Buying Vintage Eames Furniture

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Welcome to this week’s installment of The Midmod Corner.

Today is quite tutorial-focused topic. We'll delve into the art of identifying original, valuable furniture pieces and mastering the art of collecting them like a pro.

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The Guide to Buying Vintage Eames Furniture

Over the past decade, second-hand furniture platforms like 1stdibs and Facebook Marketplace have surged in popularity, offering unique finds and hidden gems. But buying authentic pieces, especially the ones designed by the notorious couple Ray and Charles Eames, can be tricky.

Luckily, The Eames Institute of Infinite Curiosity has released their ultimate guide to acquiring 'an Eames of your own', making the process less mysterious and equipping you with the right knowledge to confidently pursue your own slice of design history.

1. Narrative over aesthetics

It's all about the object’s history: every Eames furniture design carries a fascinating backstory, and being aware of its unique history often adds to its value. Rather than just focusing on appearance, explore the story behind each piece.

Investigate its original owner and manufacturing date, as early Eames chairs were custom-made. Check for any alterations and seek documentation of the piece's origin. Trustworthy sellers will provide this information, helping you develop a deeper appreciation for your Eames piece.

2. Don’t mess with patina

Ray and Charles Eames considered how time and use would affect their designs, often asking, "how will this look in a decade?" A genuine patina can be more desirable than a brand-new look due to its inherent charm.

For collectors, minimal alterations are best to maintain an original piece's value. If you're an Eames owner, avoid modifications to preserve quality, but if changes are necessary, ensure they enhance the item's longevity.

3. Older doesn’t mean better

Don't just focus on age; the oldest pieces aren't always the most valuable. In the early stages of their work, Charles and Ray Eames were still experimenting and refining their designs, so the pieces from that period may not be their best.

Daniel Ostroff, head of acquisitions and research at the Eames Institute provides a good example of this: "For instance, after four or five years of making a four-legged fiberglass chair base with a single connection point in the middle, forming an X shape, Charles and Ray redesigned it to create an H-shaped base. They made this change because the X base, with only one connection point, tended to cause the legs to splay. While collectors might seek out the earlier X-based chairs, the H-base is actually a superior design."

4. Beware of the ‘FrankenEames’

When buying Eames furniture, it's crucial to avoid dealers who mix and match or modify original pieces, as this significantly diminishes their value. Look for chairs with their original bases, checking details like screw condition for authenticity.

Expert tip: use a UV light to detect repairs or replacements; a consistent glow indicates authenticity, while a bright spot could indicate alterations.

5. Buy from established dealers

For novice collectors, buying from established dealers with experience is wiser than opting for cheap deals from uninformed sellers. Reputable dealers value informed customers and willingly answer detailed questions. Avoid dealers who dodge detailed questions.

Consider trusted online platforms such as 1stdibs, Vinterior, and Kaiyo for authentic items.

If you haven’t received it already in my welcome email, you can find a list of reputable physical dealers in this cheat sheet.

The topic of this article was voted on by the community. If you'd like to contribute to choosing the next topic, keep an eye on our Instagram page. Polls open every Monday.

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