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i know nothing about the actual chair, apart from the fact that it is lovely and i want one! can i ask how much you got it for?

I think your investigation should begin by looking beneath the seat of the chair where you should find attached, or etched, in the plywood a manufacturer's tag; If its authentic, it should have a Herman Miller badge. I believe the same can be determined by turning over the ottoman.

Are there visible screws or bolts on the outside of the plywood (for example, the pieces that meet underneath the armrests)? If there are it is probably not authentic.

It looks like a very good quality reproduction. The post supporting the ottoman looks a bit thicker than the original, and it bubbles out past the legs a bit. It would help to turn it upside down to see more of the details of construction.

Another clue is that the ottoman cushion and chair seat are the same size so that you can swap them if one wears faster than the other. Same thing goes for the back cushions.

The design is also really low. The seat angels back to "cradle" your body. It should feel like you are in a big baseball glove. I have always been surprised at how small originals are when I see them for the first time.

Hope this helps.

That's not an Eames Chair - It's a knock off made by Selig.

I'm no expert, but there is something about the proportions of the back that say "reproduction" to me...but as long as you love it, what does it matter?

Raven makes some good points. I can't completely tell from the picture, but the angle of the seat gives it away for me. It should be more reclined. Check out the angle of the seat on the third photo:

http://www.hmhome.com/CDA/SSA/Product/1,1592,a8-c1345-p47,00.html

I know because I have one from Herman Miller, and contrary to how most people feel, I do not find the angle all that comfortable for sleeping or long rests.

Good luck with your research.

Thanks for the feedback all--
I did look under them before I purchased them- no tags and the legs on both pieces have been replaced.

There are a few odd bolts here and there but they were clearly added on after the chair was made as they do not match each other and you can see where the bent plywood is splitting ever so slightly from the force of screwing them in after the chair was made.

I only paid $275 so it's totally a steal and I love it with all my heart no matter what.

Raven- thanks so much, I'm going to see if the ottoman and the seat are the same size when I get home today.

Another thing worth noting is that the two pieces that support the head rest and wood and I know that the real chairs have metal supports. I feel like these might have been replaced as well though as they don't quite match the bent plywood.

and I don't think it's a Selig because the Selig arms are flat and don't curve back into the seat of the chair like the arms on this one do.

you love it and it looks great. why worry about something as trivial as authenticity?

Easy tell: It's not an Eames 670 and 671 because the original ottomans did not swivel, and yours seems to be rotated. The other main difference, as noted above, is that the seat and back of the Eames chair were connected with glued rubber braces which were prone to failure, and copies were usually connected with smooth-headed bolts visible under the arms.

It looks like a Plycraft to me. I have a lovely pair from 1971, in walnut. I love 'em!

Try this, as well: pull up on the headpiece's upholstered cushion, does it slide off the frame? You might find some info in there.

Kristen: You love the piece - that's all that really matters. I learned a lot from this post. When I got home I removed the headpiece cushion from my chair. Who knew it was that easy to detach. Enjoy your lounger.

I thought Plycraft was a licensed reproducer at somepoint too?