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How to Identify an Original Eames Chair vs. Replicas

Authentic Versions Cost Around $5K-$10K

By
Pamela Wiggins
Pamela Wiggins
Pamela Wiggins is an antique expert and author of three books on the subject. She wrote over 400 articles on antiques for The Spruce and The Spruce Crafts. She also co-founded Costume Jewelry Collectors International, an educational website.
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Updated on 01/15/24
Fact checked by Alexandra Kay
Private Apartment London United Kingdom
Michael Crockett / Getty Images

Introduced in 1956, an Eames chair original with its coordinating ottoman continues to be one of the most recognizable and iconic chair designs in history. Herman Miller, a furniture maker, has manufactured this influential chair since it was first put into production. The first loungers were made of molded plywood bases and finished in black leather with button tufting.

Herman Miller makes the original Eames lounge chair and ottoman in a variety of leather colors with coordinating woods for the shell. Vitra, a Swiss maker of modern-style furniture, was authorized to produce the furniture using the original Eames specifications to distribute overseas. However, there are plenty of replicas (detailed copies) and reproductions (close copies) on the market. If you'd like to know how to tell if your Herman Miller chair is real and how to spot an authentic Eames chair from a replica or reproduction, learn to look for telling details.

Why is the Eames Chair So Famous?

"The Eames lounge chair and ottoman debuted on national television in 1956. Charles and Ray Eames appeared on the NBC television network "Home" show hosted by Arlene Francis. Stardom ensued for both design and designers. Yet, as popular as the lounge chair and ottoman have become, they remain grounded in the handcrafted details that continue to distinguish this classic, authentic design," according to the Herman Miller website.

How to Identify an Authentic Eames Chair

  • 01 of 05

    Check the Reclining Feature

    Media Room with Eames Lounge Chair and Flat screen TV
    Elliott Kaufman / Getty Images

    One of the features that make this chair so comfortable is the way the seat permanently tilts back. It was designed that way to take the weight off the lower back and spine. This design was made to rest in a reclining position without any adjustment. If a similar chair has a visible reclining mechanism to adjust the tilt, it's a major clue that it's not an authentic Eames piece. 

  • 02 of 05

    Measure the Chair

    Eames Lounge Chair and Ottomon, 1956. - Photo Courtesy of Wright
    Wright

    Most copies of the Eames lounge chair won't fit the original specifications of the design. They're usually larger and look somewhat clumsy. Look for three specific measurements:

    • An authentic classic size Eames lounge chair should measure 31.5 inches from the floor to the top of the headrest. (There's a tall size, too.) Many copies will be several inches to 10 or more inches taller than an original. 
    • The front seat edge will be about 15 inches above the floor, but note that some copies have that same measurement.
    • Measure the distance across the arms and from front to back. Each of these areas will be 32.75 inches in an authentic Eames lounge chair. Deviations from these measurements can indicate that your chair isn't authentic.
  • 03 of 05

    Look for Labels and Shell Details

    Labels on the bottom of Eames Lounge Chair matching ottoman.

    Larry Reilly Collection / 1stDibs.com

    Every original Eames lounge chair was marked with one of several different types of paper labels. Some of the labels stated that the chair was made by Herman Miller, and others provided patent information. Labels were located under a cushion or on the underside of the chair. However, these types of labels can be removed or fall off for one reason or another over time.

    Two other important details on the shell can help you determine whether or not a chair is a genuine article:

    • There should be no exposed screws in the three molded plywood shells that make up the outer body of the chair.
    • Look at the number of layers of plywood that were used in the construction of the shells. Vintage chairs have five layers, while modern versions have seven. Look for the number of layers on the edges of the chair.
  • 04 of 05

    Look at the Base and Feet

    converted industrial unit
    Andreas von Einsiedel / Getty Images

    The legs of a genuine Eames lounger have a bit of an angle, but they're not steep or flat. Often copies have a base constructed with square feet or the feet may have a steep incline. Also, look at the ottoman. A genuine Eames lounger ottoman will have four legs coming from the base, not five as seen in copies of the design.

    The original Eames chair (not the ottoman) also should be able to swivel 360 degrees.

    Continue to 5 of 5 below
  • 05 of 05

    Consider the Price

    Eames chair in the light

    ED REEVE / Getty Images

    Vintage in excellent condition and new production loungers often sell in the same price range between $5,400 and $9,995, depending on the materials. Vintage examples hold their value well, as does Eames furniture in general. Copies of the Eames lounger, however, usually sell for around $1,500, and far less when used. If you see a chair you think is authentic at a too-good-to-be-true price, be sure to look further for signs that will confirm whether or not it is an original Eames chair.

FAQ
  • How much did the original Eames chair cost?

    The cost of an original Eames lounge and ottoman sold for $310 in 1956 when the chairs were first available for sale. 

  • Do Eames chairs hold their value?

    When well-maintained, new and vintage Eames lounge chairs hold their value over time—due to the chair’s iconic design, function and comfort, and quality of craftsmanship—and sell in the same price range of between $5,400 and $9,995, depending on the materials.

  • What was the original Eames chair made of?

    The original Eames chairs were made of molded plywood bases covered in a rosewood veneer, cushioning in black leather stuffed with down feathers, and a die-cast aluminum base.

  • Are Eames replicas legal?

    Henry Miller and Vitra manufacture authentic Eames chairs. Eames replicas are legal as long as sellers don’t pass them off as authentic. Sellers need to comply with copyright laws, such as disclosing that the chairs are replicas.

The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

  1. Eames Lounge and Ottoman Design Story. Herman Miller.

  2. Neuhart, Marilyn and John. The Story of Eames Furniture. gestalten, 2015.