a re-issue? How is a re-issue different than a reproduction? Originals were designed in some cases almost 100 years ago and the original designs have been altered by the very same companies that are considered to be the manufacturers of the originals.

For example, the Barcelona Chair was originally designed with diamond patterned cushion tufts, nine steel components that were bolted together and a chrome-plated steel frame. Knoll, over time, opted for seemless welding and stainless steel frames. How someone can argue that Knoll is producing something that is more authentic and original than the ones that we are producing is a mystery to me.

I understand that they own the trademarks and licenses to a design that was created so very long ago (primarily through a strong financial foundation), but in many cases they have altered the original designs in such a drastic way that they too are manufacturing reproductions. At which point, assuming that you are making a high quality reproduction (which we believe we are), it really only comes down to convincing people that your reproduction is much more valuable than others and should therefore be priced at much higher prices. We would rather charge customers lower prices if it means they can taste a piece of classic contemporary furniture.

Anyway, sorry for my rambling. I welcome the openness of this forum and just wanted to add the point of view of a supplier of the so called "knock offs".

By the way - my shameless plug:

in case you wanted to check out the authenticity of our products, please visit our web site at www.sexyfurnishings.com.

Anybody know of a kockoff on the Eames folding plywood screen? I found a company that sells it. The price is less than half of the original. Only comes in light ash and ebony. I'm thinking of buying it. First, I don't want to spend double the money, second, I buy it for the design and utility, not for prospect of resale. Has anybody actually compare the real screen and the knockoff...any big difference?

PL

The authentic Noguchi table has a laser cut signature on the edge of the glass

I recently purchased a replica Noguchi Table from 20thCenturyFurnishings.com and I cannot tell the difference between their table and the "official" table. Considering I only spent $599, there is no way I would spend over a thousand for a table that there is very little if any, difference in.

If you think about the "Danish scene" then I would like to make a point that with the case of Poul Kjærholm furniture the original manufacturer, E. Kold Christensen, is no longer in business and the new versions have been made by Fritz Hansen since 1982. Even though FH is a respectable firm, it is still not original with regard to PK stuff.

http://www.fritzhansen.com/composite-152.htm

I for example sold the beautiful PK54 table with extension leaves when my dad died in Denmark. It was an original E. Kold from 1965. Modern antique dealers were queueing up to buy it, but in retrospect I didn't get a good price relative to the new FH repro, which goes for $14k including the leaves! I found an old receipt for the maple extension leaves from 1976 and we paid less than $500; thus the CAGR in price for the leaves is about 10% over 30 years. Not a bad "investment" if you can sell them at the new retail price! Someone told me to ship it to the US and sell it for much more money , but the shipping logistics and costs would have been a huge pain. At the time the USD was also vastly over-valued.

I am actually thinking of buying a Noguchi Cyclone. Can't decide on Modernica vs. Miller. It looks like $800 vs. $13xx for the 42 incher.

You can get the Noguchi tables cheaper at:

http://www.modernreproductions.com

$800 for a knockoff is far too much, they are worth $500 maximum.

What does anyone else think about this?

I know this is sort of off topic, but what is a good site (with good quality items) for buying replicas? I really want some modern furnitures for my apartment but I can't afford paying the prices. Thanks.

i'm debating between purchasing a real eames lounge and ottoman for ~3k, but i know someone selling a repro they bought a few years back, for only 300 dollars... one point that no one brought up so far is... pets. i have a cat, and there's a chance he may dig his little claws into furniture that i buy, so that's a real why i'm leaning towards a knockoff. sure, it sucks not having the real deal, but i believe there's value in having some piece of mind. i won't constantly be worried about getting any tiny amount of damage done to a chair i'm buying for only $300.

I, of course, prefer originals....but occasionally, these distributers tend to mark prices to compete with small american automobile manufactures.

Designers like Charles & Ray Eames designed their pieces to be functional, affordable, beautiful works of art to make our lives better with design. There is nothing affordable about these items anymore.....and I'm sure Charles & Ray are turning in their graves now.

If I can find an original for a great price, or if I have some extra money lieing around during the bi-annual Herman Miller sales, I'll consider an original. But since I don't have plans to resell my furniture I have no problem considering a reproduction if it's made well.

I make a little bit under $50K while living in an expensive city, with expensive utility bills, and an out of control and expensive gas bill for the car and cooking. I'd be more stupid to spend my entire savings on a piece of furniture than I'd be considering a knock-off.

I have been the owner of a Cassina LC2 for just over 1 year. I paid about $3,400.00 (upgraded to Pelle leather) from an 'authorized Cassina dealer'. After owning a fake prior for about 3 years, I must say there is no comparison. The fake I owned came from a well know site that states they are to the exact specs as the authorized productions. The leather on the fake was sad and discolored after the years. The phonies chrome was not pretty in comparison to the real. The Cassina without a doubt, is 100% better quality and most importantly more comfortable even though we know u can sit for hours one an LC2. Bottom line, if you can afford the Cassina do it because you won’t be unhappy. If you want the look but can’t afford an "original repro" then get the fake as you will have the look as most of your guest can care less when they sit down. Not one of my guest realized I made a CHANGE from the phony to the Cassina!

By the way, Room and Board sells the Herman Miller Noguchi table, not a repro. They sell a repro of the Saarinen side table.

i am so sorry guys...

2 eames old yellow lacquer dcm chairs - paid $200 each from a flea market in Seattle. only 9 was made in the first year 1948 and discontinued forever out of thousands of birch, walnut, ash, black and red.

a noguchi black lacqured over birch coffee table base - found in a rummage of throw away pile of trash for $3.00. birch was used by HM between 1946 to 1956 and discontinued until limited re-issues in 1980 and in 1994. matching green edge biomorphic glass top from a garage sale for $20.00.

a 1957 gio ponti superleggera black lacquered chair - free, found abandoned in an alley on trash day at uber hip santa monica. made originally by singer and sons in the US before cassina took over and claim authenticity.

1 fixer upper rosewood and leather eames lounge chair for $100 at craigslist/la. seller said it is a knock-off (base has a black 5-star contract base)but tags inside upholstery indicate it was made by vitra in germany in the 1960's.

a huge framed verner panton silkscreen graphics from 1968 by mira spectrum - $10.00 at the Goodwill.

a signed ellesworth kelly MOMA serigraph exhibiton poster dated 1968 in the original frame covered in 4 decades of dust - $14.00 at a local salvation army.

a porcelain dinnerware service for 12 by raymond loewy made by continental china (later rosenthal) in germany in the late 1950's - missing two bowls but i can't complain for $40.00 at the Goodwill.

an unmarked george nelson walnut thin edge bar cabinet with missing sliding glass doors and glass shelf - $40, actually $20. it was 50% off on all furniture at St. Vincent that day.

an old and unmarked le corbusier 3 seater grand confort sofa with black steel frame and off-white leather in excellent condition - $200 at the Goodwill near 3rd street promenade in Santa Monica.

and finally, a touluse-lautrec lithograph framed poster for an exhibition in Paris with mattisse, picasso and manet dated march 20, 1954 - free, found abandoned in echo park on trash day on march 20,2004. weird.

I found a really good article at http://www.modernplanet.net written by a company in Canada when searching for "knock off noguchi table". His comparison between a cheap watch is just perfect.

As a dealer of ORIGINAL mid century furnishings (original being items made in the 1940-1960s) Resale value doesn't quite come into the equation.

I will happily acquire and showcase original Herman Miller items, but we will not carry used or new Reissues.
For the Vintage & Collector market, the original made during the original designer's lifetime, is special.

Just as an original Art Deco Kem Weber chrome Sofa is worth considerably more than a 1990s Deco 'style' item, a similar mindset applies to Mid Century Modern items vs "Retro Reissues".

Reissues are great for people looking for a look within a certain price range or condition. There are some people who cannot stand an item that has any existing wear from prior use.
Original is a niche market for Collectors, reissues are perfect for people looking to simply decorate with and enjoy for a few years before moving on to a new look.

For some of our customers working within a limited budget, we always say there is nothing wrong with purchasing an item "in the style of". Just be aware that new "retro" items and older repros do not hold or have huge resale value in the Collectors market.

Personally I wish that the New Herman Miller 670s used a different type of leather that more closely matched the originals and I feel that the plastic used to replace the fiberglass of the original armshell chairs looks a little too TARGET for me, however higher grade leather would bring the reissue 670s closer to the $8K mark and fiberglass can no longer be manufactured the way it was when the originals were made.

A little advice from us at Austin Modern, buy what you like, buy the best quality you can afford and you'll always be happy with your purchases!

dwr is selling modernica's nelson bubble lamps
so when a licensed verson is not available it must be o.k. to sell a replica?

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!!