Here's how to tell a real Eames chair from a fake

The classic Eames lounge chair created by designers Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller furniture company in 1956 has an air of sophistication and a mid-century modern vibe with its grained wood and comfortable leather cushioning.

Kudos to you if you’re lucky enough to have inherited an Eames lounge chair as a family heirloom or scored one at an estate sale.

If you haven’t, but you’re looking to add an authentic Eames lounge chair to your living room or office, expect to shell out upwards of $6,000.

The modern design of these chairs have proven to be timeless. For its steep price tag, you’re paying for the original craftsmanship. Although understandably, that price is still hard to swallow regardless that handcrafted chairs are generally expensive. If you’re going to invest in an Eames chair, you want to make sure it’s the real thing.

There are plenty of replicas of the iconic chair on the market, so you need to know how to tell a real Eames chair from a fake one.

To make sure you’re ordering an Eames lounge chair that won’t disappoint, there are a few key things to seek out when looking for a chair.

From $6,000 at Herman Miller

Buy from a reputable source

The best way to seek out a reputable chair is to go to an authorized retailer. The safest, most direct route is to buy from Herman Miller, the only authorized manufacturer of Eames chairs.

Design Within Reach, a subsidiary of Herman Miller, also sells authentic Eames chairs.

But beyond these two authorized sellers, you’ll want to be wary of retailers claiming to sell authentic Eames chairs. We recommend steering clear of these since you could end up paying top dollar for a fake.

From $6,000 at Herman Miller

From $4,316 at Design Within Reach

Buy secondhand—but know what to look for

If you’re desperate to add an Eames chair to your home, but don’t want to pay full price, your best bet is to go secondhand. But when doing so, you really need to know how to tell a real Eames chair from a fake.

You’ll often be able to find Eames lounge chairs being resold on Etsy or Facebook Marketplace, however, you should always investigate these products before buying. Here’s how to spot a real Eames chair among the fakes.

1. Look for a label or stamp on the chair

Since manufacturing began in 1956, Eames lounge chairs come with a label and stamp to prove their authenticity. Depending on the era in which the chair was manufactured, these labels and stamps may vary, but you can view a catalog of these stamps and labels online.

A real Eames chair will have one of these stamps and labels. If it doesn't, steer clear.

2. There should be no visible hardware

Eames lounge chairs are so beautifully manufactured with their molded wood and stunning leather seat, but what’s not visible on an authentic Eames chair is the hardware. If you can see visible screws or bolts on the exterior of the chair, particularly on the wooden sections, you know you’ve got a fake.

3. Check the recline and swivel

Beyond its beauty, Eames chairs have stood the test of time because they’re exceptionally comfortable. What adds to that comfort is the chair’s tilt and recline features. An Eames chair should be on a tilt so that when seated you’re in a comfortable reclining position.

Additionally, the chair is situated on a swivel base so you can rotate around easily. If either the tilt and swivel of the chair are missing, you know you’re not looking at a real Eames chair.

Eames Lounge Chair

The classic Eames Lounge chair is exclusively sold at Herman Miller.

From $6,000 at Herman Miller