If you are an art lover and admirer of vintage things, then a visit to the furniture store will likely result in your eyes settling on the Eames furniture. Whether it’s an Eames Shell Chair or the Eames Lounge chair, you are bound to purchase one. But what if someone visits your home and points out that your Eames is actually fake? To avoid this situation, read this OneHowTo article to know how to tell a fake Eames Shell Chair apart from a real one.
Label
The first thing you must check while buying an Eames shell chair is the label. In the United States, the label would be of Herman Miller. The company logo features two sharp prongs with a U-shaped interior. If you are buying from Europe, then the label would be of Vitra. These labels are crucial indicators of authenticity and provide assurance of genuine craftsmanship.
Cost
Often, a fake Eames shell chair can be differentiated from the real ones by comparing their prices. The cost of fake chairs is usually much lower than the real ones. Therefore, before you venture out to buy an authentic Eames shell chair, conduct thorough research on the price of a real one. Any chair that appears similar to the Eames Shell chair but is priced significantly lower than the original is most likely a fake. It should be noted that authentic chairs are not only a purchase but also an investment, reflecting the quality and heritage they come with.
Color
When buying an Eames shell chair, pay attention to the color. If the shell color is a chalky white, then it’s real. The fake ones often have a bright white color. Genuine Eames chairs may also come in a range of classic colors, each with a subtle tone that feels richer and more sophisticated than the vivid colors seen on replicas.
Proportion
If you compare a fake Eames Shell Chair with a real one, the first thing you will notice is the difference in proportion. Usually, a fake Eames Shell chair will be oddly proportioned and much larger than the real one. The shape differs, and at the top, it is more squared than the authentic model. This discrepancy is often due to the lack of precision and attention to detail in reproductions.
Type of Fiberglass
The vintage Eames shell chair possesses a beautifully translucent fibrous texture. In contrast, fake shell chairs lack this distinctive texture. Moreover, an authentic vintage Eames Shell chair will never appear too glossy and perfect; it will naturally lose some of its finish over time. Thus, if you encounter an Eames shell chair with a gleaming polished look, you have likely found a fake. Additionally, the Eames Shell chairs produced today are made of polypropylene, a material similar to soft plastic. However, not everyone appreciates the material of the new Shell Chairs, even if they are authentic. Authentic chairs retain a certain tactile quality that fakes typically do not replicate.
Screws
In an authentic Eames Shell chair, there would be black screws to match the black frame, but the fake ones often feature chrome screws. This small detail is often overlooked in replicas but is a telltale sign of authenticity. Furthermore, the placement and alignment of the screws should be precise, reflecting the meticulous engineering that goes into creating every genuine Eames piece.
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